Naum's Day: The Feast of Wisdom
How Naum's Day shaped Russia's sacred traditions of learning and discipline
In old Russia, Naum's Day was no accident called the "Day of Wisdom." On this day, people prayed to Saint Naum—whose memory is honored—asking him to "enlighten the mind," to inspire and to teach.
There was once a tradition in Russia of bringing children to their teacher on this day. The role of the teacher was held in special esteem, as their work was seen as both vitally important and extraordinarily difficult. By this time, the harvest had already been gathered, and children had few chores left at home, so they were sent off to begin their studies.
According to custom, a mother would lament for her children as they set off to learn, for education in those days was often accompanied by the teacher's rod. Even on the first day of meeting their instructor, each student was to receive three symbolic lashes with a switch. The children, in turn, were required to begin every lesson with three deep bows to their teacher and to obey them without question.
As a token of gratitude for their labor, the parents would present the teacher with a loaf of bread and a towel, into which they would sew money as payment for the lessons. More often, though, tuition was paid in food: a mother might bring the teacher a chicken, a basket of eggs, or a pot of buckwheat porridge.
The students themselves had their own rituals to ensure success on exams. For example:
- Before entering the exam room, they would recite three times—without letting anyone copy from their sheet—"As bright as Sunday morning, so may my mind be clear. As my mother loves me, as my father loves me, as my grandparents cherish and care for me, so may you, my teachers, show me mercy."
- While walking to the exam, they would say: "I go to school to give my lesson, to defend my knowledge. Whatever word I speak, may all bring me praise."
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