Volgograd residents were told when they celebrate Fomin day and write letters to the future

In the Gospel story, especially important is the episode when Christ first appeared to the disciples after the Resurrection, while Thomas was not there. To the glad news from the apostles, he replied, “Until I see and touch the wounds of the nails, I will not believe.” When Christ appeared again, he let Thomas see for himself. The apostle said, “My Lord and my God.” Therefore, the image of Thomas in the church tradition is seen deeper than the common everyday expression “Thoma the unbeliever”: the story ended not with unbelief, but with a sincere confession of faith.

According to legend, the apostle Thomas preached Christian doctrine in different lands: Mesopotamia, Ethiopia, Palestine, as well as in India, where he received a martyr's death. Traditionally, he is prayed for strength in faith.

On this day the name day celebrates: Ivan, Makar, Thomas.

In the national calendar, October 19 is known as Fomin Day, and also as Thomas Khlebnik. The name refers to the veneration of the Apostle Thomas and to the main economic care of this day: to sum up the workpieces and take care of supplies, because ahead is a long winter.

In Russia, by October 19, they tried to complete the count of the harvest and check the enclosure. Men inspected the barns, sifted through grain, assessed how well preserved flour, cereals and vegetables. It was believed that it was on this day that it was especially important to show economic prudence: the well-being of the family until the next harvest depended on how much supplies it could save.

Bread has a special place in tradition. In the morning, the hostess put dough and baked caravans. The first hump, according to custom, was given to someone who felt weaker in the family - they believed that this would help a person gain strength faster. Fresh pastries were also shared with neighbors, the elderly and needy people: to treat bread on Fomin day meant to show care and attract wealth to the house.

On this day, peasant families paid attention to the education of children. Mothers showed the girls the basics of weaving and farming, fathers explained to their sons how to properly store and distribute stocks. For young people who were preparing for independent life, they could allocate a separate share of grain – so they symbolically prepared them for the future economy.

Fomin’s day was associated with frugality and hard work, so a number of actions were considered undesirable: long sleep and idleness were perceived as a risk to remain without income. Even if it was not the best, they tried to do at least the best work.

It was believed that talking about wealth and expensive things could attract envy and lead to monetary losses, so they did not brag or talk about income. Waste on this day threatened with need for the whole winter, so they tried not to waste money and not to make spontaneous purchases.

On October 19, we cannot refuse aid and almsgiving, throw away bread and food. The remnants of food were better given to the birds or used differently, and to show greed meant to cause trouble and disease.

They tried not to quarrel, not to gossip and not to swear. It was believed that harsh words and conflicts in Fomin day for a long time violate the peace in the family.

Unmarried girls are not allowed to tell strangers about their boyfriends. It is believed that this could lead to loneliness.

Observations of nature on Fomin Day helped predict the weather and nature of winter.

This day reminded of the importance of work, frugality and care for loved ones - values that in peasant life were the key to a calm and well-fed winter.