A special national holiday on April 22 — Vadim Klyuchnik: history, traditions, omens
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- A special national holiday on April 22 — Vadim Klyuchnik: history, traditions, omens
Every year on April 22, Orthodox believers honor the memory of the Venerable Martyr Vadim of Persia and his seven disciples. In the national calendar, the holiday is called Vadim Klyuchnik. In 2026, it falls on a Wednesday. Read about the history of this date, its traditions, signs and strict prohibitions in the Izvestia article.
What is the church holiday on April 22
Saint Vadim was born in the 4th century in the Persian city of Bethlehem into a wealthy, noble family and was raised in the Christian faith. The young man was not attracted to a worldly life in prosperity, over time he distributed part of his property and retired to a deserted place, where he founded a monastery at his own expense. After becoming its archimandrite, he lived as a strict ascetic, combining the leadership of the monastery with prayer and solitude.
During the persecution of Christians that King Sapor unleashed in Persia, adherents of the new faith were forced to renounce Jesus and worship the sun and fire. Vadim was captured along with seven students and imprisoned.
For four months, they were tortured daily, trying to break them, but without success. All this time, Vadim remained a spiritual pillar and an example of firmness for Persian Christians, and his steadfastness strengthened not only the students, but also those who learned about what was happening outside the prison walls. Not waiting for the holy obedience, Sapor sentenced him to death.
One of the tsar's confidants, Nirsan, also professed Christianity, and, like Vadim, was thrown into prison, but at some point could not stand the pressure and agreed to renounce the faith. Then Sapor demanded that he confirm the betrayal — personally execute the saint and receive forgiveness and reward in this way.
When Vadim was led to execution, Nirsan could not immediately raise his sword, his conscience tormented him, he hesitated and was numb with horror. The saint, on the other hand, faced death calmly and courageously. According to legend, the reckoning overtook the apostate almost immediately. Unable to stand the pangs of conscience, he committed suicide by throwing himself on the sword. Seven of Vadim's students survived their mentor and were released from prison after the death of Tsar Sapor.
Traditions of the national holiday Vadim Klyuchnik on April 22
In Russia, by the middle of April, the earth was completely thawed after the winter, and the ancestors went to the springs and springs for water. Therefore, in the folk tradition, the memorial day of St. Vadim the Persian was named Vadim the Keyworker.
It was believed that it was at this time that the saint "unlocks" the underground springs locked by the cold. From early morning, people went to the springs, springs and wells, which were considered especially clean during this period. They washed their faces with this water, took a few sips for cheerfulness and health, watered cattle with it and sprinkled the ground. Among the peasants, it was believed that it helped them survive the spring dampness and changeable weather in good health, and gave them strength before starting active field work.
On the way, we tried not to talk and not to be distracted by trifles. On the spot, they first prayed to all four sides, and then turned to the key with a mental question about the future — most often about the health of a particular person. If the water on the holiday was clear and transparent, it was believed that the year promised to be calm and successful, but if the spring turned cloudy or bubbled, it was considered an alarming omen.
On April 22, men were clearing wells and springs, removing last year's garbage, correcting and clearing approaches so as not to trample the place. The ancestors believed that a person who put the key in order and drew water from it received the support of nature and a reserve of vitality for the whole season.
And the women tried to wash themselves with fresh spring water, according to the signs, it helped to preserve beauty, freshness of the face and health. Sometimes silver coins were thrown into it — for luck and good luck.
On Vadim Klyuchnik, village healers and herbalists began collecting mother-and-stepmother, the plant was used for decoctions and tinctures for colds and other ailments.
What not to do on a holiday Vadim Klyuchnik
In Russia, on April 22, there were a number of prohibitions, the violation of which could deprive a person of well-being and health. So, on the Vadim Klyuchnik holiday, you should not lie in bed so as not to "oversleep" your luck. The lazy man risked setting a sluggish, unsuccessful course for the entire subsequent field season.
What else you can't do on April 22:
- splashing water collected from a spring — together with it, you can "splash" prosperity and happiness.;
- Looking in the mirror with someone else will bring misfortune to one of those who look at it.;
- Taking someone else's handkerchief is a risk of sharing other people's tears and troubles with it.;
- Eating or drinking from cracked dishes is fraught with adversity and discord.;
- to quarrel, argue, and sort things out — the conflict that began on April 22nd will drag on for a long time.
Folk signs for April 22
In Russia, on Vadim Klyuchnik, peasants carefully observed nature and tried to make a forecast based on signs, what to expect from the coming summer and what the harvest would be.
- The warm weather is not established until mid—April, and the summer will be dry.;
- hoarfrost in the morning — for the harvest year;
- red clouds before sunrise — it will be windy in the coming days;
- fog at dawn — the agricultural season will be successful;
- magpies fly high above the houses until late in the evening — the next day will be dry.
Earlier, Izvestia told how to properly commemorate the dead on Radonitsa.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
