One of the most humane professions in the world is a nurse. History shows that without them, the mortality rate of patients would be much higher; the treatment process depends on their work, no less than on the doctor. These humane people deserve their professional holiday, when every grateful patient can sincerely congratulate and thank them. International Nurses Day is celebrated annually on May 12th. On this day you can congratulate not only nurses, but also other auxiliary medical personnel: paramedics, orderlies, laboratory assistants. The holiday received its official status in 1974, after the organization of the unification of the Council of Nurses. In Russia, the celebration began to be celebrated in 1993. On May 12, 1820, a kind and strong woman, Florence Nightingel, was born. She can be called the pioneer of nursing; before her, it was a little respected profession, which was equated to the category of cleaners; people went there to work either for special needs, or for completely fallen people. Florence Nightingall was born into a wealthy family and from childhood she strived for knowledge. In the 19th century, only men could work as doctors, but the young girl was drawn to new knowledge, and her kind heart wanted to help the helpless. At the age of 20, she went to Germany, where she joined the ranks of the nurses and began studying medicine. After returning to London, Miss Nightingale became the manager of a private clinic, nonsense for that time. At 34, she, already an experienced and respected nurse, went to Turkey with the British Secretary of War and 38 volunteer nurses to help the sick and wounded. Her experience and knowledge allowed her to introduce a new system of sanitary care. It was thanks to her technique, sorting patients into departments, and special care for patients, that mortality in the hospital under her leadership decreased from 44% to 5%. After returning to England, Florence Nightingall became involved in charity work and became one of the organizers of a school for training junior medical personnel. This celebration is celebrated by paramedical workers of the healthcare system, students and teachers of medical institutions. The main tradition of this day is to choose the theme of the holiday, which is determined by the International Council of Nurses. In 2005, the holiday’s motto was “nurses against counterfeit medicines,” in 2011, “equal medical care for all,” and in 2012, “from scientific theory to practice.” On this day, seminars, advanced training courses, and round tables are held. Every two years, the international organization Red Cross awards them medals. Florence Nightingall, it is awarded only to the best specialists who have distinguished themselves in the hard work of nurses. On May 12, you have a chance to congratulate your friends and acquaintances who have chosen the nursing profession. Remember that it is not the doctor who spends 80% of the time with you, but they. They work selflessly, despite the difficult and sometimes irregular work schedule and low wages, taking care of you and me. This deserves respect and respect.

The date chosen to honor environmental education in Russia is May 12. Also on this day, teaching the basics of environmental education is supported by all countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States. The holiday dates back to 1991. It was established to focus public attention on the environment and to raise awareness and responsibility towards nature and the environment. Environmental education ensures that people become aware that the natural environment around us requires protection. Forms a firm conviction in the obligation of caring for nature and the animal world. Fosters in a person the wise use of natural resources. The basis for the celebration of environmental education was the official announcement of the creation of an international program. This program was adopted in 1972 in Stockholm. The main objectives were to increase the level of environmental education in order to protect the Earth's natural resources. Teaching the basics of ecology is, first of all, a process that includes three main points: 1. The first point of training is aimed at expanding knowledge about the environment, the basics of its protection and protection.2. The second point is a systematic approach to the knowledge gained. 3. The next stage is the opportunity to apply environmental knowledge in practice. Many educational institutions offer courses on government programs that provide training in the basics of ecology. There is also an in-depth study of environmental disciplines in specialized universities to train specialists and teachers in environmental protection. As part of the holiday, various events aimed at protecting the environment are held throughout the country. In many Russian cities there are environmental centers and organizations involved in organizing events aimed at protecting nature. Environmental Education Day is an excellent opportunity to popularize environmental protection measures. Each resident can make a contribution by removing trash from their own yards near their houses. Plant trees and flowers in public parks and squares, join environmental groups and communities, promoting environmental education to the masses. Nowadays, the topic of ecology has come to the fore and is of key importance at the global level. The leading states of the planet are concerned about this topic. Great importance is attached to the preservation of natural resources and the ecosystem as a whole. People educated in the field of ecology are the asset of every state on the planet. With this knowledge, we can conserve our natural resources for as long as possible. Thereby optimizing conditions for both plants and animals. The ecosystem, flora and fauna that surround us is an integral part of human life. By increasing the level of personal environmental education, we thereby save the planet from depletion and extinction of nature.

Every year on the second Sunday of May, many European countries, as well as the USA, Canada, China and Japan, celebrate perhaps the brightest and sweetest holiday - Mother's Day. This date is already many years old. In the first half of 1600, the tradition of celebrating Mothering Sunday began in Great Britain. On this solemn day, which fell on the 4th Sunday of Great Lent, parents were praised. Traditionally, people did not work on the holiday; they were required to visit their parents’ house. Mother's Day, celebrated today, has its own history. In 1907, a young American resident, Anna Jervis, proposed honoring all mothers in memory of her own parent, who died early. The girl sent numerous letters to government organizations, officials, and famous personalities with the idea of ​​commemorating her mothers one day a year. And her requests were heard. In 1912, the World Mother's Day Organization was formed. Two years later, this date received official status in America. Over the next few years, the new tradition was picked up by many other states. Currently, the number of countries celebrating this touching holiday is about 23. Without a doubt, Mother's Day is one of the most important holiday dates, since every person from childhood until his last moments of life carries in his soul the only bright image of his mother. After all, this is the closest and dearest person to any of us. She will always understand, listen, forgive, regret, advise, help and will selflessly love no matter what the circumstances. The happiness and importance of motherhood have been sung at all times by the best writers and painters. And for good reason - the level of culture and prosperity of society is determined by how revered a woman in a country is in raising a child. Children should grow up in a friendly, happy family and under the care of their parents. On this solemn day, people congratulate their mothers and thank them for her tireless work, enormous patience, devotion and love. Representatives of the strong side of humanity express gratitude not only to mothers, but also to the spouses who gave birth to their child. In many countries, on the occasion of the solemn date of the holiday, themed evenings, various exhibitions, and concert performances are organized. Mothers are presented with flower bouquets, memorable souvenirs, cute gifts, all kinds of surprises and sincere kisses. But the main gift for any woman is the attention of her child. And, naturally, this holiday is not complete without dinner with your beloved family. As for our country, this event is not as popular in Russia as in the West. And this can be explained very simply: Russia has its own similar, but exclusively national date. “Mother's Day in Russia” is celebrated every year on the last Sunday of November.

Every second Sunday in May Belarus celebrates the Day of State Symbols - the flag and coat of arms. The date was approved by Presidential Decree in 1998 (No. 157). Symbols of statehood existed in the republic before, changing along with the country. The first images of the coat of arms on the territory of Belarus appeared in the 10th century. Symbols used on the coats of arms of that time: - a trident (a weapon with a tip with teeth), - a galloping horseman. In the 20th century, the image of the coat of arms changed several times. The current version was adopted in 1995, based on what was developed in Soviet times. It replaced the coat of arms with the image of a chase (the official symbol of the country in 1991-1995). The shape of the coat of arms is a circle, in the center the outline of the country is depicted in green on a silver background on top of the sun's rays over the globe. At the top of the coat of arms is a red star. The image has a border of ears of grain intertwined with a red and green ribbon. On the left on the coat of arms are flax flowers, on the right are clovers. In the middle of the tape there is an inscription - “Republic of Belarus”. The coat of arms symbolizes the inviolability of borders (the outline of the country), prosperity (the image of the state in the rays of the sun), the memory of ancestors, and hard work (wreaths of ears of corn and flowers). The colors of the Belarus flag are taken from the Soviet past. For a short period (1991-1995), the country lived with a white-red-white flag (in 1918-1919 it was adopted by the Belarusian People's Republic). In 1995, in a referendum, Belarusians voted for the return of the Soviet flag and coat of arms (with changes). The country's flag consists of two colors: red and green. The stripes have different widths, the red one is twice as large as the green one. Along the shaft there is a vertical strip with a national ornament (in 1912 its design was changed). The red stripe means unity, brotherhood, military valor. Green color is associated with nature. The ornament is a symbol of the spirituality of the nation. On the second Sunday of May, when the country celebrates the Day of State Symbols, many official events take place, in which all residents of Belarus take part.

Residents of megacities suffer from psycho-emotional disorders and live with internal discomfort for many months and even years. The most active part of society, young people aged 25-49 years, complain of loss of energy, headaches, sleep problems, deterioration of memory and concentration. These same symptoms can occur in children and adolescents. Neurologists and psychotherapists around the world constantly draw people's attention to such a serious disease as Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Therefore, since 1992, May 12 is widely celebrated as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Day. The date for International Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Day was not chosen by chance. Florence Nightingale, the creator of nursing in medicine, a social reformer and public figure from Great Britain, was born on May 12, 1820. She suffered from CFS and brought chronic fatigue syndrome to the attention of many of her compatriots. Doctors first started talking about this diagnosis in 1982. Before that, decreased performance, deterioration in vitality, insomnia, increased fatigue and muscle weakness were explained by overwork, vegetative-vascular dystonia, and even the imagination of patients. However, CFS is now spoken of as a separate disease that requires a serious approach to diagnosis and therapy. Chronic fatigue syndrome is manifested not only by psycho-emotional disorders. Its symptoms also include unexplained muscle and joint pain, inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck and armpits, migraines and pharyngitis. Because CFS shares symptoms with other diseases, it can sometimes be difficult to diagnose. The main sign of chronic fatigue is overwork, which lasts six months or more. Often it is accompanied by depression and several of the listed symptoms. Increasing awareness of CFS helps a person recognize the signs early, listen to their body, and seek help from a doctor. The average age of a patient suffering from chronic fatigue is 33 years. This neurological disease occurs 4 times more often in women than in men. The diagnosis is regularly made not only to the fairer sex aged 20-40 years, but also to children. Chronic fatigue syndrome among city residents is a consequence of regular stress, excessive stress at work, lack of sleep and the constant presence of the nervous system under time pressure. In the first stages of the disease, a psychologist can help the patient, but if fatigue and loss of strength do not go away and last more than 6 months, you need to consult a psychotherapist or neurologist. The doctor will prescribe mild antidepressants and sleeping pills, which will help you return to normal sleep patterns. Chronic fatigue syndrome is also diagnosed with regular exacerbations of chronic diseases or frequent colds. In this case, all the body’s forces are spent fighting the infection, which significantly reduces performance, leads to weakness, apathy and fatigue. The body of a healthy person has resources, incl. - a strong nervous system to fight diseases, but a patient of a neurologist or psychotherapist weakened by chronic fatigue does not. Effective treatments for CFS include strengthening the immune system, massage, exercise therapy, reflexology and acupuncture, hypnosis, electrical brain stimulation, and autogenic training. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Day is important as a way to attract the attention of millions of people to prevent the disease. CFS can be prevented by alternating mental and physical activity, regular 10-minute breaks from work every 50-60 minutes, healthy sleep (at least 8 hours), maintaining a drinking regime, a varied diet and, of course, positive emotions. Meeting friends, going to the movies, spending time in nature, and other ways to recharge emotionally can help prevent CFS. Its prevention can reduce the likelihood of chronic fatigue among city residents, which means that over time, International Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Day will lose its relevance.

Wild and domestic animals use different sounds to express their emotions. Cats purr, chickens cluck, frogs croak, owls hoot, and hedgehogs sniffle. If these mammals don't like something, they snort and hiss, curling up into a spiny ball in case of danger. In a good mood, hedgehogs snore quietly. The funny ability of the animal became the reason for the establishment of a holiday. Every year on May 12th, Hedgehog Sniffing Day is celebrated. In honor of him, adults tell children about the habits of a cute animal, which, not coincidentally, became the hero of cartoons and books. But a close relative of the porcupine only looks clumsy and clumsy in appearance. When hunting insects, snakes and small rodents, hedgehogs develop great speed and can painfully bite anyone who gets in their way with their 36 sharp teeth. In winter, these wild animals hibernate, gaining weight in warm weather and gaining fat so as not to die from cold and hunger in frosty weather. In addition to 5,000 needles and sharp teeth, the hedgehog has another “weapon”. In a fight with vipers, the animal is helped by resistance to many poisons: arsenic, opium and hydrocyanic acid do not affect it. In folk tales, the hedgehog appears as an intelligent, dexterous and cautious character. Director Yuri Norshtein saw him as simple-minded, kind and friendly and, apparently, guessed right. It is not for nothing that people in many countries around the world fell in love with the hero of “Hedgehog in the Fog,” which is recognized as the best film of all time. Young viewers see the character with many thorns in “Tryam! Hello!” as gullible and even naive. Due to the external resemblance to the forest beauty, in honor of the holiday, the hero of another cartoon decides to become a spruce - “How the Hedgehog and the Little Bear Celebrated the New Year.” The animal makes different sounds depending on the circumstances of life. If a hedgehog is dissatisfied with something, it often breathes and puffs, hisses in case of external threat and snorts when it is safe. A soundly sleeping animal may even snore. These words from V. Tolkunova’s song are dedicated to boys - the children of the lyrical heroine. “Sniffles like a hedgehog,” you can often hear from mothers who anxiously describe the sleep of a newborn or older child. In most cases, this breathing feature is not a symptom of a terrible disease. Thus, children often sniffle in their sleep due to low humidity in the room. Hedgehogs make similar sounds when they explore unknown territory. A well-fed and satisfied animal whistles and even purrs like a cat, screams loudly, experiencing fear and pain. These and other habits of the mammal living next to people are remembered on May 12 in honor of Hedgehog Sniffing Day.

On May 12, solemn services are held in Orthodox churches in Georgia in honor of the Day of Remembrance of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called. On this day, Apostle Andrew arrived in Georgia with a sacred mission - to preach Christianity. On the day of the saint's death - December 13 - he is also commemorated in all churches of the country. Andrew the First-Called was engaged in fishing in the Sea of ​​Galilee, but from his youth his thoughts were directed toward serving God. He heard rumors about the preacher John the Baptist on the Jordan River, who was broadcasting about the imminent arrival of the Messiah. Andrew immediately gave up fishing and became a disciple of John the Baptist. When John showed him Christ, Andrei followed the messiah. This is how Jesus' first apostle, his first disciple, was called. From that moment, Andrew the First-Called did not part with Christ. He heard all the speeches of the Savior, observed his deeds, and accompanied Jesus until the last minute of his earthly life. The Apostle Andrew became an eyewitness of the resurrection and ascension into heaven of Christ. When the Holy Spirit miraculously descended on the 12 apostles of Christ in Jerusalem, Andrew the First-Called, overshadowed by a fiery tongue from heaven, felt the gift of a prophet within himself. From now on, his whole life was devoted to converting pagans to the Christian faith. Saint Andrew was subjected to persecution and persecution in countries where he brought the glory of the great deeds of the Lord, but his meekness and faith turned even the martyrdom of the apostle on the cross into a powerful call to the ranks of Christians. The lot fell to the Holy Apostle Andrew to bring the light of faith to Georgia. The population of the country resisted the introduction of Christianity, but many converted to it. Saint Andrew brought with him an icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, and with its help he performed many miracles on Georgian soil. In Adjara, when an image was applied to a rock, a healing spring began to flow. In Samtskhe, an ordinary board from being superimposed on an image turned into a miraculous icon of the Mother of God. Apostle Andrew and his comrades built the first Christian churches in Georgia, true believers found priests and the first bishop. Andrew the First-Called is a deeply revered saint in Georgia. Until about the 1500s, he was commemorated in churches monthly. His memorial day, May 12, was declared a holiday in the Georgian Republic at the request of the church.

For Finland, May 12 is not just another calendar day, but an important memorable date, because it is a holiday - Snellman Day. There are alternative names for this holiday - Finnish Culture or Identity Day. This holiday would not have happened without the successes that their ancestor Johan Wilhelm Snellman was able to achieve. The Swedish colonialists, who had been developing Finnish lands since the 11th century, considered the indigenous population dark, unenlightened and poorly educated. Being a Swede was so prestigious that only the Swedish-speaking population could apply for government positions. This went on for hundreds of years, until public figure and journalist J.V. took up the matter. Snellman. Thanks to his efforts, the Finns were able to restore their historical rights, as well as make education accessible to everyone, not just a select few. In memory of this man, the Finnish writer Johannes Linnankoski in 1906 called on his compatriots who had Swedish surnames to change them to Finnish ones. It was in 1906, when a hundred years had passed since the birth of their great ancestor. His proposal was supported by almost 25,000 people, who published their new names in the Finnish Official Gazette. On the same day, the Union of Finnish Identity was established, which still exists today. J.V. Snellman was born on May 12, 1806. He lived a long life, established himself as a journalist, writer, philosopher, and also as a public and successful statesman. Also during his life he did a lot for his people: The Finns remain grateful to their distant ancestor and in honor of the 200th anniversary of his birth they issued commemorative stamps and commemorative coins. A mandatory attribute on this day is the national flag of Finland. You can meet it everywhere, literally on every building. Despite this honor, this day remains a working day. Particular attention is paid to the celebration in schools and universities. Literary competitions, lectures on the history of the Finnish language, and creative evenings are considered traditional.

Holidays of Montenegro - Day of St. Basil of Ostrog

According to the folk calendar, the Nine Healers is celebrated on May 12 (April 29, old style). This date is dedicated to the nine holy martyrs of Cyzicus - Antipartus, Artemos, Magnus, Rufus, Theodotus, Faumasius, Philemon, Theostichus and Theognis, whose memory is revered on this day among Orthodox believers. The saints lived in the 3rd century in the city of Cyzicus (modern Turkey) near the Dardanelles Strait, were devoted Christians and spread the word about the Lord. However, the idolaters of the city imprisoned them and subjected them to various tortures, urging them to renounce their faith and embrace paganism. All of them courageously endured torture in the name of the Lord, for which they were executed. In the 4th century, a temple was built in honor of the Cyzitic Christians, where their relics were transferred. There, the relics of the martyrs radiated miracles and helped cure the sick from various ailments. The people called the day the Nine Healers, because prayers to the martyrs of Kiziki helped heal and protect from diseases. The peasants asked the saints to deliver them from nine misfortunes: tears, sadness, loneliness, loss of a breadwinner, unholy temptation, temptation, clouding of the mind, lack of will and spiritual sadness. Also on this day, residents went out into the open during the day and gained health for the year ahead from the warm wind. On the Day of Nine Healers, local healers went to collect herbs. People believed that on this date they had great healing power, so infusions were prepared from them. According to legend, God drew a human image on the sand, but when the Devil saw this, he made 77 holes in the image and called them various diseases. In order to protect humanity, the Lord created 77 types of herbs that cure every disease. Field work continued on Nine Healers. Residents started them based on certain signs. If you saw that the crane was building a nest low, it means that cereals could be sown even in damp soil, nest high - then you should wait until the ground dries out. The younger generation of farmers always listened to the advice of their elders, considering their experience invaluable. And before plowing and sowing, they prayed to the Lord for successful cultivation of the land and a rich harvest. If residents of Nine Healers observed an abundance of cockchafers, they prepared for dry days. The transition of ants to dry areas or the cry of an oriole, similar to a meow, meant the coming rains. A cloudless dawn foreshadowed a hot summer. The sky, dotted with stars, promised great harvests.

Holidays of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Republika Srpska Army Day

Orthodox holidays on May 12:

As soon as the first Sunday after Easter arrives, Christians celebrate Antipascha. This day is also called Red Hill or St. Thomas Sunday. Despite the fact that the prefix “anti-” usually denotes opposition or negation, this holiday is rather an addition to Easter, its kind of mirror image. The fact is that the Gospels describe the first resurrection after Easter as the day on which one of the apostles believed. Thomas perceived all the convictions of the other disciples that his Teacher had resurrected with skepticism. The death of the Savior incredibly depressed the apostle, and he considered the teaching of Christ to be untenable, and his loss irrevocable. Only his own senses could convince the student. To be convinced of the Miracle, Thomas needed to “see the wounds of the nails in His hands” and “put his fingers into His side.” Otherwise, he considered the resurrection to be false. This is what happened a week after the Holy Resurrection of Christ. On the eighth day, Christ exposed all the wounds, and did this on his own initiative, without waiting for requests. In none of the Gospels, neither canonical nor apocryphal, is there any mention of Thomas “putting his fingers into gaping wounds.” However, using this plot as the theme of their canvases, artists often depicted the distrustful follower in the characteristic pose of a person examining the skin. They painted the Savior's injuries in close-up, with varying degrees of detail. At the same time, the apostle stretched out his fingers to the wounds in an attempt to verify their authenticity. Whether this happened or not is impossible to determine. Such venerable painters as Caravaggio or Guercino are allowed some artistic liberties in describing the Miracle. In this case we mean the miracle of assurance. The Apostle Thomas, having seen the living Savior and examined his body, was imbued with such deep faith in his teaching that he subsequently suffered for it. For his deeds in the mission of spreading Christianity, the apostle was canonized and canonized. The saint organized numerous churches in Ethiopia, Parthia (most of its lands are now occupied by Iran and Afghanistan), Palestine, Mesopotamia and India. It was in India that the apostle found martyrdom. There, Thomas, with a heartfelt sermon, successfully converted many people to the Christian faith, including the son of the ruler of one of the Indian cities and his wife. For such acts, the apostle was subject to imprisonment, torture and execution. The exact place of the sermon, torture and subsequent burial could not be established. According to some sources it is Kalamine, according to others it is Melipura. Be that as it may, followers of the Christian faith in India consider Thomas the Apostle to be their teacher. And together with all Christians they celebrate Antipascha. The expression “Doubting Thomas” has become a common noun, often used to denote misplaced distrust. It is noteworthy that during the Soviet era, the poet Mikhalkov used the theme of the gospel plot when writing the poem “Thomas”. The young character depicted in the work was also distinguished by strong suspicion and questioned everything. And not everyone understood that the prototype of the Soviet boy was the Apostle Thomas.

Memorial Day of the Ozeryansk Icon of the Mother of God

On May 12, the Holy Orthodox Church honors the memory of the nine martyrs of Cyzicus. These sufferers for the Christian faith lived in the 3rd century in the rich trading port of Cyzicus, located on the coast of the Sea of ​​Marmara. Despite the fact that in the 1st century Cyzicus was blessed by the Holy Apostles Paul and Andrew the First-Called with their parish, the inhabitants of the city predominantly professed pagan beliefs. Christians left the ancient port, fearing persecution and death; only nine true believers from among the followers of Jesus Christ were not afraid to bring the word of God to the lost idolaters of Cyzicus. These Christians were of different ages and came from different places, they were not bound by a common status or occupation, but all nine were devoted to their faith and were ready to sacrifice their lives for it. They openly preached the tenets of Christianity in places where large numbers of townspeople gathered, as a result of which the brave men were captured and brought to trial. Captive Christians were forced to renounce their faith in the Savior and bow before pagan idols. Persuasion gave way to cruel torture, but not a single one of the martyrs renounced their convictions. After prolonged torture, nine Cyzitic Christians were sentenced to death by beheading. The date of death of the martyrs became the day of their veneration. A few decades later, when Christianity became the dominant religion in Asia Minor, the incorrupt bodies of nine holy men were found. A temple was erected in honor of the righteous, where their relics showed their miraculous powers. There are many icons depicting the martyrs from Cyzicus, on some the saints are depicted in one row, on others three on top of each other. In some images, the martyrs look at the sky, from where Christ looks at them. Any Christian can turn with prayers to the Cyzic righteous. The saints send healings from long-standing mental and physical illnesses, help to find a good job and achieve material well-being. In folk tradition, May 12 was considered the day of healers, especially those who used beneficial herbs to treat diseases. In addition to plants, they used spells and prayers. The names of the nine martyrs were listed above the sick, awaiting recovery. Weather signs of this day helped to find out what the coming days, the coming summer and autumn, would be like: - the migration of ants suggested imminent doges; - the invasion of May beetles foreshadowed drought; - if the first thunderstorm occurred before May 12, you should prepare for prolonged heavy rains; - the bright scarlet sunrise directly indicated the hot summer season; - many stars in the clear night sky promised a bountiful grain harvest.

Memorial Day of St. Memnon the Wonderworker