A special national holiday on April 10 is Hilarion-turn out the shafts: history, traditions, omens

Every year on April 10, Orthodox believers honor the memory of St. Hilarion, Abbot of Pelikite, who lived at the turn of the VII–VIII centuries. In the national calendar, the holiday is called Hilarion-turn out the shafts. In 2026, it falls on a Friday. Read about its history, traditions, signs and strict prohibitions in the Izvestia article.

Hilarion-turn out the shafts – 2026: the history of the holiday

St. Hilarion the New was born in 694, chose the spiritual path from his youth, was ordained a presbyter, and then headed the Pelikite monastery, located near the Dardanelles. His contemporaries revered him as a man of strict prayer, fasting and inner concentration.

According to legend, Hilarion was endowed with the gift of a seer and healer, and numerous miracles were associated with his name. Through prayer, he healed the sick, especially the blind, protected crops from wild animals, begged for rain in times of drought, averted hail, and helped fishermen when their nets were empty. Therefore, in the national memory, the saint became entrenched as the intercessor of farmers, people of labor, and all those whose lives depended on the weather, harvest, and the grace of nature.

His ministry fell during the era of iconoclastic persecution. In the spring of 754, on Holy Thursday, the Pelikite monastery was attacked by the troops of the military commander Lakhanodragon. Soldiers broke into the church during the divine service, destroyed the altar, desecrated the shrine, and killed Hilarion himself. His disciples suffered along with him: 42 monks were captured and then executed, the rest were tortured.

Traditions of the national holiday celebrated on April 10

In Russia, the saint's memorial day was known as Hilarion-turn out the shafts. He represented the boundary between the winter and spring lifestyle. The peasants tried to make the most of it, to pay attention to the farm.

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Believers began the holiday with prayer. In the morning, they went to church, participated in the service, lit candles, and prayed to the monk for bodily health, relief from mental suffering, and deliverance from the evil eye and everyday troubles. The saint was revered as the patron saint of the blind and those suffering from visual impairment, so parishioners placed special hopes on Hilarion's help with eye diseases.

After the prayer, the peasants began their household chores, which were prompted by spring itself. During this period, preparations for active field work began. The men put the yard and household equipment in order, put the sledges away for storage until the next winter, and the horses were harnessed to carts. The women checked the seeds and prepared the farm for a new field cycle.

Also on April 10, it was decided to clear ponds, wells and springs that had been freed from ice from last year's foliage and debris. This custom had both practical and ceremonial meaning. According to beliefs, along with the meltwater and mud, the winter heaviness and stagnation seemed to disappear from people's lives.

The ancestors paid special attention to the first spring plants, especially the mother-and-stepmother. Her appearance was eagerly awaited. Decoction of flowers was used for colds, bronchitis and fever. However, it was on April 10 that it was not torn, believing that it had not yet gained full healing power before Easter.

What not to do on the Hilarion holiday-turn out the shafts

On the holiday of Hilarion, turn out the shafts in Russia, there were a number of restrictions. The main prohibition concerned quarrels and harsh words. The ancestors believed that any altercation on April 10 would drag on and would poison the family's life for a long time. Therefore, they tried to live the day quietly, without raising their voices, without arguments and irritation.

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In 2026, Great Thursday falls on April 9th.

What else is forbidden to do on April 10:

• slamming doors can anger a brownie and deprive the house of comfort, prosperity and tranquility.;
• Turning out your pockets means you risk losing money and running out of money.;
• take household chores carelessly — disorder and disorganization in business can "ruin" the whole year and deprive a person of good luck.

Folk signs for April 10

In Russia, on Hilarion Day, peasants carefully observed nature, trying to make a weather forecast for the coming weeks and determine whether the year would be fruitful.

• fog or frost in the morning — fruits, vegetables and cereals will be well preserved;
• Magpies are perching on the treetops — it's going to get noticeably warmer soon;
• rain on April 10 — for a good, generous harvest;
• thunder rumbles — the bad weather will drag on;
• Lapwings fly low — summers can be hot and arid.;
• the snow has reached Hilarion — it will quickly come off after the holiday.

Earlier, Izvestia told how to arrange a house for Easter.