What kind of holiday is this?

Every year on July 13, Eastern Christians celebrate Council of the Twelve Apostles. Disciples of Christ are often called holy, glorious and all-praiseworthy apostles. And another name of the holiday is the second Easter, since many customs and traditions of this day are in harmony with Easter.

How did the idea of ​​celebrating the Council of the Twelve Apostles come about?

Cathedral of the 12 Apostles is an ancient church holiday. In addition to the day when all twelve apostles of Christ are honored together on one day, each of them has its own holiday in the calendar. The date of July 13 was also not chosen by chance, because the day before, on July 12, the Holy Church celebrates the day of the Holy Supreme Apostles Peter and Paul. In honor of the 12 apostles, the God-fearing emperor Constantine the Great built a magnificent temple in Constantinople. The first records of the celebration Cathedral of the 12 Apostles are found in documents dated to the 4th century AD.

Disciples of Christ who are honored by this holiday

Saint Peter the Great Apostle

The Holy Apostle Peter the Great – Christ called him the “Rock” on which the Church will be built. Peter is also considered the first Roman bishop. He died a martyr’s death, through crucifixion upside down. In this way, the apostle wanted to show that he was not worthy to die the death of his Great Teacher. July 12 is celebrated separately.

Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called

Saint Andrew the First-Called Apostle – he was the first disciple called by Christ. He was persecuted for preaching the Word of God and crucified in Patras on an X-shaped cross. Saint Andrew the First-Called Apostle Day is celebrated on December 13.

Apostle Jacob

Yakov, son of Zavedeyev, brother of Ivan the Theologian. During the earthly years of Christ’s life, Jacob was very close to his teacher. He is the first martyr among the apostles and the first disciple of Christ who was canonized. You can read about Jacob’s death in the New Testament of the Holy Scriptures. The apostle was executed with a sword.

Ivan the Theologian

Ivan the Theologian was the most beloved disciple of Christ. He lived the longest of all the apostles. He was in lifelong exile on the island of Patmos, where he wrote his famous “Revelation”, which is now included in the Bible and is the last book of the New Testament. In addition, 3 Epistles from the apostle John to believers are known. Eastern rite Christians celebrate the Day of John the Theologian on May 21.

Saint Philip

Saint Philip is the youngest of Jesus’ apostles. This student carefully studied the Holy Scriptures and the prophets of the old testament, eagerly waiting for the Messiah. After the descent of the Holy Spirit, he performed many miracles and healings. It is also known that he resurrected a dead baby. The memory of Saint Philip the Apostle is commemorated annually on November 27.

Saint Bartholomew the Apostle

Saint Bartholomew the Apostle, he was also called Nathanael. He was one of the first disciples of Christ who followed Him after Andrew Peter and Philip. Bartholomew is the patron saint of great martyrs, as he died a terrible martyr’s death by flaying. The Memorial Day of Bartholomew and Barnabas (one of the 70 apostles) is celebrated in Orthodoxy on June 24.

Saint Thomas the Apostle

Saint Thomas the Apostle. He could not believe in the resurrection of Christ until he touched the fresh wounds of the Savior. That is why the people call a person who often doubts “unfaithful Thomas”. He was executed with five spears. The memorial day of this apostle is celebrated on October 19.

Apostle and Evangelist Matthew

Apostle and Evangelist Matthew. Before his vocation, Matvii was a customs officer. The fact that the Jews did not like representatives of this profession will be put mildly. They were considered traitors, sycophants of the occupiers and sinners. And for good reason, because all the tolls extorted from the population went to the coffers of the king appointed by the Roman occupiers. And the taxation system itself was marked by blatant injustice towards ordinary people. Matthew repented of his sins, left his job and followed Jesus. After the Ascension, he preached on African land, where he was crucified and burned by the natives. The Evangelist Matthew Day is celebrated on November 29.

Holy Apostle Jacob

Saint Apostle Jacob, son of Altheus, brother of Apostle Matthew. He was very close to Jesus, understood Him from half a word, was always ready to suffer unconditionally for his faith. The first Liturgy belongs to him. He was a minister of the Jerusalem temple. After one of the sermons about Christ, the Jews threw Jacob out of the temple and stoned him. The memorial day of this apostle is celebrated on October 22.

Apostle Judas

Judah, son of Jacob. It is important not to be confused with Judas Iscariot, who sold Christ for 30 pieces of silver. This Judas was a faithful follower of Jesus and was later crucified and shot with arrows. The memory of the apostle Judas is commemorated by the Orthodox Church on June 30.

Apostle Simon Cananius

Apostle Simon Cananius or Simon the Jealous witnessed the first miracle of Christ in his home, when the Savior turned water into wine. He was crucified in Abkhazia while preaching the Word of God. Memorial Day falls on August 22.

Apostle Matthew

Apostle Matthew, who was chosen to replace the traitor Judas Iscariot. He died in Judea in agony, he was stoned by opponents of Christianity.

How to celebrate the Council of the Twelve Apostles?

Ukrainians faithfully observed the celebration Cathedral of the 12 Apostles, on the territory of our country this holiday was celebrated after the baptism of Russia. Our ancestors believed that the apostles of Christ carried the Midsummer or the Peak of Summer on their shoulders, because July 13 was considered the hot middle of the summer period.

In the morning of this day, people dressed in fine clothes, gathered in heaps on the highest hill and watched the sunrise. There they also expressed their requests for a good harvest. And only after that they started work. Celebrations with fun parties were organized after a hard day’s work.

Dishes for the Cathedral of the 12 Apostles

The main dish, which actually combines this holiday with Easter, is krashanki – dyed eggs. Housewives usually painted boiled chicken eggs yellow. The first eggs were intended for children, and then for young men and adult family members. Older households were the last to consume eggs. People believed that due to the observance of this custom, the consumption of eggs would bring happiness, health and longevity to family members.

Permits and prohibitions for July 13

Since the holy apostles traveled around the world preaching the Gospel of Christ, this day is considered very auspicious for various journeys. Therefore, if you are going on a long trip, you have chosen the best time to travel. On this day, it is also useful to take care of your health: visit a doctor, go for a massage, to a cosmetology salon, etc.

Believers try to postpone all important matters and meetings on this day, because they believe that they will not lead to good results. It is believed that this day is “rich” in various scams, so it is important to be vigilant.

Also, as during the celebration of other religious holidays, on this day you should not abuse alcohol, play cards and other gambling games, swear, etc.

Folk signs

• If the cuckoo is still singing on July 13, there will be warm summer days, but the winter will be long and wintry.
• Heat for the Cathedral of the 12 Apostles? This means that there will be at least 21 more days of such weather.
• A dream dreamed on the night of July 12 to 13 is auspicious and will definitely come true in nine days.

When will we celebrate? Council of the Twelve Apostles?

Year	Date	Weekday
2021	July 13	Tuesday
2022	July 13	Wednesday
2023	July 13	Thursday
2024	July 13	Saturday
2025	July 13	Sunday