A special national holiday on May 1 is Kuzma the Ogorodnik: history, traditions, omens

Every year on May 1, Orthodox believers honor the memory of St. Cosmas, Bishop of Chalcedon, a fighter against iconoclastic heresy who lived in Constantinople in the 9th century. In the national calendar, the holiday is called Kuzma Ogorodnik. In 2026, it falls on a Friday. Read about its history, traditions, signs and strict prohibitions in the Izvestia article.

What is the church holiday on May 1st?

Cosmas of Chalcedon was born in Constantinople at the beginning of the 9th century. At a young age, he renounced worldly life, took vows, and devoted himself to a rigorous spiritual endeavor. The saint was distinguished by his firmness of character, inner composure, and high self-demand. Thanks to these qualities, he gained authority among the faithful and was eventually appointed bishop of Chalcedon.

The period of his ministry fell during the reign of Emperor Leo the Armenian, who actively supported the iconoclastic heresy. Representatives of this movement demanded to abandon the veneration of icons, destroyed holy images and forced the clergy to obey the new religious policy.

St. Cosmas openly defended Orthodox teaching. He refused to obey the decrees of the authorities and remove the shrines from the temples, for which he was deprived of the episcopal see, tortured and sent into exile.

Despite the persecution, Kosma remained true to his beliefs until the end of his life. Even after his exile, when they tried to force the saint to renounce the Orthodox tradition again, he remained adamant.

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Traditions of the national holiday Kuzma Ogorodnik on May 1

In Russia, the name of St. Cosmas of Chalcedon was transformed into Kuzma. The peasants considered May 1 to be an important milestone of the new agricultural season. By this time, the land was finally "waking up", the cellars were empty, the main concern was the future harvest, after a long winter it was time to prepare the beds and think about crops. Hence the "talking" name of the holiday — Kuzma the Ogorodnik. "Kuzma came, looked into the cellars, took a shovel, and dug up the earth from the hut," the ancestors said.

May 1 was also called cuckoo day, because it was at this time that the cuckoos began to crow in the groves and forests. According to their singing, the peasants compared their economic plans. According to beliefs, if a bird raised its voice in the morning, it was necessary to go out into the field and start sowing flax. And if it was later in the evening, it was better to wait with the work.

At dawn, the women went to the votive springs, secret springs into which they had to dip a few coins for good luck in the future sowing campaign. According to legend, after such a ceremony, one could safely start work on the land, sort out the seeds, and plan the beds.

After that, the faithful went to church, where they prayed to St. Cosmas of Chalcedon, who was revered as the protector of farmers. He was asked for help in field work and household chores, raising children, and promoting health.

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Special attention was paid to seeds for Kuzma Ogorodnik. In some regions, it was customary to soak them in holy or spring water for three days, necessarily hiding them from prying eyes — the ancestors were afraid that an envious look could damage the future harvest. On this occasion, they sentenced: "Envy is like rust, and the whole crop will be eaten."

Women were more often assigned to work in the garden on this day. The peasants believed that the beets, turnips, carrots and other root crops they had planted would take root better and give strong shoots. Men could help with the preparation of the plot, but in many families it was the housewives who trusted the sowing itself.

The planting material was treated very strictly, the seeds were not mixed with those intended for cooking. There was a superstition that if you ate even one such seed, the worms would supposedly destroy the entire crop.

What not to do on the Kuzma Ogorodnik holiday

In Russia, the Kuzma Ogorodnik holiday was considered a time of work and inner concentration, so the main prohibition was idleness. The ancestors believed that May 1 should not be spent in idleness, lying in bed for a long time and postponing things, especially those related to the land and future crops. It was believed that it was on this day that not only the success of the sowing campaign was laid, but also the general order in life for the coming months. Improper behavior could deprive a person of well-being, prosperity and luck.

What else you can't do on May 1st:

• quarreling, arguing and speaking in raised tones — rudeness on this day can lead to protracted conflicts, deprive a person of peace of mind, and sometimes even their voice.;
• walking in dirty or stale clothes — an untidy appearance can "attract" changes for the worse.;
• men should be engaged in planting — the land will not "accept" work and the harvest will be weak.;
• unmarried girls and unmarried guys staying alone for a long time is at risk of delaying a meeting with their mate for a whole year.;
• Changing your hairstyle or cutting your hair can weaken your memory and lead to distraction.;
• singing, having fun and dancing without measure — such a pastime contradicts the meaning of the day, then you will have to "cry all year";
• Going hunting or fishing can result in injury, failure, or a waste of energy.

Folk signs for May 1

On Kuzma the Gardener, the ancestors carefully observed nature in order to determine by signs what the next month and the entire farming season would be like.

• a warm, clear day leads to a cold snap at the end of May;
• cold weather — for the harvest year;
• Heavy rains on May 1 will lead to a rich harvest and good fish biting.

There were also everyday signs. So, on the first May rain, the ancestors tried to wet their hair. There was a belief that after that they would be thick and strong, like young spring grass. The rain itself on this day was perceived as a symbol of renewal, health, financial well-being and favorable changes. And dreams on the night of April 30 to May 1 were considered prophetic — unmarried girls hoped to see a future lover in them.

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