What is celebrated on October 2 in Ukraine: all about this day

Every day of the calendar has its own special charm and meaning. For example, October 2 is a date rich in events and holidays, both religious and secular.

This day also played an important role in world history. OBOZ.UA tells more about it and its significance.

Commemoration of the Holy Martyr Cyprian, Bishop, Martyr Justina and Martyr Theoktistos

On October 2, the Christian community honors the memory of three important figures: the Holy Martyr Cyprian, the Martyr Justina, and the Martyr Theoktistos. Cyprian originally practiced magic and pagan religions, but later converted to Christianity thanks to Justina's deep faith, which withstood his temptations and persecution.

After his conversion, Cyprian became a zealous defender of the faith and a preacher of Christian values, but later both believers were tortured, which they withstood with dignity thanks to God. Looking at the martyrs, the warrior Theoktistos also declared himself a Christian and was executed along with them.

Commemoration of the Blessed Andrew, Fool for Christ's Sake, of Constantinople

This day is also the feast day of Blessed Andrew, known in the Christian tradition as Christ the Fool. He lived in Constantinople and gained special fame because he took one of the most paradoxical paths of holiness. Andrew voluntarily took on the appearance and behavior of a madman in order to become closer to God. For this, he received the gift of insight and saved many from spiritual destruction.

International Day of Nonviolence and Mahatma Gandhi Day

On October 2, the world celebrates the International Day of Nonviolence, which was proclaimed by the United Nations in 2007. This holiday is dedicated to the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian national liberation movement, who became a symbol of the struggle for freedom and human rights through peaceful means. He promoted non-violence and believed that it and civil resistance could lead to sustainable peace and justice without coercion and suffering.

Gandhi also played a decisive role in India's independence from Great Britain, so October 2 is also the day of this great leader.

Other holidays in 2024

• World Farm Animal Day;
• Random Acts of Poetry Day;
• Rosh Hashanah or the Jewish New Year.

Notable events

1836 - Charles Darwin returned from a trip around the world that led to the creation of his theory of evolution.

1918 - Hetman of Ukraine Pavlo Skoropadsky began forming the Ukrainian National Guard.

1990 - Representatives of the Lviv Student Brotherhood and the Ukrainian Student Union began a political hunger strike on October Revolution Square (now Independence Square) in Kyiv.

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