Eating one type of food is not allowed, and this is what other customs dictate!

Olympia, Photo: Serbian Orthodox Church

Although the feast of Saint Olympia is not ordered and therefore does not work for believers, its worship is widespread among Serbs and it is also celebrated as a baptismal feast.

Some temples are also dedicated to this saint. In Serbia, in some parts, it is also called Saint George Alempije. This is because on that day the commemoration of the consecration of the two temples of St. of the Great Martyr George, in Russia and Greece. The people united the worship of both saints into one.

Saint Olympia the Stylite is a 7th century Christian ascetic. He was born around 522 to a pious family at Andrianapolje in Paphlagonia, and as a child he dedicated himself to the service of God, serving as a deacon to the Bishop of Andrianapolje, Theodore, who taught him the Holy Scriptures. Although he was loved by everyone, he was always looking for a way to be alone.

Olympias wanted to live in prayer and solitude, so he retired to a Greek cemetery near the city of Paphlagonia, from where people fled due to demonic apparitions. He settled there on a pillar (pillar) and spent most of his life in it in the cold and heat, in fasting and prayer (according to Christian tradition, about 53 years). That is why it is called a high-rise building.

After a time of ridicule and amazement, which Olympia paid no attention to and did not allow any temptation to bother him, people began to respect him and turn to him for comfort, instruction, and healing. Around its pillar two monasteries were built, one for men and one for women.

Alimpije’s mother and sister lived in the convent, and he showed people the way of salvation from his pillar, with example and words. According to tradition, Olympia lived for 120 years and died in 640 during the reign of Emperor Heraclius.

Photo: AP / Darko Vojinovic

The head of his relics has been preserved in the Kotlomushki monastery in Sveta Gora. He is considered one of the three great stylists, along with Simeon Stolpnik and Danilo Stolpnik. He is revered in both the Catholic and Orthodox Church.

They say that even before his birth, some signs were shown by which it could be seen that his life would be miraculous. According to history, this saint overcame almost all hermits with strict fasting and patience from various misfortunes.

Saint Olympia in the icon is represented in the ascetic, ie. a hermit costume sitting on his pillar. He is the protector of cattle, so no cattle are harnessed in his day. According to tradition, he overcame the plague and it has not happened since.