A special Russian holiday on July 30 is Marina Lazoreva: history, traditions, omens

Every year on July 30, Orthodox believers honor the memory of two saints at once — Marina of Antioch and Lazarus of Galicia. In the national calendar, this day was named Marina Lazoreva. In 2025, it falls on a Wednesday. Read about its history, traditions, strict prohibitions and omens in the Izvestia article.

Marina Lazoreva – 2025: the history of the holiday

Saint Marina was born in the 3rd century in Antioch of Pisidia in the territory of modern Turkey in the family of a pagan priest. The girl learned about the Christian faith from her wet nurse and underwent the sacrament of Baptism.

During the persecution of Christians organized by the Roman emperor Diocletian, the governor of the province tried to convince Marina to renounce the faith, but was decisively refused. For her faithfulness to Christ, the girl was subjected to severe torture, but she was miraculously healed. The shackles fell from her hands, and a heavenly light shone above her head, in which a pigeon circled. After this miracle, many believed in Christ. However, the ruler ordered the execution of not only Marina, but also 15 thousand converts.

Lazarus of Galicia lived much later, in the tenth century. He was originally from Magnesia in Lydia. After receiving a good education, as a young man he began his monastic career at the monastery of St. Sava in Palestine, where he spent ten years. Subsequently, he was ordained a presbyter and settled on Mount Galicia near Ephesus. There he saw a heavenly sign — a pillar of fire and angelic singing. At this place, the saint founded a temple and began the feat of stylization. A monastic community soon formed around him.

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15 years before his death, the monk received a revelation about his departure, but through the prayers of the brethren, the Lord prolonged his earthly life. Saint Lazarus died in 1053, at the age of 72. His relics rested in the pillar on which he labored.

Traditions of the national holiday celebrated in Russia on July 30

In Russia, it was believed that Marina and Lazarus Day was a time of purification, both physical and spiritual. There was a sense of wariness in the atmosphere of the day, so everyday chores were limited to household chores.

The women were engaged in cleaning, washing, and also getting rid of old and unnecessary things that could attract negative energy. Everything that no longer served was taken out of the house, but not thrown away, but given to those in need. According to beliefs, the more useless you give away on this day, the more profit it will turn out to be.

On Marina and Lazarus Day, special attention was paid to self-care. According to beliefs, hair should be cut and hygiene procedures performed on the holiday. In this way, the ancestors got rid of the accumulated negativity. The people believed that the neater the appearance, the body, the cleaner and clearer the soul becomes.

The festive table on July 30th was fishy. Fish soup, fish pies, fried or stewed fish symbolized luck and abundance. In Russia, it was believed that such a treat guaranteed prosperity and family well-being for the whole year.

What not to do on a holiday Marina Lazoreva

In Russia, believers on this day turned to the saints with prayers for help in raising children, for peace in the family, and also asked for health for loved ones.

The national holiday Marina Lazoreva was considered a dangerous, magical day. Any initiatives, especially those related to finance, were strictly prohibited. The ancestors believed that the changes that began on July 30 risked ending in failure.

On this day, they avoided leaving the house unless absolutely necessary, for fear of encountering evil spirits. Romantic acquaintances were also avoided. According to beliefs, the meetings that took place on July 30 rarely brought happiness.

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Girls were forbidden to let their hair down, it was believed that evil spirits could hide in them. It was not necessary to leave windows and doors open on a holiday, so as not to "invite" evil spirits into the house. But guessing on July 30 was allowed.

Lightning and thunderstorms were perceived by the ancestors as a bad omen. It was dangerous to look at them, it threatened to lose luck. Conversations during thunder should have been stopped immediately, otherwise conflict was inevitable.

Even fishing, despite the abundance of fish on the festive table, was not encouraged on this day, it was believed that on July 30 there would be no luck in this matter. For the same reason, you should not have gone into the forest to hunt for mushrooms and berries.

Folk signs for July 30th

On Marina Lazorevaya, the ancestors observed nature to predict what the weather would be like. Thunder foreshadowed a rainy autumn and a harsh winter. And the birds seen above the water promised an early return of the heat.

Special attention was paid to the dreams that came on the eve of the holiday. They were considered prophetic and were supposed to come true in the next three days.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the history and traditions of the national holiday Akila Solomennyi.