Mystical Russian holiday on August 24 — Yevpaty Kolovrat: traditions and omens
Every year on August 24, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Holy Martyr Evpla of Katan, who lived in the III–IV centuries. In 2025, the celebration falls on a Sunday. In the folk tradition, the holiday is associated with the epic hero Evpaty Kolovrat. Read about the signs and prohibitions of this day in the Izvestia article.
What is the church holiday on August 24th?
Yevplos Katansky lived at the turn of the III–IV centuries. He was an archdeacon and served in the Sicilian city of Catana. The saint became famous for always carrying the Gospel with him and never missing an opportunity to clarify the meaning of the Holy Scriptures, despite the ongoing persecution of Christians. Thanks to his efforts, many pagans rejected idolatry and were baptized.
One day, when Euplus was reading the Gospel to the townspeople gathered around him, he was captured and handed over to the governor Kalvisian for trial. The saint openly professed to be a Christian and accused the ruler of murdering innocent believers. For this, he was tortured and thrown into prison. The martyr spent seven days in prison, praying incessantly. After that, he appeared before Calvisian again, but refused to sacrifice to idols. Then the saint was sentenced to death.
On the day of the execution of the sentence, a Gospel was put around Evpl's neck to make fun of him. The saint, having asked for time to pray, began to read the Holy Scriptures to the onlookers who had come to watch the execution. His sermon touched the hearts of many pagans, and they later became Christians. Having come to their senses, the soldiers interrupted the archdeacon's speech and beheaded him with a sword.
Evpaty Kolovrat National Holiday on August 24
In the folk tradition, Evplafansky's day was also associated with the epic hero Evpaty Kolovrat, the hero of the Tale of Batu's Devastation of Ryazan. According to legend, he lived in the 13th century and was a brilliant military commander. When Batu Khan came to the Ryazan principality with his army, Yevpaty was in Chernigov. Upon learning of the danger threatening his native land, he hurried home, but found only ruins there.
In anger, Evpaty gathered a small detachment of 1,700 men and rushed in pursuit of Batu. Having caught up with the Tatar-Mongols near Suzdal, the Ryazanians attacked them and wreaked havoc in the ranks of the invaders. Kolovrat himself single-handedly defeated several hundred Khan's warriors, including Khan's brother-in-law Khostovrul.
However, the forces were unequal, and the defenders of Ryazan were defeated, and Evpaty died. Out of respect for the valor of the Russian hero, Batu allowed the surviving Ryazanians to take the body of his commander and ordered his soldiers not to harm them.
There is no consensus among historians about the authenticity of the events described in the "Tale". Some believe that Yevpaty Kolovrat was a real commander who acquired over time the features of an epic hero. Others believe that the Ryazan hero is a collective image of several characters. Nevertheless, Yevpaty Kolovrat became a symbol of the struggle of the Russian land against the Tatar-Mongol yoke. In 2007, a monument in his honor appeared on the Postal Square in Ryazan, and in 2017 the film "The Legend of Rotifer" was released.
Traditions of the mystical holiday Evpaty Kolovrat on August 24
In Russia, Evpaty Kolovrat's day was considered dangerous and mystical. According to popular belief, on August 24, you can see a white horse walking through cemeteries and digging the ground with its hooves in search of its dead rider. According to legend, the horse also appears in places where battles once took place, and plaintively cries over the fallen warriors.
They tried to avoid cemeteries and swamps on Yevpatiy Kolovrat. It was believed that on a holiday there you can meet the restless souls of the dead and drowned. Sometimes they allegedly took the form of will-o'-the-wisps that could lure an unwary traveler into a quagmire.
Despite their fear of the supernatural, the peasants did not forget about their work. On August 24, attention was paid to the care of pets. In Yevpatiya, sheep were usually sheared so that they could grow a new "fur coat" before the onset of cold weather. Felt boots, socks, mittens and other winter clothes were made from the wool obtained.
What not to do on the national holiday Evpaty Kolovrat on August 24
The Orthodox Church does not set any special restrictions on Evplatansky Memorial Day. However, believers should remember that the holiday falls on the Dormition Fast, during which you can not eat meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. It is also recommended to refrain from negative expressions, gossip, conflicts and secular entertainment, because fasting is a time of repentance and spiritual purification.
In Russia, on the day of Yevpaty Kolovrat, people were afraid of encountering evil spirits, and in order to protect themselves, they adhered to a number of strict prohibitions. For example, no alcohol was consumed that day. It was believed that drunkards would be haunted by evil spirits.
What else can not be done on August 24:
- Going to swamps and cemeteries is a risk of encountering ghosts;
- arrange noisy holidays and parties — fun can attract evil spirits;
- sleeping with the windows open — an evil spirit can get into the house.;
- Overeating leads to financial difficulties;
- Going out after dark can lead to encountering a ghostly white horse, which promises misfortune.
Folk signs on August 24
On the day of Yevpaty Kolovrat in Russia, they paid attention to various weather signs. So, if there were a lot of nuts in the forest, but few mushrooms, they understood that the winter would be harsh. There were other signs, too:
- clear sky and bright sun — there will be little rain in September;
- fog over the river in the morning — next week will be warm;
- If there is no wind, the good weather will last for two or three more days.;
- The red sky at dawn leads to rain.
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the history and traditions of the Miron Vetrogon national holiday.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
