What is the holiday today: October 23, 2026

Although October 23 is not an official public holiday in Russia, this day celebrates a number of important memorable dates related to the history and culture of the country. In particular, Orthodox believers honor the memory of several saints, and in the national calendar the day was called Evlampiy Wintermarker.

In the international arena on October 23 there are several significant dates. In Hungary, it is the Day of Remembrance of the 1956 Hungarian Uprising. Libya celebrates Victory and Liberation Day. Also on this day in 1946, the first meeting of the UN General Assembly was held, which was an important milestone in the history of international relations.

On October 23, 2026, the Orthodox Church commemorates the martyrs Eulampius and Eulampia (303-311), and honors St. Innocent (Smirnov), Bishop of Penza, and St. Ambrose of Optina. The faithful remember St. Amphilochius of Pechersk, Bishop of Vladimir-Volyn, and Blessed Andrew, Christ for the sake of the fool, Totem. On the same day, the Volyn Saints’ Council and the memory of the Martyr Theotecnus of Antioch are celebrated.

On October 23, 2026, the Orthodox remember the holy martyrs Eulampius and Eulampius, and in the national calendar this day is called Eulampius Wintermarker. According to the weather and natural phenomena, our ancestors determined what the coming winter would be like, and tried to spend the day in accordance with long traditions.

Spend October 23 in care of loved ones and home comfort - and, according to folk wisdom, winter will pass safely.

In the national calendar, October 23 is called Eulampius Wintermarker, or Lampey. Our ancestors closely watched the moon on this day to predict the weather for the coming months. It was believed that if the horns of the month point north (at midnight), the winter will be fast and severe, and the snow will fall on dry land. If the horns are facing south (at noon), then it is not necessary to wait for an early winter - there will be mud and slush, and autumn will not "wash" with snow until Kazan (4 November). From October 23, the pre-winter begins, which lasts until November 27. At this time, early ice is possible on major rivers and the first snow falls.

The highlights of the day:

Eulampius and Eulampia were early Christian martyrs, brother and sister who suffered for their faith at the beginning of the fourth century. Information about their lives and sufferings has been preserved in church tradition and life literature. The family in which they were born belonged to a noble family and lived in Nicomedia, a large city of the Roman Empire, located on the territory of modern Turkey. They both professed Christianity and remained true to their beliefs even in the face of death.

The Age of Persecution of Emperor Maximian

Their time of life falls on the reign of Emperor Maximian, who was known as a cruel persecutor of Christians. During this period, decrees were issued throughout the empire ordering the execution of Christians for refusing to worship pagan gods and sacrifice to idols. It was with this decree that Evlampiy faced when the events of his life took a tragic turn.

Eulampius at the city gate

According to life, Eulampius once saw an imperial decree at the city gate, which stated that Christians should be executed for refusing to worship pagan gods. The young man openly resented the fact that the ruler, instead of protecting the state, persecuted his own subjects. The guards heard these words and immediately arrested him. Thus began Eulampius’ path to martyrdom.

Trial and refusal to sacrifice

At the trial, Eulampius was required to renounce Christ and make sacrifices to the pagan gods. The young man categorically refused, saying that he would not worship stones. For this refusal he was subjected to severe torture. However, according to the testimony of life, in the midst of suffering, Eulampius unexpectedly asked to be taken to a pagan temple. The judges decided that the suffering caused the prisoner to change his beliefs and agreed to comply with his request.

Destruction of the statue of Mars

Once in front of the statue of the god Mars, the Christian ordered the statue to be destroyed in the name of Jesus Christ. The statue fell and shattered. This event made a strong impression on those present: according to church tradition, many of them believed in Christ. The angry judges sent Evlampiy to torture again.

Eulampia shares brother's suffering

At this time about the fate of his brother learned his sister Evlampiy. She went to the courthouse on her own, declared herself a Christian, and asked permission to share the suffering of Eulampius. Her act was an example of the steadfastness and love between brother and sister, inseparable even in the face of death. After much torture, both martyrs died.

Resistance in the face of torture

According to life, the pagans tried to boil their brother and sister in a cauldron and burn them in a furnace, but neither boiling water nor hot fire did them harm. It is believed that thanks to the prayers of the saints, the Lord kept them unharmed. After numerous tortures, the brother and sister were beheaded, taking a martyr's crown. Church tradition reports that about two hundred witnesses of their sufferings converted to Christianity and subsequently also accepted martyrdom.

The symbol of spiritual unity

The memory of Eulampius and Eulampia is revered in all Orthodox churches as an example of steadfastness and love between brother and sister. They have become a symbol of spiritual unity, courage and loyalty to convictions even when it is difficult. In the liturgical texts of October 23, the saints are called “double luminaries of faith.”.

Reverence and prayer

The Day of Remembrance of the Holy Martyrs Eulampius and Eulampia is celebrated on October 23. On this day, believers pray for the unity of families, love between loved ones, for peace between brothers and sisters, for protection from division and envy. Saints are also asked to help raise children in the Christian faith. Their lives are especially revered by parents who want their sons and daughters to live in peace, harmony and kindness. The day of their memory is considered a time of internal cleansing, getting rid of anger, distrust and despondency.

The national name of the day - Evlampiy Winter indicator

In the national calendar on October 23 was named Evlampiy Winter indicator. This nickname is associated with the tradition to determine by the horns of the month, what will be the winter and where to expect the winds. Also, the day was called Evlampiy Lampilnik - by this time the daylight was noticeably shortened, and peasants began to harvest rays for lighting houses on long autumn evenings. The people said, “Evlampius cleaves the ray, fire blows up, dark frightens.”.

The story of Eulampius and Eulampia is a reminder that faith requires not only words but courage. Their example inspires Christians to remain true to their beliefs even in the most difficult circumstances. The martyrs showed that spiritual unity and love between loved ones can withstand any tests. Their memory remains an important part of the church calendar and popular tradition, reminding them of resilience, courage and loyalty to what they believe in.

Blessed Andrew of Totem was born in 1638 in the village of Ust-Totemsky. From an early age, he chose to serve God and left the world in his youth. His life from a young age was devoted to spiritual work, prayer and the pursuit of Christian perfection. Parents could not give their son an education, which was not in Russia at that time, but they brought up in him a childish pure faith in God, taught him to fear God, pray to Him and His saints, go to church and strictly observe fasts. The Church became the only school for the blessed lad, and the love of God was firmly established in his childish heart.

Blessings for the Fool's Deed

With the blessing of Stephen, abbot of the Resurrection Monastery in Galich, Andrew took upon himself the difficult feat of folly for Christ’s sake. The abbot saw in the young novice the chosen one of God and realized that for the lad there were few exploits in the silence of the monastery cell, that he was able to perform more difficult feats. Thus blessed Andrew embarked on the path of folly, perhaps the most difficult of all forms of Christian asceticism.

Life in Totma

The Blessed One settled in the city of Totme on the banks of the Sukhona River near the Church of the Resurrection of Christ. No one knew him in Totma, so he continued his great exploits here with great convenience. In winter and summer he walked barefoot, in torn clothes, eating only bread and water, and then in such small quantities as not to die of hunger, and prayed day and night. The blessed spent the night in prayer, and in the daytime as a fool ran around the city, collecting alms. If they gave him anything, he gave everything to the poor. His clothes were torn robes, which only covered the body, not protecting from rain and frost. He never wore shoes.

The gift of miracles

For his exploits and labors, Blessed Andrew was awarded the gift of miracles. One winter a blind man named Ajibokai appeared to the fool, offering him a large sum of money and asking for healing, but the fool ran away. Then Ajibokai washed his eyes with snow, on which the blessed man stood, and immediately saw his sight. There is also a case of healing of the Totem voivode Mikhail Grigorievich Rtischev, who suffered from severe headaches for a long time. The Blessed One ordered the voivode to attach himself to the image of the Savior, and when he was attached to the holy icon, he felt healthy.

The end of the saint

Blessed Andrew was revealed the time of his death. Having known in advance the day of his death, he prepared for it. Calling his friend, the Ponomar of the Resurrection Church John Jacob, he gave him his posthumous testament and then stood up for prayer. For a long time he prayed for the reigning city, for Russian cities, for the whole Orthodox world. After completing the prayer, the blessed begged for forgiveness, then asked to invite the priest for confession. When the priest finished the confession and communed the blessed Holy Mysteries, the ascetic began to lean as if to sleep. He confessed, communed the Holy Mysteries and peacefully departed to God. Blessed Andrew died on October 10, 1673. In total, he lived 35 years, exhausting his body with hard deeds.

Above his grave was erected the bell tower of the Church of the Holy Martyr Andrew Stratilat (August 19), whose name he bore. There are many healings at the tomb of the blessed. His burial place became a source of healing, and many sick people came there for help. The sick took the earth from the grave of the blessed, and this land, through his prayers, restored them to health. Currently, the relics of Blessed Andrew rest under a bush in the stone Assumption Church of the city of Totma, at the left choir. The memory of the blessed is honored locally, and the days of remembrance are celebrated on July 11 and October 23.

1748 – the construction of the first chemical laboratory in the Russian Empire, founded by M. V. Lomonosov, was completed.

1859 – the first Sunday school was opened in Kiev.

In 1873, Germany joined the Russo-Austrian Convention, which led to the creation of the Union of Three Emperors.

In 1877, during the Russo-Turkish War, the battle of Virgo-Boin took place.

1890 - the 300-day Eastern journey of the future Emperor Nicholas II, who departed from Gatchina, began.

1914 – Shchukin Theatre School was opened in Moscow.

1937 - the 812-day Arctic drift of the Soviet icebreaker "George Sedov" began.

In 1943, during the Great Patriotic War, Melitopol was liberated from German occupation.

1958 – Boris Pasternak was named Nobel Prize winner in literature.

1974 – in Vienna, the 75th session of the IOC decided to hold the XXII Olympic Games in Moscow.

In 1984, the plenum of the Central Committee of the CPSU adopted a program to transfer part of the flow of Siberian rivers to the south.

1985 – Moscow Rock Laboratory began to function in Moscow.

In 2002, terrorists took hostages at the Dubrovka Theatre Center during the musical Nord-Ost.

1715 – Peter II, Russian Emperor (1727–1730).

1789 – Nikolai Turgenev, Russian economist and publicist, active participant in the Decembrist movement.

1818 – Prov Sadovsky (senior), famous Russian actor of the Maly Theatre.

1834 – Yuri Nechaev-Maltsov, Russian manufacturer and philanthropist.

1899 – Philip of October, Admiral, Hero of the Soviet Union.

1904 – Svyatoslav Roerich, Russian and Indian artist and thinker; Vladimir Sudets, Air Marshal, Hero of the Soviet Union.

1905 – Alexander Melik-Pashayev, chief conductor of the Bolshoi Theatre (1953-1962).

1908 – Ilya Frank, Soviet physicist, Nobel Prize winner (1958).

1932 – Vasily Belov, Russian Soviet writer.

1940 – Pele, “king of football”, and Alexander Janvarev, Soviet and Russian actor.

1945 – Vera Matveyeva, Russian poet and bard.

1973 – Ulyana Lopatkina, an outstanding Russian ballerina.

1906 – Alexander Veselovsky, Russian philologist and literary historian; Vladimir Stasov, Russian music and art critic.

1937 – Nikolai Klyuev, a Russian poet, was shot.

1967 – Nikolai Gusev, literary critic, personal secretary of L. N. Tolstoy.

1998 – Valery Ginzburg, Soviet cinematographer, People’s Artist of Russia.

2000 – Natalia Chenchyk, Soviet and Russian theater and film actress.

2003 – Ivan Dmitriev, theater and film actor, People’s Artist of the USSR.

2021 – Alexander Rogozhkin, Soviet and Russian film director.

2022 – Galina Pisarenko, Soviet and Russian opera singer.

On October 23, the names are celebrated by Ambrose, Amphilochius, Andrei, Anikiy, Anton, Varsonophy, Vasily, Vassian, Dometian, Ephampius, Yefim, Hilarion, Innocent, Josaf, Cyprian, Cyril, Kuzma, Martinian, Mina, Micah, Pavel, Parfen, Savva, Sergei, Stepan, Feotekn, Theophilus, Thomas, Jacob, as well as Eulampia and Juliania. Don’t forget to congratulate your family and friends who wear these names. According to signs, people born on this day have calm strength, observation and the ability to maintain inner concentration even in changing circumstances.

In the national calendar, October 23 is called Evlampiy Wintermarker, and the main tradition of this day was the observation of the moon. The horns of the month determined what winter will be and where to wait for the winds: if they show to the north - to be fast and severe winter, the snow will fall dry; if to the south - the early winter will not wait, there will be dirt and slush to the Kazan. By this time, the days became noticeably shorter, and the houses began to prepare rays for long autumn evenings: dry logs were split into thin chips and fixed in a metal holder - a lighthouse, and children watched the fire and updated the rays so that the light did not go out. Healers on this day went to collect rue – grass, which was endowed with magical properties and hung under the ceiling, so that it guarded the children in the house.

Young people on Evlampia arranged festivities at the fires: the obligatory fun was jumping through the flames. It was believed that such a bold act would add strength and health, help to be revived to a new life and prolong youth. Old things and spoiled objects were thrown into the fire, believing that diseases, troubles and failures accumulated during the year would burn with them. Many customs of the day were associated with fire in the house: it was revered especially, and disrespectful treatment of flames - for example, if you spit in the fire or put out matches with moistened saliva fingers - was considered unacceptable and promised trouble.

Housewives on Evlampiy tried to get up early, knead the dough and have time to prepare cakes for breakfast: such pastries were considered a good sign, and the family, who began the day with it, according to legend, expected a full and prosperous year. Women counted stocks, sewed or spinned, and men checked household tools, repaired broken objects and completed work in the yard. The day began with the feeding of birds: the more hearty the food, the more favorable it was thought that winter would pass. In the evening, the family was fed pies with cabbage and baked apples with honey and nuts, and dreams on the night of the 23rd were given special strength: they believed that they were destined to come true within three days.

On October 23, 2026, the Moon is in the growth phase and passes through the sign of Pisces. It is an aquatic, volatile and deeply intuitive sign ruled by Neptune. The Rising Moon in Pisces enhances emotional receptivity, imagination, empathy and cravings for solitude, creativity and spiritual practices. The day favors everything related to intuition, art, helping others and completing emotional processes, but requires caution in matters where cold logic and accuracy are needed.

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

Taurus (20 April – 20 May)

Twins (May 21 – June 20)

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

Virgo (23 August – 22 September)

Libra (September 23 – October 22)

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)

Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)

Capricorn (22 December – 19 January)

Aquarius (20 January – 18 February)

Pisces (19 February – 20 March)

The Rising Moon in Pisces is a period when the emotional background becomes particularly subtle and receptive. The moon in Pisces enhances intuition, imagination, empathy and creativity. At the same time, it can bring distraction, a tendency to illusions, dreaminess and emotional instability. On this day, the boundaries between reality and fantasy become blurred, and feelings can take over the mind.

How to behave

October 23, 2026 is a day of subtle energy, intuition and creativity. It is more suitable for inner work, leisure and self-expression than for active business activities. Listen to yourself, trust your intuition, but keep in touch with reality and the day will go smoothly.

Today, October 23, 2026, when the Growing Moon passes through the sign of Pisces, you can cut your hair and nails, but with a certain caveat: the Moon in Pisces is traditionally considered not the best time for cutting hair, since this watery and changeable sign can make your hair less stable, and your hair is more prone to cross section and whims in laying down, but if you are not superstitious and do not plan radical experiments with length or color, then a neat haircut or a hygienic is quite permissible, especially if this sign is not updated with a new image, and you can not remember that you have a positive attitude to yourself today, if you do not consider yourself as an emotionally as an illusion with a new one that you do not have an impression of your life, but you do not have a new one, but you are not consider yourself today, because you are not a good idea of your life with a new one, because you are not an impression of yourself today, because you are not a good idea of yourself.

The day number October 23, 2026 consists of the date: 2 + 3 + 1 + 0 + 2 + 0 + 2 + 6 = 16, and then 1 + 6 = 7. So the vibration of this day is the seven, the number of analysis, depth, solitude and inner search. Seven is traditionally associated with spirituality, intuition and the desire to understand the hidden meaning of things, and in combination with the Rising Moon in Pisces, it creates a surprisingly subtle, contemplative atmosphere in which external activity fades into the background, and the desire to understand yourself, your motives and where your life is going.

For the seven is characterized by distrust of superficial decisions and haste, so on October 23 it is better not to force events and not to make fateful decisions on emotions - instead, do what requires concentration and insight: read, research, analyze, keep a diary, analyze the accumulated questions. This is a great day for study, spiritual practice, meditation and any intellectual work, where accuracy and depth are important, but the number 7 can also bring a tendency to isolation, melancholy and excessive self-digging, so try to maintain a balance between solitude and communication with loved ones, not allowing yourself to go too far.

In financial and business terms, the seven does not favor impulsive spending and risky adventures - it requires careful consideration and fact-checking, so that large transactions are better to postpone or at least double-check all the details, but for budget planning, investment analysis and strategic thinking, the day is perfect. In the romantic realm, the seven in combination with the Moon in Pisces increases the craving for deep, soulful conversations and mystical attraction, but can create the illusion of intimacy where it is not yet there, so trust not only feelings, but also common sense, and in general, October 23, 2026 is the day when wisdom comes through silence, and the right answers are not outside, but inside you.

From the point of view of astrology, dreams on the night of October 23, 2026 will be especially bright, symbolic and emotionally rich, since the Moon, being in the growth phase in the sign of Pisces controlled by Neptune, strengthens the connection with the subconscious, imagination and subtle sensations - on such nights, dreams often acquire a mystical, fluid or aquatic character, and their images may not be direct clues, but rather metaphors that require intuitive reading. If you dream of water – pure or murky, calm or stormy – pay attention to its state: clear water in Pisces usually symbolizes purification, emotional renewal and favorable growth, while cloudy or dark water can indicate unspoken experiences, illusions or fears that are worth bringing to light consciousness; dreams about traveling, fish, sea, rain or swimming during this period are especially significant, since they resonate with the energy of the sign, and images of people with whom you have not communicated for a long time can reflect not so much themselves as your own unfinished feelings or thoughts about them.

From the numerological point of view, the night of October 23 resonates with the vibration of the seven (2 + 3 + 1 + 0 + 2 + 0 + 2 + 6 = 16, 1 + 6 = 7), the number of depth, analysis and spiritual search, so the dreams of this night are likely to carry a symbolic and even prophetic shade - the seven tends to open access to hidden knowledge, and the images obtained in a dream can be the answer to questions that you have long hesitated to ask yourself in reality. Dreams in which you search for, find, read, solve or receive signs and symbols are especially important: they may indicate internal resources that you did not suspect, or the need for solitude and reflection; at the same time, it is not necessary to take each dream literally - the seven in combination with Pisces requires intuitive, not logical interpretation, so write down the dream in the morning, note the most vivid emotions and images, and for a few days pay attention to the events that echo with them: this connection between sleep and reality will be the key to its true meaning.

On October 23, Libras are born.

The air will warm up to 10 degrees, rain is expected in the morning.

The air will warm up to 10 degrees, cloudy, in the evening rains are expected.

According to the calculations of specialists, the geomagnetic situation on October 23, 2026 is expected to be extremely favorable: the probability of a calm magnetosphere is 87%, geomagnetic disturbances are only 10%, and the probability of a full-fledged magnetic storm is minimal - 3%, with the predicted Ap index of about 6 and the F10.7 flux at 112. Such an overwhelming preponderance of a calm scenario means that the day will be as comfortable as possible for well-being, and most people will not feel any influence of space weather; weather addicts just need to adhere to the usual daily routine, avoid excessive physical exertion, drink enough clean water and go to bed on time – special precautions will not be required, which will allow you to safely finish the working week.

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