Today, August 31, the Spasskaya Tower horse riding arena on Red Square hosted the solemn holy service dedicated to the Day of Saints Flours and Laurus, patrons of horses and all domestic animals.
The ceremony was served by Protoiereus Vyacheslav Shestakov, hegumen of the Patriarch Courtyard of Zaryadye.
After the service Protoiereus Vyacheslav Shestakov aspersed all the horses and riders of the Kremlin Equestrian School wishing them health and well-being.
The tradition of honoring Saints Florus and Laurus came to the ancient Russia from the Balkans, the motherland of the saint brothers. Living in the 2nd century A.D. the brothers were stonecutters and were building a pagan temple in Illyricum (the present-day Balkans). When the temple was completed Saints Florus and Laurus gathered all the Christians involved in the construction, demolished all the idols and erected a holy cross inside. Then they spent the whole night praying. For doing this the saint brothers following the order of Likaion, the prefect of Illyricum, were thrown down an empty well and covered over with earth. According to the legend, then the holy relics were dug out the loss of livestock stopped. It was regarded as a miracle.
Back in the past the Day of Saints Florus and Laurus was widely celebrated across the ancient Russia. This day the horses were especially honored. They were not saddled or cartered, only taken care of. Their manes and tails were dressed with colorful ribbons. Saints were honored with special services and horses were sprinkled with holy water. That cured the horses and made them stronger.
The second part of the program dedicated to the Horse Day featured the performance by the Kremlin Equestrian School and the Cavalry Escort of the Presidential Regiment together with the Kids Ceremonial Riding Group of the Kremlin Equestrian School.
