On May 26, 2026, the memory of two saints named Glykeria is honored. One — of Iraklia, the other — of Novgorod. This day was called Luceria of the Mosquitoes or Buckwheat Day. It was believed that from this day on, mosquitoes begin to bite, and buckwheat is also sown.
What is remembered in the Church on May 26, 2026
Glykeria of Iraklia. She lived in the 2nd century. She was the daughter of a Roman governor and belonged to a noble family. The family later moved to Tryanopol, but soon the girl's parents died. Glykeria was baptized and began to attend services every day. When under Emperor Antoninus she refused to bow to the idol of Zeus, she fell into disgrace.
She decided that she was ready to suffer for her faith and prayed daily for strength to endure any torment. One day she boldly entered the temple and began to pray for the idols to be overthrown. At that moment, miraculously, the statue of Zeus fell from its pedestal.
The priests, enraged, tried to stone her, but none hit their target. However, the next day the girl was captured and taken for torture. But an angel of the Lord appeared in the crowd, which terrified the torturers so much that they interrupted all preparations and simply threw the girl into a dungeon, sealing the door and leaving her without food and water. But when the governor opened the door many days later, the girl was miraculously alive and well.
All this time she was nourished by angels. Then she was taken to the city of Iraklia, where they first tried to throw her into a furnace, but she did not burn, then they threw her into a pit with wild beasts, but they did not touch her, and then they skinned her, but the angel healed all her wounds. Her guard, struck by the miracle, believed, but he was immediately killed for trying to defend the girl. Only when the girl prayed, asking to take her to Himself, was she killed by a lioness. The relics of the saint are renowned for the healing myrrh that flows from them.
Glykeria of Novgorod. The life of Glykeria of Novgorod lived in the 15th century. Very little is known about her. It is clear that she was the daughter of the elder of the Legoščaya street in Novgorod. She died in 1522, and 50 years later her relics were found incorrupt near the church of Saints Flora and Lavra. For many years, numerous healings occurred from them.
The Meaning of the Holiday
One of the saints was canonized for her devotion to faith and humility, the other for miraculous healings. It is important for each of us to understand that according to one's faith, it is rewarded, sometimes — simply astonishing.
What can be done on May 26, 2026
- It is time to sow the garden.
- A great day for visiting the dentist.
- It is customary to wear new clothes.
- Remove unnecessary items from the house.
- A great day to quit any bad habits, for example, to stop smoking.
What cannot be done on May 26, 2026
- Do not kill mosquitoes — even more will come.
- Do not cry, including from joy.
- Do not lend your things to anyone, even temporarily.
- Do not collect shards if dishes break with bare hands.
- Do not make expensive purchases.
- Do not leave hair on the comb.
