A special holiday on December 24 is Nikon Day: history, traditions, omens

Every year on December 24, Orthodox churches commemorate St. Nikon, abbot of the Kiev Caves Monastery, who lived in the 11th century. In the national calendar, the date is called "Nikon Day." In 2025, it falls on a Wednesday. Read about the history, traditions and signs associated with this holiday in the Izvestia article.

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St. Nikon is one of the central figures in the formation of monasticism in Russia. Who lived in Kiev at the turn of the XI–XII centuries, he became the first closest associate of St. Anthony, the founder of the Kiev Caves Monastery. It was in his cave that the future saint came at the time when the Russian monastic tradition was emerging.

There, the monk proved himself to be a rare worker and novice, and subsequently Anthony entrusted him with the most responsible mission — to receive new novices and introduce them into monastic life. Anthony brought from Athos the "law" of monastic life — the rule, the way of life, the prayer system. And Nikon mentored, tonsured, and organized the community. At the same time, he remained extremely humble, perceiving both joys and trials as sent from above.

According to legend, Nikon once tonsured the court favorites of Prince Izyaslav. This provoked the ruler's anger, and during the interrogation he accused the abbot of arbitrariness, to which he replied that he had acted according to the will of the Heavenly King.

The prince threatened Nikon with imprisonment and even the destruction of the cave, but the saint refused to "return the soldiers of Christ" to worldly life. The conflict reached the point where Anthony and his brothers decided to leave the cave. The princess was told about their departure. She reminded her husband of the history of her homeland, Poland, where disasters plagued the country after the expulsion of the monks, and warned against repeating this mistake. Izyaslav was afraid of the possible wrath of God, released the monk back into the cave and returned the departed brethren.

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When the brethren multiplied significantly, Nikon wished to retire into silence and went to Tmutarakan, to an island in the area of the present Taman Peninsula. For the locals, who are poorly acquainted with the Christian tradition, the strict monk has become a prominent figure. People came to him for advice and blessings. A community gradually developed around the saint, a church of the Blessed Virgin Mary was built, and a monastery was established, which was compared in severity and style to the Monastery of the Caves.

After the death of the local prince Rostislav, the residents of Tmutarakan asked Nikon to appeal to the Chernigov prince Svyatoslav Yaroslavich with a request to send his son Gleb to reign. The monk fulfilled his assignment, visited Chernigov, and then went to Kiev, to the Pechersk Monastery. The meeting with Theodosius, whom he had once tonsured, was especially touching, and the saint promised to return as soon as he had finally established the Tmutarakan monastery.

After returning to Tmutarakan with Prince Gleb and completing the construction of the monastery, Nikon really came back to the Pechersk Monastery and connected the rest of his life with it. Theodosius appreciated him as the elder in experience, entrusted him with the care of the brethren, the guidance of monks, the reading of spiritual teachings, the binding and correction of books.

In 1096, Nikon was captured by the Polovtsians. He spent several years in captivity, enduring hardships and humiliation. Tradition says that during these years the Lord gave him a special gift — by the power of prayer the monk could help the sick and heal the suffering.

In the folk tradition, St. Nikon is often called "dry" — he was so emaciated from hunger and trials in captivity. At the same time, he maintained an extraordinary firmness of spirit and fervor in prayer. The saint died around 1088, and his relics rest in Nearby caves.

Traditions of the national holiday Nikon day on December 24th

In the folk tradition, Nikon's day was considered a special day, the ancestors believed that evil spirits were especially active at this time, they roamed the streets, looked into huts, barns and stables. Therefore, the peasants tried not to approach the forest and roads unless absolutely necessary, and if they had to leave the house, they returned before sunset.

In the morning, the faithful went to the temple, where they remembered St. Nikon of the Caves, ordered prayer services, and lit candles. The saint was prayed for deliverance from gloomy thoughts, anxiety and unreasonable fear, as he was revered as the intercessor of those who were experiencing inner turmoil.

Women turned to him with requests for the health of children and relatives, family well-being and prosperity in the house. The men prayed for help in their craft.

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At dusk, lamps and candles were lit in the house, trying to illuminate not only the red corner with icons, but also the dark areas of the dwelling. The peasants believed that the brighter it was in the hut on Nikon day, the more reliable protection from evil spirits and unkind people.

The meal on this day remained lenten, as the holiday falls on the Christmas fast. Simple but hearty dishes were served on the table — porridges, lean pies, vegetables, pickles, compotes and fruit drinks. It was considered inappropriate to have a noisy feast, and quiet family conversations were preferred. The ancestors believed that if it was bright, calm and peaceful in the hut on Nikon's day, and the whole family gathered at the table, the next year would pass in harmony, prosperity and without major shocks.

What not to do on the Nikon Day holiday on December 24th

There are many prohibitions associated with Nikon Day, the observance of which in the popular consciousness protected a person from harm. So, on December 24, the ancestors tried not to leave the house after sunset unless absolutely necessary — at that time, according to beliefs, dark forces became active, which could "take" the traveler with them.

What else you can't do on Nikon Day:

• Doing heavy housework in the evening, especially for women, promises illness and constant fatigue next year.;
• to engage in fortune—telling, fortune-telling, trying to "find out fate" through the other world - you can fall under the influence of evil spirits.;
• Don other people's clothes, shoes, or jewelry — you can take on other people's troubles, illnesses, and failures with them.;
• to celebrate a holiday in dirty, torn or unwashed clothes — someone who is untidy on Nikon Day will spend the whole year in need and troubles.;
• quarreling with relatives, neighbors, friends, brawling loudly and uttering curses — conflicts will lead to long strife and trouble with money;
• men go hunting or fishing — there is a risk of getting lost, getting into trouble in the forest or drowning.

Folk signs for December 24th

On Nikon Day, the peasants carefully observed nature and animal behavior in order to predict what the weather would be like in the coming months.:

• in the morning, crows circle and caw loudly in the sky — for long and severe frosts;
• The squirrels climb into one hollow, they hardly show up — the winter will be long and harsh.;
• the day is clear and frosty — there will be no frequent thaws in January and February;
• The wind and fine snow are picking up in the evening, and snowstorms and changeable weather are expected in the coming days.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the spiritual significance of St. Nicholas Day.