National holiday on April 18 — Fedul Vetrenik: history, traditions, omens
Every year on April 18, Orthodox believers honor the memory of the holy martyrs Deacon Agathopod and reader Theodulus, who lived in Thessalonica in the III — IV centuries. In the national calendar, the holiday was named Fedul Vetrenik. In 2026, it falls on a Saturday. Read about its history, traditions, signs and strict prohibitions in the Izvestia article.
Fedul Vetrenik – 2026: the history of the holiday
The Holy Martyrs Agathopod and Theodulus lived during the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian and Maximian, who unleashed severe persecution of Christians. They served in the same parish, Agathopod was already a deacon in his old age, and the very young Feodulus was a reader. Both led righteous lives and openly professed Christianity, despite the death threat.
One day, Feodulus dreamed that a man in a light robe put a ring in his hand. When he woke up, he saw a ring with the image of a Cross on his palm. The young man decided that the object pointed to his future path of martyrdom. Church tradition says that with the help of this gift, the saint healed the sick and converted pagans to Christ.
In 303, Emperor Diocletian issued a decree on a new persecution of the Church. Many believers tried to hide from persecution, but Agathopod and Theodulus continued to openly preach the gospel, for which they were soon captured and brought to justice.
The ruler of Thessalonica, Faustin, saw Faustin's youth and beauty, and tried to flatter the reader to abandon Christianity and return to sacrifice. But he refused, adding that he felt sorry for the ruler, who was ruining his own soul with his adherence to paganism. The young man also added that he prefers eternal life to a prosperous existence.
Having failed to obtain concessions from the young reader, Faustin tried to influence Agathopod. He lied that Theodulus had agreed to sacrifice to the pagan gods, hoping to sway the elder. But he did not believe, saying that the young man, like himself, could not renounce Christ.
Both martyrs were thrown into prison, but even in prison Agathopod and Theodulus did not stop preaching. They prayed fervently and converted many prisoners to Christ. The governor of the prison, Eutinius, reported this to the governor, and the Christians were again brought in for questioning.
Faustin tried again to persuade them to renounce their faith. Those who had previously sacrificed to idols under pain of torment were deliberately placed in front of Theodulus. However, even this did not break the saint. He said that the weak can be forced to retreat, but the strong soldiers of Christ cannot be defeated.
Theodulus was taken to the place of execution, where a sword was already prepared for beheading. But Faustin unexpectedly canceled the massacre and ordered the martyrs to be imprisoned again. At night, both had the same dream — they are sailing on a ship that is wrecked, but the sea brings them ashore in shining white clothes. When the saints woke up, they realized that this was a sign of their impending demise.
In the morning, Agathopod and Theodulus announced that they were ready to endure any suffering in the name of Christ. Then the governor ordered them to be drowned in the sea. According to the hagiography, after some time the waves actually washed their bodies ashore. The Christians found their remains and buried them with honor.
Traditions of the national holiday celebrated in Russia on April 18
In Russia, by April 18, sharp, cold gusts of wind were replaced by milder, warmer ones, so the day of veneration of the saint was named Fedul Vetrenik. "Fedul came — a warm wind blew," "He opened the window on Fedul — he heated the hut without firewood," the ancestors said on this occasion.
The morning traditionally began with a visit to the church service. In the temples, believers lit candles, prayed to the holy martyrs Theodulus and Agathopod for the well-being of the family, peace in the house, and asked for help in everyday affairs, protection from diseases, the evil eye, and the dark forces.
After the service, they took over the household, as the day was perceived as a time of cleansing the living space. Washing windows was considered a good omen for Fedula — clean glass, according to beliefs, attracted good luck and prosperity to the house.
On Fedula Vetrenika, for the first time, warm spring air was allowed into homes for a long time without fear of catching a cold. The peasants believed that with a fresh wind, stagnation in business, illness, quarrels and all the bad things that had accumulated over the long winter would leave the hut.
On April 18, housewives made sure to wash and hang clothes and bed linen outside. It was believed that things dried in the first truly warm wind absorbed the vigor and strength of spring, and could even help sick and weakened people to speed up recovery and regain strength.
What not to do on the holiday of Fedul Vetrenik
In Russia, there were a number of prohibitions against Fedula Vetrenik, the violation of which could deprive a person of luck. So, on April 18, they tried not to throw anything through the window opening, even small debris. The ancestors believed that with him you can throw wealth and tranquility out of the house.
The peasants considered spring to be a time of change, a period of special vulnerability, when the house needed additional protection. Therefore, cats should not be allowed in and out of the windows on a holiday. In the first case, the animal could "carry away" love and family harmony, and in the second case, it could bring evil spirits into the dwelling.
What else is forbidden to do on April 18:
- Going against the wind unnecessarily can cause unnecessary problems and worries.;
- keep the windows tightly closed — along with the stagnant air in the house, illnesses, quarrels and bad thoughts will linger.;
- quarreling, swearing and swearing — rude words on a holiday lead to protracted conflicts;
- to refuse alms and assistance to those in need — avarice will result in losses and impoverishment of one's own home.
Folk signs for April 18
On Fedula Vetrenica, peasants carefully observed nature to determine what weather to expect in the coming weeks and whether spring had finally prevailed over the cold.
- the snow has almost melted in the ravines — you can start field work, the heat will not recede.;
- It's clear in the afternoon and a warm wind is blowing — this weather will linger for the next few days.;
- A warm day is followed by a cold night — next week will be fine.;
- there is an unusual silence on the street, you can not hear the hubbub of birds, the noise of nature — to weather changes and increased wind;
- a capercaillie current is heard — ahead of a few sunny days, the capercaillies are silent — towards cool, unstable weather.
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the ancient prohibition of Krasnaya Gorka, the violation of which leads to disease and poverty.
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