January 26, 2025: Feast of Saints Xenophon and Maria - activities to avoid today.

What happened on January 26:

On January 26, the church commemorates Saints Xenophon and Maria. These wealthy and devout Christians from Constantinople raised two sons, whom they sent to study in Beirut. During their voyage, their ship met with disaster, and the sons were presumed dead. However, Arkady and John survived and took monastic vows. After some time, Xenophon and Maria went on a pilgrimage to holy sites and unexpectedly encountered their sons in a monastery. This meeting changed their lives: the couple also became monks and dedicated themselves to serving God.

What not to do on January 26:

• clean the house;
• harm animals;
• quarrel.

Folk signs and beliefs:

• starry night — expect a good flax harvest;
• calm day – spring will be early and warm;
• snowstorm — the end of winter will be frosty.

Name day celebrations:

Arkady, Ivan, Peter, Semyon, Fyodor, Maria.

Born on January 26:

1963 — José Mourinho — the legendary Portuguese football coach, known for managing clubs like Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Inter.

Also on this day:

1875 — American George Greene receives a patent for the first electric-powered drill;

1886 — German engineer Karl Benz is granted a patent for a three-wheeled automobile with an internal combustion engine;

1923 — the literary union "Hart" is established in Kharkiv.