Folk signs for August 25: what can and cannot be done
From time immemorial, people have attached special importance to omens. They were used to find out when to sow and harvest crops, determine what the weather would be like, and even predict the future. The national calendar is full of various superstitions and rituals. Izvestia tells about the signs and beliefs on August 25.
Folk signs for August 25, 2025
In Russia, August 25 was celebrated as St. Peter's Day. Outbuildings where harnesses, harrows, and other agricultural implements were stored were called fables. On the holiday, they were put in order, and also fumigated with incense. All this was done so that "the devil wouldn't break his leg on a whim." To attract prosperity to the family, it was also necessary to clean the house.
Unmarried girls hoped to see their betrothed in a dream. To do this, a white handkerchief was placed under the pillow in the evening. Sea buckthorn was also harvested on this day. Its berries were filled with honey and used to treat stomach diseases, and the leaves were added to infusions for headaches.
On the holiday, the ancestors paid attention to various signs. In the morning, villagers went to the field to look at the grass. If there was frost on it, they understood that the winter crops would grow well.
Other signs for August 25th:
- rain — for the short Indian summer;
- clear and warm weather — there will be a lot of porcini mushrooms in the forest.;
- a lot of dew in the morning leads to sunny weather during the day;
- Frogs croak loudly — for the rain;
- the mole comes out of the hole — to prolonged bad weather;
- roosters lose their feathers by the lingering autumn;
- thunderstorm — autumn will drag on;
- the cat washes thoroughly — it will be sunny.;
- fog over the forest — it's going to start raining soon.
What not to do on August 25
Sunday falls on the Dormition Fast, during which believers are not allowed to eat meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. In addition, you should not indulge in secular entertainment, overeat, swear and get into conflicts, because lent is a time of repentance and preparation for the bright feast of the Assumption of the Virgin.
In Russia, on the day of the Feast of the Dead, they were afraid to go up to the attic. According to popular beliefs, a brownie was preparing for winter on a holiday, and a person who disturbed his peace could bring bad luck to the family.
What else can not be done on August 25:
- arrange noisy gatherings — the ancestors believed that excessive fun could lead to hearing loss;
- Quarreling and arguing can lead to financial difficulties.;
- make dates or weddings — they will end in separation;
- keeping money in the bedroom leads to loss of wealth;
- Helping someone with household chores outside the house can make a brownie angry.;
- Bringing children close to the campfire and passing them food through the fire can make them grow up to be cheaters.;
- laughing before going to bed leads to insomnia.
What is the church holiday on August 25th?
On August 25, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the martyrs Anikita and Photius, who lived at the turn of the III–IV centuries. Anikita was a high-ranking military commander in Nicomedia, Photius was his nephew. Both saints openly professed Christianity, despite the severe persecution to which believers were subjected at that time.
One day, Anikita openly condemned Emperor Diocletian for killing innocent people. For this, he was tortured, but the martyr miraculously remained unharmed. Later, Photius voluntarily decided to share the suffering with his uncle. Seeing their steadfastness, many pagans came to believe in Christ. The saints, along with all the new converts, were burned in a giant furnace. According to legend, the fire did not touch the bodies of Anikita and Photius. Seeing this, the other pagans also rejected idolatry.
Also on August 25, believers remember the Holy Martyr Alexander, Bishop of Komansky, who lived in the third century in a town near Neokesaria. He was a scientist and knew the Holy Scriptures well, but he accepted the feat of foolishness and began selling coal on the square. After the bishop's death, Gregory of Neocaesarea arrived in the city to choose a new head of the department. During the discussions, someone mentioned Alexander the coal miner, and the saint asked to bring this man. After the ordeal, Gregory realized that this was a philosopher and an expert on the Gospel, so he invited him to his house. Subsequently, Alexander became a bishop and proved himself to be a wise pastor. He was martyred under the Emperor Diocletian.
Prayer for August 25th
On the day of commemoration of the martyrs Photius and Anikita, as well as Alexander Komansky, believers ask the saints to strengthen their health, heal from diseases, strengthen their faith and guide them on the right path.
Prayer to the Holy Martyrs Photius and Anikita
"Holy Martyrs Photios and Anikito! Look down from heaven upon those who require your help and do not reject our petitions, but, as our eternal benefactors and intercessors, pray to Christ God, that He, who loves mankind and has much mercy, may preserve us from every cruel situation: from cowardice, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare. May He not condemn us sinners according to our iniquity, and may we not turn the good things bestowed upon us by the All-merciful God to evil, but to the glory of His holy name and to the glorification of your mighty intercession. Through your prayers, may the Lord grant us peace of mind, abstinence from harmful passions and from all defilement, and may He strengthen throughout the world His One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, which He has acquired through His honest Blood. Praying diligently, holy martyrs, may Christ God bless the empire, may He establish in His most holy Orthodox Church the living spirit of righteous faith and piety, may all its members, pure from superstition and superstition, worship Him in spirit and truth and diligently take care of the observance of His commandments, may we all live in peace and piety in the present Let us enter and attain a blessed eternal life in heaven, through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom befits all glory, honor, and power with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."
Prayer to the Holy Martyr Alexander, Bishop of Komansky
"O holy head, to the good shepherd of the verbal sheep of Christ, to the Holy Martyr Alexander, Comanche praise, our worldwide lamp and our speedy intercessor and helper in sorrows, troubles and all kinds of needs. Hear us sinners who run to you and pray. Through your intercession, ask our All-merciful God for the peace of His Church, under the sign of the militant Cross, the silence of our thoughts, abstinence from harmful passions, and repentance. To her, our child-loving and merciful father, the Holy Martyr Alexander, Bishop of God! You, who stand before the Throne of the Lord, are aware of all our spiritual and worldly needs. Look upon us with a fatherly eye and through your prayers strengthen us in faith, hope and love, destroy superstition and schisms, heal the sick, comfort the sad, intercede for the offended, help the needy, travel with the traveling. Do not put us to shame, O servant of God, who flow to you with faith, but show us your ancient mercies, to whom you have helped our father, and do not reject us who stand before your all-honorable icon, for I live by you. Beseech the Merciful God to preserve us until the end of our days in the passion of God, and may the Lord forgive us all our sins, voluntary and involuntary, and may He deliver us from eternal torment through your intercession, and grant us eternal joy to enjoy together with you and with all the saints, forever and ever. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs and beliefs of the Laurentian Day.
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