A significant Russian holiday on May 24 is Mokey Wet: folk signs and prohibitions

On May 24, the church honors the memory of Saint Moki of Amphipolis, a Christian priest who suffered during the persecution of Christians. In the national calendar, the day is known as Mokey Wet, as the holiday often had rainy weather. In 2025, St. George's Day falls on a Saturday. Izvestia tells us what traditions and omens are associated with this national celebration.

What is the holiday on May 24th?

Saint Moki lived in the 3rd century and was a priest in the Macedonian city of Amphipolis. He zealously preached the Christian faith among the pagans, persuading them to renounce idolatry and accept baptism. For this, Mokiy was repeatedly tortured. He was thrown into a red-hot furnace and given to the lions, but each time he bravely endured all the trials, remaining unharmed.

Seeing the martyr's inflexibility, he was sent to the city of Perinthos, and from there to Byzantium, where he was executed by beheading. Later, a church was built in Constantinople in honor of Saint Moki and his relics were transferred there. A memorial day for the Christian ascetic was also established.

On a memorable date, believers visit the temple and pray to the saint. It is believed that it helps strengthen faith and promotes family well-being. In Russia, the holiday fell at the height of field work, so they also asked for a rich harvest.

Mokey Wet in 2025 — traditions and prohibitions

In the folk tradition, the righteous man is known as Mokey the Wet. On this day, the peasants judged what to expect in the coming season — drought or rains. In the villages they said: "Wet on Mokia — wait for summer even wetter", "Fog on Mokia — for wet summer".

On Moke Day, the peasants were mainly engaged in daily housework. They didn't work on earth during the holiday. In a number of regions, a ritual was spread on Mokia to protect the harvest. A Christmas bundle of straw or willow branches left over from Palm Sunday were burned in the field. Our ancestors believed that in this way it was possible to protect crops from heavy rains and hail.

In order not to invite trouble, it was forbidden to approach reservoirs on this day. According to popular beliefs, by the end of spring, mermaids were already awakening. They could drag those who came close to the water to the bottom. Even talking near rivers and lakes was considered dangerous.

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What not to do on a holiday today, May 24th

There are many other prohibitions associated with the holiday. First of all, they relate to marriage traditions. So, unmarried girls are not allowed to sweep the floor unless they want to sweep all the grooms.

May 24 is also the right moment to break up with an unsuitable partner. There is a chance to maintain a good relationship and meet a new love. Lovers on this day should wait with confessions of their feelings, otherwise they will be disappointed.

Couples are encouraged to spend time with their loved ones. For example, to gather at a festive table, as was customary in the old days.

The day before, Simon's Day was celebrated in Russia, which was associated with the agricultural calendar and fell on the memorial day of the Apostle Simon the Canaanite. Read about the traditions of the holiday in the Izvestia article.