May 12 — Nine Healers: history, traditions and signs of the national holiday
On May 12, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus, preachers who suffered for their faith in Christ in the third century. In 2025, the celebration falls on a Monday. In the national calendar, it is called the Nine Healers. Read about the history, traditions and signs of the holiday in the Izvestia article.
Memorial Day of the Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus on May 12 — the history of the church holiday
The ancient city of Cyzicus was located on the shores of the Dardanelles Strait in Asia Minor. Christianity came to these places as early as the first century AD, during the time of the sermons of the Apostle Paul. But because of the persecution by the pagans, many followers of Christ hid their faith or fled the city altogether, fearing for their lives. Therefore, by the end of the third century, when the persecution of believers became especially severe, Cyzicus found himself in the power of the pagans. The only thing that reminded of the old days was the empty church.
However, not everyone was ready to accept this state of affairs. Nine believers who came to Cyzicus from different localities decided to unite in order to return the light of Christianity to the city.
Saints Theognides, Rufus, Antipater, Theostichus, Artem, Magnus, Theodotus, Phaumasius, and Philemon were bound by nothing but religion. They were of different ages (Antipar was the youngest, Rufus was the oldest), and led different lifestyles (among them were farmers, warriors, townspeople, and priests). Nevertheless, together they openly preached the gospel and denounced the vices of the pagans, calling on the citizens of Cyzicus to turn to Christ. Such audacity could not go unnoticed — all the confessors were captured and beheaded with a sword. Their bodies were buried outside the city by caring Christians.
In 324, Saint Constantine the Great became the sole ruler of the Roman Empire. He stopped the persecution and made Christianity the state religion. After that, the residents of Kizik, who carefully preserved the memory of the Nine Martyrs, built a new temple in their honor. The incorruptible relics of the saints were also transferred there. According to legend, numerous miracles were performed near their tomb: the sick recovered, and the insane gained clarity of thought.
In Russia, the special veneration of the Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus began in the 17th century, when a monastery was built in Kazan in their honor. At that time, an epidemic of fever was raging in the city. To protect people and give them hope, Hierodeacon Stephen brought from Palestine a fragment of the relics of saints who were considered the main helpers of the sick.
Nine Healers on May 12 — traditions of the national holiday
In Russia, the holiday in honor of the Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus was called the Nine Healers. It was believed that on this day it was possible to enlist the support of saints in the fight against diseases and epidemics. For this, the ancestors went to the healers, who knew special spells from the nine troubles. If there was no way to get to the witch, prayers and spells were read at home.
There was another ritual for maintaining health. Early in the morning, in sunny weather, it was necessary to go out to the intersection, face the wind and bow to it. It was believed that after that, diseases could be forgotten for a whole year.
The women went to Nine Healers to get medicinal plants. It was believed that the herbs collected during the holiday would be much more useful than ordinary ones.
What can and cannot be done on the Nine Healers holiday on May 12th
The Orthodox Church does not impose strict prohibitions on the day of the Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus. Believers can visit the temple, say a prayer, light a candle, or refresh their memories of the saints' lives. There is no fast on May 12.
In Russia, Nine healers were associated with various superstitions and prohibitions. So, on May 12, they tried not to stay alone, otherwise, according to beliefs, the whole year can pass in sadness. They also avoided envy, so as not to lose their luck. It was also not accepted to share plans, it was believed that after that they would not come true.
On the holiday, the ancestors avoided the reservoirs. It was believed that a newly emerged water man was still in a bad mood and could drown a person who came to a lake or river. In addition, fishing and hunting were forbidden, otherwise one could incur misfortune.
Many beliefs were related to health. For example, on May 12, our ancestors did not sift flour to avoid vision problems, and they did not dust off during cleaning so as not to "wash away" their health.
Omens of May 12th
At the Nine Healers, the ancestors carefully monitored the weather, trying to predict what the farming season would be like. Insects could tell about the harvest and the weather in the coming days: a swarm of gadflies promised an abundance of cucumbers, a large number of May beetles warned of a dry summer, bee dances around the hives spoke of a good honey harvest, and ants gathering on high ground signaled an imminent rain.
If the night of May 12 was warm, they expected a good harvest. A windless and warm day foreshadowed a fine and not too hot summer, and the heat promised a cold snap at the end of the month.
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the history and traditions of the Yakov Teply national holiday.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
