What religious holiday is celebrated on 9 May in Ukraine?
This is reported by UNIAN.
Who is being honoured on 9 May
Since 2023, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine has switched to the New Julian calendar, meaning that most holidays with a fixed date are now celebrated 13 days earlier. At the same time, some communities and monasteries continue to follow the Julian calendar.
On 9 May, believers commemorate the prophet Isaiah — one of the most famous Old Testament prophets. He lived approximately 700 years before the birth of Jesus Christ and came from a royal family.
According to biblical accounts, Isaiah began his ministry after a vision of the heavenly temple, where he saw God and the seraphim angels. After being purified by a ‘burning coal’, the prophet began to convey God’s words to the people.
Isaiah prophesied the Babylonian captivity, the destruction and restoration of Jerusalem, and the coming of the Messiah. This is why he is often called the ‘Old Testament evangelist’. According to tradition, the prophet died a martyr’s death on the orders of King Manasseh.
Which other saints are commemorated on this day
According to the New Style calendar, 9 May also commemorates the transfer of the relics of Saint Nicholas of Myra, the martyr Christopher, the Venerable Shio of Mghvi, and the Venerable Joseph of Optina. According to the Old Style calendar, this day commemorates the holy martyr Basil and the virgin Glafira of Amasya.
Traditions and customs associated with Summer Nicholas
In popular tradition, the feast is known as Summer Nicholas or Spring Nicholas. On this day, believers pray to Saint Nicholas, asking for protection, a good harvest, health for their livestock, and help in difficult life circumstances. In ancient times, water was consecrated on Summer Nicholas Day. It was used during illness, and houses and farmsteads were sprinkled with it. It was believed that a good deed done on this day would bring the saint’s intercession.
What is not recommended on 9 May
There are no strict church prohibitions on this day, but certain superstitions existed among the people.
Traditionally, on 9 May, it was advised not to:
- argue or use foul language;
- to be envious or think ill of others;
- erecting fences between St George’s Day and St Nicholas’ Day — it was believed that this could lead to drought;
- cutting one’s hair;
- borrowing or lending money.
In ancient times, people also avoided bathing in bodies of water, as they considered the water ‘dangerous’ until the weather had stabilised and become warm.
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