Students' Day (Tatian Day)

On this day, even extremely “sober” students were not touched.It so happened that it was on Tatiana Day, January 12, 1755, that Empress Elizaveta Petrovna signed a decree “On the establishment of Moscow University” and January 12 (25) became an official university day (then it was called the “founding day of Moscow University”). Since then, Saint Tatiana has been considered the patroness of students. By the way, the ancient name "Tatiana" in Greek means "builder".

Initially, this holiday was celebrated only in Moscow, and was celebrated very lavishly. According to eyewitnesses, the annual celebration of Tatiana Day was a real event for Moscow. It consisted of two parts: a short official ceremony in the university building and a noisy festivities, attended by almost the entire capital.

In the XVIII - first half of the XIX century, the university and therefore the student holiday were solemn acts to commemorate the end of the academic year, the public was present, awards were distributed, speeches were made. At the same time, the official university day celebrated with a prayer service at the university church was January 12. But it was not called Tatiana Day, but “the day of the foundation of Moscow University.”

Then followed the decree of Nicholas I, where he ordered to celebrate not the day of the opening of the university, but the signing of the act of its establishment. So the will of the monarch appeared student holiday - Tatiana Day and Student Day.

Despite the fact that the history of the holiday has its roots in the distant past, traditions have been preserved to this day. The student brethren both arranged wide festivities more than a hundred years ago, and in the XXI century prefers to celebrate their holiday noisily and cheerfully. By the way, on this day quarterly even extremely sober students did not touch. And if they approached, they would trumpet and inquire: “Does the student need help?”

However, a student will never miss a chance to take a break from the educational process - according to popular wisdom, only session time distracts him from the endless triumph.