A special national holiday on July 9th is David Strawberry: history, traditions, omens

Every year on July 9, Orthodox believers honor the memory of St. David of Thessalonica, ascetic and wonderworker. In the national calendar, the date was named "David Strawberry." In 2026, the holiday falls on Thursday. Read about its history, traditions, signs and strict prohibitions in the Izvestia article.

What is the church holiday on July 9th?

St. David of Thessalonica lived at the turn of the fifth and sixth centuries in Thessalonica, a city called Solun in Russia. There is little information about his early years. It is known that in his youth he decided to devote himself to God.

He took vows at the monastery of the Holy Martyrs Theodore and Mercury, known as Kukullatsky, led a strict life, read a lot of the Holy Scriptures, the works of the church fathers and the lives of ascetics. David was particularly impressed by the stories about stylites, monks who, for the sake of prayer and spiritual work, lived for years on pillars or high platforms, enduring heat, cold, wind and loneliness.

Following their example, David climbed an almond tree next to the temple, set up a place for prayer there, and decided not to go down for three years. The disciples persuaded him to return to the usual monastic life, promising to build a secluded cell, but the monk refused to interrupt the feat ahead of time.

For three years, the saint remained in the tree, patiently enduring the summer heat, winter cold and strong winds. According to legend, at the end of the planned period, an angel appeared to him and told him to go down to continue his life in silence and prayer. Metropolitan Dorofey and the disciples greeted the ascetic with respect, helped him down, and then escorted him to his cell.

The people of Thessalonica came to David for advice, comfort, and help. The life says that through his prayers the sick were healed, the blind regained their sight, and people suffering from severe spiritual ailments received relief.

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Later, David had to leave his solitude. There was no permanent imperial ruler in Thessalonica, and the city suffered from raids by outsiders. Metropolitan Aristides and the townspeople asked the monk to go to Constantinople and intercede with Emperor Justinian for the appointment of a ruler.

At first, the elder refused, citing age and infirmity, but eventually agreed. In Constantinople, he was received by Empress Theodora, and then by Emperor Justinian. According to legend, David performed incense in the palace, holding a red-hot coal in his palm, and his hand remained unharmed. The emperor complied with the saint's request and signed the appointment.

But David himself did not have a chance to set foot on his native land. On the ship, when his native shores appeared ahead, he said goodbye to his disciples and gave his soul to God. The body of the monk was transferred to the monastery, where most of his life was spent. Later, the monastery began to be associated with his name, and the relics of the saint were revered as a shrine.

Traditions of the national holiday David Strawberry on July 9th

In Russia, strawberries ripened in the forests on the day of veneration of the saint, so the holiday became known as David the Strawberry. The believers began the morning with a visit to the temple. They prayed to the Monk for healing, peace of mind, and help in difficult circumstances.

After the service, the peasants returned to their daily summer activities, the main thing on July 9 was picking strawberries. By this date, the berry was already gaining flavor and aroma. Before David Strawberry, they tried not to touch her. In the villages, it was believed that the plant needed to "come into force." But on July 9, women, girls and children went to the forest in the morning with baskets.

They tried to eat the first berry they found and make their heart's desire. According to beliefs, she added health, protected from diseases and could fulfill a wish.

Strawberries were loved not only for their sweetness. In the peasant economy, it was considered a useful plant, especially in the cold season, when the body lacked vitamins. The berries were eaten fresh, dried, and jam was made, which was then added to pies and drinks. The leaves were also harvested, and in winter they were brewed as fragrant tea.

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Treats with wild berries were prepared in the houses for David Strawberry. Pancakes with strawberry filling were considered a festive dish, and each family member was supposed to try at least a little to make the year successful and peaceful. On July 9, girls washed their faces not with plain water, but with dew or strawberry infusion to make their skin cleaner, lighter and softer.

Love beliefs were also associated with the berry. If there were two fused strawberries in the forest, they tried to eat them together with their loved one. It was believed that it would be difficult to separate the couple after that.

What not to do on the holiday of David Strawberry

In Russia, David Strawberry was associated with a number of prohibitions, the main of which concerned financial issues. You shouldn't have asked for a loan on that day. According to legend, there could be difficulties with the return, and the relationship with the lender could deteriorate. If you had to do it anyway, then you went with a strawberry leaf in your pocket. It was believed that such an amulet would endear the interlocutor, protect him from rejection and unpleasant consequences.

What else you can't do on July 9th:

• Starting important things with bad thoughts can attract bad luck.;
• pregnant women leave the house without strawberries or strawberry leaves — the plant protects the expectant mother from severe childbirth;
• trying on other people's jewelry — along with a thing, you can "try on" other people's troubles, envy and family troubles.;
• Putting on someone else's wedding ring risks ruining your own relationship.;
• shouting at pets and poultry — such rudeness will result in losses in the household;
• girls can wash their faces with ordinary water instead of dew or strawberry infusion to "wash off" freshness and beauty.;
• to go on the road with bad thoughts — the journey will be fraught with troubles.

Folk signs for July 9th

At David Strawberry Farm, the peasants carefully monitored the weather, precipitation, plants, and bird behavior in order to determine by signs what the rest of the summer would be like, whether to wait for a wet autumn, and whether mushrooms would be born.

• It's been raining all day — bad weather may linger for a long time, and the beginning of autumn will also be rainy.;
• It's clear and sunny — the warmth will last almost until autumn.;
• the day is very hot — a 40-day drought is possible;
• wildflowers smell stronger than usual — it's going to rain soon;
• the flowers of the bindweed closed around noon — to a cloudy evening and precipitation;
• The swifts fly up and down towards the thunderstorm;
• There are a lot of strawberries in the forest — the winter is expected to be harsh.

There were also household signs about David Strawberry. So, dreams on the night of July 8-9 were considered prophetic, the ancestors tried to remember them in order to predict the near future.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs and traditions of the Ivan Kupala holiday.