Folk signs for July 8: 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 July 8 and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.
Folk signs for July 8th
In Russia, Peter and Fevronia Day was celebrated on July 8, a holiday that has long been associated with family well—being, marital fidelity and a strong marriage. In folk tradition, it was often called family day. It was considered especially favorable for strengthening family ties and reconciliation. In the old days, it was believed that the love and harmony shown on this day would last for many years.
We tried to spend the day with our loved ones. Special attention was paid to the peace in the house. On a holiday, it was supposed to avoid quarrels, forgive offenses and take care of each other. We started the morning with church visits and prayers for the well-being of the family. Young girls wished for marriage, and the spouses prayed for peace and harmony in the family.
After the service, they often gathered at a common table. Since the holiday fell on St. Peter's Fast, lenten dishes were served on the table. Special attention was paid to married couples who had lived together for a long time. They were invited to festive events and considered an example for the young.
A number of observations were associated with the weather on July 8. If the day was clear and sunny, it promised a warm and steady summer. Rain was considered a sign of a good harvest and an abundance of mushrooms in summer. The people said: "Rain on Peter and Fevronia for mushrooms, sun for bread."
Other signs of the day:
- strong wind — to change the weather;
- heavy morning dew — for clear and hot days;
- swallows fly low above the ground — for bad weather soon;
- lots of clover in the fields for rainy July;
- A windless evening leads to steady warmth.
What not to do on July 8th
Certain prohibitions aimed at preserving peace and well-being in the family were associated with the day of Peter and Fevronia. It was believed that rudeness and insults on this day could destroy harmony in the house and even lead to a breakup. People tried to avoid difficult conversations and rash decisions. In addition, it was not customary to refuse help to those who needed it.
What else can not be done on July 8:
- clarifying the relationship leads to a protracted conflict;
- to show indifference is to cool the relationship;
- spouses eat with one spoon — to quarrel;
- doing hard work leads to diseases;
- going on a long journey leads to failures.
What is the church holiday on July 8th?
On July 8 (June 25, Old Style), the Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Saints Prince Peter and Princess Fevronia of Murom, patrons of family and marriage. Their cult in Russia has been developing over the centuries, and church-wide veneration was established in the 16th century under Metropolitan Macarius.
The canonization of the saints took place at the Moscow Church Council in 1547. At the same time, on behalf of the metropolitan, the "Tale of Peter and Fevronia" was written. It is based on oral folk legends about the life of the wonderworkers of Murom, which is why it differs markedly from classical hagiographies.
According to legend, Prince Peter suffered from a serious illness, from which a simple girl, Fevronia, was able to heal him. After the healing, he took her as his wife, despite the resistance of the boyars. Their union became an example of loyalty and mutual support. The couple survived the exile, but did not abandon each other. Subsequently, they returned to Murom and ruled for many years.
In their old age, the couple took monastic vows with the names David and Euphrosyne and prayed to God to die on the same day. They died on July 8, 1228, on the same day and hour, wishing to be buried together. They were buried separately twice, but a miracle happened — the bodies of the saints miraculously turned out to be together each time, after which no one could separate them.
Prayers on July 8th
Saints Peter and Fevronia are asked for family happiness, peace and mutual understanding. They are asked to help preserve love, strengthen marriage and raise children in harmony. They also pray for help in resolving family conflicts and giving them a worthy spouse.
Prayers to Peter and Fevronia
Prayer 2
"O ladies of God, to the faithful Princess Peter and Princess Fevronia, we run to you and to you with strong hope we pray: lift up your holy prayers to the Lord God for us sinners (names) and ask of His goodness all that our souls and bodies need: faith to the right, hope to the good, love unfeigned, Piety is unshakeable, and there is success in good deeds. And intercede for us with the Heavenly King for a prosperous life and a good Christian end. By God, holy miracle workers! Do not despise our prayers, but be ever intercessors for us to the Lord, and make us worthy by your help to receive eternal salvation and inherit the kingdom of heaven, so that we may glorify the ineffable love for mankind of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, who in the Trinity worships God forever and ever. Amen to that."
Prayer 3
"Oh, the great saints of God and the faithful wonderworkers, the faithful of Princess Peter and Princess Fevronia, the intercessors of the city of Murom, the guardians of an honest marriage, and the prayer book for all of us! In the days of your earthly life, you have shown the image of piety, Christian love and fidelity to each other even to the grave, and thereby glorified lawful and blessed matrimony. For this reason, we run to you and pray with strong fervor: bring your holy prayers to the Lord God for us sinners, and ask for all that our souls and bodies need: righteous faith, good hope, unfeigned love, unshakable piety, prosperity in good deeds, and above all, grant chastity through your prayers to those who have been married., love for one another in the union of peace, unity of souls and bodies, <...> houses are filled with goodness and in eternal life an unfading crown of heavenly glory. <...> Do not despise our prayers <...> and vouchsafe us through your intercession to receive eternal salvation and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, so that we may glorify the ineffable love for mankind of the Father and the Son and Of the Holy Spirit, in the Trinity we worship God, forever and ever. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the folk and church traditions of Ivan Kupala Day.
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