Folk signs for August 15th: what can and cannot be done
In Russia, omens were given special importance. They judged the harvest, the weather for the coming days and even months, and predicted fate. Therefore, every day of the national calendar was full of rituals and superstitions. Izvestia tells about the signs and church holidays on August 15th.
Folk signs for August 15, 2025
In Russia, on August 15, a holiday called Stepan Hayloft was celebrated. By that day, haymaking was completed in the villages, and dense haystacks appeared in the fields. Hay played an important role in the life of peasants, because it was the main and often the only source of food for livestock in winter. Therefore, the end of the haymaking was accompanied by merry festivities.
Also on this day, it was customary to take care of the main assistants of farmers — horses. They were fed, bathed, and combed to their hearts' content. In order for the animals to be healthy and obedient, they were "watered through silver" — a silver coin was thrown into a bucket or a natural spring and the horses were given to drink.
On the morning of August 15, a "Stepan wreath" of 12 herbs and flowers was collected. It was placed next to the icons and kept until Hilarion Day (April 10). The wreath was used as a universal remedy for diseases. If a family member became ill, some of the herbs were pulled out and a medicinal decoction was prepared from them.
On Stepan Hayloft, attention was paid to weather signs. Here are some of them:
- what is the weather like on August 15, September will be like that; if the day is sunny, then autumn will be warm, rainy — cold;
- rain — for a good potato harvest;
- The loud croaking of frogs and the stuffiness lead to a downpour;
- frogs fall silent in the evening — frosts are possible in the morning;
- A spider weaves a web — to a strong wind;
- cats scratch the walls — in bad weather;
- The sheep stand with their heads together, ready for a thunderstorm.
What not to do on August 15th
Stepan Hayloft falls on the Assumption Fast, which is short but strict. Therefore, on August 15, it was forbidden to eat meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. Noisy feasts and conflicts were also avoided on the holiday.
What else can't be done on August 15th:
- offending horses and other pets, setting traps and traps (including on rodents) is unfortunate;
- lending and borrowing money leads to financial difficulties;
- working overtime leads to illness;
- Telling scary stories — life will go awry;
- Telling them about your plans won't come true.;
- girls getting cats — personal life will be unsuccessful;
- throwing away bread leads to crop failure.
What is the church holiday on August 15th?
On August 15, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the First Martyr Stephen. He was the eldest of the seven deacons chosen by the apostles to serve the Church, and held the title of archdeacon. The saint preached in Jerusalem and took care of the poor, orphans, and widows. His actions aroused the envy and anger of the Jews, as a result, Stephen was accused of blasphemy and disrespect for the law of Moses. During the trial, the deacon denounced the Jews for persecuting the prophets and executing the Savior. After that, he was stoned to death. Stephen became the first martyr in Christian history to suffer for preaching the gospel.
In addition, on August 15, believers remember Blessed Basil of Moscow. He was born in 1468 in Moscow. When the saint turned 16, he embarked on the path of foolishness. Vasily walked barefoot through the streets of the capital every day, wearing the same tattered rags in winter and summer. The blessed one was endowed with the gift of foresight: he saw the seeds of virtue in the souls of fallen people, helping them to improve, and boldly denounced the vices of those in power, including Tsar Ivan the Terrible. The saint also predicted the fire of 1547 in Moscow, drove out a demon in the guise of a beggar, and performed many miracles. He was canonized in 1588, 30 years after his death.
The feast of the Icon of the Mother of God of Achair is also celebrated on August 15.
Prayers on August 15th
On the day of the memory of the First Martyr Stephen and Basil of Moscow, believers pray to the saints, asking for help in their affairs, deliverance from illness, strengthening in faith and guidance on the right path.
Prayer to the First Martyr Stephen
"O Holy First Martyr, the Apostle Archdeacon Stephen! Bend the knee of our soul and heart, we beseech you: lift up your hands to the Lord and encourage the whole human race to intercede and intercede for Your Son, the Most Holy Virgin Mother, and for us (names), who are always angered by sin and laziness, pray to our Good Savior, may He grant us grace to help us to repentance in time of need, and Through your intercession and intercession of His Most Holy Mother, on a terrible and righteous day, may he not set our sins before us, but through His generosity, having been implored by you, may he speak to our soul: I am your salvation forever and ever. Amen to that."
Prayer to Basil of Moscow
"Oh, great servant of Christ, true friend and faithful servant of the Creator of the Lord God, blessed Basil! Hear us, O sinners of many sins, who now sing praises to you and invoke your holy name, have mercy on us, who today fall down before your most pure image, accept our little and unworthy supplication, have mercy on our wretchedness, and through your prayers heal every ailment and disease of our sinful soul and body, and vouchsafe us the course of this life unharmed by to pass away sinlessly from visible and invisible enemies, and to receive a Christian demise, shameless, peaceful, and serene, and to inherit the heavenly Kingdom with all the saints forever and ever. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia told about the folk signs on the Honeymoon.
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