Church holiday on 28 May 2026: who is commemorated on Green Week
On 28 May, according to the new Orthodox calendar, Ukraine commemorates Saint Nikitas of Chalcedon – a confessor and bishop who lived in Greece in the 8th century.
Nicholas was renowned for his righteous life and charity. He helped the poor, orphans and widows, welcomed travellers, and for his good works was appointed Bishop of Chalcedon.
According to church tradition, he held this office for almost half a century.
When the iconoclast Emperor Leo the Armenian ascended the throne, Nikita opposed him. For this, the saint was sent into exile. After Nikita’s death, according to tradition, healings took place at his relics.
According to the old church calendar, 28 May is the feast day of Saint Isaiah of Kiev-Mikhailovsky, Bishop of Rostov and Wonderworker.
Semik and the Green Holidays
In folk tradition, 28 May was also known as Nikita’s Day or Nikita the Goose-Keeper. The saint was considered the patron of goslings and ducklings, so on this day people prayed for protection for their poultry.
In 2026, 28 May falls on Semik and the Green Holidays – an ancient folk festival celebrated on the seventh Thursday after Easter.
Even in pre-Christian times, Semik symbolised the transition from spring to summer. Its main symbols were the birch tree and the first greenery. People believed that during this period, nature reached its greatest power, and the boundary between the world of the living and the dead became thinner.
Who is commemorated on this day
Semik is associated with Trinity Week. In folk tradition, it was believed that during the Green Holidays, the souls of the dead could enter the world of the living.
On this day, people commemorated those who had died an unnatural death or who were unbaptised. According to popular belief, their souls might wander the earth, so the day was dedicated to remembrance.
The holiday was also known as the Navskaya Trinity or the Trinity of the Dead. On this day, people would visit cemeteries, tend to the graves and organise memorial meals.
Meanwhile, the church memorial day – Trinity Saturday – falls on the Saturday before Trinity Sunday.
What you can do on 28 May
People pray to Saint Nikita for healing, help with family matters, finding work, and protection for those who have been wronged.
On this day, it is also customary to help the needy, not to refuse alms, and to support those who ask for help.
People used to try to tidy up the house before the Green Holidays. According to folk beliefs, order in the home was supposed to attract prosperity, peace and good fortune.
What not to do on 28 May
The Church disapproves of quarrelling, rudeness, gossip, envy and greed. One should not refuse to help those in need.
According to folk beliefs, on St Nikita the Goose-Keeper’s Day, one must not scold children – otherwise there will be no peace or tranquillity in the family.
It was also advised not to let strangers into the house, as it was believed that unexpected guests could bring misfortune or take away prosperity.
Special prohibitions were associated with Semyk. According to ancient beliefs, at this time mermaids leave the water and walk on land, so it was advised not to bathe in rivers and lakes.
Also, during the Green Holidays, people tried not to make noise near water or in the forest, not to clap their hands, and not to go to sleep without saying a prayer.
Folk omens for 28 May
On this day, people paid close attention to the weather, birds and insects.
Calm and windless weather foretold a bountiful harvest in the autumn.
Rain on Mykyta’s Day was considered a sign of a mediocre harvest.
If lizards crawl out to bask in the sun, rain may be on the way.
An active morning flight of dung beetles promised sunny weather.
Many ants near anthills – clear and warm days ahead.
Many horseflies during the Green Holidays meant a good cucumber harvest.
The most noticeable sign of the day was the behaviour of geese: if they were actively preening their feathers, rain might start very soon.
Name Day on 28 May
Nikita celebrates his name day on 28 May.
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