The Day of the Assumption of the Righteous Anna is August 7: what can and cannot be done

The Orthodox Church honors the memory of the righteous Anna, who played an important role in the history of Christianity. The day of her assumption is connected not only with spiritual tradition, but also with folk customs. In Russia, the memorable date was called Anna Letnaya Day. The history and traditions of the Orthodox holiday on August 7 are in the material of Izvestia.

Anna Letaya's Assumption Day on August 7: history

On August 7, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of Righteous Anna, the mother of the Most Holy Theotokos. In church books and lives, Anna is mentioned not in the canonical Gospels, but in the apocrypha of the Protoevangelium of James and the Gospel of Pseudo‑St. Matthew."

Joachim's wife, also a revered saint, Anna, remained childless for many years, but after much prayer and the appearance of an angel, she miraculously conceived and gave birth to a daughter, Mary, the future Mother of God. According to legend, Anna died at the age of 79, two years after Joachim's death, and was buried near the Garden of Gethsemane near the Mount of Olives. The dormition of the righteous Anna signifies her demise — the transition from earthly life to eternal life.

Memorial Day is celebrated annually on August 7 in the new style (July 25 in the old style). In the national calendar, the holiday was named "Anna Summer", "Anna Kholodnitsa" or "Winter Signifier".

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Righteous Anna is recognized in Orthodoxy as the intercessor of families, motherhood, and destitute and infertile women. On this day, believers turn to the saint with prayers for the gift of children, the good health of babies and family well-being.

Folk traditions accompany the holiday with pronounced social and household rituals. The women held "bachelorette parties", discussed their personal lives, and made plans for the future.

Married housewives were engaged in cleaning and cooking treats from early potatoes, mushrooms and berries. Starting from that day, the first potato harvest began. Dishes from the young tuber were boiled and fried, draniki and pies were prepared.

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Special attention was paid to horses: they were bathed, decorated with ribbons and bells, horse races were organized, and the strength and endurance of animals were evaluated. These traditions were associated with the folk belief that horses require respect: the health of the horse was directly linked to the well-being of the owner.

What can and cannot be done on August 7

In the national calendar, August 7 is considered a day when you can observe the weather to predict the nature of the winter season. According to beliefs, the morning weather indicates the upcoming December climate, and the afternoon weather indicates what it will be like in the remaining winter months.

Mushrooms and berries have long been harvested on this day for the winter. It was also believed that weddings and christenings were especially favorable — such events would bring health and a long life to the family.

Along with what was allowed, there was also a list of prohibitions. First of all, it was forbidden to quarrel, sort things out, make a row or gossip — this, according to beliefs, could lead to discord in the family and other troubles.

On this day, you can not indulge in riotous fun. The tradition goes back to the church's understanding of the Dormition as a quiet, bright passage into eternity. Righteous Anna, the mother of the Virgin, died peacefully and piously, and on her day, believers strive to remain calm, avoiding excesses, noisy feasts and unbridled entertainment. Even joy on this day should be restrained, imbued with gratitude and prayer.

On August 7, one should not be lazy, this prohibition is connected both with Christian morality and with national economic practice. On August 7, as a rule, important housework and gardening fell out: digging potatoes, picking berries, and storing supplies.

It was believed that laziness on this day would attract poverty and crop failure, as well as affect the health of the whole family. Idleness among women was especially condemned, since righteous Anna is considered the patroness of the hearth, motherhood and care.

It is strictly forbidden to swear on August 7, swearing and evil words on the day of the assumption of the holy woman were regarded as a grave sin and disrespect. People believed that profanity on this day especially "dirties" the soul, and even an accidentally spoken rude word could attract quarrels, illnesses and troubles into the house.

Idle talk on this day was perceived as a sign of frivolity, inappropriate on the saint's memorial day. It was believed that verbosity without meaning was a sin before heaven, especially if the actions of others were discussed, ridicule or gossip appeared in these conversations.

It was also forbidden to bargain: It was believed that any changes in price could lead to a loss of profit or a reduction in revenue. It was undesirable to repair clothes and shoes, as repairs on that day could lead to damage to things and trouble in the house.

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It was not recommended to transplant indoor plants, as they might not take root and die. However, transplanting in the garden was allowed in some regions. Particular attention was paid to the prohibition of eating meat, especially horse meat. It was believed that this could cause illness or trouble.

In addition, evening walks were avoided, according to beliefs, it was on this evening that evil spirits could roam the courtyards, a collision with which promised trouble.

Anna Letaya's Assumption Day on August 7: folk signs

In folk tradition, August 7 is also known as the day of Anna the Winter Signifier or the Cold One. It was believed that from this date, nature begins its slow transition to autumn: the nights become noticeably cooler, frost may appear. According to weather signs, conclusions were drawn about the upcoming winter.

Rain on this day was perceived as a symbol of a snowy and mild winter, and frost on the grass or frozen dew could portend especially frosty winter months.

Animals were also observed that day. If the ants built tall and dense anthills, then the winter promised to be snowy and cold. Flocks of storks preparing for departure also testified to the imminent and frosty onset of the winter season. If the bird cherry was bearing fruit abundantly, they expected late autumn. If there was a large harvest of acorns in the forest, then this foreshadowed a warm winter.