January 24 is a special national holiday — Fedoseyev Day: history, traditions, omens

Every year on January 24, the Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of St. Theodosius the Great, one of the most revered figures of the Christian East. In the national calendar, the holiday was named "Fedosey Day." In 2026, the celebration falls on a Saturday. Read about its history, traditions, signs and strict prohibitions in the Izvestia article.

What is the church holiday on January 24th?

St. Theodosius the Great left a significant mark on the spiritual life of the fifth and sixth centuries. He was born into a Christian family in Cappadocia, an area that has given the world many saints and theologians. From early childhood, he was surrounded by an atmosphere of piety, which determined his desire for spiritual service and asceticism.

Seeking solitude and closeness to God, Theodosius traveled to Palestine, where he settled in a cave near Bethlehem. According to legend, it was there that the magi once spent the night, who came with gifts to the newborn Christ. In this place, the future saint spent more than three decades in strict fasting, prayer and complete renunciation of the world.

During this time, he gained spiritual authority, and students began to flock to him, looking for a spiritual mentor. When the cave could no longer accommodate new monks, Theodosius went into the desert with an extinct censer in his hands. When he reached a certain place, the cold censer suddenly ignited, and the coals began to emit incense. The monk took this as a sign from God and founded the first monastic monastery in Palestine at this place, later the famous Lavra of St. Theodosius.

Under his leadership, the monastery became not only a spiritual center, but also a model of social support. Hospices for pilgrims, hospitals (separate for monks and laypeople), and shelters for the elderly were set up here. Through the prayers of the saint, miracles occurred in the monastery more than once: in times of need, bread never ran out, the sick were healed, and the monastery brethren were strengthened in faith.

During the period of the spread of the Eutychian heresy under Emperor Anastasius, Theodosius openly defended the dogmas of the Church, condemning those who denied the human nature of Jesus Christ. The monk first sent a letter of rebuke to the emperor, and then spoke publicly in Jerusalem. For his position, he was thrown into a dungeon, where he spent several years. However, even in prison, he did not deviate from his beliefs.

Theodosius died at a very old age, at the age of 105, leaving behind not only a living tradition of monastic community, but also a memory of righteousness, compassion and the miraculous power of prayer.

Traditions of the national holiday Fedoseyev day on January 24

In Russia, the saint's memorial day was called "Fedoseyev Day." It was considered a kind of frontier, a time when winter shows its temper, and a person prepares for inner renewal and purification.

The peasants determined the nature of the coming spring by the weather during this period, so another name for the holiday is Fedosey Vesnyak. To speed up the arrival of heat, a special ceremony was held in the villages. A large wheel was rolled along the main street, a symbol of the sun, renewal and fertility. It was believed that this ritual helps to melt the winter cold and bring the thaw closer.

The ancestors perceived Fedosey Day as a time of caring for home, family and spiritual purity. It was customary to start the morning with a prayer to Theodosius, who was asked for health for the elders, protection from harm, prosperity in the house and the well-being of children. After that, the stoves were heated "hot and thoroughly," not so much for the sake of warmth as as a sign of reverence for the saint, the patron saint of comfort and good beginnings.

Families gathered together, set the table, and had leisurely tea parties with honey and jam made from summer wild berries. These sweet treats, according to legend, protected not only from colds, but also from adversity. One of the symbols of the holiday was a pie with greens, in summer the prepared filling was considered a guarantee of health. They didn't cut it, but broke it with their hands so as not to "cut" luck.

In some regions, an ancient rite of protection from evil was performed — they took an old shoe, hung it on the nearest tree and read a special plot to ward off the evil eye and evil spirits from the house. This custom was strictly observed in families with children or the elderly. It was believed that they were the ones who were exposed to the dark forces. In the evening, the sauna was always heated as a symbol of purification. With water, they tried to "wash away" the accumulated fatigue, resentment and anxiety over the winter.

What not to do on January 24th on Fedosey Day

In Russia, on January 24, there were a number of prohibitions, the violation of which could lead to trouble and losses. Fedoseyev Day was considered a time of spiritual generosity. Any request for help was perceived as a "test of mercy" and should not be ignored. By refusing, a person risked losing his well-being.

What else you can't do on January 24th:

• Using sharp objects is highly likely to get a cut or injury.;
• freezing — hypothermia on this day entails a serious illness.;
• to lend and borrow money — there is a risk of prolonged need;
• to move to a new place — a person in a new home will not get used to it and will lose a quiet life.;
• to appear in dirty clothes, with disheveled hair or unwashed face — a saint can "turn away" from an unkempt person.;
• to let black cats into the yard — they can turn out to be evil spirits and harm the owners.

Folk signs for January 24

On January 24, the peasants closely followed the signs of nature. The ancestors believed that if it was warm on Fedosey, spring would be early, but wet. But frost and cold promised a long winter and a difficult planting season.:

• thaw — spring will be early but rainy;
• severe frosts — winter will be delayed and severe;
• icicles on roofs — for a warm February;
• snowfall will lead to frosts in the coming days.

Earlier, Izvestia told about the meaning, traditions and prohibitions of a special holiday by Yemelyana Perezimniki.