Special Russian holiday on February 18 - Agafya Korovnitsa: folk omens, mystical superstitions

Every year on February 18, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the holy martyr Agathya of Panorma (Sicily), who suffered for the faith in the 3rd century under Emperor Decius. In 2025 the feast falls on Tuesday. In the folk calendar, the holiday is called Agathya Korovnitsa. About why this day was called Holodukha and how to protect themselves from evil, read in the material "Izvestia".

What holiday on February 18 - Agafya Korovnitsa

According to legend, Agathia of Panorma lived in the III century on the island of Sicily. The girl was brought up in a Christian family, was pious and modest. When under Emperor Decius persecution of believers began, the saint did not hide from the persecutors, but prepared to accept a martyr's crown.

The local governor Quintianus was enchanted by Agathia's beauty and decided to persuade her to renounce Christ. For this purpose he placed the girl in the house of a pagan widow, who led a luxurious but solid life. However, the saint remained indifferent to the empty gaiety, jewelry, and even to the widow's attempts to win her favor. She was adamant in her faith and steadfast in her refusal to sacrifice to idols.

Important holiday Trekhsvyatie: what is categorically not allowed to do, omens on Vasily's day

In 2025, the commemorative date in honor of St. Basil the Great, St. John Chrysostom and St. Gregory the Theologian falls on Wednesday

Upon learning of this, the enraged Quintian ordered Agathya to be tortured and thrown into prison. But no suffering turned the martyr away from God. At night the apostle Peter appeared to her and healed her wounds. The prison corridors were illuminated with such a bright light that the guards fled in fear. But the saint did not take the opportunity to leave and humbly remained in her cell.

A few days later Quintian again summoned Agathya. Seeing her intransigence, he demanded that the saint be thrown on the burning coals. At this point, an earthquake began in the city, and outraged citizens demanded the release of the prisoner. The frightened ruler canceled the torture and sent the girl back to prison, where she died peacefully.

Subsequently, St. Agathya was venerated as a protector from fires. According to legend, one day a powerful volcanic eruption began in Sicily. To save themselves, the inhabitants of the island took the clothes from the tomb of the martyr and went with her against the fire. After that the eruption stopped.

Mystical superstitions on Agafya Korovnitsa

In Russia, the day of the memory of Agafia of Panorma was called Agafya Kovrovnitsa. On the holiday it was customary to count the stocks of provisions and hay for livestock. By the end of winter, many people's pantries were noticeably empty, so they had to "tighten their belts". Hence the second name of Agafya's day - Holodukha.

It was believed that the holy martyr patronizes livestock, primarily cows. Therefore, on the holiday the owners paid special attention to the cows, because for peasant families they were the main breadwinners and helpers.

According to folk beliefs, on the third day after the Purification, the Cow Death - an evil spirit in the form of a disgusting old woman with a rake and a bag in which diseases are stored - walked the earth. She could also appear in the form of a black dog, cat or cow skeleton. People believed that where she would pass, there would be cattle death. It was believed that the Cow Death did not come by itself, but was brought by strangers.

In order to protect domestic animals, housewives used to clean up the stable with the help of clippers soaked in tar. They believed that the pungent odor scared away the evil. After cleaning, the room was fumigated with thistle, and the cows had pieces of bread hung on their horns.

Witch's Day: how today to protect yourself from the evil power, the omens of February 11

In 2025, the holiday falls on a Tuesday

Sometimes in villages resorted to more serious measures - harnessed a local widow in a wooden plow and plowed the whole village. The Cow Death line made in this way was supposedly impossible to cross. Only women took part in the rite. Men stayed in the huts, locking all domestic dogs and cats. It was dangerous to get in the way of the procession: a random passerby or a beast could be mistaken for evil and beaten badly.

Also on Agafya Korovnitsa special bread was baked. It was not put on the table, but used as an amulet from fire. In case of fire, the product was thrown into the burning building or, conversely, away from it, to take the elements away from the dwelling.

Folk omens for February 18

With Agafya Korovnitsa in Russia associated various prohibitions and superstitions. On this day, even the most irascible owners tried not to offend cows. It was believed that after that they would forever lose milk. Other animals should not have been neglected either - they should have at least poured fodder and fresh water, so as not to incur the wrath of St. Agafya.

It was bad luck to look out the window after sunset. According to the beliefs, it could attract the evil power. The greatest danger was to girls and women who risked losing their beauty because of it. Unmarried girls and single guys on Agafya did not cut their hair. It was believed that this would prolong loneliness for another year.

In addition, on February 18, it was forbidden to refuse to help those in need. Indifferent himself could one day find himself in a difficult situation without help.

On Agafya's day also paid attention to weather omens. If it was frosty on the holiday, they expected a warm spring and hot summer. Snowfall threatened drought in summer, and thaw promised warm days until the end of winter. The darkened trunks of trees in the forest testified that the cold weather would soon recede.

Earlier "Izvestia" told about the omens and superstitions of the folk holiday Nikita Pozharnik.