National holiday on October 18 — Haritiny: history, traditions and omens
Every year on October 18, Orthodox Christians honor two saints — the Martyr Haritina of Amisi and the Venerable Haritina of Lithuania. In the national calendar, the day was named Haritiny. On this day in Russia, women were engaged in needlework, and men were preparing felt boots. Read more about the history, traditions and signs in the Izvestia article.
Haritiny in 2025: the history of the holiday
Saint Haritina of Amisi lived at the end of the III – beginning of the IV century. Orphaned at an early age, she was raised by a pious man named Claudius and from a young age devoted her life to prayer, fasting and helping those in need. Haritina instructed believers and convinced pagans to convert to Christianity.
During the persecution under Emperor Diocletian, she was arrested and tortured for her faith. She endured the torment with fortitude. According to legend, her hair was cut off in an attempt to humiliate the girl, but they immediately grew back, and after suffering, Haritina was executed. The saint became a symbol of unshakeable faith, patience and mercy.
St. Haritina of Lithuania lived in the 13th century. She came from a noble Lithuanian family, but due to civil strife in her native land, she was forced to flee with her family to Novgorod. According to legend, she was being prepared for marriage with Prince Fyodor, Alexander Nevsky's nephew, but on the eve of the wedding, the groom suddenly died. The girl refused to return to worldly life, became a monk on Sinichy Hill and devoted herself to spiritual service. Haritina of Lithuania helped the poor, comforted the suffering, and was elected abbess of the monastery of the Apostles Peter and Paul.
Haritiny in 2025 — holiday traditions
In Russia, the holiday in honor of Saints Haritina of Amisi and Haritina of Lithuania was called Haritiny — the first canvases. It symbolized the completion of field work and the transition to autumn-winter time, when people could pay attention to needlework, household chores and preparations for winter. The day has become the epitome of hard work, caring for family and spiritual fortitude, uniting religious and national consciousness.
Unmarried girls gathered for embroidery and sewing gatherings, and in the evening they read fortunes on their betrothed. The holiday was considered a time of rapprochement of generations, diligence and mutual understanding.
Haritiny in 2025 — what can and cannot be done
In Russia, Harvest Day was considered a time of work and taking care of the house, so it was strictly forbidden to be lazy or sleep before lunch. People believed that idle pastime could bring trouble upon a person and deprive him of good luck, including financial ones. It was forbidden to wear new clothes, especially on the first day out: it was believed that new clothes scare away happiness and luck, and untidy or wrinkled clothes could lead to poverty.
Particular attention was paid to behavior in dealing with people. On this day, it was not recommended to criticize, reproach, brag or share personal plans, as this could lead to quarrels, insults and loss of support from friends and acquaintances. It was also not worth borrowing money and counting bills or coins after lunch — according to legend, this could lead to a loss of savings.
At the same time, the day was favorable for work and creative work. Women could safely take up needlework, and men could do household chores or prepare for winter. The holidays were considered a suitable time for planning the future, shopping, and meeting people, including those of a romantic nature. It was believed that a properly spent day would bring success, harmony in the family and protection from troubles.
Folk signs for October 18
On Kharitiny, villagers were especially attentive to the weather in order to predict the approach of winter. If there was no snow by that day, they understood that precipitation should not be expected in the near future.
- A strong wind on the day of Haritina foreshadows a frosty but snowy winter.
- If it's quiet outside, it's worth waiting for a cold snap.
- The sun on October 18 leads to a mild winter and early spring. The warming on this day promises a bountiful harvest next year.
- Rain during the day leads to warming. But if it rains with snow, then frosts will strike in a week.
- If it's sunny in the morning and cloudy in the afternoon, the first half of November will be autumn, and the second half will be winter: snow will fall and frosty weather will set in.
Earlier, Izvestia told about the important signs and prohibitions of the national holiday — Denis Pozimny.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
