January 1 - Ilya Muromets Day: history, traditions, omens
In the folk calendar, January 1 is considered to be the day of commemoration of Ilya Muromets, one of the most famous heroes. In the Orthodox tradition, his prototype is considered to be the Monk Elijah of Pechersk, the Wonderworker of Murom, known as a warrior and defender of the state before he became a monk. In 2025, the date falls on Wednesday. About its history, traditions and omens read in the material "Izvestia".
Day of Ilya Muromets - 2025: the history of the holiday
Ilya Muromets - one of the most famous heroes of the Old Russian Bylin epic. According to legend, he was born in the village of Karacharov near the city of Murom in a simple peasant family.
According to the byline "The Healing of Ilya Muromets", from infancy he was infirm, for the first 33 years, three months and three days of his life he suffered from paralysis and lay not on the stove. Healing occurred after Ilya met with the holy elders who stopped by his house during his wanderings.
After a miraculous recovery, Ilya decided to devote his life to defending his homeland from enemies, helping the poor and fighting for justice. Among the famous feats of the bogatyr are the fight with Solovy the Robber, the fight against the idol, the Jew and the Tatars.
Some researchers believe that the prototype of the bogatyr was St. Elijah of Pechersk Chebotok, the Wonderworker of Murom, who lived in the XII century during the reign of Vladimir Monomakh.
According to legend, before tonsure he was a warrior, a defender of the state. It was during this "pre-monastic" period that he received his nickname Chebotok, after he once fought off enemies with his boot (chobot in Old Slavonic).
It is believed that the saint died during the capture of Kiev by Prince Rurik Rostislavich. In 1643 he was numbered among the saints under the name of "Venerable Elijah Muromets". His relics are kept in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.
Traditions and customs of Ilya Muromets Day: what to do on January 1
On this day in Russia in the morning it was customary to visit the church, pray to St. Ilya of Pechersk for strength of mind, as well as to ask for health and protection of the family.
On Ilya Muromets it was customary to gather the whole family, to discuss plans for the new year. It was believed that deeds, especially long-term ones, started on this day, would be successful if they were directed for the good.
Peasants went to the crossroads to fortune-tell - they drew a cross on the ground with a stick and put their ear to it. If they heard the sound of moving sledges with cargo, it was considered a good sign and promised a good harvest.
Villagers also believed that on January 1 it was necessary to take care of the future harvest. On this day, it was necessary to knock on fruit trees with an axe, so that they would be "frightened" and bring a rich harvest in the fall.
What can not be done on the Day of Ilya Muromets on January 1
Our ancestors on this day adhered to a number of prohibitions, since they believed that the right actions will be the key to good luck and prosperity.
On Ilya Muromets it was strictly forbidden to engage in heavy physical labor, since he himself was paralyzed for the first three decades of his life. Also on the day of memory of the bogatyr did not use alcohol.
On January 1, it was forbidden to sweep the dust out of the house. The people believed that this could lead to prolonged discord in the family.
Folk omens for the Day of Ilya Muromets on January 1
On the Day of Elijah Muromets in Russia paid attention to nature to find out whether the next year will be productive. So, if the sunset on the holiday is red and the sky is starry, they expected a harvest of wheat, lentils, peas and berries. And a strong wind promised an abundance of nuts.
Warm weather on January 1 said that rye would be abundant next summer. And rain on this day predicted crop failures and misfortunes.
Earlier "Izvestia" told about the history and traditions of Filimonov day.
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