Яке церковне свято відзначають в Україні 31 липня

What church holiday is celebrated in Ukraine according to the new and old calendars, and to whom do believers pray – read in the TSN.ua article.

On July 31 (August 13), the Orthodox calendar marks the **commemoration day of the righteous and holy Evdokim**. Saint Evdokim was born in the 9th century in Cappadocia – a historical region of Asia Minor that gave Christianity many great saints. His parents were wealthy, noble, and deeply devout. They raised their son in the fear of God, instilling in him a love for prayer, mercy, and justice.

Even from childhood, Evdokim was distinguished by his gentle disposition, modesty, and extraordinary spiritual maturity. He avoided vanity, did not pursue wealth or high status for his own glory, but directed all his energies towards serving God and people.

Thanks to his honesty, wisdom, and impeccable reputation, Evdokim was appointed governor of the region of Harseanon during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Theophilus.

Despite his high state position, he remained an extraordinarily humble person. The righteous man strictly observed God’s commandments and never used his power for his own benefit. He treated the rich and the poor equally, listened attentively to all who came to him for help, and justly resolved any disputes.

Evdokim especially cared for the needy. He supported orphans, helped widows, defended the unjustly offended, and generously gave alms. For him, public service was not a means of self-affirmation, but an opportunity to fulfill God’s will through good deeds.

One of the saint’s most notable traits was his exceptional chastity. To avoid any temptations, Evdokim took a vow of purity and avoided private communication with women. The only exception was his mother.

This decision was not an act of disrespect or estrangement, but a conscious desire to dedicate his life entirely to God, to preserve the purity of his heart, and not to allow any passions to divert him from his spiritual path.

In his daily life, the saint combined prayer, work, and service to people. He spent a lot of time in prayer, regularly attended divine services, and strictly observed church fasts.

Evdokim did not seek human recognition. He tried to do good quietly, without showing off his deeds. It was this inner modesty that became one of the main reasons why his life left a deep mark on the memory of the Church.

Saint Evdokim lived only about 33 years. Despite his young age, he achieved high spiritual maturity.

Before his death, the righteous man asked to be buried in simple clothes, without any pomp or special honors. He wished to remain just as humble after the end of his earthly life.

Church holiday in Ukraine on July 31 according to the old calendar

According to the old calendar, on July 31, Ukraine honored the **memory of the martyr Emilian**. He lived in the 4th century in the city of Dorostol (now the territory of Bulgaria) during a time of brutal persecution of Christians. He was a slave to the local ruler but sincerely professed the Christian faith. Unwilling to worship pagan gods, Emilian openly testified his devotion to Christ. According to tradition, he destroyed a pagan temple, which incurred the wrath of the authorities. After brutal torture, the saint did not renounce his faith and bravely accepted a martyr’s death – he was burned alive.

Omens for July 31

• If there is a lot of dew in the morning, the day will be hot and clear.

• Clouds are moving quickly across the sky – the weather will soon change.

• Thunder on this day is considered a sign of prolonged rains.

What not to do on July 31

It was considered undesirable to overeat, consume excessive alcohol, or undertake general cleaning. Also, on this day, people tried not to go on long journeys, because, according to popular beliefs, a trip started on Evdokim’s abstinence could bring unexpected difficulties or misfortunes on the road.

What to do on July 31

In the folk calendar, this day is known as Evdokim’s Day or Evdokim’s Abstinence, because the next day, August 1 according to the new church calendar, the Dormition Fast begins. According to ancient tradition, the period of Lenten food ends precisely on this day, so the festive table can still include meat and fish dishes, homemade baked goods, pickles, and other favorite foods.

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