June 20 is the Memorial Day of St. Barlaam of Khutyn: the history and traditions of the holiday

Every year on the first Friday of St. Peter's Fast, Orthodox Christians remember one of the most revered saints of Novgorod, St. Barlaam of Khutyn. In 2025, his memorial day falls on June 20th. Read about the life and spiritual exploits of the ascetic, the traditions of the holiday, prohibitions and folk signs in the material of Izvestia.

St. Barlaam of Khutyn Memorial Day — 2025: the history of the holiday

St. Barlaam of Khutyn (in the world Alexy) was born in the XII century in Novgorod in a family of pious parents. Since his youth, he aspired to a spiritual life, surpassing his peers in knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. After the death of his father and mother, he distributed his property and entered a monastery, where he took vows under the guidance of Hieromonk Paphnutius.

Seeking silence and spiritual concentration, Varlaam settled in a secluded place called Khutyn on the banks of the Volkhov River. The name of this tract — "the evil place" — was associated with a folk legend about evil spirits, but the future saint built a cell there, and then transformed it with prayer and feats.

For a long time, noble Novgorodians, the brothers Porfiry and Theodore Malyshevich, fought alongside Varlaam. Gradually, other ascetics began to flock to the saint, striving for solitude and spiritual life. When the number of followers increased, the monk built a wooden church in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord on the Khutyn land, and nearby there were cells for the brethren. He approved a charter for the community based on the principles of charity: to help the poor, receive strangers, feed and comfort those in need.

The monk's life path was filled with humility, labor, and prayer. During his lifetime, he was given wonderful abilities. He healed the sick, saw through hidden mysteries, exorcised evil spirits, and, according to legend, even resurrected the dead.

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A particularly famous case is preserved in the chronicles of Novgorod. During a visit to Archbishop Gregory of Novgorod, the monk informed him in advance of his arrival on Friday of the first week of Peter's fast, and added that he was going to come by sleigh. This message caused confusion because the weather was warm in summer.

But to the surprise of the townspeople, on the appointed day, thick snow suddenly fell, frost struck, and Barlaam actually appeared to the saint on a sleigh. At first, this event caused alarm, but later it was perceived as a blessing. According to the saint, through the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos and the holy apostles, the Lord granted this weather miracle in order to destroy the pest worms hiding in the roots of rye. And the meltwater watered the parched earth the next day.

Varlaam departed to the Lord on November 6, 1192, but even after his death he did not leave the Novgorodians. There is a well-known case in 1505, when the saint appeared to monk Tarasius from the Khutyn monastery and warned of three disasters — a flood, an epidemic and a fire. The first disaster was avoided thanks to prayers, but the predictions of pestilence and fire came true four years later. The icon "Vision of the Sexton Tarasius", which became a symbol of the saint's intercession, reminds of this phenomenon.

Traditions of the holiday celebrated on June 20th

Special divine services are held in Orthodox churches in Novgorod and throughout Russia on the Day of the Memory of St. Barlaam of Khutyn. Believers pray to the holy ascetic for spiritual help, asking for epiphany, healing and strengthening in faith. It is believed that such prayer cleanses from sin, helps to get rid of mental heaviness and find the right direction in life.

According to church tradition, pilgrims visit the Khutyn monastery, the place where the monk asceticized. People pray at his relics for his health, ask for children, family well-being and strengthening of the spirit.

On this day, it is customary to help those in need and be especially attentive to words and deeds as a sign of remembrance of the teachings of the saint, who instructed: "Be meek, avoid anger, do not judge, do not slander."

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This year's holiday is celebrated on Sunday, June 8th.

There is a custom of loosening the earth and weeding on this day — as a symbol of getting rid of spiritual and everyday "weeds". Just as the saint cleansed the "evil place" of the Hutins with prayer and deeds, people try to restore order around them — both in the earth and in the soul.

Prohibitions on June 20: what not to do on St. Barlaam Khutynsky Memorial Day

Despite the fact that Memorial Day falls on a fast period, there are no strict prohibitions on household chores. The saint himself worked hard physically, emphasizing the importance of work as a spiritual practice. Therefore, gardening, gardening, and housework are acceptable.

However, the church does not recommend quarreling, condemning, slandering, or abusing food and entertainment on this day. Memorial Day is, first of all, an opportunity for inner purification, silence and spiritual reflection.

Also, on June 20, you should not start important business with selfish intentions or make decisions in a state of irritation — the day requires humility and thoughtfulness.

Folk signs of June 20

On the Memorial Day of St. Barlaam of Khutyn, peasants observed nature. The ancestors believed that she could predict whether the year would be plentiful. According to legend, if the weather is warm and dry on this day, the summer will be favorable, and the fields will be fertile. Rain or cold may portend prolonged downpours and crop failure.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the strict prohibitions and signs of the summer holiday of the Omen of Timothy.