Today, Ukraine is celebrating four major holidays at once: traditions and restrictions
15 July 08:51
Today, July 15, Ukraine celebrates Statehood Day, Ukrainian Peacekeepers’ Day, the Baptism of Ukraine-Rus, and the Day of Remembrance of Saint Vladimir, Prince and Equal to the Apostles, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
Memorial Day of Saint Vladimir, Equal-to-the-Apostles
On July 15, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine honors the memory of Saint Vladimir, Prince of Kyiv and Equal to the Apostles, who baptized Kyivan Rus’.
Previously, this holiday was celebrated on July 28, but after the OCU adopted the new calendar, the date of the holiday changed.
This holiday holds special significance for Ukrainians, as Prince Vladimir baptized Kievan Rus’ in 988, marking a turning point in Ukrainian history. Vladimir the Great was an outstanding statesman, reformer, and military leader. He united the East Slavic tribes under his rule, strengthened the international prestige of Kievan Rus’, and implemented a series of important reforms aimed at developing the economy, culture, and education.
The baptism of Kievan Rus’ was one of Prince Volodymyr’s most important decisions.
This holiday is a major one for Christians, so on this day, one should not engage in physical labor. One should not swear, quarrel, use foul language, or wish ill upon others. It is also advisable to avoid overeating and consuming alcohol.
The Day of the Baptism of Kievan Rus’
Orthodox Christians celebrate the Day of the Baptism of Kievan Rus’ in honor of Prince Vladimir the Great’s establishment of Christianity in the country.
The Day of the Baptism of Rus’ is celebrated annually on July 28 according to the old Julian calendar or July 15 according to the new calendar. It is on this day that the Orthodox world honors the memory of Prince Vladimir Sviatoslavich of Kyiv, Equal to the Apostles. As is well known, he not only converted to Christianity himself but also helped establish it as the state religion of Kievan Rus’.
In 988, Vladimir was baptized in Chersonesos, where he built the Church of St. Basil—the name given to him at his baptism. Upon returning to Kyiv, the prince also baptized his sons and subjects, and then destroyed all pagan idols and altars.
Historical chronicles record that the people of Kyiv would go down to the Dnipro River to be baptized at the very spot where Kyiv’s Poshtova Square stands today.
The holiday was established in 2008 by decree of President Viktor Yushchenko.
On this day, solemn services dedicated to Saint Vladimir, Equal to the Apostles, are held in the churches of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC). Believers pray to him, asking for protection, healing, and spiritual blessings.
In peacetime, the celebration was accompanied by a procession with the cross and a prayer service at the monument to Vladimir the Great on Vladimir Hill in Kyiv.
On the Day of the Baptism of Kievan Rus’-Ukraine, the church calls on believers to refrain from profanity, quarrels, insults, and ill wishes. It is recommended to devote this day to prayer, good deeds, and reflection on spiritual values.
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Ukrainian Statehood Day
On February 5, 2018, an initiative group consisting of Hero of Ukraine Levko Lukyanenko, Presidents of Ukraine Leonid Kravchuk, Leonid Kuchma, and Viktor Yushchenko; Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Andriy Parubiy; First Deputy Prime Minister Stepan Kubiv; Editor-in-Chief of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine’s newspaper *Holos Ukrainy* Anatoliy Gorlov; Academicians of the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk and Oleksandr Sviatotskyi, Professor Volodymyr Serhiichuk, as well as public figures Bohdan Morklyanik and Yuriy Balanyuk.
Statehood Day was established by a decree of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on August 24, 2021, signed during the celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence.
This holiday is intended to highlight the connection between the baptism of Rus–Ukraine and the formation of Ukrainian statehood. By adopting Christianity, Prince Volodymyr the Great not only strengthened Rus’ international standing but also laid the foundations for a legal system and state structure that became the basis for the development of Ukrainian statehood.
Ukrainian Peacekeepers’ Day
In 1992, the UN Secretary-General appealed to Ukraine’s leadership to deploy a military contingent to join UN forces in conflict zones within the territory of the former Yugoslavia.
On July 3, 1992, the Verkhovna Rada signed a law authorizing the Armed Forces of Ukraine to participate in peacekeeping missions.
The first place to which Ukrainian peacekeepers were deployed was the former Yugoslavia. Back then, in 1992, a Ukrainian battalion was formed in just three weeks.
Ukrainian peacekeepers carried out combat missions in the countries of the former Yugoslavia (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Eastern Slavonia, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, Croatia), on the African continent (Angola, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Darfur), in the countries of the Near and Middle East and the Caucasus (Southern Lebanon, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Iraq, Georgia), and many other regions of the world. Fifty-eight servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine gave their lives while carrying out missions to maintain peace and security.
After the outbreak of full-scale war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree ordering the return of all peacekeepers. At that time, 308 Ukrainian citizens were participating in UN operations abroad, including 250 military personnel and 22 police officers.
What Not to Do on July 15
Many taboos have been associated with this day since ancient times. On St. Vladimir’s Day, it was forbidden to harvest grain; this was considered a sin. It is also believed that one should not go into the fields, as one might encounter a ghost.
You must not swear, quarrel, use foul language, or wish harm upon others.
On this holiday, you should avoid physical labor and household chores. The holiday is considered a major and important one, but despite this, you should refrain from overeating and drinking alcohol.
Folk Superstitions and Traditions for July 15
Our ancestors had many interesting superstitions associated with this day. For example, they would observe the weather to predict the day: if the linden trees have turned yellow, early fall is coming; if it rains from early morning, expect good weather during the day; if fog settles in the evening, it will rain the next day.
In the morning, you should light a candle and pray to Saint Vladimir, asking for peace and God’s help. Then drink holy water on an empty stomach and sprinkle it throughout all the rooms in the house. This will protect you from all evil.
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