April 28 is a significant national holiday, Pudov Day: the beginning of spring work at the apiary

On April 28, the Church commemorates the Apostle Pud, one of the disciples and followers of St. Paul, who preached Christianity with him. The celebration was popularly called "Pudov Day." It was especially important for beekeepers. What traditions, prohibitions and folk signs are associated with April 28 — read in the Izvestia article.

Pudov day in 2025 — the history of the holiday

The Holy Apostle Pud lived in Rome in the 1st century and was a member of the Roman Senate. Together with the apostles Aristarchus and Trofim, who are also revered on this day, Pud was one of the 70 apostles chosen by Jesus Christ to preach the gospel.

Pud turned his house into a church, which was named "Pastoral". Church rituals and services began to be held there. Here the saint received the first-born apostles and Christian believers. According to legend, among the regular visitors to the church was St. Peter the Apostle himself.

During the persecution of Christians under Emperor Nero, Pud and his associates were persecuted. All Christian ascetics were executed for refusing to renounce their faith.

The Apostles are revered by both Catholic and Orthodox churches. Catholics celebrate St. Pud's Day in May.

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In Russia, the holiday was known as Pudov Day. On this date, our ancestors prayed to the saint for help in matters related to the apiary. Honey was one of the most important income items and gave hope for a comfortable life. Therefore, many traditions are associated with beekeeping.

Pudov Day in 2025 — traditions and omens

On Saturday, beekeepers went around the apiaries, checking how the bees survived the wintering, and if the weather was warm, they exposed the hives to the air. On this occasion, the saying has been preserved to this day: "On St. Peter's day, take the bees out from under the bush."

The houses celebrated the beginning of the new season. The housewives brewed tea and put honey left over from the winter on the table. In order to have a lot of honey, the Slavs read a special plot for success in beekeeping. And the behavior of bees determined what the weather would be like in the coming days.

So, if bees fly near the hive, the weather will soon deteriorate. If the insects buzz loudly and rise high above the apiary, it will rain, and if they swarm in a swarm, it will wind.

Another traditional occupation was the production of medicinal tinctures. Birch, viburnum, and mountain ash buds usually had time to bloom by Noon. Various decoctions and ointments for rheumatism, colds, inflammatory and fungal diseases were prepared from them. And rowan kidneys also helped with kidney and female diseases.

Pudov day in 2025 — what can and cannot be done

On the day of veneration of St. Pud, it is forbidden to swear, quarrel and refuse to help those in need. In 2025, the holiday falls on St. Thomas Week, when it is customary for Orthodox Christians to commemorate deceased relatives. There is no strict fasting during the week.

If you follow folk superstitions, then on April 28 you can not work until sunset — you can attract illnesses and misfortunes to the house. To live in prosperity for a whole year, you should not lend money and share your plans. It is also necessary to change the bed linen on the Pood day. Then all the troubles will pass the house, and family relations will become stronger.