A special national holiday on July 5 is Ulyanin Day: history, traditions, omens

Every year on July 5, Orthodox believers honor the memory of the holy martyrs Galaktion, Juliania and Saturninus, who suffered for their faith in Jesus Christ. In the national calendar, the date was called Ulyanin Day and was associated with preparations for Ivan Kupala. 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 July 5th?

The detailed lives of the early Christian martyrs Galaktion, Juliania, and Saturninus have not been preserved. Information about them came mainly from Greek versifications and church tradition. It is known that Galaktion professed Christianity, Juliania was his wife, and Saturninus was his son.

Church tradition reports that all three were martyred for their faith in Jesus during the persecution of Christians. Galaktion was thrown into the sea, and Juliania and her son were sentenced to death at the stake.

After the death of the martyrs, their veneration was consolidated in Constantinople, where the temple of Galaktion, Juliania and Saturninus was built in the area of Petria, near the church of the Holy Great Martyr Euphemia. In Constantinople, according to church information, their relics were kept.

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In 2026, the end of the Dormition Fast is postponed by one day due to Friday.

Traditions of the national holiday Ulyanin day on July 5th

In Russia, the church name Juliania gradually transformed into a more familiar form for folk speech — Ulyana, and the date of veneration of saints was called Ulyanin Day. Her proximity to Ulyanovsk Day, which was celebrated on July 4, referred to the legend of Ulyana and Ulyana, lovers who had been looking for each other for a long time and could not meet in any way.

In folk tales, Ulyan called Ulyana to the field, and she was looking for him by the water. After that, they switched places, but could not reunite in any way. "Ulyan calls Ulyana, and Ulyana calls Ulyana," the ancestors said. Ulyanin's day was perceived as a continuation of the previous date, and on July 5, this story received a happy ending, the holiday was considered the time of the meeting of lovers.

On this day, couples tried to see each other, talk and spend at least part of the day together, and without quarrels. According to beliefs, such a date could strengthen feelings.

Ulyana's day fell on the eve of Ivan Kupala, so the women cleaned the house, swept out the litter, threw away excess, ventilated and cleaned the space before the big summer holiday. The men put the wells in order, cleaned them, removed the garbage, and made sure that the water in them was fresh and drinkable. The ancestors believed that this was how it became especially beneficial for health.

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Kupala rituals were associated with the ideas of purification and restoration of connection with nature

On this day, women and girls collected a bathing suit, a plant that was popularly called a cat's nap. It was harvested for bathing procedures. Decoctions were made from the grass, which were then used to process brooms. In the evening, families always went to the sauna, steamed with birch brooms, it helped to relieve fatigue, expel the disease and prepare for Kupala night.

Birch in the folk tradition was associated with purity, youth and renewal, so lovers also went to the steam room. According to legend, after a bath with such a broom, their union became stronger.

Ulyanin's day was considered successful for short-distance roads. A person who set out on a journey with kind thoughts, according to legend, could be lucky. Therefore, walks in the fresh air, trips to relatives and short trips were perceived by the ancestors as a good omen.

What not to do on the Ulyanin Day holiday

There were a number of prohibitions associated with Ulyanovsk Day in Russia, the main of which concerned relationships with loved ones. So, on July 5, one should not quarrel with loved ones, otherwise the conflict could drag on for a long time.

Another superstition was related to household chores. According to the beliefs, it was necessary to start work only in the afternoon to avoid unnecessary chores, quarrels and unnecessary fuss.

What else you can't do on July 5th:

• to part with a loved one in resentment is a discord that can destroy a relationship.;
• unmarried girls walking in the woods on the grass, along unpaved paths — they can "lose" their way to their betrothed;
• to make rash purchases — such expenses will be in vain and may lead to loss of financial well-being.;
• taking risks on the road — carelessness on the way promises trouble.

Folk signs for July 5th

On Ulyanin Day, the peasants carefully observed nature, the sky and insects in order to determine by signs what the weather would be like in the coming days, whether it was worth waiting for the harvest year.

• the morning is quiet and bright — the day will pass calmly, without a sudden change in the weather.;
• moisture has appeared on the big stones — it's going to rain soon;
• Clouds are moving fast across the sky, leading to a rapid deterioration in the weather.;
• There are a lot of mosquitoes and midges in the air, and the weather is warm and clear ahead.;
• the month is clearly visible at night — the year promises to be fruitful;
• The fish bite well — there will be plenty of bread in the fields.;
• It turned out to be a very hot day — severe frosts are possible in December;
• After the evening heat, the wind has picked up — rain may start at night.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs and strict prohibitions of the special Ulyanovsk Day holiday.