July 3 is a special summer holiday Methodius Sparrowhawk: prohibitions, omens
Every year on July 3, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Holy Martyr Methodius of Patara (Olympic). In 2025, the celebration falls on Thursday. In Russia, this day was called Methodius Sparrowhawk. Read about the traditions and signs associated with it in the Izvestia article.
What is the holiday celebrated today, July 3rd
Saint Methodius lived in the III–IV centuries of our era. He was an outstanding philosopher and theologian, but almost nothing is known about his life. According to legend, he was a meek and patient man, but he firmly defended the purity of the Christian faith, opposed paganism and heretical teachings.
It is known that St. Methodius was a bishop, but information about which department he headed varies. Some sources say that he was bishop of Patara in Asia Minor, others point to the city of Olympus in Lycia. During the time of Emperor Maximin, the saint was captured by pagans and executed.
Saint Methodius left behind a rich literary legacy: writings in defense of Christianity, interpretations of the Holy Scriptures, moral teachings, etc. Many of his works were eventually lost and preserved only in fragments or in the form of translations. Only the "Feast of the Ten Virgins", in which chastity is glorified, has survived completely in the original.
Methodius Sparrowhawk in 2024 — traditions
In Russia, St. Methodius was called Methodius the Sparrowhawk, because bread was ripe in the fields by his feast day, and quails flocked to feast on the grains. From that moment on, the hunting season opened in the villages — people knew that well-fed and overweight birds would not be able to quickly fly away from the hunter.
It was believed that a person who caught a quail on a holiday, along with the prey, would bring home good luck and financial well-being. The most desirable was the white quail, which promised the hunter great happiness for life.
Also on this day, the peasants watched the spiders. If cobwebs and midges were hovering over the field, a quail was most likely hiding there. The behavior of the spiders was also used to judge the weather in the near future. If they were safely weaving a web, there was no need to be afraid of rain, and if they rolled up the net, they waited for bad weather. Hence the second name of the holiday — Spider Web Day.
Methodius Sparrowhawk in 2024 — what can and cannot be done
In the Orthodox tradition, Methodius of Patara Memorial Day is not accompanied by strict prohibitions, but in 2025 it falls during the Peter's Fast, when it is forbidden to eat meat and dairy products. In addition, July 3 is Wednesday, a day of special fasting, in which even fish, which is allowed on other days, is excluded from the diet.
In Russia, many superstitions and prohibitions were associated with the name of Methodius Sparrowhawk. On this day, they avoided eating any bird except quails, so as not to incur misfortune. If a chicken or turkey fell on the table due to carelessness, such food was given to pets.
There was also a belief about caring for spiders and their webs: it was believed that breaking a web would lead to a lack of money and material difficulties. It was a bad omen to take out the trash or get rid of unnecessary things. According to legend, it was possible to lose financial well-being in this way.
In addition, on this day they tried to avoid conflicts and quarrels with loved ones — it was believed that it would be very difficult to reconcile after that, and it was better not to risk harmony in the family.
Earlier, Izvestia told how Fita Day was celebrated in Russia and what prohibitions are associated with this holiday.
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