August 11 is an important holiday, Christmas of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker: what is strictly forbidden to do, signs

Every year on August 11, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the Nativity of Nicholas the Wonderworker, one of the most beloved Christian saints in Russia. In 2025, the celebration falls on a Monday. Read about the history, traditions and prohibitions of the holiday in the Izvestia article.

The Nativity of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is celebrated on August 11.

According to legend, Nicholas the Wonderworker was born around 270 in the city of Patara. His parents, the pious Theophanes and Nonna, could not conceive a child for a long time. Despite their advanced age, they continued to pray for an heir, promising to dedicate the long-awaited firstborn to God. The birth of their son was a real miracle for them.

From an early age, Nicholas showed a keen interest in the Holy Scriptures and made notable progress in his studies. The boy's uncle, the bishop of Patara, saw the potential in him and made him a reader, and then elevated him to the priesthood. Subsequently, Nicholas himself became archbishop of Myra in Lycia.

During his lifetime, the saint became famous for numerous miracles. In his youth, he saved a ship caught in a storm, and then, by prayer, resurrected a sailor who fell from the mast. Nikolai distributed most of the inheritance left from his parents to those in need. Upon learning that the impoverished merchant was desperate to sell his three daughters to a brothel, the saint began throwing bags of gold into his house, thereby providing the girls with a dowry.

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Other deeds are attributed to Nicholas the Wonderworker.: the salvation of the innocently condemned from execution, the deliverance of the Lycian World from famine, the destruction of a pagan temple. After the saint's death, several healings took place from his relics. In the IV century, a basilica was built over his grave, and in the IX century, a cathedral.

Nicholas the Wonderworker is revered all over the world, but in Russia he has always been treated with special love. Perhaps that is why the Russian Orthodox Church established a holiday that is not celebrated anywhere else — the Nativity of the saint.

It is not known for certain when the celebration appeared. According to some sources, it was celebrated as early as the 13th century. Evidence of the construction of one of the first monasteries in honor of the Nativity of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker has also been preserved. The monastery was founded in Novgorod in the middle of the 16th century, and a century later, a service dedicated to the Nativity of the saint appeared.

During the reign of Catherine II (1762-1796), the church-wide celebration of the Nativity of Nicholas the Wonderworker was canceled. The reason for this was probably the lack of celebration in the monastic services of other Local Churches.

The holiday has already been revived in modern Russia. In 2004, Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia blessed priests and parishioners to celebrate the Nativity of Nicholas the Wonderworker.

How Orthodox Christians spend the Christmas of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

For Orthodox believers, the Nativity of Nicholas the Wonderworker is a time of spiritual concentration. On a holiday, you should critically evaluate your life, give an honest assessment of your actions and thoughts. If a person is unable to cope with any sinful tendencies, he can seek help from St. Nicholas.

It is also worth paying attention to relationships with others. Christmas of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is an ideal time for reconciliation, strengthening family ties, and communicating with relatives and friends.

What can I do on the church holiday on August 11th

On the day of the Nativity of Nicholas the Wonderworker, Orthodox believers are advised to visit the temple and pray to the saint. If it is not possible to attend the divine service, prayer is allowed at the home iconostasis.

On this holiday, it will be useful to devote time to good deeds, because St. Nicholas is known as a defender and helper of those in need. Believers can make a donation at the temple, transfer money to a charitable foundation, work as volunteers, etc.

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You can celebrate the Nativity of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker at home, with your family. There is no fasting on this day, as well as a ban on holding feasts. The main thing is to observe moderation in food, avoid excessively noisy fun and do not forget about the spiritual component of the holiday.

In Russia, it was believed that St. Nicholas "binds the fate of the betrothed." Therefore, on August 11, it was customary to woo, plan and play weddings. After the wedding ceremony, the parents prayed to the Miracle Worker for the welfare of the bride and groom. They believed that this would make their marriage strong and happy.

What not to do on Christmas of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

As on other church holidays, on the Nativity of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, one should not swear, gossip, or wish harm to anyone. Such behavior is considered sinful and offends the saint's memory. The Orthodox Church does not impose a ban on work. Nevertheless, it is desirable that the daily chores do not overshadow the spiritual meaning of the celebration, and the faithful have time to pray and visit the temple.

In Russia, it was believed that before noon on August 11, it was impossible to sort out financial matters and count small change. It was believed that after this, the financial situation of the family could worsen. According to beliefs, on this day one should not refuse to help those in need. A stingy and indifferent person risked finding himself in a difficult situation.

The Christmas of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker coincided with the national holiday Kalinnik. Viburnum was given special importance on this day, so it was strictly forbidden to litter, quarrel, or sort things out near viburnum bushes and trees. Breaking branches was considered a bad omen: it was believed that after this a person could become seriously ill.

Folk signs of August 11

On the day of the Nativity of Nicholas the Wonderworker in Russia, the weather was closely monitored to find out what autumn would be like. For example, if ripe oats suddenly turned green again, it was understood that autumn would be stormy. There were other signs, too:

• warm morning — September will be sunny;
• fog — for a good harvest of oats and barley;
• there are a lot of berries, mushrooms and nuts in the forest — the winter will be harsh;
• lightning flashes on the horizon — for a cold winter.

Earlier, Izvestia told what it is possible to pray to Nicholas the Wonderworker.