Folk signs for May 19th: 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, so every day of the national calendar was full of rituals and superstitions. Izvestia tells about popular signs for May 19th and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for May 19th

In Russia, on May 19, the day of Job the Horoshnik was celebrated. It was by this time that the earth was finally warming up, and therefore a favorable period for sowing peas and other legumes was coming. It was believed that if you planted peas on Job, the harvest would not only be generous, but also incredibly sweet.

They tried to carry out the work from early in the morning, while the ground still retained moisture after the dew. There were special rituals: before the start of sowing, prayers were read and Saint Job was asked to protect the crop from drought and pests. On this day, the women began sorting out seeds for future plantings. In addition to field work, litter was swept out of the houses. In the old days, it was believed that quarrels and illnesses left the home with him.

The weather was given special importance on Job the Horoscope. Observing nature helped predict what the summer and future harvest would be like. It was believed that a morning fog would bring a lot of beans, and a clear and warm day would bring a sunny summer. If it rained on May 19, then expect a bountiful mushroom season in July.

Other signs of the day:

• clouds are moving fast across the sky, leading to a change in the weather;
• The north wind is blowing, leading to a cold snap and a prolonged spring;
• Birds fly low — to the rain;
• mosquitoes are circling in columns — for persistently warm weather;
• thunder rumbles, but there is no rain — a lot of berries will be born in the forests.

What not to do on May 19th

There were certain prohibitions and superstitions on the holiday, which they tried to adhere to in order not to bring trouble. Our ancestors feared that violating these rules would lead to crop failures and other troubles. For example, it was not recommended to be lazy and postpone planting, otherwise you could be left without a crop. They also avoided swearing and conflicts, believing that this would negatively affect the seedlings.

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What else can't be done on May 19th:

• quitting a job you've started leads to financial losses.;
• making noise and swearing in the field can "scare off" the harvest;
• sowing spoiled seeds leads to an invasion of pests;
• to refuse help leads to poverty;
• To work without prayer is useless.

What is the church holiday on May 19th?

On May 19 (May 6, Old Style), the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the righteous Job the Long—suffering, one of the most revered saints of the Old Testament. Job was a rich and pious man, but by God's permission he lost everything — property, health, livestock. Despite this, he did not renounce God and kept his faith.

The saint was rewarded for his patience and humility: prosperity was restored to him and longevity was granted. The Lord not only healed Job of a serious illness, but also doubled everything he had before: his flocks, riches and house were filled with abundance again. Job lived for many years, saw his descendants to the fourth generation, and died at a ripe old age.

On the same day, St. Micaiah of Radonezh, a disciple and associate of Sergius of Radonezh, is remembered. Micah lived in the 14th century and labored in the Trinity-Sergius Monastery. According to legend, he was one of the few who was honored to witness the greatest miracle — the appearance of the Most Holy Theotokos. The monk lived a short life, he died on May 6, 1385, leaving a significant mark in the history of Russian monasticism.

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Prayers on May 19th

They pray to the righteous Job for strengthening faith and help in difficult life circumstances. He is asked for support in illnesses, solace in sorrows and deliverance from despair. They pray to St. Micah of Radonezh for spiritual strengthening, humility and guidance on the righteous path. Both saints are also considered intercessors before God during difficult periods of life.

Prayer to Job the Long-suffering

"O great righteous one, O Long-suffering Job, who hast shone forth through his pure life and holy closeness to God. You lived on earth before Moses and Christ, but you fulfilled all the commandments of God, carrying them in your heart. <...> In the special temptations sent to you by the Lord, overcoming your true humility, you appeared to the whole universe as an image of suffering and longsuffering. Having preserved your great love for God and for all people in your immeasurable sorrows, you joyfully awaited union with the Lord with a pure heart beyond the grave. Now <...> hear us sinners and unseemly, who stand before your holy icon. <...> Pray to God, who loves mankind, that He may strengthen us in a strong, immaculate and indestructible faith, protect us from all evil, the enemy of the visible and invisible, give us strength in tribulation and temptation, and preserve our mortal memory forever in our hearts, He will strengthen us in longsuffering and brotherly love, and will make us worthy to receive a kind answer at the last judgment of Christ, and to contemplate the Triune God in our resurrected flesh, and to sing praises to Him with all the saints forever and ever. Amen to that."

Prayer to Micah of Radonezh

"O Most blessed and God-wise Father Micah! You are the true Shepherd of Christ <...> following the life of your teacher, St. Sergius, with whom you were vouchsafed to see the Heavenly Queen, the Most Holy Theotokos, who visits you and graciously promises that she will not depart from this place. O such grace given to you, <...> we humbly beseech you, falling into your most honorable bosom: do not stand with him, praying for us to our Lord Jesus Christ and His Most Pure Mother, so that our country may be preserved in peace and prosperity, and victory may be granted to our enemies, and to all of us in piety and purity. and to establish a quiet and silent life of mutual love, to deliver us from gladness, destruction, fire, sword, internecine warfare, and from every calamity and need, yes, save us soul and body, with one accord we glorify in the Trinity the glorified God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and in all forever and ever. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia told which saints are remembered on the feast of Jeremiah the Harrier.