Baklushnikov Day. What Orthodox Christians in Latvia Can and Cannot Do on May 17, 2026 0 13

What is Remembered in the Church on May 17, 2026

Pelagia lived in the city of Tarsus in the Cilician region of Asia Minor in the 3rd century. She was born into a noble pagan family and was incredibly beautiful and wealthy, but one day she heard a Christian sermon, wholeheartedly embraced the faith, and decided to convert to Christianity, as well as to maintain her virginity for the rest of her life, becoming the betrothed bride of God.

And it was at that moment that the son of Emperor Diocletian, who is known to have been perhaps the most active opponent of Christian teaching in history, wished to marry her. Honorary men were sent to Pelagia's parents' house to inform them of the emperor's son's intentions.

The girl's mother rejoiced, but Pelagia directly told the suitors that she was betrothed to the Son of God and had no intention of marrying in her earthly life, and openly made the sign of the cross over herself. The men returned to the emperor empty-handed. The royal son, although furious at first, tried to soften the heart of the beauty and therefore did not take immediate decisive action.

The girl tried to escape from home to find the priest Clion and receive baptism. However, her mother would not let her cross the threshold. Then, one night, she had a dream in which the Lord Himself appeared to her in the guise of Bishop Clion. This prompted the girl to make more decisive requests to be allowed to leave home for a short time, and she managed to persuade her mother to let her go to her wet nurse. She left home in a chariot and suddenly, thanks to God's providence, met the bishop on the road. She fell at his feet, asking for baptism. And immediately at their feet, a spring burst forth. Clion granted her request and baptized her using the water from this miraculous spring, and then communed the girl.

After that, Pelagia began to perform miracles; for example, she healed servants from blindness that had suddenly struck them. The wet nurse did not accept the girl, sensing that she had changed after baptism. Her own mother, seeing her, rushed to ask the emperor for soldiers to punish the rebellious one. The girl then fled from home, but feeling that her mother was unwell, she voluntarily returned, understanding what fate awaited her. The girl tried to soften her mother's heart, but the latter was firm. And the emperor's son, realizing that Pelagia would not marry him, took his own life. The mother herself brought her daughter to trial before the emperor. But he, seeing her beauty, fell in love.

He tried to bribe her to marry him, but then, enraged, ordered her to be tortured. He commanded that she be stripped and placed on a heated iron bull. The girl, in order to prevent anyone from touching her body, undressed herself and then sat on the metal beast. Her body instantly melted, emitting an incredibly pleasant aroma that enveloped the entire city. Her bones were ordered to be thrown outside the city walls.

Four lions came to guard the remains until Bishop Clion arrived, having received a revelation about the death of his disciple. He placed her bones on a high hill, set a stone on top, and during the reign of Emperor Constantine, a church was built at this site in honor of the saint.

The Meaning of the Holiday

The firmness of faith will protect and show the way to all who need it.

What Can Be Done on May 17, 2026

• On this day, it is customary to give small gifts, especially painted spoons, which remind of the folk tradition of this day.
• It is good to prepare a treat and indulge relatives and acquaintances after the service.
• It is very important to help everyone in need, as well as to give alms.
• The evening should be spent in the company of loved ones.

What Cannot Be Done on May 17, 2026

• Be careful with fire and knives — there is a high risk of injury.
• Do not cut your nails.
• Do not gossip or spread rumors.