A special holiday on July 22 is Pancraty and Kirill: history, traditions, omens

Every year on July 22, Orthodox believers honor the memory of two holy martyrs, Pankratius, Bishop of Tauromenia, and Cyril, Bishop of Gortyn. In the national calendar, the date was named Pancratius and Cyril, as well as Berry and Blueberry. 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 22

The Holy Martyr Pancratius of Tauromenia was born in Antioch in the 1st century, during the earthly life of Christ. According to church tradition, his father, having heard about the Savior's sermon, took his son and went to Jerusalem. There he saw the miracles of Jesus, heard His teachings, believed, and became close to the disciples of the Lord, especially the apostle Peter.

After the Ascension of Christ, one of the apostles baptized Pancratius and his parents in Antioch. When the father and mother of the future saint died, he distributed his possessions and went to the Pontic Mountains, where he lived in a cave, spending his days in prayer, fasting and spiritual meditation.

Later, the apostle Peter, who was passing through these places, invited the hermit with him, first to Antioch, then to Cilicia, where the apostle Paul was at that time. With their blessing, Pancratius was ordained bishop of the city of Tauromenia in Sicily. There the saint built a temple and began to preach Christianity. His ministry proved to be so effective that, according to his life, almost all residents of the city and the surrounding area turned to faith.

Pankraty had been running his flock for many years. When he was already in his old age, pagans who did not want to put up with the spread of Christianity attacked him and stoned him to death.

On July 22, the church also commemorates the Holy Martyr Cyril, Bishop of Gortyn, who lived in the III–IV centuries. From his youth, he was distinguished by his firm faith in Jesus Christ and a pious life.

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Once, during the persecution of Christians, he was brought to trial and, after interrogation, imprisoned. The next morning, according to legend, the doors of the cell were open, and the saint was given the opportunity to continue his ministry. He went to Rome, where he supported the Christian community and preached among the pagans.

When new persecutions began, Cyril went to Jerusalem to strengthen the faithful. On the way, he had a vision — the saint was instructed to visit Crete. Arriving on the island, he became bishop of Gortyna. For about 50 years, he led the local Christian community and converted people to Jesus.

At a very old age, Cyril was brought back to court. The governor demanded that the bishop sacrifice to the idols, but he refused. He was sentenced to be burned, but the fire, according to church tradition, did not harm the saint. Many witnesses of this miracle believed in Christ, and the ruler released Cyril.

The saint continued to preach. After a while, the authorities were informed that he was still converting people to Christianity. After that, Cyril was sentenced to death and suffered a martyr's death.

Traditions of the national holiday Pankraty and Cyril on July 22

In the national calendar, the day of veneration of the two holy martyrs was named Pancratius and Cyril. In Russia, by July 22, blueberries were ripening in the forests, the first cucumbers appeared in the beds, and housewives began to think about harvesting, hence the other name of the holiday — Berry, or Blueberry.

Believers began the morning on St. Pancras and St. Cyril with a visit to the temple. They prayed to the Holy Martyrs for perseverance, protection from adversity, strengthening faith, family health, and help in difficult circumstances. Upon returning from church, the peasants began their daily chores, the main of which was picking the first cucumbers.

The hostess tried to pick the very first fruit so that no one could see it, and bury it in the far corner of the garden. According to beliefs, after this, cucumbers should actively grow, not be bitter and give a rich harvest. The next cucumber of the new harvest was usually given to the youngest child in the family. It was believed that baby cleanliness also helps to keep vegetables strong and tasty.

On Pankraty and Kirill, the housewives began to prepare barrels for salting. Wooden containers were cleaned with ash and river sand, thoroughly washed and exposed to the sun to get rid of the old smell.

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Another important activity of the day was picking blueberries. Children, girls, and those adults who could break away from field work went to the forest to see Pankraty and Kirill. The berry was valued as a forest medicine, useful for eyesight, stomach, joints, as well as for improving working capacity. They ate it fresh, dried it, made jam, prepared filling for baking, and berry drinks. "The blueberry berry will lead away from the belly famously," the people said about this.

On July 22, the housewives baked blueberry pies, put blueberry jelly, fruit drinks, dumplings or simple berry soup on the table. They tried to share the food with neighbors, travelers and poor people. Generosity on July 22 was perceived as a way to attract prosperity to the house and show that the family welcomes the summer harvest not with greed, but with a kind word and a hospitable table.

The young girls tried to collect as many blueberries as possible and eat plenty of berries. According to legend, it helped to preserve beauty, health and good luck.

What not to do on the feast of Pankraty and Cyril

In Russia, Pancratius and Cyril were subject to a number of prohibitions, the main of which concerned quarrels and harsh words against loved ones. On July 22, they tried not to shout, not to argue with their parents, not to sort things out, and not to let their irritation run wild. The ancestors believed that the conflict on this day could drag on for a long time and turn into illnesses or family discord.

What else you can't do on July 22:

• to refuse alms or treats to a traveler — avarice can turn into poverty for a person, turn prosperity away from home.;
• to borrow or lend money — the debt may not return and lead to financial losses, and with the loan there is a risk of taking on other people's problems.;
• telling dreams — bad ones can come true, and retelling good ones can scare off luck.

Folk signs for July 22

On Pankraty and Kirill, the peasants carefully observed nature, the Moon and plants, in order to determine by signs what the rest of July would be like, how autumn and winter would pass.

• there are a lot of blueberries in the forest — the winter is expected to be frosty;
• blueberries are not ripe by July 22 — autumn will be cold;
• The stars are shining brightly at night, ready for a thunderstorm.;
• The moon is dim in the sky, and the rains may last until the end of July.;
• After the rain, a rainbow appeared in the sky — the next few days will be clear;
• Lilies and water lilies closed in the afternoon — rain is possible the next day;
• frogs are croaking loudly — there are warm and sunny days ahead, frogs are silent — it's getting colder.;
• The fish jumps out of the water — to the rain;
• there are a lot of midges circling over the water — for wet weather;
• the morning turned out to be stuffy — a thunderstorm is possible in the evening;
• fog dropped quickly after sunset — the night will be damp and the morning will be cool.

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