A special holiday on December 11 is Soykin Day: history, traditions, omens

On December 11, the Orthodox Church commemorates Bishop Theodore Simonovsky, confessor of Dmitry Donskoy and founder of the Simonovsky Monastery in the Moscow region. In the national calendar, the holiday was named Soykin Day. In 2025, it falls on a Thursday. Read about its history, traditions, signs and strict prohibitions in the Izvestia article.

What is the church holiday on December 11th?

St. Theodore Simonovsky, a disciple and nephew of St. Sergius of Radonezh, played a significant role in the spiritual, cultural and political life of Russia in the 14th century.

The future saint was born around 1339 and received the name John at birth. At the age of 12, he was sent to the Trinity Monastery to be raised by his famous relative, Sergius of Radonezh. It was there that the young novice was tonsured a monk and named Theodore. Under Sergius' guidance, he studied liturgical texts, mastered languages, iconography, and soon became a priest.

Theodore's special faith in monastic work and communal lifestyle led him to the idea of creating his own monastery. Sergius of Radonezh, having seen in the pupil the firmness of spirit and organizational gift, blessed him for this service.

A site on the banks of the Moskva River, Simonovo, was chosen as the site of the future monastery. Sergius personally visited the chosen place and approved the student's decision. Here Theodore built a church in honor of the Nativity of the Virgin. In 1380, after the Battle of Kulikovo, the warrior monks Alexander and Andrey, heroes of military exploits, were buried there.

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This is how the Simonov Monastery appeared, one of the most influential spiritual centers in Moscow. Theodore himself became its abbot. He personally led the life of the brethren and the upbringing of the young monks. Among his students are the future founders of the great northern monasteries Kirill Belozersky and Ferapont Luzhetsky, who left a vivid mark in the history of Russian monasticism.

The spiritual wisdom and deep mind of the saint made him one of the closest confidants of Dmitry Donskoy. The prince entrusted him with the most important missions. In 1381, Theodore went to Kiev to invite Metropolitan Cyprian to the Moscow see. In 1383 and 1388, he twice went to Constantinople on business of the Russian Church — these diplomatic missions required the highest authority. During the second journey, the saint was elevated to the rank of Archbishop of Rostov.

Already in Rostov, Theodore founded the Rozhdestvensky Maiden Monastery, which still operates today. Although his administration of the diocese was short-lived, he left a memory of himself as a wise leader and ascetic, able to unite people and maintain peace in the difficult political conditions of that era.

Saint Theodore died on November 28, 1394, and his relics reside in the Assumption Cathedral of the Rostov Kremlin and are revered as a shrine.

Traditions of the national holiday Soykin Day on December 11

Soykin Day is one of the brightest winter holidays of the national calendar. According to beliefs, it is on December 11 that this bird becomes especially talkative, as if wanting to convey important news to people. In Russia, the jay was called a prophetic bird, capable of giving a person a sign about the future. The ancestors believed that a tiny "mirror of fate" was hidden on her wings, it was enough to look at her behavior to understand what the next day would be like — happy or anxious.

According to legend, seeing a jay on December 11th is a stroke of luck in itself. And to hear her melodious singing will lead to fulfillment of desires, long—awaited news or a turn in things for the better. It was considered a special joy if a jay flew up to the house, sat on the windowsill, tapped its beak or chirped loudly — such signs were interpreted as a harbinger of well-being.

The ancestors associated the holiday with fortune-telling, trying to look into the future. One of the most popular rituals was the "test" for success. A handful of coins of different denominations were thrown into a snowdrift and pulled out one at a time. If the largest one came across first, the year promised profit and good luck in business. A small one "called" for financial caution and the need to carefully plan expenses.

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On this day, the peasants listened to the water, considering it another "guide" of fate. According to beliefs, if loud splashes or a soft chime were heard from the well, it promised a quick monetary profit. Complete silence, on the contrary, foreshadowed lack of money.

Traditionally, housewives made sweet dough birds on Soykin's Day — it was believed that such treats attract happiness and protect the family.

There was another unspoken rule on the holiday — one should listen to the advice of elders, both in the family and in the service. According to popular beliefs, it is on Soykin's Day that the wisdom of more experienced people is able to suggest the right decision in a difficult situation.

Cheto can not be done on the Soykin Day holiday on December 11th

On Soykin Day, December 11, there were a number of strict prohibitions that the ancestors tried to strictly observe in order not to "scare away" luck in financial and personal matters. Folk tradition dictated that rudeness, quarrels and unkind words should be avoided on the holiday. It was believed that any emotional outburst could permanently disrupt harmony in the family.

What else is forbidden to do on December 11:

• To borrow or lend money, you can "give away" your luck along with it.;
• Walking with your hair down will prevent unmarried people from meeting a worthy groom, and married people will bring excitement and jealousy to the family.;
• Pointing a finger at a jay can cause a bird to take offense and "take away" its well—being.;
• to give small coins to beggars — avarice on this day can deprive of prosperity;
• to leave the house in the snowfall — you can "trample" a good fortune.

In addition, December 11 falls during the Christmas Fast period. This imposes additional restrictions on believers. During this period, you can not eat meat and dairy products, arrange noisy feasts, indulge in excesses.

Folk signs for December 11th

On Soykin Day, the peasants carefully observed nature in order to make a forecast for the coming months.

• a lot of snow in the forest — for the harvest year;
• Warming on December 11 — frosts will strike soon;
• the ashes in the furnace quickly extinguish — by the thaw;
• dry, frosty day — summer will be hot and arid;
• snowfall on the night of December 10-11 — the snow cover will cover the ground for a long time, and the daytime snow will come off quickly and will not stay for long.

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