In Russia, Student Day is celebrated on January 25. It was at this time that the winter session was ending at all universities in the country, and the students began their vacation. This date, by decree of the president of the country, was officially considered Student Day. This youth holiday coincides with Tatiana’s name day. Why is this great martyr considered the patroness of students of higher educational institutions?
Tatyana Day
January 25th is both a church day ( St. Tatiana's Day ) and a professional holiday for all students. Often, freshmen, having heard about the existence of such a triumph, begin to consult with more experienced colleagues - older students: when is Tatyana's Day? After all, it is this date that they associate with the end of the winter session and exemption from endless studies and preparation for exams. But where did the custom come from to celebrate Student's Day precisely on Tatyana's birthday? The saint, whose nameday is celebrated at the end of January, was born in the first half of the 3rd century AD and was a Roman. Her family was considered very noble and rich in the Roman Empire, but Tatyana's father was a secret adherent of Christianity and raised his daughter according to the canons and values ​​of his religion.
Tatyana grew up and took a vow of celibacy. She devoted her life to faith and charity: she looked after the sick. Due to her commitment to Christianity, Tatyana was persecuted, her body was tortured, but the girl’s spirit was broken. In the end, her head was chopped off. The Christian church ranked her among the saints, and from then on, a feast dedicated to the memory of this holy great martyr appeared in the church calendar. To the question of the uninitiated: “When is Tatyana's Day?” - one can safely answer: “January 25.” However, the reason this saint became the patroness of all students remains a mystery to us. And maybe this is just a coincidence?
Birthday of Moscow State University
Probably, many know that the first Russian university was founded in 1755 in Moscow by decree of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. The date of signing the decree coincided with Tatyana's day (according to the old style - January 12). Since then, Tatyana has become the patroness of all students. Much later, Nikolai the First issued a decree on celebrating not the day of the opening of the university, but on considering this date as the Day of all students. Starting from this time, only students of Moscow University, and then students of other universities of the country, began to celebrate their “professional” holiday on January 25, the day that, according to the church calendar, is the name day of all Tatyans. On this day, passing all exams, students organized magnificent public festivities. In those days, the celebration of this day was a real event for Moscow.
Girls named Tatyana
In connection with this holiday, girls - Tatyana were most lucky, regardless of whether they are students or schoolgirls, office workers or housewives. All owners of this name on this day are bombarded with flowers and gifts. Guys in love with them, from the first day they meet, they become interested when Tatyana's Day. It turns out that the owners of this beautiful name in their holiday calendar have one more holiday than, for example, Natasha or Masha. After all, all their friends always know for sure when Tatyana's Day is the patroness of all students, but for students who are birthday girls, this is a double holiday.