A special holiday on December 17th is Barbarian Day: history, traditions, omens

Every year on December 17, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Great Martyr Barbara. In 2025, the celebration falls on a Wednesday. In the national calendar, it is called Barbarian Day, or Barbarian Frosts. Read about the history, traditions, signs and strict prohibitions of the holiday in the Izvestia article.

What is the church holiday on December 17th?

The Great Martyr Varvara lived in the 3rd century in the city of Iliopolis, on the territory of modern Syria. She was born into a noble pagan family and lost her mother at an early age. The girl grew up extremely beautiful and inquisitive. To protect her from prying eyes, and most importantly from the influence of Christians, Barbara's father Dioscorus locked her in a secluded castle. There she spent her days alone, watching the world from the window.

Contemplating the majestic pictures of nature, Varvara reflected on the universe. She was amazed by the grandeur of the sky and the splendor of the earth. These observations led her to the idea that the world should have a single and omnipotent Creator. That's how faith in the Lord was born in her heart for the first time.

When Varvara grew up, her father talked to her about marriage, but the girl resolutely refused to choose a spouse. Hoping that her friends would be able to influence her daughter, Dioscorus allowed her to leave the castle. But instead of idle conversations, Varvara began to communicate with local Christians. From them she learned about the teachings of Christ and His sacrifice. having finally strengthened his faith in the One God.

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One day Dioscorus went on a long trip. At that time, a priest arrived in Iliopolis disguised as a merchant. Varvara invited him to her place and asked him to perform the sacrament of Baptism. The priest complied with her request, after which the girl turned to God with even greater zeal.

Upon learning of what had happened in his absence, Dioscorus became enraged. He disowned his daughter and handed her over to the city governor for trial. No matter how Barbara was persuaded to worship pagan idols, she remained adamant. For her steadfastness, the saint was subjected to severe torture.

The courage of the martyr made a strong impression on the Christian Juliana. She openly confessed her faith and shared her suffering with Barbara. After much torture and humiliation, both girls were executed. According to legend, soon after, God's punishment overtook the tormentors — they were struck by lightning, which was perceived as a sign from above.

Traditions of the national holiday Barbarian Day on December 17th

In Russia, the day of remembrance of the Christian martyr was called Barbarian Day, Barbarian Frost, or simply Varyukha. It was believed that the most severe cold weather began on this day, so the villagers tried once again not to go outside. The people said: "Varyukha is cracking — take care of your nose and ear!".

The women started cooking early in the morning. The food was modest, as required by the Christmas fast. Traditionally, pies and biscuits with poppy seeds, as well as kutia and dried fruit compote were placed on the table. The ancestors hoped that the ritual dishes would ensure the well-being of their families and livestock.

After dark on Barbarian Day, the ancestors tried not to leave the house. According to legend, evil spirits roam the streets at this time, a meeting with which did not bode well for a person.

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Since St. Barbara's Day, active preparations have begun in the villages for the feast of St. Nicholas the Winter (December 19). The housewives prepared treats from honey, nuts and dried fruits in advance. The men were brewing beer for the upcoming festivities. Fishermen and hunters were checking their gear. They were putting gear in order that might be needed in the winter forest or on the river.

What not to do on December 17th on Barbarian Day

On Barbarian Day, the ancestors adhered to a number of strict prohibitions. During the holiday, sad thoughts and complaints about life were avoided. It was believed that despondency would not only not help in solving problems, but would also attract new troubles.

What else can't be done on December 17th

• swearing with relatives leads to health problems;
• do needlework — you can cut yourself badly.;
• Going on a long journey leads to setbacks and troubles on the road;
• men scolding their wives leads to diseases.

Folk signs for December 17th

Observing the weather on Barbarian Day was considered very important. They were used to judge the nature of the coming winter and the future harvest. If it was warm on a holiday, they understood that there would be a lot of flax next year. There were other signs, too:

• Cloudy — heavy snowfall is coming soon;
• frost leads to long cold spells;
• The stars are shining dimly at night — for an early thaw;
• calm and clear weather in the afternoon leads to evening frost;
• A red sunset leads to warming;
• the cat is looking for a place on the stove — to severe frosts.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the history and traditions of the Ivan Molchalnik national holiday.