A special Slavic holiday on July 15 is Bereginya: history, traditions, omens

Every year on July 15, Orthodox believers honor the memory of St. Photius, Metropolitan of Kiev, Moscow and All Russia, and also recall the Position of the precious robe of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Blachernae. In the national calendar, the date is known as Bereginya, it is associated with ancient ideas about female protective power. In 2026, the holiday falls on a Wednesday. Read about its history, traditions, signs and strict prohibitions in the Izvestia article.

What is the church holiday on July 15th?

Saint Photius was born in the 14th century in the Greek city of Monemvasia in the Peloponnese. Even in his youth, he decided to give up worldly life and choose a spiritual path. The young man went to a monastery, where he became a disciple of Elder Akaky, gaining the respect of the brethren for his strict lifestyle and firmness of faith.

In 1408, Photius was appointed to the Russian metropolitan see by Patriarch Matthew of Constantinople. A year later, he arrived in Russia. For the first six months, the saint stayed in Kiev, where he dealt with the affairs of the southern dioceses, which were then part of the Lithuanian state.

Photius arrived in Moscow on Easter 1410. His ministry coincided with difficult times for Russia, the state was experiencing wars, civil strife and raids. Despite this, the metropolitan strengthened churches, supported church administration, helped the Patriarchate of Constantinople, wrote epistles, teachings, and works on church service, opposed the heresy of the strigolniks, and participated in the compilation of the all-Russian chronicle code.

In 1420, with the participation of Photius, the prayerful and canonical unity of the Russian Church was restored. The separate Lithuanian metropolia, created for the western and southern Russian dioceses, was abolished.

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According to legend, an angel informed Photius of his approaching death. He died peacefully in 1431 on the feast day of the Assumption of the Robe of the Most Holy Theotokos. His relics were found in 1471 and later revered as a shrine of the Russian Church.

On July 15, there is also a commemoration of the Position of the Virgin's honest robe in Blachernae. According to church tradition, the shrine was brought to Constantinople from the vicinity of Nazareth and placed in the Blachernae Temple in the 5th century.

Traditions of the Bereginya folk festival on July 15th

In Russia, July 15 was perceived as a day of protection, protection and maternal intercession. The popular name Bereginya was associated with an ancient stratum of East Slavic ideas about the forces of nature. Researchers interpret what exactly was behind this image in different ways. In some traditions, bereginesses were placed on a par with water spirits and mermaids, in others they were considered defenders of the home, family, livestock, crops and women's destiny. After the spread of Christianity, the image of a female protective force in the national consciousness began to coexist with the veneration of the Virgin.

The morning on Bereginia began with prayer and a visit to the temple. The faithful appealed to the Most Holy Theotokos with requests for family protection, children's health, peace in the home and help in difficult circumstances. They prayed to Saint Photius for firmness of faith and wise guidance.

In the villages, birch was considered the main tree of the day. The ancestors perceived her as a symbol of purity, feminine strength and protection. Women and girls went to these trees on the edges and in groves, tied ribbons, asked for health and well—being, married — to strengthen marriage, unmarried - to meet their betrothed.

In the villages, they tried to plant birch trees near the house. The white-trunked tree, according to popular beliefs, protected the dwelling from unkind people, diseases, fire and evil spirits. The image of Beregini in the form of a floral ornament was applied to towels, household utensils, embroidery, platbands as a home amulet.

The ancestors attached special importance to water on July 15. At noon, they went to a stream or a clean spring, washed with cool water and dried themselves with pre-prepared embroidered towels. It was believed that such a rite adds strength, relieves fatigue and helps to maintain health. During the haymaking season, towels could be taken out to the meadows, so that after washing they could take with them the freshness of water, grass and a summer day.

On this day, the girls performed love rituals, put a small birch twig on the threshold of their lover's house. When a guy stepped over her, she was taken away, "charmed" and hidden in a dry place, hoping to bring marriage closer.

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In areas where river spirits, defenders of the shores, and those who lived near rivers and lakes were called bereginyami, water was treated with respect and caution. Fishermen asked the water element for a successful catch, and the peasants asked for protection for livestock, which were taken to watering ponds in the heat.

On July 15, it was customary to heat a sauna and steam with birch brooms in order not only to cleanse the body, but also to put thoughts and plans in order. It was also necessary to clean the house on the holiday, to finish what had been postponed for a long time. It was believed that Bereginya does not like ruin, disorder and laziness, but helps those who take care of the household, work and family.

What not to do on the Bereginya holiday

Beregini's main prohibition was related to birch trees. On July 15, they could not be chopped, branches broken, leaves stripped, birch logs used for the stove. The ancestors believed that harm caused to the sacred tree of the day could lead to diseases, poverty and discord in the home.

What else can't be done on July 15th:

• swimming in rivers and lakes is believed to be active on this day, mermaids and aquatic vermin, they can drag a person to the bottom.;
• to move to a new place — a change of house will bring extra expenses, illnesses and failures;
• quarreling with loved ones — conflict on this day destroys the home world and leaves a grudge for a long time.;
• Talking a lot, especially to women, is a risk of getting into trouble.;
• complaining about fate — despondency will become a bait for new troubles.

Folk signs for July 15th

On Bereginya, the peasants carefully observed nature, birds, trees, and insects in order to determine by signs what the weather would be like in the second half of July, and whether autumn and winter would come early.

• Crows are cawing loudly — for bad weather soon;
• The owls give voice to the warm weather and a good harvest.;
• there is a lot of dew on the grass — for heavy rains;
• fish splashing near the surface of the water — for warmth;
• Insects are circling in flocks — it's going to rain soon;
• July 15 is hotter than in previous days, and the heat will linger until the end of the month.;
• yellow leaves have appeared on the trees — autumn and winter will be early.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs and strict prohibitions of the special Nettle Conspiracy holiday.