March 18 — Konon Ogorodnik: history, traditions, folk signs
Every year on March 18, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the martyr Konon of Mandon, who lived in the III century. In 2025, the celebration falls on a Tuesday. In Russia, the saint was revered as the patron saint of farmers and was called Konon the Gardener. Read about the traditions and omens associated with his holiday in the Izvestia article.
Konon Ogorodnik in 2025 — the history of the holiday
According to legend, Konon was born in the Israeli city of Nazareth. From there, the saint moved to Mandon in Pamphylia (the territory of modern Turkey), where he began to lead a measured and peaceful life. He was a kind and God-fearing man who wanted neither wealth nor fame. The righteous man devoted his free time to prayers and cultivating a small vegetable garden. For this, he was nicknamed the Gradar, that is, the Gardener.
During the reign of Emperor Decius, a wave of violent persecution of Christians swept through the country. By order of Governor Publius, Bishop Nestor of Magida was executed, and some local saints died at the hands of the torturers. Seeing this, many believers hurried to leave Pamphylia, but Konon remained on his land. When the soldiers came to take him to the court, the saint greeted them warmly and did not resist.
Publius, the governor, suggested that Conon sacrifice to idols in order to free himself from persecution forever. But the saint resolutely refused and began to fervently pray for the salvation of the lost pagans. After that, nails were driven into the martyr's legs and they forced him to run in front of the chariot until he died of exhaustion. Until his last breath, the saint continued to cry out to God and gladly handed over his soul to him.
Konon Ogorodnik on March 18: folk traditions and prohibitions
In Russia, on Konon Ogorodnik's day, they actively prepared for planting vegetables. On the holiday, it was customary to sort the seeds and soak them for further sowing. It was also believed that on this day it was necessary to dig up and fertilize at least a small piece of land in the garden, no matter what the weather. People believed that Saint Konon would reward them with a good harvest for this.
From time immemorial, the main troubles of gardeners have been drought, midges and worms. To get rid of them, three small holes were dug on the holiday, and then one by one they were covered with earth, reading a special plot. According to legend, this was supposed to protect the beds from pests and other unpleasant factors.
Various prohibitions and superstitions were also associated with Konon Ogorodnik's day. On the holiday, they tried not to be lazy, so as not to provoke the wrath of the holy martyr, but they should not work through their strength either. The "workaholics" could lose the entire harvest.
Konon's nickname Gradar was often associated by the common people not with a vegetable garden, but with hail. Therefore, people believed that he could send hail and rain. In some regions, on March 18, they did not pick up a rake and pitchfork, so as not to anger the saint and cause a devastating hail.
In addition, it was not recommended to buy new things on the holiday — it was believed that they would not last long. The guests were not invited to dinner either, fearing quarrels and conflicts.
Folk signs for Konon Ogorodnik on March 18
On Konon Ogorodnik's day, our ancestors carefully watched nature, trying to predict what the summer would be like. According to legend, the weather in the coming season will be the same as on a holiday. The clear sky on March 18 indicated that the summer would pass without hail. If there were mice running around the fields, they were preparing for a lean year. And the early arrival of wagtails promised a warm spring.
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the history and traditions of the national holiday Gerasim Grachevnik.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
