A special holiday on August 7 is Anna Summer: history, traditions, omens

Every year on August 7, Orthodox believers honor the memory of St. Anna, the mother of the Most Holy Theotokos. In the folk tradition, the holiday is called Anna the Summer or Winter Signifier. In 2025, it falls on a Thursday. Read about its history, traditions, signs and strict prohibitions in the Izvestia article.

Church holiday on August 7 — Anna Summer

Saint Anna came from a family of priests and led a pious life in union with her husband Joachim. For many years, the couple remained childless, which at that time was perceived as a divine punishment, but they continued to pray and maintain hope.

One day, Joachim went to the temple in Jerusalem to offer a sacrifice, but was rejected by the high priest because he had no children. It was a spiritual shock for the man — he retreated to the desert, where he remained in fasting and prayer solitude for forty days.

At the same time, Anna, who was already over 50 years old at that time, being in despair, called out to God with a sincere prayer for the gift of a child with her husband.

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At that moment, an angel appeared to both spouses with the good news that they were destined to become the parents of a girl named Maria, through whom the human race would receive a blessing. In gratitude for the prayers they had heard, Joachim and Anna vowed to dedicate their daughter to the service of God and to raise her in piety and love.

Saint Anna, who showed immense faith, became not only the mother of the Virgin, but also a significant figure in the history of the salvation of mankind. Her life path is perceived as a spiritual feat, a symbol of unshakeable faith, hope and maternal love.

Traditions of the national holiday Anna Summer on August 7th

In Russia, Summer Anna was considered an important milestone in the peasant calendar, when agricultural work entered its final phase and preparations for winter began. At this time, the ancestors began to actively harvest potatoes.

The housewives prepared traditional dishes from the first tubers — pancakes, casseroles, pies and special lean patties. The ancestors were sure that a generous potato treat would bring prosperity to the house for the whole coming year.

In addition, the housewives went to the forest for mushrooms, berries and medicinal herbs. Bird cherry was especially popular, from which compotes were brewed and preparations were made for the winter. Mushrooms were actively salted, dried, fried with potatoes — this combination of products was considered a symbol of fertility and good luck among the peasants.

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The day was also considered a time of matchmaking and strengthening family ties. Weddings, baptisms, and future alliances were arranged in the villages for Anna the Summer. There was a belief that all important family rituals performed on this day would lead to a strong marriage and healthy offspring.

What not to do on the Anna Summer holiday on August 7th

The popular bans on August 7 were not only symbolic, but also practical in nature, related to the peculiarities of peasant life. This day in Russia was considered a holiday of horses, so animals were strictly forbidden to be used in work, to scold and even just to ride them.

What is forbidden on August 7:

• Eat meat. Instead, the housewives cooked vegetable dishes, especially potato dishes.;
• Go outside in the morning in light clothes. It was believed that a cold caught on this day would not go away for a long time.;
• Haggling when buying and selling, especially in the market. According to beliefs, such transactions promise losses.;
• To get into quarrels, to show jealousy, to sort things out. Our ancestors believed that negativity could last for months.;
• Repair clothes, shoes, or sew buttons. It was believed that such things would wear out quickly.

Folk signs for August 7

On Anna Letnaya, the peasants observed nature to determine what the coming winter would be like, so another name for the holiday is "Winter Signifier":

• Clear weather before noon — warm December, but frosts after the New Year;
• Cloudy morning and sunny day — cold autumn, mild winter;
• Cold morning — wait for a harsh, long winter;
• The rapid activity of ants and high anthills lead to early frosts.;
• Heavy rain leads to a snowy but warm winter;
• Frost on plants or glass — winter will be early, with the first frosts already in October;
• Dry and calm weather without wind is a harbinger of a prolonged and windless winter.

Earlier, Izvestia told when and how the national holiday Ermolai Day is celebrated.