Folk signs for August 29: what can and cannot be done

In Russia, omens have been given special importance since ancient times. They were used to judge the weather, when to sow and harvest, and what to expect in the future. Therefore, every day of the national calendar was full of rituals and superstitions. Izvestia tells about the popular signs of Friday, August 29, and which church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for August 29, 2025

In Russia, the Walnut Savior was celebrated on August 29. At that time, the peasants were harvesting nuts and also completing the harvesting of bread. Therefore, another name for the Savior is Bread. It completes a series of August harvest festivals. It is often also called the Third Savior by analogy with the first — Honey (August 14) and the second — Apple (August 19).

According to tradition, on this day our ancestors illuminated the gifts of summer in the church, sharing part of the harvest with the poor. The housewives baked the first rye and wheat bread of the new harvest, and decorated the houses with walnut branches to protect them from evil spirits and diseases. Also in the old days it was customary to steam with hazel brooms. It was believed that this way you could keep healthy for many months.

Great importance was attached to the signs of the day in the Nut Rescue. They were used to judge what events would happen in the future. Most of the predictions were based on nuts. So, if a girl has found a strong nut, then a successful marriage awaits her soon. And if a new acquaintance has happened on a holiday, the relationship will be as strong as a nutshell.

Other signs of the day:

• If there are a lot of nuts in the forest, there will be a lot of bread next year.;
• if you find an empty nut, expect trouble in the fall.;
• if there are plenty of nuts, but few mushrooms, the autumn will be dry.;
• lots of nuts, but few rowan berries — for a cold but short winter;
• nuts are mostly thick—shelled - the winter will be frosty;
• The squirrel makes large stocks of nuts — the winter will be snowy and long.;
• Wild ducks fly in a wedge — the cold is just around the corner;
• a magpie chirps at the house — wait for news;
• a swallow flew in through the window or sat on the windowsill — to hear from her betrothed.

What not to do on August 29

There were a number of prohibitions in Orekhovy Spas, which concerned different spheres of life. The people believed that any neglect of them would turn into trouble — if not immediately, then within a year. For example, it was considered a bad sign to throw away old bread. It promised hunger and various misfortunes. In Russia, bread was treated with respect, as it symbolized prosperity and God's grace.

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Every year, an important Orthodox holiday falls on August 29th.

What else can not be done on August 29:

• engage in heavy physical labor, including field work, with the exception of collecting nuts.;
• picking up sharp objects — in the old days, any blade was symbolically associated with evil thoughts;
• to refuse to help the petitioner, otherwise "luck will close" for the whole next year;
• to conflict, gossip, or wish harm to someone will negatively affect the speaker himself.;
• use other people's towels, otherwise you can attract other people's illnesses and troubles.;
• start new business, as the end of August is considered the time to take stock and thank you for all the good things in the current season.

What is the church holiday on August 29th?

On August 29, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Transfer of the Uncreated Image of Jesus Christ to Constantinople. On this day, they remember the miraculous healing of the ruler of the Syrian city of Edessa, King Abgar. According to legend, he suffered from a serious illness and sent a messenger to Christ asking for help. The Savior gave him an ubrus (cloth), on which His face was miraculously imprinted. After the king venerated the Miraculous Image, the disease receded.

The shrine was kept in Edessa until the 10th century. Then Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus moved it to the capital of Byzantium, Constantinople. There the image was solemnly greeted by the clergy and the people. Since then, the day of the transference has been celebrated as a church holiday.

On the same date, the feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos falls — the first day after the celebration, when festive prayers, chants and akathists continue to be heard in churches. At this time, as well as on the holiday itself, believers remember the events of the last days of the life of the Virgin Mary and her transition to eternal life.

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The Orthodox holiday is celebrated annually on August 28.

Prayers on August 29

Before the Savior, they pray for strengthening in faith, healing from mental and physical illnesses, and help in solving life difficulties. On the feast of the Dormition, they read the akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos and pray in front of the icon of the Dormition, asking for spiritual support, intercession and peace in the family.

Prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ

"O Most Gracious Lord Jesus Christ, our God! You sometimes washed Your most holy face with water and wiped it with a cloth, and you were pleased to depict it wonderfully on the same cloth to Prince Abgar of Edessa for the healing of his illness. Behold, thy sinful servants, who are afflicted with our mental and bodily ailments, we seek thy face, O Lord, and with David we call in the humility of our souls: do not turn Thy face away from us, and turn away in anger from Thy servants; be our helper, do not cast us off, and do not forsake us. O All-merciful Lord, to our Savior! Imagine to yourself in our souls that we may be Your sons and heiresses of Your kingdom, dwelling in holiness and righteousness, and so we will never cease to glorify You, our Most Merciful God, together with Your Beginningless Father and the Most Holy Spirit. Amen to that."

Prayer to the Mother of God

"We sing praises to Your mercy, O Most Holy Mother of God! Do not turn away from our prayers, but deliver us from troubles and misfortunes. The only Holy and Blessed Mother of God Save us! You, the long-suffering Mother of God, surpass all those living on earth in faith and suffering. Hear us and do not forsake us in difficult moments, keep us under the protection of Your mercy and compassion. It is only by Your side that we find refuge and warm intercession in the darkness of hell. Only you have permission to turn to Your Son and beg him for our salvation and passage to the Kingdom of heaven, where we will sing praises to Your Son, His Father, and You, the Lady of peace forever and ever. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia told us what prayers are read for the Transfiguration of the Lord.