A special national holiday on May 27 is Sidor Bokogrei: history, traditions, omens

Every year on May 27, Orthodox believers honor the memory of the Martyr Isidore of Chios, who suffered for Christ in the third century, and Blessed Isidore Tverdislov, the miracle worker of Rostov in the 15th century. In the national calendar, the holiday is known as Sidor Bokogrei, Sidor Borage, Sivers. In 2026, it falls on a Wednesday. Read about its history, traditions, signs and strict prohibitions in the Izvestia article.

What is the church holiday on May 27th?

Isidore of Chios was born in Alexandria in the 3rd century. He was a Christian and did not hide his faith, lived modestly and righteously, and avoided pagan rituals that contradicted Christian teaching.

In the first year of the reign of Emperor Decius, who took the throne in 249, the Roman Empire recruited people fit for military service. Isidore was accepted into the regiment of the military commander Numerius, and then his unit was sent to the island of Chios in the Aegean Sea.

After the release of the imperial decree obliging soldiers to worship the Roman gods and make sacrifices to them, Isidore was denounced by Numeria. Summoning a subordinate for questioning, the military commander tried to persuade him to follow the order, promising to save his life, but he refused.

For his steadfastness in faith, Isidore was sentenced to torture. According to church tradition, during the torture he continued to praise Christ and denounce the pagan gods. Then Numerius ordered that his tongue be taken out, but the martyr's speech remained intelligible. The commander himself, frightened by what he saw, fell to the ground and was speechless. Rising, he motioned for a tablet and wrote an order to execute the saint. His body was abandoned without burial, but the secret Christian Ammonius took the remains and buried them.

On the same day, the church commemorates Blessed Isidore Tverdislov. He was born in the 15th century in Prussia into a wealthy family, but converted to Orthodoxy in his youth and left the secular life. After long wanderings, he came to Rostov the Great, where he chose the feat of foolishness.

Trinity 2026: How the Descent of the Holy Spirit changed the history of Christianity and the whole world

In 2026, Christians of the Eastern Rite will celebrate the holiday on May 31.

Isidore lived in a hut made of brushwood, walked the streets barefoot in any weather, and endured ridicule, cold, and hardship. The townspeople did not immediately understand him, but over time he gained fame as a miracle worker and seer.

One of the legends tells about a merchant from Rostov who was thrown overboard during a sea voyage. The ship was caught in a storm, and the satellites decided that the disaster was someone's fault. The lot fell on the owner of the vessel, after which he was thrown into the sea. The merchant was already drowning in the waves when he saw the image of Isidore. Through the saint's prayers, he found himself back on the ship. After that, the rescued man always bowed to the fool from afar, but did not violate his request not to tell anyone about what had happened.

Another famous legend is connected with the wedding of Prince Savva Obolensky. During the feast, Isidore entered the chamber, put on the groom a wreath woven from grass and flowers, and said that this was his episcopal hat. Then the words of the holy fool seemed strange, the prince was not going to take holy orders. But later, after the death of his wife Daria, Savva really went to a monastery, took vows with the name Joasaph, and in 1481 became Archbishop of Rostov.

After his death, Isidore was buried in the very hut where he lived. A wooden church of the Ascension was erected over the grave, later it was replaced by a stone one. People came to the coffin of the Rostov wonderworker with prayers for help, healing and protection in difficult circumstances.

Traditions of the Sidor Bokogrei national holiday on May 27

In Russia, the name Isidore was shortened to the more familiar Sidor. By May 27, the sun was already noticeably warming, the cold northern winds, which were called sievers, were receding, and the peasants began to plant cucumbers. Therefore, in the national calendar, the day of veneration of saints was named Sidor Bokogrei, Sidor Borage or Sivery.

The main business of the day for the peasants was planting cucumbers. In warm areas, on May 27, seedlings were planted in the open ground or seeds were sown in prepared beds; in cooler areas, the ground was prepared, the seeds were checked and the weather was suitable. Cucumbers were considered a sensitive crop, so they were careful about planting, chose a warmer place, and tried not to work in irritation or after a quarrel.

On Sidor, if the weather was favorable, flax sowing also began. In this regard, the peasants had a special sign — if there was no light dust on the willows, similar to feathers, it was possible to go out into the field.

On this day, the housewives tried to put the yard in order, inspect the beds, fix fences, remove excess at the entrance to the house, and also read conspiracies about the prosperity and strength of the family. The ancestors believed that the end of May should be celebrated in order, then everything will be harmonious in business.

Memorial Saturdays in 2026: calendar, rules of commemoration

It was considered a good day for planting trees, shrubs and flowers. When planting a plant, the ancestors mentally made a wish. There was a belief that, along with the root, a request for future well-being goes into the ground, and the sprout will "pull" it to fulfillment. Planting done with a kind word and pure intention was especially appreciated, such a tree or bush should have taken root better and brought good luck to the house.

What not to do on Sidor Bokogrei holiday

In Russia, Sidor Bokogre was associated with various superstitions and prohibitions. You shouldn't have quarreled with your family that day. The ancestors believed that a harsh word spoken on May 27th could provoke a big conflict that would spoil relations in the house for a long time.

What else can't be done on May 27:

• stumbling on the threshold, immediately entering the house leads to quarrels;
• sleeping together on the same pillow — people may have "confused thoughts", it will become more difficult for them to understand each other;
• returning home from half the way — any business started after such a turn can fail if you still had to return — look in the mirror, look under the rug, or berate yourself out loud to avert trouble.;
• discussing important plans while sitting on the corner of the table — a sharp corner will "cut off" luck, and the plan will not come true.;
• to start serious conversations in a bad mood — decisions made on emotions can lead to mistakes and quarrels.

Folk signs for May 27

On Sidor Bokogre, peasants closely watched nature, birds, the sky, and the sunset in order to determine by signs what the summer would be like, whether to expect warmth, rain, and a rich harvest.:

• Nightingales are singing loudly — the summer will be fruitful, generous with grain, vegetables, fruits and mushrooms;
• swallows fly high — the weather will be clear and dry;
• Swallows and swifts are keeping low to the ground — it's going to rain soon;
• the day turned out to be sunny and warm — cucumbers will be well taken and will yield a rich harvest.;
• it started to rain — the fruit trees will be well tied, you can expect a lot of apples, pears and berries;
• The weather is calm and clear — the beginning of summer will be just as smooth and favorable.;
• the day is cold, cloudy, with a northerly wind — the heat will not come immediately, prolonged cool days are possible;
• the rainbow appeared from the north side — the last days of spring will be sunny, the rainbow rose in the west — to wet, cloudy and cold weather;
• there are a lot of storm clouds in the sky — it will often rain in June, the sky is clear — the first summer month will be dry;
• in the evening, a red sunset and transparent clouds will lead to a rapid change in the weather and inclement weather;
• birds are noisily circling the houses — the warmth is already close, but a brief rain is possible before it.

Earlier, Izvestia listed rituals and conspiracies for the Trinity that attract health and wealth.