National holiday on June 24 — Barnabas Day: history, traditions, omens

Every year on June 24, Orthodox believers honor the memory of the 70-year—old Apostle Barnabas, one of the founders of the Cypriot Christian Church. In 2025, the celebration falls on a Tuesday. In the national calendar, it was given the name Barnabas Day or Barnabas Strawberry. Read about the history, traditions and signs of the holiday in the Izvestia article.

What is the holiday of June 24th — Barnabas Day?

The Apostle Barnabas was born in Cyprus into a noble Jewish family. His parents named him Joseph and tried to give their son everything for a quiet, comfortable life. Together with Saul (the future Apostle Paul), he studied under the famous law teacher Gamaliel at that time and received a brilliant secular education.

Nevertheless, Joseph aspired to God from his youth. When he saw Christ in Jerusalem, he immediately recognized him as the Savior and followed him. Subsequently, he was chosen to be one of the 70 apostles and was named Barnabas, which means "son of consolation."

Barnabas made a significant contribution to the spread of Christianity. After the Ascension of the Lord, he sold all his possessions and gave the money to the other apostles, leaving nothing for himself. Thanks to his intercession, the disciples of Christ accepted Paul, the former persecutor of believers, into their ranks. It was Barnabas who told his comrades about the miraculous sign sent to Paul on the way to Damascus.

Having received the grace of the Holy Spirit, Barnabas went to Antioch in Greece to preach among the Hellenes. Pavel joined him later. For more than a year, the apostles taught the people and were able to convert many pagans to their faith.

Returning to Jerusalem, Barnabas and Paul were taken into custody by order of King Herod Agrippa. They miraculously escaped execution — according to legend, they were led out of prison by an angel of the Lord. After that, the apostles left for Antioch again, and from there they went to preach in the countries of Asia Minor.

The Apostle Barnabas is considered one of the founders of the Orthodox Church in Cyprus. In 45, he arrived on the island for the first time in many years, along with the Apostles Paul and Mark. During his stay in his homeland, the saint performed many miracles.

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There is a well-known story about how Barnabas caught a magus who served under the Roman proconsul Sergius in the atrocities. Desiring to learn more about the gospel, the proconsul invited the apostles to his house. The Magus tried to prevent Sergius from touching the Word of God, and then, at the prayer of the apostle Barnabas, punishment fell upon him — the blasphemer became blind. After that, the proconsul believed in the Lord and was baptized.

Having increased the number of believers in Cyprus, Barnabas went to Italy and became one of the first preachers of Christianity in Rome. Thanks to his efforts, an episcopal see appeared in Milan.

Barnabas spent the last years of his life in Cyprus. Many pagans who wanted the saint dead did not like his work. Once, during a sermon, fierce idolaters seized the apostle, took him out of the city and stoned him, and then tried to burn the remains. When the Apostle Mark came to this place, he found the unharmed body of his comrade and mentor. According to the will of Barnabas himself, he was buried in a cave, with the Gospel of Matthew, copied by his own hand, placed on his chest.

Over time, the place of the apostle's burial was forgotten. But in 448 Barnabas repeatedly appeared in a dream to the Archbishop of Crete, Anthimos, pointing out where his holy relics were hidden. Together with other clergymen, Anthimos soon discovered the tomb in which Barnabas' incorruptible body was kept. Thus, the Church of Cyprus acquired the status of an apostolic church and gained the right to independently elect a primate, getting rid of the claims of the heretic Peter, who seized the patriarchal throne in Antioch.

Traditions of Barnabas Day on June 24

In Russia, the feast in honor of the Apostle Barnabas was called Barnabas Day or simply Barnabas. The ancestors believed that special Russian days began on June 24 — the time of the rampant evil spirits living near reservoirs. It was believed that until Ivan Kupala, careless people risked encountering water and other evil spirits. The men tried not to approach lakes and rivers. According to legend, mermaids who were actively looking for a groom could tickle to death and drag them to the bottom.

Despite the fear of the supernatural, people did not become discouraged. On the contrary, it was time for youth festivities, campfire songs and round dances. The villagers used the last opportunity to have fun before the difficult period of field work.

At Barnabas, attention was paid to household chores. It was believed that if you sort out your clothes and put them neatly on that day, life would be calm and happy. On a holiday, it was customary to visit relatives or gather guests at their home. According to beliefs, Barnabas Day is an ideal moment for reconciliation and strengthening family ties.

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After June 24, the strawberry harvest season began. Hence the second name of the holiday — Barnabas Strawberry. The berries and leaves of this plant were used not only for making jam. They were also added to digestive medicines, sleeping pills, and painkillers.

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In Russia, Barnabas Day was associated with many superstitions and prohibitions. On the holiday, people avoided ponds and forests, as they were afraid of encountering evil spirits. Noon was considered especially dangerous, as it was believed that at this time goblins, mermaids, mermaids and other spirits divided the land and could destroy a person who happened to be nearby.

It was forbidden to pick berries on Barnabas. In the old days, it was believed that they were still inedible on a holiday, but after it they were already quite suitable for food.

Some restrictions also affected the domestic sphere. On Barnabas Day, the girls did not change their hairstyles or cut their nails, so as not to make themselves sick. They did not refuse to work on the holiday, otherwise conflicts could start in the family. Abusive words, insults, and malicious comments were forbidden — all of which, according to beliefs, attracted evil spirits.

In addition, on June 24, our ancestors did not share their plans or complain about life, so as not to get into trouble. It was considered bad luck to count money and jingle coins — such actions could allegedly lead to poverty.

Folk signs of June 24

In Russia, on Barnabas Day, the weather was closely monitored. If it was cloudy at dawn, they understood that it would rain by evening. The behavior of bees indicated prolonged downpours — if the insects were in no hurry to leave the hives, there would be no clear skies in the coming days. The warm night of June 24 promised a rich harvest of fruits by the end of summer, and the morning fog indicated an abundance of mushrooms in the forest.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the history and traditions of the national holiday of the Sign of Timothy.