The spring cycle began on March 14, on Yavdokha (Evdokia) - it was the day when the groundhog woke up, the fish broke the ice with its tail, and the swallows returned from warm lands. On this day, our ancestors met spring: at dawn they went out to a high mountain or climbed out into the trees and called for spring. The owner had to bring melted water into the house, with which all family members washed. Also on this day, women sowed seedlings in pots, and young people began to sing stoneflies.

On March 22, the memory of the 40 Holy Martyrs of Sebaste was honored. Housewives baked muffins with lean filling: potatoes, cabbage, berries and special ceremonial cookies in the form of 40 birds (once it was believed that this is the number of bird species returning from the south). On this day, older women put 40 candles in the temple and beat 40 prostrations. It was impossible to work for 40 saints, it was believed that those who work would earn 40 sores. Despite the fact that the holiday was the herald of spring, after it there could still be 40 frosts and 40 “shovels of snow”. On this day, children went from hut to hut with wooden swallow toys, glorifying and inviting spring.

Khrestye (Christ Week) is the fourth week of Lent. Traditionally, a special ceremonial "christening bread" was baked this week, part of which was stored in a closet with grain (for a good harvest). The owners took the same bread with them when they went to sow rye-wheat, and buried it in the field so that the land would give a good harvest. On the Left Bank, dishes with holy water were traditionally buried in the field - “so that there would be no drought”, and in Chernihiv region - pieces of linen that lay on the shroud in the temple - “so that the grain would be well disfigured”.

March 30, Warm Alexei, was considered the day when winter was already fading away. On this day, the beekeepers opened the hives and asked God for a honey summer. And wild animals woke up on Alexei from hibernation. There was a special ritual for this holiday: on this day, everyone tried to find a ryast flower and trample it. It was believed that whoever did this would live another year, hence the saying: "Give me, God, to trample and wait for the next year."

Palm Week is the week before Holy Week (this year March 26 - April 1). The main rite of this holiday was the consecration of willow twigs (since palm trees do not grow in our latitudes), which were then households with the words: “I don’t beat, the willow beats, in a week - Easter!”. It was believed that this ritual symbolizes purification and health.