Date by the old style: April 23. Saint George the Victorious is a Christian saint, especially venerated in Russia. During the reign of Emperor Diocletian, he suffered for his faith, and after eight days of torture, he was beheaded. Before his death, George managed to destroy the idols in the temple of Apollo and convert the emperor's wife, Alexandra, to Christianity. This saint is also credited with the victory over a dragon that ravaged the lands. In Russia, Saint George's Day became a major holiday. It is called Yuri's or Egoriev Day because these names were traditionally used in Russia to represent the name George. Yuri's Day marked the beginning of active fieldwork. Services were held on fields that had been sown earlier, and the crops were sprinkled with holy water. There were many proverbs about agricultural work: "Egoriy brings warmth, and Nikita brings feed"; "Sow spring crops on Egoriy's Day"; "Sow seedlings before Egoriy's Day and there will be plenty of cabbage"; "On Yuri's Day, only the lazy plow does not go out." Peasants also observed the weather, which could indicate the future harvest. "Frost on Egoriy's Day means there will be millet and oats," people would say. The so-called "Yuri's dew" was believed to have special power. It appeared early in the morning; at this time, one was supposed to go out to the meadow and roll in the grass to become strong and healthy. It was believed that driving livestock to pasture at dawn with a willow branch would benefit them. Thus, the saying went: "On Yuri's dew, the horses don't need oats." However, Yuri's dew could also harm domestic animals. If someone wished harm upon the owners, they could collect the dew, soak a cloth in it, and throw it over the livestock. As a result of such a ritual, cows would stop giving milk, and calves would go blind. On Egoriev Day, livestock were called the "birthday celebrants." They were pampered, cleaned, and fed better than usual. It was also forbidden to do anything with wool — even to touch woolen threads. Shepherds were honored on Yuri's Day too. After the livestock were driven to the pastures, shepherds were treated to scrambled eggs and gifted with fabrics and money. The entire village celebrated this holiday. Name days on this day Alexandra, Anatoly, Athanasius, Valery, Valeria, George, Ivan