Folk signs for July 1: 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 July 1 and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for July 1

In Russia, on July 1, Yarilin Day was celebrated. The holiday was associated with the name of Yarila, a solar deity who personifies warmth, fertility and vital energy. In the traditional culture of the Eastern Slavs, this period was considered a special milestone of the year, when the sun reaches its greatest strength and nature reaches its full bloom. Hence another name appeared — "The Crown of summer".

In the old days, folk festivals, round dances, youth games and ceremonial field tours were organized on this day. The peasants thanked the land for the harvest and asked it for further fertility. The girls were weaving wreaths of wildflowers and guessing at fate. Special attention was paid to the sun — it was believed that on this day it was "at the peak of its power" and filled all living things with energy.

Nature observations occupied an important place on this day. If the day was clear and sunny, expect a warm and dry July. If fog or dew appeared in the morning, it was perceived as a harbinger of the rainy season.

Other signs of the day:

• a lot of cobwebs in the field leads to long—term warmth;
• Loud birdsong in the morning leads to steady heat;
• A spider weaves a web for warmth and sunshine;
• Crows are circling under the clouds — wait for bad weather;
• Frogs are croaking loudly — it's going to rain;
• clouds are moving fast across the sky, leading to changeable weather.

What not to do on July 1st

On Yaril's day, there were also a number of strict prohibitions. People tried to avoid quarrels, heavy emotional experiences and empty conversations. They were especially afraid to work carelessly or show disrespect for land and water. Our ancestors believed that violating these rules could lead to failures in the household and diseases.

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What else can't be done on July 1st:

• to make empty promises on Yaril's day — it was believed that the deity could severely punish;
• squander money — it will be very difficult to return what you spent.;
• Telling about your dreams is believed to mean that the good ones won't come true, but the bad ones will.;
• to sort things out could destroy family harmony.

What is the church holiday on July 1st?

On July 1 (June 18, Old style), the Orthodox Church celebrates the Bogolyubsky Icon of the Mother of God, one of the oldest miraculous images in Russia, whose history is inextricably linked with the name of the holy Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky.

In 1155, Prince Andrew carried with him a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary, painted by the Evangelist Luke. Seven versts from Vladimir, the horses carrying the icon case stopped and could not move. After the prayer, the Most Holy Theotokos appeared to the prince with a scroll in her hand and ordered the construction of a temple and monastery on the site of the apparition.

Fulfilling her will, Prince Andrew laid the stone church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the specified site and founded a monastery, around which the city of Bogolyubov grew. By order of the prince, the icon painters painted the image of the Mother of God exactly as she appeared to him, in full growth and with a scroll in her hand. This icon was left in the city and was named Bogolyubskaya. The prince himself has since become known as Bogolyubsky.

The Bogolyubskaya icon is famous for many miracles, but it is especially known as a defender against pestilence and epidemics. So, in 1771, through prayers before this image, epidemics of plague and cholera stopped in different cities of Russia. Later, many lists were made of the miraculous icon, which also showed the power of grace.

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Prayers on July 1st

Believers turn to the Bogolyubsky Icon of the Mother of God with prayers for protection from epidemics, pestilence and other disasters. They also pray before this image for health and healing from diseases, for strengthening faith and giving strength in difficult life circumstances.

Prayers before the Bogolyubsky Icon

Prayer 1

"O Most Pure Lady Theotokos, Mother of God, the hope of our salvation! Look mercifully upon those who come with faith and love and worship Your most pure image; accept our hymns of praise and pour out Your warm prayer for us sinners to the Lord, so that, despising all our sins, He may save and have mercy on us! <...> We beseech You with tenderness, deliver us from all sorrow, guide us on the path of all virtue and mercies, save us from temptations, troubles and diseases, remove slander and quarrels from us; save us from lightning-like thunder, from fiery fervor, from gladness, cowardice, flood and deadly plagues; give us Your merciful help on the way, at sea and on land, so that we may not perish violently. <...> Do not Cast away our tears and sighs, do not forget us all the days of our life, but always remain with us, and through Your intercession and intercession with the Lord grant us joy, comfort, protection and help, so that I may glorify and magnify Your Most Blessed and All-holy name. Amen to that."

Prayer 2

"Oh, Wonderful and Supreme of all creatures, to the Queen Theotokos, the Heavenly King, Christ our God, Mother! Hear us, Your sinful and unworthy servants, who at this hour are praying and falling down to You with sighs and tears, and tenderly saying: lead us out of the pit of passion, O Lady; deliver us from all sorrow and sorrow; protect us from all adversity and evil slanders, from the unrighteous and cruel slander of the enemy. May you, O our Gracious Mother, not only preserve Your people from all evil, but also provide and save them with every grace: are You not the imams of Your Son, Christ our God, whom You beseech, O Lady, to be saved by You? We also glorify in the future the All-holy name of Your Son and our God, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the folk and church traditions of the Manuilo and Saveli holidays.