A special Russian holiday on August 25 is the Holy Day: history, customs, signs

On August 25, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the early Christian martyrs Anikita and Photius, who lived at the turn of the third and fourth centuries in Nicomedia. In the national calendar, the holiday was called Fotya Povetenny. In 2025, the celebration falls on a Monday. Izvestia tells about the customs and signs of this day.

Fotya Povetenny — what is celebrated on August 25

According to the hagiography, Anikita was a military dignitary who converted to Christianity, and Photius was his nephew. The martyrs suffered during the persecution of Christians under the pagan emperor Diocletian. By decree of the ruler, instruments of execution were installed in the town square in Nicomedia (a city in Asia Minor, now the territory of Turkey) to intimidate Christians. Anikita opposed this, which incurred the wrath of the emperor.

The martyr was subjected to numerous tortures. He was thrown to wild animals, burned with fire, and thrown into boiling tin, but each time he remained unharmed. Moreover, at the saint's prayer, a major earthquake occurred in the city. As a result of the disaster, a pagan temple collapsed, burying many pagans.

Watching what was happening, Anikita's nephew Photius openly supported his uncle, denouncing the pagan gods. For this, both were thrown into a dungeon, and then into a huge furnace. The righteous departed to God with prayer on their lips. However, their bodies were not affected by the fire. Inspired by this miracle, many pagans came to believe in Christ.

With the adoption of Christianity, saints began to be revered in Russia. The day of their memory was called the Day of the Holy Fire, remembering a wonderful event. Another name is Fotya Povetenny. It comes from the word "pow", which in the old days was the name of outbuildings where firewood, livestock feed, harrows, ploughs and other equipment needed in the household were stored.

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Traditions of the Fotya Povetenny holiday

By the end of August, most of the harvest had been harvested, and on the holiday, the peasants began to prepare for winter. Men traditionally insulated cattle pens and cleaned the fields.

In some regions, fires were fumigated with incense and sprinkled with holy water to scare away evil spirits. Then it was not recommended to visit the utility rooms idly.

The women were busy around the house: they were sweeping out the garbage to get rid of the accumulated negative energy, preparing clothes for winter and making preparations. At the same time, the harvest of ripe bird cherry, which was valued for its healing properties, was completed.

The berries were dried, and compotes, jams, and tinctures were made from them. And in winter it was used for colds and for general strengthening of the body. In some houses, bird cherry pies were baked, serving them to relatives and neighbors.

Fotya Povetenny – 2025: what can and cannot be done

According to tradition, household chores should be done on the holiday: put agricultural implements and garden tools in order, tidy up non-residential premises, and, if necessary, insulate the house and barn. Also, with Photius, the villages began to prepare for winter. The women were engaged in harvesting and repairing autumn and winter clothes.

There are also a number of prohibitions against Photius. In the old days, it was believed that this day was not suitable for noisy parties and alcoholic libations. In addition, the Dormition Fast continues at this time, when believers are instructed to take time to pray and observe food restrictions.

What else can not be done:

• to use other people's things, as you can repeat the fate of their owner;
• going up to the attic — the ancestors believed that this could anger the brownie;
• Laughing a lot is believed to lead to insomnia.;
• talking about your problems will only increase after that.;
• quarreling and conflict with loved ones can lead to a complete breakup of the relationship.;
• making a date or matchmaking leads to unrequited feelings.

Folk signs of August 25

Weather signs were given great importance on the holiday. Often, the first frosts had already occurred on Photius, but they were not feared, since almost the entire harvest had been harvested. According to the signs, it was determined what kind of weather would be established before the onset of cold weather. So, if it was rainy on August 25, we knew that we shouldn't hope for a long Indian summer.

Other signs of the day:

• if frost has fallen, it means that you can expect a good harvest of winter crops.;
• If there is fog over the forest, it will start raining soon.;
• a lot of dew promises clear weather for the coming week.;
• warm and clear weather promises a good harvest of porcini mushrooms.;
• The roosters are starting to lose their feathers by the lingering autumn;
• frogs croak loudly — to change the weather;
• moles come out of their holes — to prolonged bad weather.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the national holiday Laurentian Day.