A special national holiday on August 8 is Ermolaev Day: history, traditions, omens

Every year on August 8, Orthodox believers honor the memory of the first Christian martyrs Ermolai, Ermippus and Hermocrates of Nicomedia, who secretly preached faith in Jesus Christ during the persecution of his followers. In the national calendar, the holiday is called Ermolai Day. In 2025, it falls on a Friday. Read about its history, traditions, signs and strict prohibitions in the Izvestia article.

National holiday Ermolai Day – 2025: the history of the holiday

The history of the holiday goes back to the turn of the III and IV centuries. It was then that severe persecution of Christians broke out in Nicomedia, one of the largest cities of the Eastern Roman Empire. In 303, by order of Emperor Maximilian, tens of thousands of believers, including ministers and laypeople, were executed. Saint Ermolai, as well as his companions Ermippus and Hermocrates, miraculously escaped the massacre and continued their secret preaching at the risk of their own lives, hiding from the authorities.

According to legend, Ermolai became the spiritual mentor of the young man Pantoleon, whom he convinced to abandon paganism and convert to Christianity. Later, Ermolai's disciple became famous as the Great Martyr Panteleimon. After his execution, the authorities turned their attention to Ermolai himself and his companions. They were captured and severely tortured, but refused to renounce their faith and sacrifice to pagan gods.

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During the interrogation, an earthquake occurred, which collapsed the temple where the idols were kept. This sign was perceived as a challenge to authority, and Emperor Maximian signed the death sentence, which was carried out.

Traditions of the national holiday celebrated in Russia on August 8th

In Russia, the holiday was called Ermolaev Day. Its other name is Mary's Day (from the word "haze"), because of the mists and dew, which, according to beliefs, fill plants with healing power at this time. On August 8, the women went to the fields and forests to buy medicinal herbs. It was believed that collected on this day, they are especially useful for illnesses and protect the house from evil forces.

If the morning turned out to be clear, the peasants hurried to the fields — the harvest was over. The people said: "Ermolai will have bread in the barns — it will be a generous year."

At this time, the first potato crop was also being dug. Dishes made from this vegetable, as well as wild mushrooms, were sure to appear on the tables: roasts, pancakes, dumplings. The meal on this day symbolized gratitude for the new harvest and the generosity of nature.

The peasants also started picking early apples on Ermolai, but they did not eat them before the Apple Savior. The fruits were used for harvesting — jams, compotes, homemade liqueurs. The first plucked fruit was hidden in the house, believing that it would become a talisman that would preserve prosperity and harmony in the family.

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While working in the garden or in the garden beds, it was customary for the ancestors to tie a red wool thread on their hand as a talisman against fatigue and ailments.

There was also a belief that special luck on August 8 accompanies those whose names begin with the letter E. And those born on this day were considered by their ancestors to be true favorites of fate.

What not to do on Ermolai day

There are many prohibitions associated with Ermolai Day in the folk tradition. Violating these rules was considered dangerous to health, well-being, and family harmony.

What is strictly forbidden to do on August 8:

• To borrow work tools. The ancestors believed that with them you can transfer good luck and well-being.;
• Kill animals, fish and hunt. Any harm to living beings on this day, according to legend, could provoke the wrath of the saints.;
• Women (especially unmarried ones) should be engaged in sewing, embroidery and field work, as such work can promise failure in their personal lives.;
• Men put off promised things, as an unrestrained word can turn into a series of failures for the whole year.

Folk signs for August 8th

On St. Ermolai's Day, peasants in Russia observed nature, trying to determine what the weather and future crops would be like.

Signs of Ermolaev's day:

• Frogs by the water – heavy rains are expected;
• The abundance of mosquitoes and horseflies leads to rapid precipitation;
• Swifts and swallows fly low in the face of bad weather;
• A lot of acorns in the forest — for the harvest year;
• The cuckoo sings — autumn will be warm and late;
• The lime trees are turning yellow — the cold is just around the corner.

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