Folk signs for June 3: 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 June 3 and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for June 3

In Russia, on June 3, Venison Day was celebrated (derived from the name Elena). The date was tied to the most important agricultural work: it was at this time that flax was being sown. Further delay was considered reckless, as late-sown flax could not ripen until the autumn frosts and produce poor fiber. The peasants said: "Elena will come — this flax is at the fence," "This flax is for venison, it will be a long and long flax."

Clothes on the holiday were always worn in light, bright shades. This corresponded to the spirit of the day, associated with a green field, white flax and the hope of a good harvest. Venison Day was devoted not only to work in the field, but also to mending fences and fences. Our ancestors believed that the renovated fence placed on Elena would protect cattle from forest animals and evil spirits.

Various rituals were also performed on the holiday. Unmarried girls curled wreaths on birch trees, luring their betrothed, and housewives collected young leaves for medicinal tinctures. Birch rituals were popular in many areas, as it was believed that the tree was coming into full force on June 3.

Observing nature helped us understand what summer would be like. If the morning was clear and calm, a warm and stable season was expected. If there was a strong wind, it was considered a sign of changeable weather in June. Early thunder was considered a sign of a fertile but rainy summer.

Other signs of the day:

• fog at dawn leads to a clear, warm day.
• Birds are flying low over the ground — it's going to rain soon;
• Crows perch on the lower branches — in case of heavy rain.
• abundant dew on the grass leads to a rich grain harvest.

What not to do on June 3rd

On Venison Day, special attention was paid to maintaining peace in the house and during work on the land. It was believed that any careless word or deed could affect the future harvest and family well-being. Quarrels between relatives and neighbors, as well as disdain for the land, were considered a bad sign. The ancestors believed that violating these rules could lead to crop failures and protracted conflicts.

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What else can't be done on June 3rd:

• Starting important things in a hurry is a bad outcome.;
• leaving the house in disarray leads to stagnation in business;
• refusing to help neighbors leads to loneliness and difficulties;
• being lazy in the field or in the garden leads to a poor harvest;
• throwing away bread and bread crumbs leads to poverty.

What is the church holiday on June 3rd?

On June 3 (May 21, Old Style), the Orthodox Church honors the memory of Equal-to-the-Apostles Tsarina Elena of Constantinople, mother of Emperor Constantine the Great. According to church tradition, the finding of the Life-giving Cross in Jerusalem is associated with her name. Elena went to the Holy Land, where she contributed to the excavations at Golgotha. Shrines were found there, which became the basis for the veneration of the Cross of the Lord.

Saint Helena not only acquired an important shrine, but also ordered the construction of magnificent temples in all key places of the Savior's earthly life — in Bethlehem above the cave of the Nativity, on the Mount of Olives, where Christ ascended, and, of course, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The queen herself personally served the poor at meals and generously distributed alms, for which she was glorified by the Church.

On the same day, a celebration is held in honor of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, one of the main shrines of the Russian Orthodox Church. The icon is known for numerous miracles and intercession for the Russian lands. She has repeatedly saved Moscow from invasions and disasters.

According to legend, the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary was painted by the Evangelist Luke himself during the life of the Virgin Mary. Later, it was with this list that Russia was blessed from Constantinople, and it was before this image that the most important prayers for the salvation of the state were performed, which finally secured for her the status of the main intercessor of Russia.

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It is believed that prayer in front of this image is especially associated with requests for peace, protection and comfort.

Prayers on June 3

Believers turn to Saint Helena with prayers for help in finding the truth, strengthening faith and making life choices. In front of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, they pray for the protection of the family, peace in the home and healing from diseases. They also ask for the cessation of wars, the preservation of the country from disasters and the invasion of foreigners.

Prayer to Helen of Constantinople

"Oh, the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine and Elena! Deliver this parish and our temple from all the slander of the enemy and do not forsake us, the weak (names), through your intercession, beseech the goodness of Christ our God to grant us peace of mind, abstinence from pernicious passions and all defilement, and unfeigned piety. Ask us, ladies of God, from above for a spirit of meekness and humility, a spirit of patience and repentance, so that we may live the rest of our lives in faith and contrition of the heart, and so at the hour of our end we will thankfully praise the Lord who glorified you, the Beginningless Father, His Only Begotten Son, and the Consubstantial All-good Spirit, the Trinity Inseparable, forever and ever. Amen to that."

Prayer in front of the Vladimir Icon of the Virgin

"Oh, Most Merciful Lady Theotokos, Heavenly Queen, All-powerful Intercessor, our shameless Hope! Thanking You for all the great benefits that have been given to the Russian people from You throughout the generations, we beseech You before Your most pure image: preserve this city, our Russian country from glade, destruction, quake, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare.

Preserve and save, Madam, our Great Lord and Father Kirill, His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, and all the Right Reverend Metropolitans, archbishops and bishops of the Orthodox Church. Grant them to govern the Russian Church well, and to keep the faithful sheep of Christ unshakable. Remember, O Lady, the entire priestly and monastic order, warm their hearts with zeal for God and strengthen them worthy of their title.

Save, O Lady, and have mercy on all Thy servants, and grant us the way of the earthly career to pass without blemish. Strengthen us in the faith of Christ and in zeal for the Orthodox Church, put into our hearts the spirit of the fear of God, the spirit of piety, the spirit of humility, grant us patience in adversity, abstinence in prosperity, love for our neighbors, forgiveness for the enemy, and prosperity in good deeds.

Deliver us from every temptation and from petrified insensitivity, and on the terrible day of Judgment, through Your intercession, grant us to stand at the right hand of Your Son, Christ our God, to whom befits all glory, honor, and worship with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the folk and church traditions of the Timothy the Gardener holiday.