Veterinary Day in Russia

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

People involved in the treatment of animals have been valued at all times, as the meat of livestock was the main food in the winter. Patriarch Kirill decided to establish Veterinary Day in 2011. And now on August 31, the holiday of veterinarians is celebrated. In another way, it is also called the Day of Remembrance of the Holy Martyrs Florus and Laurus (patrons of livestock).

From history

Even in ancient times, Flora and Laurus were revered - solemn celebrations in honor of the saints were held throughout Russia. Novgorod tradition says that the death of cattle stopped from the date of the discovery of the relics of the saints. This is how Veterinary Day was born. Since that time, Russian people began to bow before the brothers, who were considered the patrons of horses.

Flor and Laurus lived in Byzantium in the second century. They were stonemasons, believed in Christ, and Archangel Michael taught them how to handle horses. When the brothers were engaged in the construction of a pagan temple, the son of a priest approached them, who unexpectedlya shard of stone hit his eye. They wanted to punish the workers, but the young men promised the priest's son a cure.

The brothers converted him to Christianity, and he immediately recovered. The boy's father also turned to Christ. The temple was completed, but the idols were overthrown and a holy cross was erected. The pagans could not stand this and threw the brothers into an empty well, which they covered with earth. The relics of the saints were discovered and transported to Constantinople several centuries later.

Veterinary Day is associated with another legend. According to her, the brothers dug wells professionally. Once the earth collapsed, and the young men were left under the rubble. A brook flowed from under the collapse, to which a skinny mare came to drink. She recovered quickly. Then the inhabitants began to lead horses to this watering hole, and later they dug a well and saw living brothers there.

That's why the Day of the veterinarian was popularly called the "horse holiday". On the solemn date, the horses rested, bathed, decorated, fed to the full and sprinkled with holy water. The hostesses washed the huts, prepared the festive table and dressed up. There was also a tradition to brew beer on this day. On the icons, Flor and Laurus are depicted as patrons of horses. Archangel Michael is depicted above, blessing the brothers.

Veterinary Day in Russia now

Now veterinarians are indispensable workers. They are divided into those who treat farm animals, and those who improve the he alth of pets (cats, dogs, hamsters, guinea pigs, and others). Every year there are more and more veterinarians helping our little brothers.

Celebration at the state level is the congratulations of veterinary medicine workers by the authorities. Church services are held. Veterinary Day in 2013 was no exception. Doctors celebrate the holiday with colleagues or with pets by going out into nature.

According to Patriarch Kirill, the holiday originates on the first pages of the Bible. We must take care of animals, especially those we have tamed. Veterinarians are a necessary profession. They treat their beloved pets, so honor and praise them!