A special Russian holiday on August 21 — Miron Vetrogon: history, traditions, omens

Every year on August 21, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Myron, Bishop of Crete. In 2025, the celebration falls on a Thursday. In folk tradition, it is called Miron Vetrogon, as strong winds often blow in August. Izvestia tells about the history and traditions of the holiday.

The church holiday on August 21 is the Memorial Day of St. Myron of Crete.

Myron of Crete lived in the III–IV centuries. The future bishop was born into a poor but pious family. His parents were farmers and taught their son to work from early childhood. When he got older, Myron got married and began cultivating the land himself.

The saint was distinguished by piety and kindness. He never refused to help those in need and often gave the last. But by the grace of God, Myron's family did not have to starve, as the size of the harvest always covered the amount of alms given.

According to legend, one morning Myron found thieves in his threshing floor and, instead of chasing them away, helped to carry out heavy sacks of grain. The criminals were so impressed by his act that they decided to return to honest work. Soon the inhabitants of the saint's hometown, Ravkia, found out about this and elected him a presbyter.

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Myron tirelessly took care of his flock. During the years of persecution of Christians under Emperor Decius, he supported the faith of parishioners with his sermons and personal example, and after the death of the ruler he became bishop of Crete.

Over the years of his ministry, Myron has performed many miracles. During a devastating flood, he stopped the Triton River and crossed it as if by land, and then with one movement returned the stream to the channel, preventing disaster.

The saint died around the year 350 at the age of 100.

Traditions of the national holiday Miron Vetrogon on August 21

In Russia, the memorial day of Myron of Crete was named Myron Vetrogon, as strong winds began to blow at the end of August. Despite the inclement weather, on the holiday they went to pick berries and mushrooms, including blackberries — jam was made from it, and the leaves were added to tea and medicinal decoctions.

Field work continued on Miron Vetrogon. August 21 was considered the last day when winter crops could be sown. "You won't be able to get rid of Myron — you'll only pick flowers next year," the ancestors said. Also on this day, it was customary to help widows and orphans with household chores who did not have time to complete the sowing and other tasks. Hence the other name of the holiday — Widow's Help.

Myron paid special attention to the wind. On this day, there were often whirlwinds that captured small debris and dust. Before the adoption of Christianity, they were considered the grandchildren of the wind god. After the Baptism of Rus, a new legend appeared — strong gusts of wind began to be called the breath of the Almighty.

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On the holiday, the villagers were guessing at fate. To do this, you had to go out to the intersection and say your wish out loud. If the wind was blowing in your face after that, you expected your plans to be fulfilled in the near future, and if you were in your back, you understood that you would have to be patient to achieve what you want. Single girls and boys asked the wind for help in matters of the heart.

What not to do on the national holiday Miron Vetrogon on August 21

The Orthodox Church does not impose any special prohibitions on the day of Myron of Crete's memory. However, believers should remember that the holiday falls on the Dormition Fast, which is comparable in severity to the Great One. Those who are ill should not eat meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. In addition, one should refrain from secular entertainment and noisy feasts, since lent is a time of prayer, repentance and self—improvement.

In Russia, on the day of Myron Vetrogon, they feared a collision with whirlwinds, as they believed that evil spirits could hide in them. To protect themselves, stones and even knives were thrown into the center of the vortex. They also tried not to swear or swear when the wind was blowing. It was believed that all the negativity would return in a triple amount, and the person would get sick.

What else can not be done on August 21:

• Picking up money and other valuables on the street is a risk of "taking over" other people's illnesses and misfortunes.;
• Looking in the mirror for a long time can cause you to lose your beauty;
• do needlework, repair clothes and shoes — the products will quickly become unusable.;
• having a lot of fun, drinking alcohol leads to financial difficulties;
• mopping floors and taking out the trash — together with dirty water and garbage, you can "throw away" luck and prosperity.;
• make plans for the future — they won't come true.

Folk signs on August 21

Myron Vetrogon's ancestors paid attention to various signs. They believed that the weather on a holiday would be the same throughout January. There were other signs, too:

• the wind blows from the south — for a good harvest of oats;
• Powerful whirlwinds — it will be cold until Indian summer;
• Heat wave — Indian summer will be long;
• Storm — there will be no Indian summer;
• frost in the morning — for a rich harvest next year;
• There are no ripples on the river at noon, leading to a warm autumn and mild winter.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the history and traditions of the Marina Pimena folk festival.