Today, Ukrainians celebrate several important dates at once - church, professional and international. On this day, believers honor the memory of the holy Monk Hilarion the Great, as well as celebrate Pharmacist's Day, World Reptile Day and Iodine Deficiency Day. There are 71 days left until the New Year.
According to the new calendar, Orthodox Christians honor Hilarion the Great, one of the first hermits of Palestine, a spiritual disciple of Saint Anthony the Great. Born around 291 near Gaza, Hilarion renounced a life of luxury, converted to Christianity, and devoted himself to prayer, fasting, and service to people. He is considered the founder of monasticism in Palestine and the patron saint of those seeking spiritual purification and strength of spirit.
The people called this day the Day of Autumn Winds. According to tradition, it was on October 21 that the "autumn wind was released" so that it would cleanse the earth before winter. They believed that if the day was clear, the winter would be mild, and if a strong wind blew, it would be a blizzard. Frost in the morning promised cold and sunny weather.
It was forbidden to start important matters, make deals, and set off on long journeys—it was believed that Hilarion warned of failure. It was also not recommended to quarrel or wash clothes after sunset—so as not to “attract the cold.”
October 21 also has a modern significance: this day marks the professional holiday of pharmacists - people who stand guard over health, providing society with medicines and advice on their safe use. It is a day of gratitude to pharmacists, technologists, quality controllers and everyone who develops the pharmaceutical industry of Ukraine.
In addition, the world celebrates World Reptile Day, an environmental initiative designed to remind people of the importance of preserving reptiles, as well as World Iodine Deficiency Day, which calls for taking care of thyroid health and consuming foods rich in iodine.
Among those born on this day are Anatoly, Arkady, Hilarion, Vasyl, Sergey, Dmitry, Alexander, Fedor, Pelageya. Those born on October 21 have a talisman - charoite, a stone of harmony, peace and restoration of inner balance.
