July 18 — Afanasiev Day, a public holiday: history, traditions, omens

Every year on July 18, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Athanasius of Athos, the founder of the famous monastery on Mount Athos. In 2025, the celebration falls on a Friday. In the national calendar, it is called Afanasiev Day, or the Feast of the Months. Read about its history, traditions and signs in the Izvestia article.

The history of the church holiday on July 18

St. Athanasius of Athos was born in the 10th century in the city of Trebizond (the territory of modern Turkey). His parents gave him the name Abraham. The future saint was orphaned at an early age, and a pious nun took him in for upbringing. In his youth, the boy often imitated his mentor in spiritual feats, especially in prayer and fasting.

As he grew older, Abraham received a good education and became a teacher. But after meeting Mikhail Malein, the founder of the famous Monastery on Mount Athos, the young man decided to leave worldly life and retire to the Kiminsky monastery. There he took vows under the name Athanasius and began to diligently fulfill monastic obediences. He took on the most difficult jobs, and in his spare time he copied sacred books.

Thanks to fasts, vigils, prayers and hard work, Athanasius managed to achieve spiritual perfection and received the blessing of the abbot for the feat of desert breeding. The saint settled on Mount Athos. Insidious demons tried to force him to return to the monastery, and Athanasius almost succumbed to their temptations, but decided that he would hold out for a year, and then entrust his fate to the Lord. When the appointed time was almost up, the hermit was suddenly enveloped in a bright radiance, and he immediately got rid of sinful thoughts. After that, the saint decided to continue his ascetic mission.

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Over time, the fame of the monk from Mount Athos spread around the area, and monks began to come to Athanasius who wanted to study with him, as well as ordinary people who needed advice. Then the saint founded a monastery on the mountain with a strict rule and became its abbot.

During his righteous life, St. Athanasius was awarded the gift of miracle-working and clairvoyance. He healed the sick and cast out demons. According to legend, the saint was favored by the Mother of God herself, who appeared to him more than once in visions.

Athanasius of Athos died in the year 1000. Together with several monks, he climbed to the top of the temple under construction to assess the progress of the work. Suddenly, the top floor collapsed, and everyone who was there died. The body of the monk lay without burial for three days, but it did not change in any way, and during the memorial prayer, blood began to flow from his wounds again. The monks who dried her with towels were cured of their illnesses.

Traditions of the national holiday Afanasiev Day (National holiday) on July 18

In Russia, the memorial day of St. Athanasius of Athos was called Athanasius Day, or the Feast of the Months. According to popular beliefs, July 18 is the name day of the Month, the image of which was closely associated with his mythological parents, Mara and Veles. In some regions, the Month was considered the boat of Veles, in which he transports souls to the next world, and in others — the sickle of Mary, dissecting the threads of life.

The traditional holiday treat was a crescent-shaped cookie sprinkled with poppy seeds and nuts. It was distributed to neighbors and family members, wishing them good luck and good health.

The ancestors believed that on July 18, you can see how the moon "plays in the sky" — it changes color and shape, disappears behind clouds and reappears. At night, fathers took their sons to watch the transformations of the heavenly body so that they would gain "manly strength." It was believed that the young man who saw the most transformations would be the happiest.

The girls also went out in the evening to enlist the support of the month. They unwound their braids and turned three times on the spot. They believed that after that the girl would get married successfully.

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The mothers opened the windows to let in the moonlight, and then turned the babies three times from one side to the other. According to beliefs, children will cry less after that.

Rituals were also held on Athanasius Day to attract prosperity. To do this, you had to go out into the courtyard with a purse filled with small change and shake it in the moonlight, asking for a month to "spend more money."

What can and cannot be done on July 18 on St. Athanasius Day

In Russia, Athanasius day began with a visit to the temple. The ancestors prayed to Saint Athanasius of Athos, asking him for help in healing ailments, raising children and improving family relations. It was believed that it was useful to discuss important plans on a holiday, as they were very likely to come true. Also, on July 18, curtains were left open at night, as they believed that moonlight gives strength and positive energy.

Various prohibitions were also associated with the Monthly holiday. According to beliefs, you can not be lazy on this day, otherwise the money will flow out of the house. The men were not involved in repairs and construction, fearing serious injuries. In general, they tried to handle sharp objects carefully, as they believed that the wounds received on St. Athanasius Day would take a long time to heal.

On the holiday, it was forbidden to cry, be sad and complain about fate. They believed that there would be even more trouble after that.

Folk signs on July 18

In Russia, on Athanasian Day, they paid attention to the sky. If the moon shone brightly and "played" in the sky, they expected a warm autumn and a rich harvest. If the holiday fell on a full moon, they prepared for the spring flood. The abundance of stars at night promised good weather, and the starless sky promised a storm. A rainbow in the morning promised rain the next day. The evening rainbow opposite heralded the sun. The "crying" maple leaves indicated the approach of prolonged rains.

Earlier, Izvestia told about the signs and traditions of the Slavic holiday Bereginya.