A special national holiday on May 22 is Nikola Veshny: history, traditions, omens

Every year on May 22, Orthodox believers remember the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker from Myra in Lycia to the Italian city of Bari. In the national calendar, the date was named "Nikola Veshny", or "Nikola Summer", and became one of the main milestones of late spring. In 2026, the holiday falls on a Friday. Read about its history, traditions, signs and strict prohibitions in the Izvestia article.

What is the church holiday on May 22

St. Nicholas was born in the 3rd century in the city of Patara in Lycia. He came from a wealthy Christian family. According to church tradition, from a young age he was far from an idle life, spent a lot of time in the temple, studied the Holy Scriptures and chose the path of service to God early.

After the death of his parents, Nicholas distributed property to those in need and went to holy places. After returning to his homeland, he was appointed bishop of the city of Myra and subsequently entered into church memory as Archbishop of Myra of Lycia.

Nicholas was revered for helping the suffering. There are stories in his lives about how he secretly helped poor families, protected the unjustly convicted, and supported the sick and travelers. His fame as the patron saint of sailors was especially firmly established behind him — through the prayers of the saint, storms subsided, ships were saved and those who were already considered dead returned to life.

Nicholas' episcopal ministry fell during a difficult period for Christians. During the persecution under the Roman emperors Diocletian and Maximian, the saint, according to church tradition, was imprisoned. After the strengthening of Christianity under Constantine the Great, he returned to managing his flock and continued his ministry in the Worlds.

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St. Nicholas died in the fourth century. His body was buried in the cathedral church of Myra of Lycia, and soon his burial place became one of the most revered Christian shrines. Believers came to the tomb with prayers for help, healing, protection on the road and deliverance from injustice.

In the 11th century, Christian shrines in Asia Minor were threatened by raids and destruction. In 1087, the inhabitants of the Italian city of Bari transported most of the ashes of St. Nicholas from Myra in Lycia to their city. According to church tradition, on May 8, the ships arrived at the port, and the next day the relics were solemnly transferred to St. Stephen's Church. Later, a separate church was built for them, the Basilica of St. Nicholas, where pilgrims still come today. A church holiday was established in memory of this event.

Traditions of the national holiday Nikola Veshny on May 22

In Russia, the name of the saint acquired a more familiar sound, so the day of his veneration was named Nikola Veshny. By May 22, almost summery, warm weather was established, grass grew quickly, cattle went out to fresh pastures, new worries began in the field and by the water. Therefore, the holiday was also called Nikola Summer, Herbal Day, Warm Day or Nikola with warmth. The people said: "We have two St. Nicholas — one with grass, the other with winter," contrasting the May date of veneration of the saint with winter St. Nicholas Day, which was celebrated on December 19.

The peasants noticed that the grass grows especially fast since Christmas, which means that it is easier for cows, goats and horses to feed themselves. There was more milk, families felt more confident, and hence the saying was born.: "Be strong before Nikola, but live with Nikola — don't worry."

In the morning, believers went to the temple for a church service, lit candles and prayed to Nicholas the Wonderworker for family protection, healing, help on the road, and a just solution to a difficult case. Sailors, travelers, parents, students, and people who faced resentment or injustice addressed the saint.

The herders ordered prayer services, consecrated water and sprinkled it on the cattle so that the year would pass without deaths and heavy losses. The peasants asked Nicholas the Wonderworker for rain, a good harvest and protection of crops from drought, hail and diseases. In some regions, a special ceremony was held on this day, "going to the breadbasket" - men walked around the fields, inspected the seedlings, checked how the rye had risen, and prayed that the bread would grow strong.

At that time, the women were working in the garden, weeding the beds, transplanting plants, tidying up the yard, and feeding the poultry and livestock. They tried to please the children with treats or a small gift, because St. Nicholas was revered as an advocate for the weak and defenseless. The animals were not offended or ignored on this day, because the satiety of the family depended on their health.

The owners of horses were especially waiting for Nikola Veshny. In many villages, it was from this day that horses were driven out at night for the first time. It was a big event for the shepherds and teamsters. Bonfires were lit in the meadows, food was brought, a communal dinner was held, the herd was monitored and St. Nicholas was asked to protect the animals from diseases, wolves and loss.

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On the holiday, the ancestors organized nikolschiny — men's gatherings, where they discussed household chores, treated each other to pies, eggs and whatever was left in the house after a long winter.

There was a popular belief that you could start swimming in rivers and lakes with Nikola Veshny, although you did it carefully and according to the weather. Nikolinskaya water was considered special, it was washed, sprinkled at home, and sometimes children and elderly relatives were taken to reservoirs to strengthen their health. If the morning was wet and foggy, they tried to wash their faces with dew. According to legend, she added strength to toddlers and old people, and beauty and freshness to girls and women.

The main tradition of the holiday was reconciliation — on Nikola Veshny, the ancestors tried to let go of old grievances, asked for forgiveness, reconciled with neighbors and relatives, and invited guests. It was believed that the relationship restored on May 22nd would be stronger than before. It was also considered a good day for matchmaking, engagement and wedding. The marriage concluded for Nicholas, in the popular view, received the protection of the saint.

What not to do on the holiday of Nikola Veshny

In Russia, Nikola Veshny was subject to a number of prohibitions, the violation of which, according to beliefs, could deprive a person of prosperity, health and peace in the family. So, on this day, one should not have refused help. St. Nicholas was revered as the intercessor of the poor and the unjustly offended, therefore greed and indifference went against the meaning of the holiday, could deprive the miser of the patronage of the saint and lead to loss of prosperity and need.

Also, shutters and curtains should not be closed on a holiday. The ancestors believed that on a festive night, Nicholas the Wonderworker looked through the open windows and could see where his help was needed.

What else you can't do on May 22:

• swearing — abusive words attract protracted conflicts and discord in the family;
• to borrow or lend money, it will be difficult to repay the debt, and financial problems will drag on.;
• beating or poorly feeding animals and birds will result in livestock diseases and losses on the farm.;
• Killing spiders leads to poverty, family discord, and an empty house.;
• throwing out the trash after sunset — you can "take out" good luck from the house with it.;
• cutting your hair and nails is a risk of "shortening" your health;
• without the need to use sharp and stabbing objects, pick up a fallen knife with your bare hands — on a holiday it is especially easy to get cuts, injections, and attract trouble.

Folk signs for May 22

On Nikola Veshny, the peasants closely monitored nature, the flowering of trees and the behavior of birds in order to determine by signs whether the heat would set in quickly, whether the crops would have enough moisture and what the harvest would be.

• Rain — the year will be fruitful;
• After the rain, the sun quickly came out, leading to a successful hay harvest.;
• The morning turned out to be cold — steady warmth will come closer to Trinity;
• thunder is heard at night — clear and calm weather ahead;
• dandelions have not opened their inflorescences — it will rain soon or the dampness will increase;
• frogs croak loudly — oats will be well born;
• rowan blossomed — autumn will be short;
• starlings are noisy and worried — the weather will change, wind, rain or cold snap are possible;
• The dew is thick in the morning — the day promises to be warm.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on folk rites for Ascension that were unacceptable by the church.