On this day, nothing is forbidden, but there is something that every Christian should do

Photo: Alo! / Dejan Briza

The feast of Venerable Kirjak the Hermit – Miholjdan, as a feast for centuries, is celebrated on the same day by Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants from all over Europe. That is why this date is unique among Christians of various congregations.

Somehow, this party is not like the others. Unlike many other religious holidays, when “this or that is forbidden”, people say that in Miholjdan you really need to work, but not at home.

This custom originates from the time when the last agricultural works were carried out in early October before the onset of winter, so all forces were concentrated on those jobs, and those at home can also look forward to winter.

There is also a belief that one should not marry in Miholjdan. And this belief is also based on the fact that the wedding guests could not gather guests because everyone is busy with other jobs to prepare for winter.

In the Bay of Kotor, Miholjdan is also called the feast of the lord, because it was celebrated by famous maritime families from that area, and the sailors never sailed to sea on this day so as not to offend the saint.

The Serbian people also believe that those born on this day are especially talented and will be very lucky in life.

About Saint Kirjak the Hermit

Saint Ciriaco was born in Corinth at the end of the 4th century and during his life he was considered a pillar of Christianity and a model of monastic virtues.

While reading the Holy Scriptures, from an early age he began to admire the structure of the salvation of mankind, and the desire for spiritual life led him to Jerusalem, where he entered a monastery and received initial instructions on monastic life.

He remained in various monasteries, dedicated to the Christian faith and fighting heresy.

Miholjdan, Photo: youtube print screen

Legend has it that he was a large and strong man, although he spent his entire life in strict fasting. Towards the end of his life, he remained in the monastic family of Saint Chariton, where the monks ate once a day at sunset.

Kiriak was revered by the monks as a healer and comforter to the sick and those who did not want him. He lived 109 years and died in 557 in the desert, where he spent his old age and the last years of his life.

The Orthodox calendar also mentions the consecration of the Basilica of St. Michael in the vicinity of Rome on this holiday, which is the explanation of the name of the holiday.

Saint Kirjak is the protector and glory of many Serbian households. It is celebrated in the Bay of Kotor as protector of the sailors, and in some Serbian villages vows are celebrated and liturgies are organized.

Mišji and

Miholjdan is also called mouse day. Mice and other farm animals are believed to die that day if they haven’t delivered winter food to their shelters by then. Consequently, Miholjdan is considered to be a day after which we should start preparing for winter.

According to popular belief, only after Miholjdan does true autumn begin, although it already lasts for a long time. The warm days of October related to this national and religious holiday are known as the summer of San Miguel.