All professions are needed, all professions are important - as the famous song goes. And even a professional alcoholic? It’s not for nothing that an international holiday was established in his honor? What is this date connected with and what exactly does the world community celebrate on February 20? If Professional Alcoholic Day had been a purely Russian holiday, no questions would have arisen: people simply came up with another reason to drink. But this initiative is not Russian, and the day is celebrated in many countries, including in the post-Soviet space, in the USA, Canada, and Poland. Of course, there are plenty of drinking specialists everywhere, but for some reason I have never heard of any professional competitions on this topic. Although there would be people willing to participate. What does it take to become a high-quality alcoholic? Nothing at all: a love of strong drinks plus good health. The latter, by the way, is the price to pay for an exciting and tipsy pastime. But seriously, an alcoholic is, of course, not a profession, not a hobby, or even a form of leisure, but a serious disease, which not everyone can overcome on their own. And the first step on this path is understanding and recognizing the fact that a person is sick with alcoholism. Surely everyone has seen in films how it works in America at psychorehabilitation meetings: “Hello, I’m Vasya, and I’m an alcoholic...” In fact, realizing the problem is really difficult, but necessary in order to recover. And in honor of those who were able to do it, coped with addiction and continue a healthy life, an international day was established on February 20th. It honors people who have successfully completed a long and difficult journey of treatment, and confirms that they have done a really difficult and important job. Fortunately, not all people are so severely affected by this harmful addiction. Most people drink with or without reason, but do not get involved headlong and irrevocably. According to WHO statistics, about 2% of the world's population suffer from alcohol addiction and about 3.3 million people die annually from the consequences of an addiction. Serious numbers that force us to limit the distribution of alcohol, especially among children and teenagers. In the mentality of many peoples, the opinion remains that alcoholism is more a whim than a psychosomatic problem, and you want it badly enough not to touch the bottle anymore. This is fundamentally wrong, but it explains the fact that it is not customary to talk about the problem and discuss it seriously, because it is “shameful.” On February 20th there is a reason to think and try on the image of a professional drunkard. Not a very attractive picture, right? The first thought that comes to mind is not always the right one, so “drinking” is not the right decision. After all, the heroes of this holiday began their sad journey this way, turning to the bottle on any small celebration. It would be more correct to remember those friends or relatives who are dependent on the “green serpent” and provide them with support. Or once again thank former alcoholics for their courage and perseverance. And you can celebrate the date with a feast of healthy dishes and vitamin drinks such as juices or tea. It is not customary in the world to organize noisy actions and bright events on this day, which could be mistaken for propaganda or advertising of alcoholic beverages (it is prohibited in most countries). This is an anonymous, but significant and deep date that hides a very dangerous social problem behind a funny and cool name. That holiday that is not a reason to drink.

Not long ago, a new holiday appeared in the world, which they decided to celebrate on February 20 - International Pipe Smokers Day. The date brought together all smoking lovers on one of the Internet forums, who decided to add another celebration to their list. The event took place in 2008 and was called Pipe Smoking Day. This point was brought to the attention of members of the International Committee of Pipe Clubs (CIPC) and members of other associations from more than 25 countries. The holiday helps to unite many pipe smoking lovers from all continents and is aimed at preserving ancient traditions and heritage, but the main thing is calm communication. The world club preserves the connection between peoples for friendship and goodwill. Its members want to stop at a certain period and, after lighting a pipe, enjoy the moment, appreciate how beautiful the world around them is, and discuss with colleagues various issues from historical heritage to modern problems. The international association is growing every year - new members from various national clubs are joining it. On this day, events are regularly held where the exact time is discussed in advance - pipe smokers in different parts of the world light up at one moment, calmly discussing topics that interest them, watching their favorite sports games, holding meetings and simply relaxing, wishing everyone a “light smoke!” You can also see special championships in slow pipe smoking. On this holiday, it is customary to give spectacular gifts in the form of unusual pipes with a special shape or decoration or decoration. Lovers can try new tastes and appreciate them. Additionally, participants tell newcomers and everyone interested about the difference between a pipe and regular cigarettes. In clubs you can always learn about the types of wood from which this item is made, types of tobacco - standard and exotic, methods of caring for smoking equipment. Pipe smokers call for mutual respect, always express feelings of goodwill, never promote smoking, but only dream of conscious tobacco use and smart choices. The calming fluffy white smoke instantly reconciles everyone around you and promotes peaceful conversation in a calm environment. This celebration has become a symbol of common values, aspirations, and historical traditions for all pipe smokers on the planet.

February 20 is World Day of Social Justice. The memorial date was established by the General Assembly of the United Nations (resolution No. A/RES/62/10 of December 18, 2007). The birth of a new international memorial date was initiated by Kurmanbek Bakiev, the President of Kyrgyzstan. The history of the formation of the holiday is associated with the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development, adopted at the 1995 World Summit. Heads of state then for the first time discussed problems studied by sociologists and tried to find ways to combat social injustice. At the same time, at such a high level, it was recognized that social isolation, unemployment, and poverty do not make it possible to ensure the security of people either in the world as a whole or in a single state, and the fight against social injustice is impossible without the social development of the entire world community. The founders of the new date assumed that this day would contribute to the creation of social, legal, economic, and cultural conditions conducive to the desired development of humanity. The international community first celebrated this day in 2009. All over the world, every year on February 20, issues of social justice are considered and resolved at meetings at various levels. World-class politicians, government officials, veterans and progressive youth representing various organizations take part in them. The events held on this day are designed to raise problems affecting every inhabitant of the planet, both those who live in rich developed countries and those who exist where poverty, drug addiction, and disease flourish. This day encourages people to pay attention to the quality of education, medical care, the level of safety of the surrounding reality, and attitude towards those whose capabilities are limited by physical or mental health. Social justice presupposes equality for everyone: for women - the right to hold public office on an equal basis with men; for men – permission to raise children; for children - sufficient starting opportunities that provide a chance for life, health, education, a good profession, and a decent salary; for older people - a guarantee of a safe, prosperous old age; for people with disabilities - an accessible environment that allows them to live a fruitful, full life. The Copenhagen Declaration, signed by the highest government officials of UN member countries, declared obligations to create economic, social, political, legal, and cultural conditions conducive to the social development of people. Undoubtedly, the creation of favorable conditions depends on government officials, on many factors, the change and improvement of which is difficult for people not burdened with power to influence. But is each of us so helpless, small and insignificant that we are unable to improve this world, to do anything for our family, so that this unit of society, as defined by the Copenhagen Declaration, plays a major role in social development, becomes more prosperous and happy? ? Is it not within our power to become kinder and more attentive to children, the disabled, the elderly, and each other? Let’s think about this today, and then the world will definitely change for the better, and the fight against injustice will become easier.

Luke's Day, also called the Mighty One, is celebrated on February 20 according to the folk calendar (February 7 according to the old style). Its name is associated with the church date of honoring the memory of St. Luke of Greece, a Greek monk who lived in the 9th-10th century. Born into a poor family, Luka was accustomed to hard work since childhood. He devoted his free time to prayers to God, so after the death of his father he became a monk. Luke led a righteous life, shared his property with the poor, and was a spiritual mentor to many Christians. The Lord gave the monk the gift of healing from illnesses, which was passed on to his relics after death. A church was later built over his tomb. But among the people, the day was more often called the Mighty Day. This is the name given to cinquefoil, a plant with leaves in the shape of a cross, endowed with a powerful effect on various diseases. It was believed that on the Mighty Day many medicinal plants had an increased effect, so healers on this day processed herbs and roots collected from the summer into medicine. The day itself was dedicated to the memory of the deceased forefathers, visited their graves in the cemetery, and prayed in the temple for their calm afterlife. Living parents and elderly people were treated with reverence and respect. There was a tradition according to which housewives prepared pies with onion filling and treated their households to them. Some of the pies were distributed to the poor, believing that the good done would come back a hundredfold. One of the pies was placed on the street at the threshold, treating the spirits of dead ancestors with them. Looking at the reddened sunset on Luke Day, residents predicted a cool summer with strong winds. A warm summer was expected if the winds blew from the north. The afternoon wind from the south predicted a good harvest of spring crops. Blue clouds were observed before warming. A rare occurrence was thunder on the Mighty One, promising a small amount of hay for the winter.

Our ancestors began making sweets from burnt sugar back in the 15th century. Lollipops, which were shaped like cockerels, fir trees, fish or houses, were popular among both the nobility and the common people. Popular prints often feature images of children walking around a fair with caramel on a stick. In addition to its taste characteristics, the dessert had healing properties - burnt sugar helped with colds and coughs. February 20th is Candy Cockerel Day - a holiday of childhood, happy memories and nostalgia for the time when trees were big. The Internet is replete with recipes for making caramel on a stick from melted sugar. They are simple and do not require special culinary skills. On February 20, confectioners and ordinary sweet tooths who make cockerels at home prepare delicacies in honor of the holiday. Our ancestors made these sweets not only from sugar, but also from molasses and honey, and the resulting mixture was poured into molds made of wood. Lollipops, an alternative to expensive monpensiers in jars, were an integral part of fairs, booths and folk festivals. Sweet cockerels were extremely popular among children in the Soviet Union. Factory-made yellow, red, orange and green candies were sold in stores and markets, and were prepared by housewives in their kitchens. The rooster, which the Slavs associated with Yarila and Dazhdbog, has been revered since ancient times as a sacred prophetic bird. It is not surprising that for foreigners it has become the same symbol of Rus' as the balalaika or felt boots. Therefore, lollipops in the shape of fish, houses and other shapes were called cockerels. The popularity of this delicacy during the era of general Soviet shortages was explained by its natural composition, availability and low price. In modern Russia, traditional treats made from burnt sugar or molasses are remembered not only in honor of the holiday on February 20th. As part of the annual Russian Winter festival in 2010, a candy rooster weighing 50 kg was installed on Revolution Square. The gigantic delicacy was made by Tver confectioners. Representatives of the Russian Folk Art Crafts Association helped the craftsmen realize the idea. The sculpture in the shape of a rooster pleased not only with its appearance, but also with its taste: the organizers of the event broke off pieces of the miracle candy and treated the children to caramel. The modern calendar is replete with funny and sometimes ridiculous holidays. The same cannot be said about Lollipop Day, which is celebrated annually on February 20th. This holiday resonates in the heart with anticipation of joy and happiness, evokes slight sadness and sweet memories of childhood with your favorite treat - caramel on a stick.

Jaya Ekadashi in India (Bhaimi Ekadashi, Bhaimi Ekadashi)

Orthodox holidays on February 20:

The Orthodox Church celebrates the day of remembrance of Saint Parthenius, Bishop of Lampsaki on February 20. The saint lived in the first half of the 4th century, at a time when Christianity coexisted with aggressive paganism, and the spread of the true faith was a true feat. Parthenius was born into a modest family of a deacon. The simplicity of his origin did not allow the boy to receive an education, but from a young age he could listen to sermons and delve into the words of the Holy Scriptures. Already in his childhood, he learned the joy of charity, sharing the proceeds from the sale of caught fish with the poor. The sublimity of Parthenius’s soul was so pure that at the age of 18 he discovered the gift of a miracle worker. With the power of the word of God, the young man cast out demons from the possessed and healed the infirm. The news of the miraculous youth reached the Melitopol Bishop Philip, with the help of whom Parthenius received a decent education and became a presbyter. Soon the future saint was appointed bishop of the city of Lampsacus, located in Asia Minor. Thanks to the preaching of Parthenius, many residents of the city turned away from their previous pagan beliefs and became worthy Christians. But pagan temples were still operating in Lampsacus, whose priests cursed and frightened the newly converted followers of the faith of Jesus. Having decided on the final victory over paganism, the Bishop of Lampsaki goes to the capital to see Emperor Constantine the Great. The ruler agreed with Parthenius’ request to destroy all the idols and filthy temples in Lampsacus, which is what the saint did upon his return to the city. After the last pagan weeds were removed, a Temple of God of stunning beauty was erected in the middle of Lampsaka. During the construction of the cathedral, the bishop ordered the stone to be processed from one of the ruined temples. But the devil's machinations prevented his plan. The driver with a heavy stone overturned along the way, as a result of which the unfortunate driver died. But Parthenius put the devil to shame by restoring life to the deceased. The saint became famous for his healing power; many believers came to him with incurable diseases and found health through the power of prayer. Among other things, the Bishop of Lampsaki had the power to cast out demons. One day, the unclean one, who had lived for a long time in the body of one unfortunate man, began to ask Parthenius to find him another refuge. The saint promised the demon a new body, and then offered his own. The unclean one shook and groaned, as if scorched by the heat of a fire, and then shouted that he was unable to enter the house of God and rushed off into the desert lands. The saint lived a long life and died a peaceful death in the city entrusted to him, where he was buried with great honors. According to tradition, the most hopeless patients turn to Parthenius with prayers. His holy relics even help cancer patients.

Memorial Day of Hieromartyr Alexander Talyzin