Folk signs for May 26: 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 May 26 and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for May 26

In Russia, Lukeriev Day, also known as Lukerya Komarnitsa, was celebrated on May 26. In the peasant tradition, this day was associated with the final onset of heat. It was believed that it was to Lukerya that the first mosquitoes appeared, which served as a kind of signal for the beginning of the summer period and gave the name to the holiday.

At that time, field work continued. The main tradition of the day was the sowing of buckwheat, a crop that fed the family all winter. This gave rise to another name — Buckwheat, which is popular in a number of southern regions. The peasants went out into the fields early in the morning, trying to use every warm day to get a good harvest.

The housewives, according to custom, prepared buckwheat porridge and pancakes on the holiday, which were served with buckwheat honey. Our ancestors believed that eating these foods would bring well-being and strengthen health for the whole year.

Special attention was paid to weather signs at Lukerya. According to observations, if mosquitoes appeared on that day, the summer would be warm and humid, and the haymaking would be plentiful. The clear and calm weather on May 26 foreshadowed a dry, arid summer.

Other signs of the day:

• the wind rises in the morning — the weather will change;
• Birds fly low to the rain;
• dew is plentiful — for a good harvest;
• Clouds are moving fast, leading to a change in the weather;
• thunder is heard — the summer will be fertile.

What not to do on May 26

There were certain prohibitions on St. Luke's Day. It was not recommended to be lazy on this day, as it was considered important for work and preparation for summer. It was also especially important to be careful in words and actions. People believed that negative emotions and quarrels could affect the harvest and the well-being of the family.

Ascension of the Lord 2026: the true story of a great holiday that is rarely remembered

The Ascension of the Lord reminds believers of the path to salvation and eternal life.

What else can not be done on May 26:

• Keeping the house in disarray can scare away well—being.;
• starting important things without preparation will not bring results.;
• leaving hair on the comb promises quarrels with the household.;
• breaking dishes leads to financial problems;
• complaining about fate can attract new troubles.

What is the church holiday on May 26th?

On May 26 (May 13, Old Style), the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the holy Martyr Glyceria of Heraclea. Her life dates back to the second century, the time of the persecution of Christians. The saint came from a noble Roman family and professed the Christian faith from a young age. She openly declared her commitment to Christ, for which she was subjected to severe trials.

On the day of the national sacrifice, she appeared in the temple, inscribed a cross on her forehead and began to pray fervently. At her prayer, a terrible thunder sounded, and the statue of Zeus collapsed to the floor, smashing into dust. After that, Glyceria was imprisoned. Despite the suffering, she remained true to her beliefs. Her steadfastness became an example of spiritual strength and devotion to faith.

On this date, another saint with the same name is honored — the righteous Glyceria of Novgorod, who lived in the XVI century in Veliky Novgorod. The Holy Virgin was often depicted in ancient images of the Novgorod wonderworkers. However, history has preserved little information about her. It is known that she was the daughter of the elder Panteleimon and became famous for her pious life.

50 years after her death, her coffin appeared on the surface of the earth, and her body was incorruptible. According to the chronicle, miracles immediately began to happen from them. Later, the Archbishop of Novgorod solemnly transferred the relics of the saint to the church of the Holy Martyrs Florus and Laurus, where they remained until the destruction of the temple.

The most powerful prayers to Matrona of Moscow: for help, health and love

For many believers, prayers to Matrona serve as a source of comfort and support.

Prayers on May 26

The Martyr Glyceria of Heraclea prays for the strengthening of faith in the face of injustice, for the gift of fortitude in persecution and tribulation. The righteous Glyceria of Novgorod, whose relics have become famous for healing, is asked to get rid of diseases. This Russian saint is also addressed with prayers for the preservation of well-being and peace in the family.

The Prayer of Glyceria of Heraclea

Troparion, glas 4

"Thy lamb, Jesus, Glyceria, calls with a great voice: To thee, my bridegroom, I love, and, seeking thee, I suffer, and am crucified, and am buried by Thy baptism, and I suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign in Thee, and die for Thee, and live with Thee, but as a sacrifice Immaculate, accept me, who have been devoured by You with love. Through your prayers, for You are Merciful, save our souls."

Kontakion, glas 3

"Loving the Virgin and the Mother of God Mary, you have preserved your virginity incorruptibly, but by your zeal for the Lord, you have suffered manly even unto death. For this reason, and especially for you, virgin martyr, Christ God crowns you with a crown."

Prayer of Glyceria of Novgorod

"O holy and righteous Glycerius, virgin of Novgorod, like a warm candle on a burning candle box, you have lived for the glory of Christ God and glorified by many miracles! Do not forget us, as our prayer book before the Most Pure Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, keep the young in the most holy faith, chastity and purity, tame the enmity and malice raised by the action of the devil, give courage and strength in temptations. Accept grace for healing, grant health to those who are in pain, beseech the Lord to grant peace to your city and our fatherland, that the Orthodox faith may not be impoverished in our land, ask for the correction of our sinful life and eternal salvation, so that with you we may be worthy to glorify in the Trinity the glorified God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia told which saints are remembered on Epiphany Day.