Historical Background of the Holiday

Today, on July 21, according to the new church calendar, Ukrainian Orthodox Christians honor the memory of the holy Prophet Ezekiel, as well as the Venerable Simeon the Holy Fool and his companion John. The Prophet Ezekiel lived in the 6th century BC and went down in history for his prophetic visions and calls for the moral purification of society. The Venerable Simeon and John were saints of the 6th century AD. They spent decades in the harsh desert near the Dead Sea, observing a strict fast and absolute silence to achieve spiritual insight. Later, Simeon returned to the people but chose the path of "holy foolishness" to hide his sanctity and help others through humility. In folk tradition, this day is called the "Day of the Silent Ones." It has long been believed that on July 21, one should avoid idle talk, gossip, and foul language, dedicating time to inner peace and prayer.

Nature Signs of the Day:

• Abundant morning dew indicates that the day will be sunny and warm.

• Rainy weather on July 21 foretells a lingering autumn but promises a generous mushroom harvest.

• If the previous night was cold, expect an early and severe winter.

• Morning fog over the water signifies upcoming warmer weather.

Name Days (Origins) on July 21:

• Ivan (from Hebrew "God's Mercy"): People with this name are characterized by deep empathy and inner strength.

• George / Yuriy (from Ancient Greek "Farmer"): Symbolize diligence, resilience, and dedication to their work.

• Semen (from Hebrew "Heard by God"): Responsive individuals who know how to listen and sincerely support others.

• Eugene (from Ancient Greek "Noble"): Bearers of this name often become protectors of the weak.

• Peter (from Ancient Greek "Rock, stone"): Reliable and steadfast in the face of life's difficulties.

• Roman (from Latin "Roman"): Decisive, responsible, and persistent.

• Fedir (from Ancient Greek "Gift of God"): People who bring light, joy, and comfort into the lives of those around them.

• Anna (from Hebrew "Grace, mercy"): The embodiment of boundless care, tenderness, and maternal sacrifice.

The Mission of the CF "Nadiya.ua": How We Overcome Destructive Silence The tradition of the "Day of the Silent Ones" teaches us to value silence as a tool for spiritual growth. However, in modern Ukrainian society, there is a silence that does not heal but hurts. While younger generations actively communicate, there are thousands of elderly people living in Ukraine whose phones remain silent for months. War, migration, and the loss of loved ones have led to the fact that many grandmothers and grandfathers find themselves in absolute social isolation. For them, this emotional deficit is the physical pain of having no one to ask about their health or if they need help.

The Charity Foundation "Nadiya.ua" provides systemic and long-term support to lonely elderly people who find themselves in difficult life circumstances due to the war. To break this tragic isolation and ensure stable help regardless of external crises, we do not spend all funds immediately. Instead, we build a Stable Reserve Fund, forming a stable capital (deposit), and direct the interest from it towards regular aid every year. Furthermore, for elderly people with severe respiratory diseases, we created the "Lung Fund" (Легеневий збір), which is aimed at purchasing oxygen concentrators and vital medicines. This equipment helps them breathe freely and relieves their physical suffering.

 Do not let silence become a life sentence for a lonely person. Your donation is the most sincere manifestation of love that will leave a mark on a lonely person's heart. Support the development of the Stable Reserve Fund or the Lung Fund by making a secure contribution using official bank details (IBAN for UAH and EUR) listed on our website nadiya.co.ua or by using our payment QR code.