A special holiday on February 9th is Zlatoust Day: history, traditions, omens

According to the national calendar, Zlatoust Day, or Zlatoust Fire, is celebrated on February 9— It is a special Slavic holiday dedicated to the hearth and strengthening family ties. It received its name in honor of St. John Chrysostom, whom the church honors on this date. In 2026, the celebration falls on a Monday. Izvestia tells about the customs, signs and prohibitions of this day.

What is the church holiday on February 9th?

John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, lived in the IV–V centuries. The Church venerates him as one of the three Ecumenical hierarchs and teachers, along with Basil the Great and Gregory the Theologian. He received his famous nickname "Chrysostom" for his exceptional gift of eloquence.

His sermons, interpretations of the Holy Scriptures, and theological writings had a tremendous impact on Christian doctrine, as well as liturgical practice. In Russia, John Chrysostom was especially revered as the patron saint of enlightenment, asking for the gift of "sharpness of mind" and help in learning. They also turned to him for support in moments of despair and to strengthen the spirit in life's trials.

There are several days in the church calendar commemorating the saint. At the end of winter, a celebration was established in honor of the transfer of the relics of John Chrysostom. This event took place in 438, 30 years after his death. The incorruptible remains were honorably transported to Constantinople from the Abkhaz village of Komany, where the saint spent the rest of his life.

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Traditions of the national holiday Zlatoust day on February 9th

In the popular consciousness, St. John Chrysostom Memorial Day was closely intertwined with ancient customs and beliefs. The main tradition of the day was the veneration of fire as a source of life-giving power and warmth, which was accompanied by the breeding of the so-called "Zlatoust fire".

After the morning service in the church, the peasants carefully stoked the stove. Only selected dry logs were used for the furnace. It was considered extremely important that the firewood caught fire at the same time, and the flame was smooth and "golden". This was perceived as a good sign, promising prosperity and well-being for the whole year.

They tried to maintain the fire throughout the day, attributing healing properties to it. If someone in the family got sick, they were always brought to the stove, believing that the miraculous Chrysostom fire would drive away the disease. In the evening, the whole family gathered around the hearth for quiet conversations, which strengthened family harmony.

What not to do on February 9th on Zlatoust Day

Many superstitions on Chrysostom Day were associated with the fear of disturbing the fragile well-being symbolically concentrated in the fire of the hearth. For example, it was strictly forbidden to quarrel and swear at the stove. The ancestors believed that swearing could "defile" the purifying power of fire. It was also forbidden to clean the stove or rake out the ashes on this day, so that warmth and well-being would not leave the house.

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What else you can't do on February 9th:

• to give and receive gifts — according to beliefs, along with a thing, you can accept other people's troubles or spoilage.;
• washing your hair — this action could lead to the "washing out" of the mind or memory.;
• Removing an engagement ring could lead to a serious family breakdown that could lead to a complete breakup.;
• to use raw firewood for the furnace — they could bring tears and sadness into the house.

Folk signs for February 9th

Nature observations became important during the holiday. In the old days, it was believed that the weather on Chrysostom Day could indicate the features of the coming spring and predict what the harvest would be like. So, the fogged windows in the house foreshadowed the imminent cold snap and increased frosts. Round, domed snowdrifts in the fields were considered a good sign, promising a rich harvest of grain.

Other signs of the day:

• clouds are moving against the wind, leading to snowfall in the coming days;
• The moon is bright and white for severe frost, reddish for windy weather.;
• The thaw on Zlatoust leads to long frosts at the end of winter;
• The chickadees are chirping loudly outside the house — by early spring.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the customs and signs of the Aksinya Day national holiday.

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