The main argument of the Russian Orthodox Church is that celebrating March 8 appears artificial and does not correspond to the traditional dates that mark the arrival of spring or honor women.

Questioning Tradition: The Artificial Choice of March 8

The main argument of the Russian Orthodox Church is that celebrating March 8 appears artificial and does not correspond to the traditional dates that mark the arrival of spring or honor women. Among the statements presented is the opinion that if the celebration were about the coming of spring, it should be observed on dates that better align with natural cycles – for example, March 1, the first Sunday of March, March 22 (the day of the spring equinox), or even April 1, rather than an arbitrarily chosen March 8. Thus, the celebration of Women's Day could be held on any spring Sunday, which makes the choice of this specific date questionable.

An additional argument is presented that March 8, known as "International Women's Day," is practically confined to the traditions of the USSR, as women in other countries did not celebrate it. This underscores its artificial, politically and historically conditioned nature, a nature that does not have roots in traditional Russian culture.

Supporting citation(s):
"For example, I cannot accept that this is a celebration of spring. Naturally, the day of spring would be celebrated either on March 1 or on the first Sunday of March. In our latitudes, the beginning of spring is better celebrated on April 1, or on the day of the spring equinox, March 22.

But why should spring begin exactly on March 8?

– It is unclear. Is this not the day of spring, but the day of women? Yet again – why must it be celebrated on March 8? Women's Day could be celebrated on any of the Sundays in spring. But why was the 8th of March chosen? No, no, I explained, I am not against celebrating Women's Day, not against the idea that the beginning of spring should be marked by a secular festival rather than only the church's Maslenitsa. But why was March 8 chosen for such a celebration? Everyone knows that March 8 is 'International Women's Day.' And everyone also knows that women live in all countries." (source: link txt)

"...Moreover, it has become known to almost everyone in recent years that March 8 was celebrated only in the USSR. Why then did women in other countries not celebrate it?" (source: link txt)

These statements vividly demonstrate the position of the Russian Orthodox Church, according to which the date of March 8 is arbitrary and does not have deep historical or cultural foundations in Russian tradition.