Folk signs for May 8th: what can and cannot be done

In Russia, omens have long been given special importance. 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 May 8 and the church holidays that fall on this date.

Folk signs for May 8th

In Russia, Mark Klyuchnik's day was celebrated on May 8. This nickname was connected with a belief that was vital for the farmer: the apostle Mark, revered by the church on this day, was considered the keeper of the keys to heaven, who could "unlock" the firmament and release rain on the earth. During the period of active sowing and germination of winter crops, the drought was worse than any raid, so the peasants prayed fervently to Mark, asking him not to retain moisture. Hence the proverb reflecting this hope was born: "Mark carries the keys from the rain."

In the old days, whole rituals of summoning precipitation were performed on this day. The peasants went out into the fields and recited special spells addressed to the saint, saying: "Rain, rain! On babin's rye, on grandfather's wheat, on maiden's flax — pour a bucket!". It was considered a great sin to scold the lack of rain; on the contrary, people tried to appease the heavens. In addition, May 8 was called a bird holiday — by this time the last migratory birds were returning to their native lands, and our ancestors were closely watching them. If the birds flew to the hemp field in flocks, it promised a rich harvest of cannabis, and then the owners specially scattered the seeds around the yard for the birds that arrived.

The weather signs of that day were especially accurate, because the entire agricultural year depended on them. For example, our ancestors knew that if May 8 turned out to be a clear and sunny day, then the summer would be hot, and the harvest of spring crops would be excellent. At the same time, the peasants were afraid of cold rains: it was believed that if there were small, frequent precipitation on Mark Klyuchnik, beekeepers might not hope for honey this season.

Other signs of the day:

• If three good rains fall, then there will be three full years of bread.;
• the apple tree has not bloomed — there is no need to wait for the harvest of apples;
• The cuckoo is cuckooing — it will be warm until autumn.;
• steep, high rainbow — for good weather; gentle and low — for bad weather;
• aspen stands in catkins — for a rich harvest of oats;
• A dream seen after dawn on May 8 will come true only after eight years.

What not to do on May 8th

There were a number of strict prohibitions on Mark Klyuchnik's day. The ancestors believed that on a holiday one should not spread gossip about acquaintances or strangers, give unsolicited advice, and even more so interfere with someone else's fate by force — it was believed that one's own life would go awry because of such arbitrariness. Quarrels and foul language were also strictly forbidden: one sharp cry, according to beliefs, could attract a series of failures to the house for several weeks ahead. Couples in love were not recommended on this day to make grandiose plans for the future and swear eternal love — this could lead to a quick breakup.

What else can not be done on May 8:

• Holding a grudge against loved ones leads to lingering illnesses;
• to be lazy and spend the day in idleness leads to poverty;
• wearing old and dirty clothes leads to financial losses;
• It is unfortunate to refuse alms to those in need.

What is the church holiday on May 8th?

On May 8, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Apostle of the Seventy and the Evangelist Mark. The author of the second canonical Gospel was not only a chronicler, but also the closest companion of the first-born apostles Peter and Paul. Originally from Jerusalem, he was initiated into the mysteries of the faith from his youth. On the night of Jesus Christ's arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, it was Mark who, wrapped in a cloak, followed the Savior and, captured by the soldiers, fled from them, leaving the veil in the hands of the guards.

The life of the Apostle Mark was full of dangerous missionary journeys. He accompanied his uncle Barnabas and the Apostle Paul on their first trip to Cyprus, and witnessed the struggle between faith and magic when Paul struck the wise man Elim with blindness. Later, he became a disciple of the Apostle Peter, writing down his sermons, which formed the basis of his Gospel, written around the year 62 in Rome. The symbol of the evangelist Mark is a winged lion, a sign of Christ's royal might and the power of His Resurrection.

Saint Mark performed his martyrdom in Alexandria, Egypt, where he founded the first Christian community and the famous Alexandrian College. The pagans, embittered by his preaching, seized the apostle during the Easter service. They tied him up with a rope and dragged him along the pavement, mocking the elder. In prison, Christ appeared to him with the words: "Peace be with you, My evangelist!", strengthening him before his death. The next day, the torments were repeated, and St. Mark died with a prayer on his lips. Later, in 820, during the persecution of Christians in Egypt, the holy relics of the apostle were secretly exported by Venetian merchants and now rest in the Venetian Cathedral dedicated to the Evangelist Mark.

On the same date, believers also remember St. Sylvester of Obnor, a Russian saint who lived in the 14th century (he died on May 8, 1379). He was one of the favorite disciples and tonsured monks of St. Sergius of Radonezh. Burning with a desire for spiritual achievement, Sylvester went to the remote, forested banks of the Obnora River (now Yaroslavl region). He lived alone, eating only herbs and prayer, for many years, until other monks began to flock to him. This is how the Voskresensky Obnorsky Monastery was founded.

Prayers on May 8th

They pray to the Apostle Mark for strengthening faith, for help in studying the Holy Scriptures, and for giving patience in tribulation. He is addressed as a defender against the attacks of evil spirits and sudden death. Orthodox Christians offer prayers to St. Sylvester Obnorsky, who wore heavy iron chains until his death, for the gift of humility, obedience and strength to bear the cross of life. They pray to him for protection from the callousness of superiors and for the preservation of peace in the family, remembering his kindness and love of silence.

Prayer to the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark

"O all-laudable Apostle and Evangelist Marko! Enlighten us with the light of the Lord's Holy Gospel, give us reason to destroy our infirmities, help us not to be separated from our Lord and Saviour, that we may not be separated in the end from the love of God, but protect us with your strong intercession, that the Lord may have mercy on us all through your prayers, that He may enlighten us with His word and destroy the handwriting of our immeasurable sins, and that He may May all the holy apostles in the blessed Kingdom sing praises to the Most Holy and Indivisible Trinity — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit — now and ever, and unto the ages of ages! Amen to that."

Prayer to St. Sylvester of Obnor

"Oh, honest head! The dwelling of the Holy Spirit and the companion of the Angels, Most Blessed Father Sylvester! Having acquired the crown of heavenly glory by living a life pleasing to God, and having great boldness from the Lord, pray for your servants who, with your faith, demand your help and, trusting in your mercy, seek refuge in you. Ask the Lord, the Lover of mankind, for all people who are strangers to a good life and salvation: peace and quiet for the Church, victory and victory for the Orthodox Christians, healing for the sick, remembrance for the weak, confirmation in faith for the weak, education for the young in piety, serenity for all people and from all troubles and deliverance from sorrows, to those who are called upon from this temporary life, is holy parting words, and to those who have passed away, is blessed rest in the Lord. Hear, O God-bearing One, the fervent supplication of thy sinful and unworthy servants, and pour out thy rich mercies upon us, that through thy bounty we may enrich ourselves and glorify the all-honorable and magnificent Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia told what they pray to the Martyr Eusebius of Nicomedia.