A special national holiday on February 24 is Vlasyov Day: history, traditions, omens

Every year on February 24, Orthodox believers honor the memory of the Holy Martyr Vlasius of Sebaste. In the national calendar, the date was called Vlasyov Day or "Cow Day". In 2026, it falls on a Tuesday. Read about its history, traditions, signs and strict prohibitions in the Izvestia article.

What is the church holiday on February 24th?

The Holy Martyr Vlasius lived in the late III — early IV century in Lesser Armenia (now the territory of Turkey). According to legend, he came from a pious Christian family, distinguished by education and charity. He studied medicine, and also had the gift of a miracle worker, the poor and destitute turned to him for help.

In his youth, Vlasius chose the path of a strict spiritual life and, thanks to the love and trust of the townspeople, was elected bishop of Sebaste. But even after taking holy orders, the saint did not change his habit of solitary prayer. To do this, he retired to a cave on Mount Argus, where, as the hagiographies attest, wild animals came to him.

During the persecution of Christians under Emperor Licinius, the ruler of Cappadocia and Lesser Armenia, Agricola, was ordered to conduct a series of raids on animals, which were later going to be used for executions. In one of them, the warriors discovered the secluded cave of Vlasia. The saint did not hide and, according to legend, said: "I've been waiting for your arrival for a long time."

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On the way to the ruler, two events occurred that consolidated his fame as a miracle worker. First, he saved a boy who had choked on a bone by laying his hands on him and praying. This episode later became the basis for special veneration of the saint as the patron saint of throat diseases. Then he ordered the wolf to return the piglet he had carried away to the poor woman.

In Sebaste, Agricola flattered the bishop into renouncing his faith, calling him a "friend of the gods," but Vlasius rejected paganism and refused to sacrifice to idols. For this, he was severely tortured and then executed. The body of the saint, according to legend, was buried by a pious woman named Elissa.

Traditions of the national holiday Vlasyov day on February 24

After the Baptism of Rus, the image of Saint Vlasius organically combined with folk traditions that were of practical importance for peasant life. The end of February in the villages was the time when supplies were running low, and winter had not yet receded. Therefore, the holiday was considered a kind of frontier that required an audit of the farm, as well as a time of special care for cows and other domestic animals. Hence its names – Vlasov day, Cow day, Hellebore, simply — Vlasy.

The ancestors started the morning with a visit to the church. Saint Blasius was asked about the health of the cattle, about the safe offspring and prosperity in the house. Pets were often brought to the temples. They were blessed and sprinkled with holy water. It was believed that such a rite would ensure good yields and protect the farm from death.

On February 24, they tried to feed the cattle more than usual, give them plenty to drink, and clean out the stables. It was believed that negligence on this day could result in illnesses and losses. However, there was another harsh tradition dictated by necessity – at the end of winter, when feed and food were depleted, peasants could slaughter a pig, sheep or steer to support the family and save the rest of the livestock.

The holiday was also considered a good time for trading. Peasants went to the bazaars to sell their surpluses or purchase missing products. People used to say that you could profitably buy or sell a cow on Vlasia. For a rural society where cattle were the main source of income, such transactions were of particular importance.

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Despite the household chores, the day was not complete without fun. The youth organized festivities with snowball fights, roller coasters, and singing songs. Winter fun helped to survive the prolonged cold weather, maintain a sense of community and strengthen faith in a prosperous spring.

The housewives served a bountiful table that day. They cooked thick soup or borscht with sour cream, cooked fish dishes, vegetables, baked pies with cabbage, potatoes, mushrooms. Roast meat was considered the main treat. A special place was occupied by buns in the shape of hooves — they were consecrated in the church.

Vlasyov's Day Bans — what not to do on February 24

In Russia, a number of prohibitions were associated with Vlasyov Day, which helped to maintain order in the household and good luck at the end of winter. Most of them were related to pets. According to beliefs, the proper handling of cattle depended on his health and offspring for the whole year.

So, on February 24, animals should not be left unattended, hungry or without water. It was believed that such indifference "invites" illness and death.

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

• to treat animals roughly — cruelty will return to the owner with losses in the household;
• doing heavy housework and repairs — such things can "knock down" luck and harm livestock.;
• Leaving the chimneys open is how evil spirits can enter the house.;
• to sit down at a meager table — a poor dinner will turn into longing and need before Easter.

Folk signs for February 24

On February 24, Vlasyov Day, peasants observed nature to determine whether the cold would linger and whether spring would be early or prolonged.

• The day is clear and frosty — the cold will not last long, followed by a thaw and early spring.;
• cloudy, wet, stormy day leads to prolonged winter and late warming.;
• a snowstorm or snowfall leads to a cold March.

Earlier, Izvestia told when Orthodox Easter will come in 2026.