Folk signs for June 20: what can and cannot be done
In Russia, signs and beliefs were given special importance. They were used to determine when to sow and harvest, have weddings and go on a trip. Every day of the national calendar was full of rituals and superstitions. Izvestia tells about the signs for June 20 and the church holidays that fall on this date.
Folk signs for June 20, 2026
In the folk tradition, June 20 is called Fedotov's Day. In Russia, rye was sown on this day — the peasants spent the whole day in the field, hoping for a good harvest.
If the weather was hot on Fedotov's day, our ancestors went to the lake or river. It was believed that it was safe to swim on the holiday, since the bathers were protected by Saint Theodotus of Ancyra, whose memory was honored by the Orthodox Church on June 20. According to popular belief, he cut off the hair of mermaids with a sickle so that they would not frighten adults and children.
The housewives did a lot of laundry on the holiday. The laundry was specially saved up to be washed on Fedotov's day. In the old days, they believed that the more things you overdo, the more prosperity and well-being will come to the house.
On June 20, special attention was paid to weather signs that helped determine what the summer and harvest would be like. So, if it was raining on a holiday, they were waiting for the harvest season.
Other signs of the day
- quiet and calm water — for good weather;
- a rich catch leads to prosperity in the house;
- morning fog over the river — for a clear day;
- strong wind — to change the weather;
- abundant dew leads to a good harvest of vegetables;
- sunny day — summer will be warm and favorable;
- bees settled on the walls of the hive — to the heat.
What not to do on June 20th
There were several important prohibitions associated with Fedotov's Day in Russia, the violation of which, according to beliefs, could bring misfortune and illness upon a person. They did not wear silver jewelry on the holiday, for fear of losing their vitality, and the girls did not swim with their hair down, so that St. Theodotus would not mistake them for mermaids.
What else can not be done on June 20
- swearing and complaining about fate leads to troubles and illnesses;
- to lend or borrow money leads to financial difficulties;
- to confess your love and make an offer — the union will not be happy.;
- Starting new businesses and making major purchases is, by all accounts, doomed to failure.;
- to quarrel with someone — conflicts can drag on for a long time.
What is the church holiday on June 20th?
On June 20, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the martyr Theodotus of Ancyra, who lived in the second half of the III – beginning of the IV century in the city of Ancyra. He owned his own hotel, was married, but even then he had achieved high spiritual perfection: he cultivated abstinence, practiced fasting and prayer. Through his conversations, he led Jews and Gentiles to the Christian faith, and sinners to repentance. For this, the saint received the gift of healing.
During the persecution of Emperor Diocletian, Theodotus sheltered Christians who were homeless in his hotel and hid the persecuted. He fearlessly entered prisons, helping innocent convicts, and was not afraid to bury the remains of holy martyrs. For this, he was captured and, after prolonged torture, beheaded in 303 or 304.
Also on June 20, believers remember the righteous Pavel of Taganrog. The future saint was born in 1792 in the family of Pavel Stozhkov, a nobleman of the Chernigov province. At the age of 25, he distributed the part of the estate he inherited, set the peasants free and went on a pilgrimage to the holy monasteries. His wandering life lasted for about 10 years, and then he settled in Taganrog, where he lived in a dugout, worked at the port and prayed incessantly. Seeing his righteousness, many people began to come to the blessed one for advice and comfort. According to legend, the saint possessed the gifts of healing and clairvoyance.
Pavel Taganrogsky died in 1879. In 1999, his local glorification took place, and in 2016, his name was included in the calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church for church-wide veneration.
Prayers for June 20th
Orthodox believers pray to the Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra and the Righteous Pavel of Taganrog on June 20. They are asked to strengthen their faith, heal from illnesses and help in difficult life situations.
Prayer to the Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra
"O holy servant of God, Martyr Theodotus! Having labored with a good deed on earth, you have perceived in heaven the crown of righteousness, which the Lord has prepared for all who love Him. In the same way, looking at your holy image, we rejoice at the most glorious end of your residence and honor your holy memory. But you, standing before the Throne of God, accept our supplications and offer them to the All-merciful God, that He may forgive us every sin and help us against the wiles of the devil, so that, having been delivered from sorrows, diseases, troubles and misfortunes, and all evil, we may live piously and righteously in our present age and be worthy of your intercession, even if we are unworthy. May you see the good in the lands of the living, glorifying God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen to that."
Prayer to the Righteous Pavel of Taganrog
"Oh, great servant of God and wonderworker, Father Paul! Having ascended to the height of virtues, like a bright star, you have shone through your life and, having chosen a pilgrimage, you have imputed this world to nothing. In the same way, O All-righteous Judge, glorify thee with many miracles, and preserve thy holy soul in the heavenly monastery, where, enjoying the love of God, you see our needs and hear our petitions. For this reason, be a healer to us in neduzeh, a helmsman floating on the sea, and a reliable deliverance to the drowning. O blessed Paul, ask for all who are in every need and who resort to your intercession, every gift that is needed by others.: prosperity of faith and love, increase of piety, confirmation of peace, healing for the sick, consolation for the sad, help for the needy, intercession for the offended. And through your prayers, O servant of God, vouchsafe us to end our earthly life piously, to inherit the heavenly kingdom and eternal life with all the saints forever and ever. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs and prohibitions of the national holiday Dorofeev Day.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
