January 26 is a special national holiday — Ermilov Day: history, traditions, omens

On January 26, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the early Christian martyrs Ermil and Stratonik of Singidon. In the national calendar, the holiday was named "Ermilov Day." He was associated with a special reverence for animals, especially cats, which were considered the keepers of the hearth and protected the dwelling from the evil eye. In 2026, the date falls on a Monday. Izvestia tells about the customs, signs and prohibitions of this day.

What is the church holiday on January 26th?

Saints Ermil and Stratonik lived in the late III — early IV century in the city of Singidona (now Belgrade, the capital of Serbia). The years of their lives fell during the reign of the Roman Emperor Licinius, during which Christians were subjected to severe persecution.

Ermil served as a deacon and was captured for openly preaching Christianity. He was tortured and thrown into a dungeon. The prison warden was his friend Stratonicus, who secretly professed faith in Christ. Seeing Ermil's suffering, he could not stand it and openly declared himself a Christian, for which he was also arrested.

After the torture, both martyrs were executed by drowning in the waters of the Danube. Their bodies were miraculously found by believers and buried with honors near the Syngidon. Along with Baptism, the veneration of saints came to Russia, gaining its own traditions, and the holiday itself was named "Ermilov Day."

Traditions of the national holiday Ermilov Day on January 26

Due to the severe January frosts, people tried not to leave their homes unless absolutely necessary. It was believed that frosts and cold weather on the streets brought with them various diseases. People used to say about this: "Erema on the stove — overcome the disease and no more pain."

What can and cannot be done on St. Nicholas Day

Time was devoted to family and leisurely household chores. Special attention was paid to cats during the holiday. According to folk legend, it was the cat that warmed and comforted in St. Ermil's dungeon. In memory of this, the cats were given special honors on Ermilov Day: they were abundantly fed and in no case turned away.

At night, the cat was often allowed into the baby's cradle, believing that it would drive away evil spirits and ensure a restful sleep for the child. Also on this day, they showed mercy to all living creatures: they fed birds and stray animals. It was believed that if a strange cat entered the house on Ermilov Day, he needed to be sheltered — he would become the family's protector from harm.

On January 26, the weather for the coming days was determined by the behavior of cats. Such forecasts for Erema were considered the most accurate. If the animal curled up in a ball, hiding its nose, they expected an increase in frost, and if it rolled on the floor, warming. If the cat scratched against the wall with its claws, it served as a harbinger of a snowstorm and inclement weather.

What not to do on January 26 on Ermilov Day

The popular prohibitions of this day were designed to protect the family from misfortune during the harsh winter period. Our ancestors were especially afraid of any actions that could disrupt the harmony in the house. In particular, they avoided quarrels and conflicts, since a quarrel started on Ermilov Day, according to beliefs, could deprive loved ones of peace and harmony for a long time.

What else can not be done:

• lending money or things leads to need and financial difficulties.;
• Cutting your nails or hair was believed to "shorten" your life force.;
• bragging about your successes or wealth is how you can "jinx" your luck.;
• Complaining about life can lead to new troubles.;
• picking up a spoon that has fallen on the floor leads to unexpected guests or minor troubles.

What not to do on St. Basil's Day on January 14: important church prohibitions

The Church calls for the abandonment of fortune-telling and superstition on the saint's memorial day.

Folk signs for January 26

Observing nature helped the peasants plan their household chores for the coming days and months, including the spring. For example, if tits chirped loudly at the window on Ermilov day, they were preparing for the early onset of spring. And if the ground was shrouded in a thick fog, it foreshadowed a large flood of rivers after the snowfall.

Other signs of the day:

• the forest "makes noise" in calm weather — to thaw and sleet;
• in the oven, a weak draft leads to heat, a strong one to frost.;
• A large bright halo is visible around the moon, leading to a snowstorm;
• there is not a cloud in the sky — severe frosts are coming.

Earlier, Izvestia told about the traditions and signs of the national holiday Fedosey Day.

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