Profanity is bad manners for a cultured person, but almost everyone at least once in their life has used a strong word in their speech, which can sometimes express the whole gamut of feelings raging inside. It’s one thing to accidentally express yourself in unprintable terms in your hearts, and quite another to use them constantly, generously mixing them with ordinary speech. According to statistics, more than half of Russians consider the use of swear words unacceptable. Profanity includes not only vulgar obscenities, but also jargon, vernacular, slang words and surzhik. Russian swearing has long been the talk of the town. There is even a dictionary of Russian profanity - a rather weighty tome that contains all the swear words and their designations. Contrary to popular belief, our language is by no means the richest in swearing. We use only four morphemes, from which many unprintable words are formed. The Russian language was not even included in the top three, which are replete with profanity, and in the overall ranking it modestly ranks only in fourth place. Scandinavian languages ​​hold the palm. February 3 is World Anti-Profanity Day. Psychologists say that a strong word most often helps a person get rid of stress. This actually has its own logic, because accumulated negativity tends to spill out, and the moment of such a surge is usually accompanied by some kind of action. Some begin to frantically kick chairs, others smash plates, and still others curse into the void and then feel great relief. In Russia, there is a paradox associated with obscene language. Most people have a negative attitude towards it, but almost everyone continues to use it in speech. The reason for such a prejudiced attitude should be sought not in the basics of etiquette, but in religious beliefs. Even in Rus', swearing was considered a sign of demonic possession. Some swear words were identified with curses. It was believed that the person who uttered them involuntarily called upon evil forces. The most interesting thing is that during pagan times, black words were often used during rituals and they were an important element of Russian folklore, but after the advent of Christianity, such vocabulary gradually began to be taboo. Foul language was banned not only in wealthy homes, but also in simple villages. Today, using swear words in public places also results in a fine of up to 1,000 rubles, but this does not help in the fight for purity of speech. Many defenders of obscenities consider profanity to be a national characteristic of Russians, although there are many other ways to demonstrate the famous “breadth of the Russian soul.” The fight against profanity is being waged with varying degrees of success all over the world. Committees are convened, activists are recruited, and possible solutions to the problem are explored. Eradicating abusive language is a difficult task. Unfortunately, unprintable words are increasingly heard in popular videos and appear in various articles, where they should bashfully hide under asterisks and be covered by characteristic sound signals. In reality, this is not happening, censorship has made a hole and is letting this kind of thing through to the masses. The younger generation enthusiastically picks up swearing and the use of profanity becomes fashionable. In fact, the use of obscenities speaks of the poor vocabulary of a person who does not have enough phrases in his memory to express his own emotions, which is why people take the shortest route, expressing themselves in short swear words. Buddhists believe that a person expends a huge amount of energy in the process of pronouncing words. Many Christian preachers believed that there was a direct connection between spiritual life and purity of speech. Modern scientists who have studied water, of which 60% of a person consists, have proven that words have a significant impact on its structure. By using unprintable expressions, a person only poisons his own life, so on February 3, World Anti-Profanity Day, you should once again think about why not try to do without swearing? Perhaps pure speech has a much greater impact on a person’s life than it seems at first glance.

Absolute knowledge, supreme happiness, deep feeling, affection and chemistry - it has many names. Love gives a feeling of spiritual closeness with another person, binds hearts and intertwines souls, but there are always those who prefer not to become its slave. Free love is what a relationship without obligations is called. There is no room for jealousy, selfishness and quarrels. Not everyone accepts this type of relationship, but they still have many supporters. February 3 is celebrated as World Free Love Day. Conservatives and hostages of tradition will never accept this holiday. Proponents of free love are convinced that moral values ​​that limit the freedom of a partner in a couple are a relic of the past. The future lies precisely in such progressive relationships, in which no one is shackled hand and foot, and adultery is the norm of family life. The idea of ​​polygamous love is not new. From time immemorial, there has been a special form of relationship called polygamy. One man tied the knot with several partners of the opposite sex. When a man did this, a special term was used to refer to this form of marriage: polygyny. In the second case, a woman could enter into relationships with several men. This relationship was called polyandry. The first option was more common in patriarchal, and the second - in matriarchal societies. At different times, there were certain traditions of marriage. They were usually formed under the pressure of religious doctrines. Although monogamy has won in most countries, there are still countries where marriage with multiple partners is legal. Also, certain groups of married couples practice swinging - a special form of relationship in which participants exchange partners. Free love supporters are a protest movement. They refuse to build their relationships in accordance with established norms and traditions. Hippies became one of the key popularizers of the idea of ​​free love, which formed the basis of the concept of their movement. They were opponents of Puritan traditions. It is believed that the “flower children” subculture originated in the United States. In 1967, they declared themselves publicly. That summer, thousands of hippies gathered in one of the areas of San Francisco, where “flower children” could indulge in that same free love and not worry about anything, since all visitors to Golden Gate Park had access to free food, drugs and medical care. The peak of popularity of this movement occurred in the 60-70s, after which it began to decline. Today, hippies are just one of many subcultures. The movement has ceased to be massive. Free love is also practiced in many sects that deliberately cut off ties with the outside world and live according to their own laws. In a civilized society, this form of relationship is still viewed negatively. Today it is difficult to find the person who came up with the idea of ​​​​establishing a holiday dedicated to free love. One thing is for sure - supporters of such relations managed to attract attention. This day became a reminder of their small triumph. At the moment, in almost every country you can find groups of like-minded people who practice free love, but the vast majority views them with censure. The old foundations and traditions are still alive and in the near future they are unlikely to be displaced, giving way to new ones. The best way to celebrate Free Love Day is with like-minded people, but medical experts warn to always be careful about the long list of dangerous sexually transmitted diseases. By the way, many hotels are preparing for this holiday. They organize promotions and open their doors to supporters of relationships without obligations, so finding a cozy place to celebrate the day in a big way is not difficult.

“We are tenderness, we are tenderness, We are each other’s eternal tenderness!” - Anna German sang, accompanied by a symphony orchestra. The theme of a reverent attitude towards a loved one and a special state of mind is also heard in other musical compositions. “It’s just empty on Earth alone without you, And you, you fly, And the stars give you Their tenderness,” sang Maya Kristalinskaya. Affection and care for a dear person is manifested with trepidation and love in words and deeds. February 3 is the perfect time to demonstrate this sublime feeling in honor of the International Day of Endearment. The history of the unusual celebration is unknown. No special rules for the celebration are mentioned anywhere. Therefore, everyone comes up with their own traditions and decides how to celebrate the International Day of Tenderness. In honor of this special state of mind, not only poems were composed and paintings were painted. One of the most popular perfumes produced by the Scarlet Sails plant, released back in 1971, was called “Tenderness”. This masterpiece of the USSR perfume industry was distinguished by its exquisite floral composition and soft, enveloping aroma. “Tenderness” refers to airy cakes, marshmallows, yogurt, bizet cakes and a host of other things that are associated with lightness and airiness. The word "tenderness" comes from "negi" - rapture, pleasure and bliss. And indeed, the manifestation of this reverent feeling evokes a lot of positive emotions. Tenderness gives hope, a feeling of care and security, confidence that you are loved. This special state of mind makes a person richer internally and more receptive to the world around him. Therefore, it is quite logical to assume that on February 3 you need to give your tenderness to loved ones. It is needed not only by loved ones, but also by children, parents, pets and all living beings in general. Tenderness can be both inexplicable, deep, elusive and endless, as well as unspent and painful. A whole palette of feelings is hidden in this emotional state. But it is based on purity, the ability and desire to selflessly give care and attention. Tenderness carries the energy of kindness and selflessness, so it can work wonders. It heals mental suffering, instills confidence and hope for the best. It’s not for nothing that philosophers call tenderness a medicine and a reward. This nagging feeling can make an ugly person beautiful. Quasimodo from the novel by V. Hugo, the Monster from the fairy tale “The Scarlet Flower”, Gwynplaine with a disfigured face from “The Man Who Laughs” had a kind and sympathetic soul. Tenderness illuminated them from the inside and magically transformed them. Therefore, despite their external ugliness, these literary heroes aroused sympathy and reciprocal love. “Let me at least line your departing step with the last tenderness,” V. Mayakovsky called to his beloved in the poem “Instead of a Letter.” Yes, despite existing stereotypes, this feeling is characteristic not only of women, but also of men. It can be demonstrated by people with a fine mental organization, the ability to give and demand nothing in return. Tenderness can be timid and submissive, timid and silent, but it can also be selfless and jubilant. But no matter how this special internal state manifests itself, it always means affection, care and a warm attitude towards people dear to the heart. Therefore, International Day of Tenderness is a hymn of love, a holiday of emotional purity and spiritual light.

Stable phrases that have formed in the language throughout its existence make the speech of native speakers more figurative and expressive. One of the regularly used expressions is “the wind of change.” It was used by the rock band "Scorpions" in the title of the musical composition "Wind Of Change", which sings about the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall. The expression “wind of change” was often used during perestroika when describing party ideology and reforms that took place in 1985-1991. in the USSR on the initiative of M. Gorbachev. The phrase gained popularity and began to be actively used after the visit of British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan to the countries of the Union of South Africa during his 6-week tour. On February 3, 1960, the head of the British government gave a speech “Wind of Change” before the parliament of the future South Africa in Cape Town. In it, Macmillan, on behalf of the Conservative Party, made it clear that Great Britain did not intend to interfere with the decolonization of a number of African territories in order to grant them independence. The Prime Minister's speech was a harbinger of the freedom and political changes that were beginning to take place in the Union of South Africa. "The wind of change is blowing across this continent," Macmillan said, confirming that Britain is ready to transform its foreign policy. The British recognized the growing national consciousness of Africans and the need to fight apartheid. February 3, the date of the Prime Minister's speech, is considered the birthday of the phrase "Wind of Change." Macmillan made his first speech on the independence of the British colonies on January 10, 1960 in Ghana (formerly the Gold Coast). The words of the representative of the Conservative Party did not cause much reaction from the local population and the press. In Cape Town, MacMillan's performance attracted greater public attention. The British were concerned about clashes between African nationalists and white settlers in French Algeria and the Belgian Congo. Macmillan's speech was a result of the colonists' fears that similar protests could spread to the British colonies. The world media called 1960 “the year of Africa” because, thanks to the winds of change, many territories gained independence. In 1961, South Africa was formed and Tanganyika (modern Tanzania) switched to self-government, 1962 - Uganda, 1963 - Kenya. After Macmillan's speech, South African Prime Minister Henrik Vervoord, who announced a referendum and vote for the country's independence, was attacked twice. Among the local residents there were people who perceived the Prime Minister's speech as a betrayal and "cynical abandonment of the white settlers." These were Europeans for whom Africa became a second home. Nelson Mandela, the black civil rights leader, praised Macmillan's "Winds of Change" as a stunning speech. The African quest for freedom and equality after February 3, 1960 could no longer be stopped. In honor of the significant event, the proclamation of Great Britain's course towards decolonization, the Birthday of the phrase "Wind of Change" was established.

February 3 is National Carrot Cake Day in the United States. This culinary masterpiece has long been considered one of America's favorite desserts. Carrot cake can be eaten plain, but is usually served with ice cream, a creamy white cheese sauce, and a sprinkle of chopped nuts.

For many decades, the only ruling party in Vietnam has been the communist one, as the Vietnamese themselves lovingly call it “our party.” Residents of the state sincerely believe that communism, which will definitely lead them to socialism, is the only correct path. Pioneers, red flags, the obligatory hammer and sickle and other attributes can be found at every step. The birthday of the Communist Party, which takes place every year on February 3, is a big holiday for every Vietnamese. This day is a public holiday and if the holiday falls on a weekend, then the next day automatically becomes a day off. The founding of the Communist Party in Vietnam was announced on February 3, 1930, at a conference chaired by Ho Chi Minh, whom modern Vietnamese consider the “father of the party.” Already at the first plenum it was decided to rename it the Indochinese Communist Party. In connection with the military operations that took place on the territory of the state from 1945 to 1951. The Communist Party ceased to exist officially, but continued to operate underground. Over the years, the number of party members increased from 3,000 to 400,000 people. In 1951, the Communist Party resumed its existence and was renamed the Vietnam Workers' Party. In 1976, the communist parties of North and South Vietnam united into a single Communist Party. By this time, more than 1,500,000 people were members of the party and to this day another 2,000,000 people have joined them. In Vietnam, Leninist traditions continue to be honored, the portrait of Ho Chi Minh hangs in a place of honor in government institutions and ordinary homes, and the celebration of the Birthday of the Communist Party is celebrated on a grand scale. Festive rallies and demonstrations that take place on February 3 throughout the country have already become a mandatory tradition.

In the last month of winter, all residents of Japan celebrate one of the most significant religious events of the year - Setsubun, symbolizing the onset of spring. This holiday is part of the popular spring festival Haru Matsuri. It helps to eliminate the natural instability that occurs when the seasons change, and also to expel the evil Oni spirits from the world of people. The creation of this date is associated with one of the most important principles of the yin-yang ideology. These are two principles that are opposite to each other and lie at the basis of the Universe: light and darkness, positive and negative, etc. The Japanese are convinced that at the junction of the seasons, forces oppose each other, as a result of which there is a threat of various types of disasters. For this reason, a ritual of exorcism arose, the main task of which was to drive out spirits that bring trouble and protect against all sorts of troubles. The main part of the celebration is the traditional mamemaki ceremony, which involves throwing fried soybeans into the crowd. The ritual is performed only by revered residents of the state, both men and women, who were born under the constellation of the current year. The Japanese believe that beans have the ability to ward off evil Oni demons who leave their hellish world at the change of seasons. The ritual of scattering the fruits is accompanied by a friendly shouting of a special spell. Translated into Russian it means “Evil spirits, go away! Happiness, come!” Participants in the ritual believe that in this way they “invite” happiness into their home. This ritual is performed in almost every home, temple or sanctuary. The latter celebrate the holiday on a special scale, involving famous personalities in the action. To ward off troubles and attract good luck, some people visit famous temples. One such place is the ancient Sensoji Temple, located in the Asakusa district, the tourist part of Tokyo. On the eve of the solemn date, a variety of products related to this holiday appear on the shelves of many stores and shopping centers. One of the most popular products among buyers is the so-called happiness beans. As a present, the beans are often accompanied by a funny mask depicting a devil. Most often they are worn by young people or fathers of the family who want to amuse their children. For this reason, the festival is always very fun and interesting, the whole holiday is spent in costumes of evil demons and traditional outfits, about a ton of fried beans are scattered in the temples throughout the whole day. After all the fruits are scattered, people select the number of beans corresponding to their age, and then eat them. According to existing legend, a person who eats one bean more than the number of years he has lived gets sick much less often. In addition, in some regions of Japan, a special ritual is carried out to impale the head of an iwashi on a twig. The finished composition is mounted on the house - it is also designed to protect household members from evil spirits.

On February 3 (January 21, old style), according to the folk calendar, Maxim’s Day is celebrated, also called Maxim the Comforter. In the church calendar, this date coincides with the honoring of St. Maximus the Greek, a monk-translator in the 15-16th century. Maxim grew up in a wealthy Greek family and received an excellent education. After long travels in European countries he became a monk. When the Moscow prince needed to translate biblical works from Greek into Slavic languages, Maxim was called to assist him. First of all, the monk translated the Psalter and the Acts of the Apostles, then other Christian books. Among the people, Maxim's day was called Maxim the Comforter and they believed that prayers directed to the saint helped solve the problems of the disadvantaged. It was customary on his day to thank everyone who has ever selflessly provided help and pray for their well-being and health. It was believed that doing good deeds is much more profitable, they are remembered a hundred times better than evil, and paradise in heaven awaits the virtues themselves. The women tried to bake a lot of pies with different fillings. They treated them not only to their household, but also to thank their helpers, and distributed them to the poor and hungry. If neighbors quarreled among themselves, then such a pie helped to reconcile. There was a ritual on Maxim's Day to strengthen the relationship between husband and wife. They went out into the garden at night and knocked snow off tree branches. It was important to hold hands and read spells for happiness. On Maxim's Day, the owners went to check and repair the horse harness. To prevent the brownie from interfering with the horses, a whip and mittens were attached to them at night. The good created on a given date was returned. They said that the Lord warns against troubles if the planned business fails. And if a gusty wind descended on Maxim the Comforter, the healers read love spells. The coming year was determined by weather signs. The night moon shining through the clouds foreshadowed a rich harvest of grain. On the contrary, the clear sky promised a small harvest of wheat and severe frosts. Pleasant warm weather predicted an early spring.

The lily, symbolizing purity, mercy and light, has long been considered the flower of kings in France. Lavender is associated with love, happiness and longevity. This plant is called the soul of Provence. Lavender has been grown in this region for almost a thousand years. The fertile nature of France has created comfortable conditions for the growth of lilies of the valley, rosemary, clematis, dahlias and pelargonium in gardens and greenhouses. Toulouse, the capital of the Midi-Pyrenees region, is known as the city of troubadours and violets. This flower, a living embodiment of tenderness and sophistication, has been grown here since the end of the 19th century. The violet appears on the city coat of arms, shop signs and cafes. And although Africa is considered the birthplace of the plant, a hundred years ago France was the main supplier of this plant to Russia and European countries. Paying tribute to historical traditions, the Violet Festival is held in Toulouse every year in early February. The first celebration, which lasts 2 days, took place in 2003. The Toulouse Violet Festival was initiated by representatives of the food and cosmological industries who use violets in the production of sweets, liqueurs, perfumes and skin care products. In France, this flower represents the sadness of deceived virgins. It is believed that violets have strong feminine energy, so they can break up a couple. A man feels unwanted around his beloved, who has this flower growing at home, which leads to a break in the relationship. But most often, violet is associated with purity, tenderness and kindness, love and sincerity. In honor of the holiday, botanists and florists from around the world come to Toulouse. They participate in the violet competition, the main event of the festival, where flowers are judged on beauty, variety, freshness of appearance and skill in bouquet design. After this, everyone attends lectures where breeders talk about how to breed and care for the plant, known since the times of Ancient Greece and Rome under the name Víola. For two days, city fairs sell perfumes, liqueurs, cosmetics, jams, muffins, candies and other sweets made from violets. Tourists, walking along the streets of Toulouse, visit flower greenhouses and greenhouses, participate in master classes and taste various delicacies. The pride of local confectioners is considered to be candied violet flowers: its petals are coated with beaten egg white, sprinkled with powdered sugar and dried naturally. The delicacy is consumed as a dessert or, according to the old tradition, thrown into a glass of champagne. The flower gives the drink a bright color and an unusual aroma. More than 700 species of violets are known. They are used both in cosmetology and in medicine to produce diuretics, antipyretics and anti-inflammatory drugs. In honor of the festival, they create arches and figures from flowers and decorate houses and cars with them. You can admire the beauty of this amazing plant and meet the variety of varieties in Toulouse by visiting the city in early February.

Orthodox holidays on February 3:

In the 2nd half of the 15th century, a son was born into the famous family of the Greek dignitary Emmanuel Trivolis, who was baptized in Orthodoxy by Michael. Educated and religious people gave him a good philosophical education. At the age of ten, the boy was sent to Europe, where he studied and traveled through Italy, Germany, and France. After spending a lot of time there, Mikhail became interested in Catholicism and accepted the faith in the monastery of St. Mark and served as a monk. His life changed in 1504. The Greek preacher brought liturgical manuscripts to Florence, which fascinated the young monk. He went to Athos to a monastery, where he prayed a lot, read the sacred scriptures, and a year later he took monastic vows at the Vatopedi Monastery, becoming Orthodox. He read the works of St. Maximus the Confessor and at the dedication took his name. The Monk Maxim, being God-obedient, collected monastic alms for 10 years, read books from the monastery library, wrote works, calling on God. The Grand Duke of All Rus' Vasily of Moscow wished to translate the Greek-Slavic manuscripts and appealed to the Greek church to send an educated person who knew the Scriptures. In 1518 Maxim was sent to Moscow. In the Kremlin he was received with honors and assigned to the Chudovy Monastery. Not knowing Russian or Old Slavonic, the monk set to work. Dmitry Gerasimov and Vlas Ignatov were given to help him. Being scribes and translators, they set to work. The first work was the biblical Psalter. This work was highly appreciated by Prince and Metropolitan Varlaam. Maxim filed a petition to return to Greece. But it was rejected and the monk was left. He translated other scriptures and began to study the Russian language with diligence, and after three years he was able to speak and translate scriptures. The year 1524 would be a turning point in the life of Father Maxim; he was arrested and sent to the Simonov Monastery. There he was until the April trial of 1525. He was accused of having relations with the Turks, disagreement with the Grand Duke to send his wife to a monastery due to infertility, and errors made during the translation. Metropolitan Daniel, who replaced Varlaam, was an opponent of Maxim. He spent 6 years imprisoned in a cell, removed from the church. The musty smell and poor conditions greatly undermined the health of Maxim’s father. But here an appearance of an Angel occurred, encouraging the sufferer. And he, inspired, wrote a canon dedicated to this with charcoal on the wall of his imprisonment. Then there was a trial again, which eased the conditions of imprisonment. Father Maxim was transferred to the Tverskoy Monastery under the supervision of the bishop, who turned out to be a sensitive person and allowed Maxim to write and read books and go to church. The bishop personally asked the prince to improve the conditions of the prisoner, honoring Maxim. Despite the petitions of the monk himself, Patriarch Dionysius of Constantinople and Patriarch Joachim, Maxim received freedom only in 1551. He was sent to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, where he met with Prince Ivan the Terrible and predicted his future. Here he died in 1556 on January 21, old style (February 3). His relics were buried near the walls of the monastery. A beautiful tomb and a small chapel were later built on the grave. Miracles happened there, people prayed and were healed. 35 years after his death, he was ranked among the local saints by the church. In 1998, Maxim was canonized as a saint by the entire Orthodox Church.

The Holy Church celebrates the Day of Remembrance of St. Maximus the Confessor on February 3 (January 21, old style). This Byzantine monk, theologian and philosopher is revered by the Orthodox Church as a confessor and reverend, and by the Roman Catholic Church as a saint. Maximus was born in Constantinople in 580 and in his youth held a high position at the court of Emperor Heraclius, with whom he was distantly related. But the blessings of court life no longer suited the future saint, and in 630 Maxim wished to become a monk. He goes to a monastery located not far from the capital, and soon becomes abbot there. Subsequently, Maxim was founded in the monastery of Carthage, where his theological and philosophical activity began. The saint’s asceticism was associated with opposition to the Monophysite heresy, whose supporters argued that there was only one will in the nature of Christ. The Monophysites argued against the heresy of Eutyches, according to which there is only one nature in Christ. Maxim decisively opposed both statements, proving that in the Lord there are two wills, as well as two natures. Unwittingly, Maxim became an opponent of both the Tsar and the Patriarch, but he was not afraid and defended the Christian truth to the end, for which he endured many torments. The saint and his disciples were persecuted, taken into custody, and tortured. After numerous oppressions and trials, the Confessor’s tongue was cut out so that he could no longer read sermons, and he was deprived of his right hand so that he could no longer write theological works. The mutilated Maxim was sentenced to lifelong exile in the lands of Colchis, where he died on August 13, 662 in serfdom. For many, the death of Saint Maximus is tantamount to martyrdom, since the saint died from severe injuries and unbearable conditions. For a long time, the name of the Confessor remained with the stigma of a state criminal, but the attitude towards his ascetic activity changed in the light of the numerous miracles that took place at the saint’s grave. According to legend, every night three lamps were lit by themselves over the saint’s grave as a symbol of the heavenly trinity. In folk tradition, February 3 was called the day of Maxim the Greek. Christians came to the temple and asked for help in difficult situations. They believed that if you ask St. Maxim for a benefit for a dear person, the request will certainly come true. And the custom advised to go into the forest and tell the birch tree about your worries; on the way back, a solution to the problem will certainly come to mind. Folk custom advised spouses to shake off snow from a tree near the house, holding hands, which promised prosperity and prosperity. There were also natural signs by which one could learn about the upcoming weather and harvest: - the clear sky was not welcomed, because it pointed to empty barns in the coming year; - but the clear moon, shining through the fast running of the clouds, promised a rich grain harvest; - clear weather predicted prolonged, evil frosts.

Feast of the Vatopedi Icon of the Mother of God “Consolation”

Feast of the Icon of the Mother of God of Ktitorskaya