February 6 - Aksin's Day: history, traditions, omens

Every year on February 6, Orthodox believers honor the memory of the Venerable Xenia of Milas, who lived in the 5th century in the Roman Empire. In the folk calendar, this day is called Aksin's Day, or Aksinya Poluzimnitsa. In 2025 it falls on Thursday. About the history and traditions of this date read in the material "Izvestia".

Aksinin Day - 2025: the history of the holiday

Christian saint Xenia of Milan (in the world Eusebia) was born in the V century in Rome in the family of a noble senator. From childhood, she aspired to a spiritual life, preferring service to God to worldly cares and family obligations. However, her parents saw a different future for her - they were preparing their daughter for a lucrative marriage.

Not wanting to enter into this union, Eusebia decided on a desperate step - she secretly left her parents' home. Together with two faithful maids she went on a sea voyage, during which there was a significant for the girl meeting with the abbot of the monastery of St. Andrew the Apostle. The future saint persuaded him to take them with him to the city of Milassus in Caesarea.

Changing her name to Xenia, which in translation from Greek meant "wanderer", she purchased a plot of land in Milassos to build a church in honor of St. Stephen, around which soon "grew" a convent, which became the center of spiritual life in the region.

Shortly thereafter, Bishop Paul of Milassa, impressed by Xenia's virtuous life, ordained her to the diaconate, a ministry available only to the most worthy representatives of the female Christian community.

Timothy Day: what you can not do, scary omens February 4

In 2025, the Orthodox holiday falls on Tuesday

Xenia became a mentor for the nuns, a comforter for the suffering, a helper for the poor, and a guide for those who sought the true path. Her spiritual guide was the Palestinian ascetic St. Euthymius, whose advice she rigorously followed.

Her life was marked by selfless dignity and her death by a divine sign. According to legend, at the moment of Xenia's passing, a wreath of light with a shining cross in the center appeared over the monastery. This heavenly sign was kept during the ceremony of farewell to the saint, and people who touched her relics were relieved of illnesses, found comfort and spiritual enlightenment.

Venerable Xenia of Milas is revered in the Orthodox Church as a model of humility, self-denial and piety. Her image symbolizes the renunciation of worldly vanity and dedication to the spiritual path.

Traditions and customs of Aksinyin day: what you can and can not do on February 6

In the people of Aksinyin day was considered the middle of winter, so it was called Poluzimnitsa. On this day it was customary to check the remnants of grain and bread to assess whether they were enough to live until spring and sow the fields for a new harvest.

It was believed that on February 6 exactly half of the supplies should be eaten. Our ancestors had a proverb: "Half a winter in half, but not evenly divides the winter - by spring the man is heavier".

It was customary in Russia to begin the holiday with a prayer service in church. Believers appealed to Xenia of Milan with requests for help in raising children and healing illnesses.

This day peasants devoted to household chores, it was believed that the more things to do on February 6, the more happiness, wealth and health will be in the house in the coming year. Also, according to popular beliefs, on Aksinya should have been generous, to help everyone who asks for it.

Maxim's Day: what categorically should not be done, unexplained omens on February 3

In 2025, the commemorative date falls on a Monday

But it was strictly forbidden to be stingy on February 6: ancestors believed that greed on this day could lead to financial problems in the future. Also on this day did not use swear words, as their negative meaning could attract bad luck and problems.

In addition, on Aksinya should not have cooked and consumed meat dishes.

Folk omens on Aksin's day on January 6

In the people of Aksin's day had another name - Vesnokazatel. On February 6 in Russia it was customary to observe nature and judge whether warming would soon begin. There was a proverb: "As Aksinya, so is spring".

A starry night on February 6 promised a warm spring. And if there were few stars, it meant that the weather would be inclement. Snowfall on that day indicated a prolonged spring and unproductive summer. And warm and clear weather heralded that the spring months would be warm.

Earlier "Izvestia" told about the traditions and omens of the folk holiday Anton Perezimnik.