A special national holiday on August 26 is Tikhon Strastnoy: history, traditions, omens

Every year on August 26, Orthodox believers remember St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, a major religious educator of the 18th century, Bishop of Voronezh and Yelets, theologian and wonderworker. Also on this day, the icon of the Mother of God "Passion" is honored. In the national calendar, the holiday is called Tikhon Strastnoy. In 2025, the date falls on a Tuesday. Read about its history, traditions, signs and strict prohibitions in the Izvestia article.

What is the church holiday on August 26th?

Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk (in the world Timofey Sokolov) was born in 1724 in the village of Korotsk, Novgorod province. His childhood was spent in poverty, and from an early age he had to work to help his family survive. Despite his poverty, he aspired to knowledge and spiritual life.

The saint was able to enter the Novgorod Seminary only thanks to the help of his elder brother, who served as a clerk at one of the churches in Novgorod. Soon the young man became one of her best students, and then teachers. In 1758, on Lazarus Saturday, he became a monk with the name Tikhon, and a year later he was appointed rector of the Tver Seminary and rector of the monastery.

Tikhon was distinguished by his progressive approach, he gave lectures on theology, which attracted not only students, but also ordinary citizens. In 1761, at the insistence of the Synod, he was ordained bishop, and from 1763 to 1767 he headed the Voronezh Diocese, where he reformed the spiritual life, opened schools, and fought against superstitions and pagan remnants. His pastoral work was combined with his personal example — he toured parishes, helped those in need, and denounced popular outrages.

The saint was also known for his gift of divination and healing. According to legend, the Virgin appeared to him several times, and in 1778 he predicted the victory of Russia over Napoleon.

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In 1767, due to deteriorating health, Tikhon retired and settled in the Zadonsky monastery, where he spent the remaining 16 years of his life. He died on August 26, 1783, leaving behind a significant spiritual legacy. His works, from theological writings to edifying letters, are still being read and republished.

Also on August 26, Orthodox believers honor the icon of the Mother of God "Strastnaya". Its name is associated with the image of two angels holding the instruments of the passion of the Lord (objects related to the martyrdom of Jesus Christ and His crucifixion, which later became important Christian relics).

According to legend, in the 17th century, a pious woman named Catherine, after her marriage, fell ill with a mental illness, which was accompanied by bouts of demonic possession. She turned to the Mother of God and made a vow that, in case of healing, she would enter a monastery.

The Blessed Virgin appeared to her in a vision and ordered her to go to Nizhny Novgorod, buy her image from the iconographer Gregory and pray before it. Having fulfilled this, Catherine received healing. Since then, numerous miracles have begun to happen from this icon. In memory of the transfer of the image to Moscow, a holiday was established on August 26, 1641. A church was built at her meeting place at the Tverskaya Outpost, and later the Strastnoy Monastery.

In the Orthodox tradition, St. Tikhon of Zadonsk Memorial Day is considered a special time for prayer, spiritual strengthening and rethinking of life orientations. He is revered as the patron saint of educators, clergy, and all those responsible for spiritual guidance.

Festive liturgies are held in many churches, excerpts from Tikhon Zadonsky's spiritual legacy are read, especially those where the themes of Christian love, humility and patience are revealed. It is believed that this day is especially suitable for studying theological literature, prayer solitude, confession and charity.

Traditions of the national holiday Tikhon Strastnoy on August 26

In Russia, on the day of Tikhon the Passionate, believers turned to the saint with prayers for forgiveness, enlightenment of the mind, deliverance from spiritual sorrow, despondency, painful memories, drunkenness and demonic possession.

For the peasants, this day was also considered the time of family unification. The ancestors believed that prayer in memory of the saint helps to bring peace back to the house, settle old disputes, restore lost mutual understanding between spouses and return lost household members to the righteous path.

In the villages, women customarily prepared pastries and shared them with their neighbors in memory of St. Tikhon's compassion and mercy.

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On Tikhon the Passionate, the ancestors were engaged in household chores, as they believed that the saint favored such work. The housewives put the house, the cellar, and the stable in which the livestock were kept in order. According to beliefs, such actions protected the household from need, and the family from adversity and discord.

The men were putting away agricultural tools and implements, bewitching him from the evil eye. Also, on August 26, it was necessary to go around the house with the icon, and arrange thistles in the corners to protect against diseases, fires, the elements, the evil eye and spoilage.

They tried to spend the day in silence and reflection, devoting time to spiritual purification, following the example of the saint himself, who personified simplicity, meekness, mercy and fidelity to Christ.

What not to do on the feast of Tikhon the Passionate

The national calendar required the ancestors to observe certain prohibitions on August 26. So, Tikhon the passionate should not have been:

• Quarreling with loved ones — it was believed that conflict could cause illness and poverty;
• to stir up the past, to sink into despondency — such moods can "attract" negativity and destroy mental balance.;
• to give or accept white towels — the ancestors believed that such a gift promises a serious illness.;
• for bachelors and unmarried girls, sleeping on two pillows leads to difficulties in their personal lives;
• it's hard to work — although there was a lot of work during this period, on this day the peasants tried to pay attention to home and family, in accordance with the special, family atmosphere of the holiday.

Folk signs for August 26

In Russia, it was customary to observe nature on Tikhon the Passionate – the ancestors were looking for signs that could tell what kind of weather to expect in the near future. They believed that:

• strong wind foreshadows rainy September;
• calm, calm weather predicts prolonged inclement weather.;
• but the owl's cry promises a quick change in the weather;
• the abundance of mushrooms in the forest portends a good grain harvest next summer;
• the leaves on the birches have turned yellow — we need to prepare for the night frosts.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the traditions of celebrating the national holiday of Fotya Povetenny.