A special national holiday on May 31 is Fedot Ovsyanik: history, traditions, omens
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- A special national holiday on May 31 is Fedot Ovsyanik: history, traditions, omens
Every year on May 31, Orthodox believers honor the memory of the Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra and the seven virgin martyrs Alexandra, Tecusa, Claudia, Faina, Euphrasia, Matrona and Julia, who suffered for the Christian faith at the beginning of the fourth century. In the national calendar, the date was named Fedot Ovsyanik. In 2026, the holiday falls on a Sunday. Read about its history, traditions, signs and strict prohibitions in the Izvestia article.
What is the church holiday on May 31
The Martyr Theodotus lived in the second half of the third century in Ancyra, a city in the Galatian region of Asia Minor. He kept a hotel, had a family, but at the same time led a strict Christian life — he fasted, prayed, helped those in need, and led people to faith with his conversations. Church tradition says that for his righteousness he received the gift of healing and healed the sick by laying on hands.
During the persecution of Christians initiated by Emperor Diocletian, the ruler Theoteknos, known for his cruelty to the followers of Jesus, was appointed to Ancyra. Residents of the city were ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods, and those who refused were tortured and killed. Many believers fled, their homes were ravaged, their property was plundered, and famine began in the city.
During these years, Feodotus turned his hotel into a shelter for Christians. He fed the homeless, hid the persecuted, helped the prisoners, brought everything necessary for worship to the ruined churches. When the churches were closed, they began to celebrate the liturgy at his house.
At the same time, seven elderly Christian women were captured — Tecusa, Faina, Claudia, Matrona, Julia, Alexandra and Euphrasia. The eldest of them, Tecusa, was Feodotus' aunt. All of them devoted themselves to God from their youth, living in prayer, fasting and good deeds. Before Theoteknos, the martyrs openly confessed their faith in Christ and refused to participate in pagan rituals.
The ruler ordered them to be tortured, but could not break them. Then they tried to give the women to be insulted, but Tekusa turned to the young men, showed her gray head, and they, ashamed, retreated. As a result, all seven were sentenced to death — heavy stones were tied to the necks of the martyrs and thrown into the lake.
According to legend, at night Tekusa appeared to Theodotus in a dream and asked to be buried in a Christian way. He, along with his friend Polychrony and other believers, went to the lake. A lamp showed them the way, and the wind drove the water away from the shore, which helped to discover the remains of the martyrs and bury them.
Theoteknos was furious when he found out about the incident. New arrests have begun. Polychronius could not stand the torture and pointed out Theodotus. Realizing that death awaited him, he said goodbye to the Christians, prayed, and bequeathed his body to Priest Fronton, to whom he had previously left the ring.
At the trial, Theodotus was shown instruments of torture and promised honors if he renounced Christ, but he refused. He was tortured for a long time, then thrown into prison, and the next day he was taken back to torment. After making sure that the Christian would not retreat, the ruler ordered his head to be cut off.
They wanted to burn Theodotus' body, but a storm arose. The same priest Fronton turned out to be nearby. He took the body of the martyr, took it to the place where Theodotus himself had asked for a burial in advance, and honorably interred it. Later, a church was built on this site.
Traditions of the national holiday Fedot Ovsyanik on May 31
In Russia, the name of the martyr Theodotus of Ancyra was transformed into a more familiar one — Fedot. His ancestors revered him as the patron saint of farmers. By May 31, the peasants were trying to complete the sowing of oats, hence the name of the holiday — Fedot Ovyanik. Oats were valued no less than other crops, horses were fed with them, porridges, jelly, flour were prepared from it, and oatmeal decoctions were used in folk medicine for stomach diseases.
The housewives were cooking oatmeal dishes that day. Porridge, jelly, tortillas, pies, rolls and other pastries made from oatmeal were placed on the table. We treated our family, neighbors, and children. The leftovers were not thrown away, but given to poultry and pets. According to legend, this was how prosperity remained in the family and did not leave the yard.
On Fedot Fescue, the ancestors especially revered the oak. In the folk tradition, it was considered a tree of strength, longevity and stability. According to its leaves, they judged the future harvest, treats were left at its roots, more often oatmeal jelly, appealing to nature with a request for a fertile summer. Oak leaves were carefully harvested, dried, and stored for infusions and home remedies.
Special family rituals were held near the oak tree. Lovers or newlyweds held hands and walked around the tree three times, believing that this way their union would become strong and withstand future trials.
For unmarried girls and single guys, the day was considered a good one for watching and finding a mate. The ancestors believed that if the acquaintance developed on Fedot, the future marriage promised to be calm and lasting.
What not to do on Fedot Ovsyanik holiday
In Russia, Fedot Ovsyanik was associated with a number of prohibitions, the violation of which could bring troubles and illnesses to a person. It was especially dangerous, according to beliefs, to harm an oak tree on a holiday. This tree was considered by the ancestors to be a symbol of fertility, family health and a rich harvest of oats. On May 31, it was forbidden to break oak branches on purpose. Such disrespect could provoke a difficult year, problems in the household, crop failures and illnesses.
What else you can't do on May 31:
- Starting new businesses won't do you any good.;
- to buy expensive things — new items will be unsuccessful or will soon deteriorate;
- Needlework before traveling — if someone from the family is going on the road, sewing and darning can cause trouble.;
- repair shoes before traveling — the road will be difficult after that;
- to refuse alms — greed on this day promises need;
- for young couples to quarrel and be frivolous — to future family troubles;
- unmarried girls stay at home all day alone — there is a risk of "failing" the entire mating season.;
- to turn around at an unfamiliar call on the street — an evil spirit can "call" a person, which promises misfortune.;
- to approach aspens unnecessarily — you can get sick or cause trouble.
Folk signs for May 31
On Fedot Fescue, the peasants carefully observed nature in order to determine by signs what the summer would be like, whether it was worth waiting for a good harvest of oats.
- the oak has fully unfolded its leaves — the oats should be well—born, the oak has begun to lose its green foliage - to a weak harvest and a difficult year;
- the moon is covered with clouds at night or looks cloudy — the weather will turn bad, and rains will start soon;
- the sky is clear at night — the summer was expected to be drier and more favorable;
- At sunset, the horizon is covered with haze — a rainy summer is ahead.;
- wild boars leave the swamps for the forest — the summer months will be wet;
- The north wind blows at night and frosts are possible in the morning;
- The day is quiet and warm, and the crops will grow quickly.;
- after the rain, the ground does not dry out for a long time — summer can be long and wet.
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs and strict prohibitions of the special holiday of Pakhom Teply.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
