Holidays of Russia - Students' Day (Tatiana's Day) congratulate →

On January 25, Russia celebrates two holidays at once - Tatyana’s Day and Students’ Day. Historically, these two dates are in no way connected with each other, however, over time, their names became inseparable from each other and the holy Christian holiday turned out to be closely intertwined with the cheerful celebration of the student family. Saint Tatiana of Rome is a great martyr who died for her faith in Christ, was executed by beheading, was subjected to inhuman torture, endured all the hardships of persecution and was posthumously canonized in the 230s. The Feast of the Holy Great Martyr is celebrated by all Christian believers of the Orthodox and Catholic churches according to the new style on January 25. In 1755, Empress Elizabeth signed a decree on the creation of Moscow University. It was January 25, but at that time they began to celebrate the opening day of the University, and only by decree of Nicholas I the holiday was shifted to the date of signing the decree. Then for the first time the two events came together. Students respected the memory of the saint, and a church was built at the University, bearing the name of Tatiana. Here students prayed to the great martyr and here church choirs sang the praises of the holy virgin in their performances. With the Bolsheviks coming to power, the church at the University was abolished as unnecessary. Since the Soviet government was irreconcilable towards the church, it tried to use every opportunity to neutralize any mention of this great event. But, just as Tatyana herself managed to survive all the persecution of Christians, so her memorial day managed to be reborn from the ashes of Bolshevik scientific atheism. In 1994, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II performed a prayer there, and a congress of Russian Orthodox youth was held at the university. The church resumed its work. Since then, the students’ and Tatyana’s holidays have become even more similar. In 2005, by decree of the President of Russia, Student Day became an official celebration. Now a lot of events are being coordinated, all student scholarships and grants are scheduled for January 25th. Awards and honoring of the best students, presentation of certificates and prizes take place in each educational institution. The assembly halls are bursting with the number of guests, a friendly atmosphere reigns and cheerful student pranks do not stop. Students love their holiday and prepare for it in advance, especially since it ends the autumn session. But every student, from applicant to graduate, always prays to Tatyana on this day, asking her for help in their studies. And although during her life Tatyana Rimskaya had nothing to do with students, however, she never refused to help those who needed her care and patronage.