A special national holiday on October 11 is Kharitonov Day: history, traditions, omens

Every year on October 11, Orthodox believers honor the memory of Khariton the Confessor, one of the outstanding ascetics of early Christianity, who lived at the turn of the III–IV centuries. In the national calendar, the holiday is called Kharitonov Day. In 2025, the date falls on a Saturday. Read about its history, traditions, prohibitions and omens in the Izvestia article.

What is the church holiday on October 11th?

Saint Khariton was born and lived in Iconium, a major center of Asia Minor at the turn of the III–IV centuries. During the severe persecution of Christians under the emperors Galerius, Maximian, and Licinius, he openly professed his faith and refused to worship pagan gods. For this, he was tortured, but the righteous man persevered, strengthened by the example of the holy martyrs, especially the First Martyr Thekla, whose memory was especially revered in his hometown.

After the end of the persecution, the saint was released. Leaving Iconium, Khariton went to Jerusalem. On this path, a key episode of his life occurred, which was regarded by the saint as a sign from above. According to legend, on the way he was captured by bandits, who locked him in a cave, intending to kill him later.

However, a miracle saved the confessor — a snake that entered the cave poisoned a vessel of wine with its venom. The returning robbers, not noticing the trick, drank wine and died. Khariton, who was still alive, took it as God's providence.

The greatest church holiday of autumn is approaching: the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos

The celebration is one of the most important in Orthodoxy, although it is not one of the twelve

Grateful for the rescue, he decided to stay in this cave, first building a church there, and then an entire monastic monastery. This is how the Faransk Lavra arose, the first in the history of monasticism in the Judean Desert, and Khariton himself became the author of a strict charter for the new community.

Later, the saint founded two more monasteries, the Jericho Monastery and the Suki Monastery, also known as the Old Lavra. Despite his desire for solitude, he did not refuse spiritual help to people who came to him. It is believed that it was he who composed the order of monastic tonsure, which formed the basis for future monastic practices in the East.

The monk spent the last years of his life in a cave near the Suki monastery, but he did not stop mentoring and spiritual guidance over all three of his monasteries. He died at a very old age, leaving behind a lasting spiritual legacy and inspiring many followers to a hermit's life full of prayer and spiritual achievement. The saint was buried in the Faransk Lavra, exactly where he had once miraculously escaped death.

Traditions of the national holiday Kharitonov day on October 11th

In Russia, Kharitonov Day has long been considered a time of special activity of the dark forces. At dusk, the ancestors tried not to leave their homes, limited contacts, and avoided unnecessary conversations, especially with black-eyed people, who were often suspected of being able to bring trouble. There was talk of this happening in the villages.: "Khariton — there is damage in the hut," hinting that the day may bring troubles and troubles.

After October 11, no one dared to eat wild berries — it was believed that the devil had marked them with his foul, poisonous saliva. It was believed that those who tasted these fruits risked becoming seriously ill or not surviving the winter at all. Household chores were also postponed on this day. People aspired to silence and solitude, actually turning the holiday into a day of rest at home.

The Prayer of the Optina Elders: origin, meaning and tradition of reading

Special importance was attached to dreams on the night of October 11th. Their ancestors considered them a sign foreshadowing upcoming events. Such dreams were not told aloud, so as not to destroy their magical power. If they were anxious, they drank holy water in the morning to protect themselves from troubles and purify them from invisible evil.

On this day, young couples cooked honey-filled pies and treated their relatives to them. This ritual was a symbol of the future sweet life.

What not to do on Kharitonov Day on October 11th

Kharitonov Day in Russia was a time of strict taboos and restrictions. It was believed that active communication should be avoided on a holiday, and no one should be invited to visit, since any contact with outsiders could turn into trouble.

What else can not be done on October 11:

• sweeping and mopping floors can wash away luck from the house.
• Rearranging furniture runs the risk of awakening dark forces and depriving the house of protection.;
• Starting new businesses is bound to fail.;
• Going on a long journey will be difficult, and the result will be unfavorable.;
• Making noise and having a feast is a dangerous day, it requires silence and concentration.

Folk signs for October 11th

On October 11, peasants traditionally observed nature — the weather and animal behavior on this day were considered iconic.:

• hares have not changed their gray fur to white — winter will be late.;
• the leaves fall with the back side up — next autumn will be rich in harvest;
• the wind increases in the evening — a lot of snow is expected from December to February;
• the chickens are perched and sitting quietly — a sharp cold snap and frosts are coming.;
• the sky is covered with gray clouds in the morning — the winter will be long and cold.

Earlier, Izvestia told when and how Russians celebrate the special national holiday of Ivan the Theologian.