The old Hungarian name of March is Böjtmás, referring to the fact that this is the second month of the fasting period. All traditions connected to nature, weather and folk heritage in this month are related to the approaching spring.
March 18, feast os Sándor (St. Alexander of Jerusalem), is close to the beginning of spring. This fact is announced by the well-known rhyme: „Sándor, József, Benedek, They all bring warmth with a sack”.
March 19, feast of St. Joseph. On this day, the craftsmen of Dunaszerdahely marched under their guild flags, confessed, sacrificed and prayed together in front of the statue of St. Joseph placed in the church. Beekeepers released their bees on this day so that they could gain strength by the beginning of flowering to be able to collect honey. The people of Rye Island believed that Joseph would give the singing birds a whistle so that they could sing.
March 21 is the day of St. Benedict of Nursia, the third saint to bring warmth. According to folklore, garlic consecrated on this day is useful in all troubles.
March 25 is the celebration of the conception of Jesus. The old Hungarian name of the feast is Gyümölcsoltó Boldogasszony (Our Lady the Fruitbearing). The name of the holiday comes from the tradition that orchards used to graft trees at this time. The people of Rye Island also tied the arrival of spring to this day.
