May 23 Unveils Ancient Secrets of Healing Herbs and Hidden Gold
Every year on May 23, communities gather herbs and roots believed to hold extraordinary healing powers. This tradition, tied to the feast of Simon the Zealot, follows age-old customs where only those with pure intentions could take part. The day is also linked to folklore about hidden treasures and the mystical properties of plants. The ritual of collecting medicinal herbs on this day was once a solitary task. Before picking any plant, people would kneel and recite special prayers, often including the Our Father and the Hail Mary. These incantations were thought to ensure the herbs retained their strongest healing abilities.
Belief held that the plants’ power peaked on May 23, making them far more potent than at any other time. Only those with honest and selfless motives were permitted to gather them. The day also carries a connection to treasure hunting, as some associate Simon the Zealot’s name—*Zilot*—with *zoloto*, the Russian word for gold. The feast day itself is marked by names of Greek and Egyptian origin. Cyril, meaning 'lord' or 'master', and Vasily, meaning 'royal', reflect the day’s historical ties. Meanwhile, Taisiya, an Egyptian name meaning 'fertile', aligns with the themes of growth and abundance tied to the herb-gathering tradition.
May 23 remains a day when tradition and belief intertwine. Herbs gathered under these customs are still valued for their supposed heightened healing properties. The connection to treasure hunting and the symbolic meanings of names add to the day’s enduring mystique.
