May 22, 2026, marks the date of the transfer of the relics of Saint and Miracle Worker Nicholas. He is one of the most beloved and revered saints by both Orthodox and Catholics.
In the folk tradition, this day was called Nikola Veshny. It was believed that on this day, summer warmth finally arrives.
What is remembered in the Church on May 22, 2026
Nicholas lived in the 3rd-4th centuries in a Greek colony located in Asia Minor. He came from a wealthy family, and his parents provided him with a good education. However, from a young age, the boy was drawn only to spiritual life. He spent his days in the temple and prayed and read liturgical books at night. He became an orphan early and, having given all his inheritance to the poor, decided to dedicate his entire life to the Lord.
He was a wonderful preacher and fiercely fought against heresies in his sermons. Throughout his life, he tried to help people. For example, upon learning that a poor man, in despair, decided to sell his daughters to a brothel, he secretly threw a bag of money into the man's yard for the dowry, first for the eldest daughter, then for the middle one, and on the third night — for the youngest. The man was able to solve all his problems by marrying off the girls, but when he tried to thank Nicholas, the only thing he asked was to keep his identity a secret.
By the way, this story made Nicholas the prototype of Santa Claus. Nicholas performed many miracles, including even raising the dead. The saint died in 345 in the city of Myra. A tomb was built for his relics on the island of Rhodes, which performed the most astonishing miracles. And at the end of the 8th century, during an invasion by Arab forces, an attempt was made to remove his relics, but a storm arose and scattered the enemy army. The island was regularly subjected to Muslim invasions, and then the residents of the city of Bari decided to secretly steal the relics of the saint from under the enemy's nose.
After a series of miraculous events, they were brought to Bari. They have been kept there since then in a basilica specially built for Saint Nicholas. A part of the remaining relics in the sarcophagus in Myra was brought by the Crusaders to Venice, where they are now kept on the island of Lido in the church of Saint Nicholas, the patron of sailors.
The meaning of the holiday
On this day, the defender and intercessor for all the downtrodden and poor is remembered.
What can be done on May 22, 2026
— It is customary to go to the temple, where the water is blessed on this day. It is believed to have healing properties.
— A wonderful day for weddings and proposals. It is believed that such marriages will be especially happy.
— It is very important to ask for forgiveness from everyone you have quarreled with.
— It is customary to start planting potatoes.
— On this day, swimming in bodies of water is allowed; before that, it is not.
What cannot be done on May 22, 2026
— It is forbidden to lend or borrow money.
— It is very bad to get a haircut or do a manicure on this day.
— It is forbidden to take out the trash after dark.
