January 1 is celebrated Day of Ilya Muromets – a hero from ancient legends and tales, the savior of Kyiv, the guardian of Russia, a soldier and a symbol of courage and glory. This man really existed and fought not with fictitious thieves, but with the enemies of his Motherland. The prefix to the hero’s name appeared due to his origin from the city of Morivsk on the Desna. The first written mentions of Ilya Muromets appeared in the 16th century and in them he is mentioned as Morovlian.

Ilya was not only a warrior, in his old age he became a monk of the Kyiv-Pechersk Monastery. The hero changed his sword and shield to a cross and monastic rosaries, became a spiritual warrior, a fighter against an invisible enemy. The monk’s prayer was righteous and strong. The Orthodox Church honors the memory of Saint Ilya also on January 1. Ilya passed away peacefully in the Lavra, where his relics are still kept.