Church Holiday on August 11, 2026: Whom Do Believers Honor on This Day?
On August 11, 2026, according to the New Julian calendar of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, believers commemorate the Holy Martyr Euplas, Archdeacon of Sicily. He was martyred in Catania, Sicily, during the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian for openly reading and preaching the Gospel.
This day is dedicated to courage, faithfulness to the Christian faith, and unwavering devotion to the Word of God. Believers remember Saint Euphulus in their prayers and observe ancient church traditions.
Religious Holidays and Their History
Kalinik’s Day
According to the calendar, believers today honor the memory of the holy martyr Callinicus of Cilicia, who was a native of Turkey and did not renounce his faith.
It is also known that in ancient times, August 11 was called “Fog Day” because fog often occurred on the morning of August 11, and certain folk omens were even associated with it.
Originally, the feast day was associated with the name of Callinicus of Cilicia—one of the holy martyrs who lived in the 3rd–4th centuries. It is known that it was his sermon that sparked a wave of outrage among the pagans, who seized Kalinik and took him to the governor Sakerdon for trial in the city of Ankyra. The governor sentenced Kalinik to death. They forced him to wear iron boots studded with nails, then led him to the place of execution and burned him alive. However, when the fire was extinguished, they saw that Kalinik was dead, but his body remained intact. Afterward, he was buried according to Christian custom, and today, August 11, prayers are offered in memory of Kalinik.
Memorial Day of Saint Euphlus, the Martyr and Archdeacon
Euphlus lived in the 3rd–4th centuries in Sicily and served as an archdeacon in the city of Catania. He openly preached the Gospel and always carried the Holy Scriptures with him. During the most brutal persecutions under Diocletian, he was arrested just as he was reading the Holy Scriptures to people on the street.
During interrogation, Eupulus refused to bow down to pagan idols and denied any wrongdoing: “I am fulfilling the Lord’s commandment,” he replied to the judges. After being tortured, the martyr was thrown into a dungeon. According to tradition, while in prison, God caused a spring of water to gush forth from a rock to quench Euphlus’s thirst. Ultimately, he was sentenced to death by the sword—and even on his way to execution, he continued to read the Gospel, which had been hung around his neck.
Prayers of the Day
People turn to the holy martyr Eupulus with prayers for strength in faith, healing, and peace for Ukraine.
O Holy Martyr and Archdeacon Euphulus! Look down upon us from your heavenly abode as we prayerfully honor your memory. Until your last breath, you remained faithful to the Word of God, carrying the Gospel through fire and suffering. Intercede with God, the Lover of Mankind, that He may grant us the same steadfast faith, unshakable hope, and sincere love for our neighbors. Protect us from temptation, heal our spiritual and physical ailments, and implore peace and blessings for Ukraine.
Amen.
Folk Omens and Traditions
Since ancient times, people have observed nature on August 11 to predict the future.
- If there is fog in the morning, there will be a good harvest.
- Many berries on the bushes mean a cold winter.
- If it’s quiet and cool in the morning but the sun is hot by noon, it’s a sign of good weather.
- If there is thunder in the morning, it means a rainy fall.
- From this day on, people stopped bathing horses in rivers, as it was believed this could make them sick.
Long before the commemoration of the saints, this period was deeply connected to the agricultural cycle. After this day, people no longer bathed in bodies of water, believing that the water had grown cold.
What Not to Do
Since the days of the Dormition Fast are still underway, believers abstain from meat, dairy products, and eggs. According to folk beliefs, on August 11, one must strictly avoid excessive alcohol consumption, visiting forest swamps and cemeteries, quarreling with loved ones, and refusing to help those who ask for assistance.
