Tatyana's Day Traditions and Omens: How to Summon Luck for Exams

January 25 is a day celebrated on a grand scale in two seemingly different worlds: churches honor the Holy Martyr Tatiana, while university students have a party. How are the martyr and the merry students connected, and what omens on this day promise luck for the exam session, and which ones foretell a difficult year?

Tatyana«s Day, or Student»s Day, is a unique holiday that unites church and secular traditions. On January 25 (January 12 old style), the Russian Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Holy Martyr Tatiana of Rome. However, this day became a student celebration in 1755, when Empress Elizabeth Petrovna signed the decree establishing Moscow University. This event happened to fall on the day of Saint Tatiana«s commemoration, and she has since been considered the patron saint of students and enlightenment.

Student and Folk Omens

Over the centuries, a whole set of omens for January 25 has formed, especially beloved by those preparing for exams.

The Main «Magnet» for Top Grades

Exactly at midnight on January 25, one must lean out of an open window or step onto a balcony, shake one«s grade book (zachyotka), and loudly shout three times: »Freebie, come!« It is believed that luck during the exam session is guaranteed. The main thing is not to disturb the neighbors.

Drawing Luck

On Tatyana«s Day, one should draw a small house with a door and a window on the last page of their grade book, with smoke coming from the chimney. The longer the »smoke« line, the easier studies will be for the entire year.

Weather Predictions

If it snows on this day, summer will be rainy, while frost and sun promise a good harvest.

Omens for Everyone (Not Just Students)

Girls, hoping their future husband would be handy around the house, would place a small rug in a visible spot, which the young man was supposed to shake out after the festivities.

Bread baked on this day (a round «sun» loaf), according to belief, brought prosperity to the home. A smooth, rounded top on such a loaf foretold a calm year, while a cracked one promised trials.

How It«s Celebrated

Traditionally, students would go out in large groups on this day, sing songs, and celebrate the end of the exam session. Today, the holiday is often marked by trips to bars or restaurants or by home gatherings. And all women named Tatyana are certainly congratulated on their name day.

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