A special national holiday on May 7 is Evseev Day: history, traditions, omens

Every year, Orthodox believers honor the memory of the early Christian martyrs Eusebius, Neon, Leontius, Longinus and others who suffered at the beginning of the fourth century as a result of the persecution of Christians under Emperor Diocletian. In the national calendar, the date is known as Evseyev Day, or Evseyev — Oats. In 2026, the holiday falls on Thursday. Read about its history, traditions, signs and strict prohibitions in the Izvestia article.

What is the church holiday on May 7?

Eusebius, Neon, Leontius, and Longinus lived in Nicomedia at the beginning of the fourth century, during the reign of Emperor Diocletian, who unleashed the most severe persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. It is no coincidence that the church remembers their names on May 7, after the memorial day of the Great Martyr George the Victorious. According to legend, it was George's suffering that led them to believe in Jesus.

Eusebius, Neon, Leontius, Longinus, and 40 other Nicomedia residents were present during George's torture and execution. Church tradition does not give a definitive answer to who they were, according to one version, they could have been in prison as guards, according to another, they came to the prisoners to support and help. In both cases, the main event is not related to their previous situation, but to what they saw with their own eyes.

The torments of St. George the Victorious and the miracles that occurred during his suffering shocked the eyewitnesses. Eusebius and his companions came to believe in Christ and openly confessed their new faith, realizing how it could end. They were captured, chained, and sent to prison.

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When the prisoners were brought to trial, they were again invited to worship idols. The authorities hoped that the fear of punishment would make them come to their senses. But the prisoners did not change their mind. Then Emperor Diocletian sentenced them to severe torture and execution.

Traditions of the national holiday Evseev day on May 7

The name of Saint Eusebius in Russia was transformed over time and received a more familiar sound of Evsei. Therefore, the holiday was named Evseev Day. In the "agricultural schedule", May 7 was an important date — it was time to sow oats. The peasants understood that the warmth of May was deceptive, the night frosts could still return, and the cold weather could delay for more than one day, but it was already impossible to delay the sowing. "Evsei — wean off the oats," "He loves oats even in the water, but in time," the ancestors said on this occasion.

On Evseev Day, the peasants were especially afraid of "maeta" — a serious condition when a person runs out of strength for no apparent reason. After a long winter and a break from work, people were unaccustomed to getting tired quickly during the sowing season, complaining of aches, drowsiness, melancholy, irritation and unwillingness to work. In the villages, this was explained in their own way: May not only wakes up the earth, but also "sweats" a person, exhausts him, deprives him of concentration and inner support. To get rid of this condition, they went to the temple in the morning, prayed, washed with consecrated water, and asked for strength and energy.

During the day, the men went into the field, checked the land, prepared equipment, sowed oats, and watched the grain fall. At that time, the women were busy with household chores, putting the house and yard in order, and cooking. The children were also taught to work: the girls helped with cleaning and cooking, the boys learned craft skills.

The housewives always set an "oatmeal table" for Yevsey — they cooked oatmeal porridge, soup with oatmeal and vegetables, and baked bread with oat flour. Oatmeal cookies or thick oatmeal jelly with honey could be served for sweets. Such a meal symbolized prosperity, satiety and hopes for a rich harvest.

In some families, oatmeal pancakes were baked. They were served to neighbors, travelers, poor people, those who entered the house on the way or needed support. According to beliefs, generosity towards Yevsey "guaranteed" one's own well-being in the future: if one shares bread with others, the year will not be empty.

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At the same time, the guests on May 7 were not specifically invited. The ancestors believed that fuss and unnecessary troubles could enter the house with them. But if a person did come, they were not turned away, they were hospitably received, fed, given a rest, and after leaving, the hut was ventilated, the floor was washed and the corners were sprinkled with holy water.

The ancestors also had an older, pre-Christian layer of seasonal representations associated with this period. On May 7, the Proletye was celebrated — the final departure of winter and the turn to summer. In the village tradition, such milestones were often accompanied by fortune-telling about the future harvest and personal fate. So, in the evening, when the main tasks were completed, they tried to collect a handful of grain, make a wish and count the wheat. An even number promised fulfillment.

What not to do on Evseev Day

In Russia, Evseev Day was associated with a number of prohibitions, the violation of which, according to beliefs, could deprive a person of strength and well-being. For example, on May 7, one should not have succumbed to despondency and "pendulum". The ancestors believed that such longing could linger for a long time, spoil family relations and interfere with business.

What else can not be done on May 7:

• quarreling with a husband or wife can drag on for several months.;
• revenge, anger and gossip — any negativity will return to the person reinforced several times;
• Making deals and starting risky projects will result in losses and disappointment.;
• Giving towels, shawls, tablecloths and other fabric products is a risk of giving away one's own well—being and attracting financial difficulties.;
• cut your hair and nails — together with them you can "cut" your health and luck;
• to collect medicinal herbs — plants will not bring the expected benefits;
• there are dishes made from wheat and rye flour — such food can cause malaise and heaviness in the stomach.

Folk signs for May 7

On Evseev Day, the peasants carefully observed nature to determine whether it was possible to start sowing oats, what the harvest would be.

• the leaves on the birch tree began to bloom — it's time to go out into the field and sow oats.;
• down flew from the willow — the earth is ready for spring work;
• cold day — the year promises to be fruitful;
• rain on April 6 — grains and cereals will grow;
• the evening dawn is yellow and clear — the next few days will pass without rain.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs and strict prohibitions of the special holiday of Calling the ancestors.