A special holiday on October 10 is Savvatiy Pchelnik: history, traditions, omens
Every year on October 10, Orthodox believers remember St. Savvati Solovetsky— one of the founders of monastic life in the Russian North. In the national calendar, this day was named Savvatiy Pchelnik. It symbolizes the end of the honey harvest season. In 2025, the date falls on a Friday. Read about its history, spiritual significance, rituals and signs in the Izvestia article.
What is the national holiday on October 10th
Historical chronicles have not preserved accurate information about the date of birth and early life of St. Savvati. It is only known that he lived at the turn of the XIV and XV centuries and during the ministry of Metropolitan Photius led an ascetic life in the Belozersky monastery, located in the territory of the modern Novgorod region.
He was known for his humility, uncomplaining obedience, and asceticism. However, the desire for complete solitude prompted him to seek a more remote place for spiritual exploits. At first he went to Balaam, but even there he was surrounded by attention that disgusted him. Then he turned his gaze to the almost unexplored northern borders — the Solovetsky Islands.
Without waiting for the blessing, the monk secretly left the monastery and headed for the White Sea. In the area of the mouth of the Vyg River, he lived for some time in a chapel, where he met Monk Herman, the future co—founder of the Solovetsky monastery. Joining forces, the elders set off by boat to Solovki and, having overcome a three-day journey across the choppy sea, reached the island, where they settled near Sekirnaya Gora.
They erected a cross in their new place, built a cell, and began to live according to strict regulations, overcoming the harsh northern conditions. Their lives did not go unnoticed — believers were attracted to the island, but, according to legend, attempts by lay people to settle next to the ascetics were accompanied by mystical events, after which they left.
Later, when he was left alone, St. Savvati felt death approaching. He sailed to the mainland and met the abbot on the shore, who confessed him and gave him communion. A few days later, the elder died peacefully in a secluded cell near Vyga. 30 years later, his relics were moved to Solovki, where they remain to this day.
Traditions of the national holiday Savvatiy Pchelnik on October 10
In Russia, St. Savvaty Solovetsky was revered as the patron saint of bee—keepers, therefore, in the national calendar, the holiday was called Bee-Bee. During this period, the so-called Bee Spring was coming to an end.
From October 2 to October 10, beekeepers completed the honey harvest season, prepared the hives for winter, carefully insulated them, and moved them to places protected from the winds so that the insects could safely survive the coming frosts. There was a saying on this occasion: "The queen bee takes the keys to summer to warmer climes."
The morning of St. Savvati of the Apiary for the ancestors began with a visit to the temple. Beekeepers and bee keepers asked the saint for protection of their work, while peasants asked for well—being in their families, protection of their homes, and help on the farm. Children under the age of seven, whose souls are pure and sincere, were often asked to read prayers to the monk, so their words are more likely to be heard in heaven.
The housewives baked honey cakes, which should be eaten on an empty stomach with relatives, and the crumbs given to the birds — according to legend, this ritual ensured the family's well-being.
One of the good traditions on Savvatiya Bee was to treat honey — it was generously shared with neighbors, friends and relatives. This natural gift was appreciated not only for its taste, but also for its healing properties. With the arrival of the cold season, it was in great demand, it was used for fever, sore throat and joints, cough and stomach problems.
In popular culture, honey was given special importance — it was not for nothing that he became the hero of many sayings that convey worldly wisdom: "If you love honey, love the cold," "A spoonful of tar spoils a barrel of honey," "Speeches are like honey, and deeds are like wormwood."
On the evening of October 10, families gathered for tea with honey. The elders shared stories with the children and asked riddles.
Since Saint Savvati was also considered the patron saint of horses, horse fairs were held in the villages on October 9. Peasants could choose a horse for farming, and young girls and their mothers could look at potential suitors. There was a special ceremony to attract the betrothed — a handful of wheat was thrown under the feet of the boy they liked or a red thread was secretly tied to his clothes.
What not to do on the feast of St. Savvati the Bee
In the national calendar, the day of St. Savvatius the Bee was considered a special time requiring caution and restraint. Any rash actions could, according to beliefs, lead to a series of failures. So, on October 10, any work not related to bee care was prohibited. It was believed that all other chores would be useless or lead to losses.
What else you can't do on October 10th:
- quarreling, entering into conflicts — the day requires silence and pacification, otherwise misunderstandings will drag on for a long time.;
- to conduct monetary transactions and conclude transactions — according to beliefs, everything related to money on this day will bring losses;
- sleeping a long time in the morning — having overslept the morning hours, there is a risk of attracting diseases and missing out on luck;
- expressing anger or irritation — negative emotions can scare away luck for a long time.;
- cut your hair — together with your hair, you can "cut off" well-being and happiness;
- going to the forest — on this day, the forest "confuses the paths", and a person can get lost.
- using the personal belongings of a husband or wife was considered a bad omen, could lead to a quarrel and a violation of family harmony.
Folk signs for October 10
On Savvati, peasants observed nature in order to make a weather forecast for the coming months. So, beekeepers paid attention to the behavior of bees and the condition of the holes in the beehives. If they remained ajar and the insects behaved calmly, they expected a mild, warm winter. But the completely blocked entrance was a sign that severe and prolonged frosts were coming.
- The day is dry, windless and without precipitation — the warm autumn will linger.;
- thunderstorm on this day — a short, snowless winter is expected;
- rain and snow — January will be mild,
- snow — frosts will come in 40 days;
- clouds are moving from south to north — the weather is going to deteriorate soon;
- the abundance of cones on the fir trees — the winter will be harsh and prolonged;
- a sharp cold snap on the day of the holiday — this temperature will remain for another seven days.
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the traditions and spiritual significance of the special national holiday Ivan the Theologian.
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