Folk signs for July 15: 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 15 and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.
Folk signs for July 15th
In Russia, on July 15, Beregini Day was celebrated — the Slavic goddess, whom our ancestors revered as the guardian of the family, home, and all living things on earth. In the old days, it was believed that the deity protects the household from diseases, evil spirits and helps to keep the peace in the house. After the adoption of Christianity, her image was organically united with the Mother of God.
In folk tradition, this day was associated with the birch tree, a sacred tree of the Eastern Slavs. Our ancestors believed that it was in the image of the white-barreled beauty that Beregini's power manifested itself. On the holiday, the trees were decorated with ribbons, danced around them and sang ritual songs. To improve their health, they went to the sauna and steamed with birch brooms.
According to tradition, women and girls went to the forest to bow to the birch tree, ask for happiness in love and help in everyday affairs. The day was also favorable for weddings and love confessions. It was believed that a marriage concluded on this day would be strong and happy. The people said: "A wedding is played on Bereginya — a strong family is tied up."
Beregini's holiday was also associated with many signs that helped peasants determine the weather at the height of field work. Heavy dew in the morning promised a warm and humid July without drought, as well as a good harvest of cucumbers and cabbage. But a prolonged downpour was considered a bad omen for haymaking, but it promised an abundance of mushrooms and berries.
Other signs of the day:
- intense heat on July 15 — the heat will remain until the end of the month;
- clouds are moving fast across the sky, leading to a change in the weather;
- fish are actively splashing in the water — for hot days;
- insects swarm in a swarm — to rain and showers;
- birch begins to turn yellow by early autumn.
What not to do on July 15th
There were certain prohibitions and superstitions about Bereginya. For example, on a holiday, it was strictly forbidden to show disrespect for nature, especially chopping or breaking birch branches. According to legend, this could cause trouble and illness. They were also afraid to swim in open reservoirs, as on this day, according to popular beliefs, mermaids became more active.
What else can't be done on July 15th:
- using birch firewood for a stove leads to poverty and misfortune;
- to be idle and lazy — you can lose your luck and well-being.;
- quarreling with loved ones leads to long—term conflicts in the family;
- to lend or borrow money leads to financial losses;
- gossiping and telling lies will be punished with a toothache.
What is the church holiday on July 15th?
On July 15 (July 2, Old Style), the Orthodox Church celebrates the Position of the venerable robe of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Blachernae. The holiday was established in memory of the event of the 5th century, when the shrine was moved to the Blachernae Temple in Constantinople.
According to church legend, the robe was discovered by two Byzantine nobles who were making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Near Nazareth, they stayed overnight with an elderly Jewish woman, who told them that she kept the Robe of the Virgin in the house. A new temple was erected for the shrine. The robe was placed in a precious ark, where the holy omophorion and part of the girdle of the Virgin were later added.
On the same day, believers honor the Akhtyr Icon of the Mother of God. This miraculous image was found in the summer of 1739 in the small town of Akhtyrka, Kharkov province. According to legend, the icon was discovered by priest Daniel Vasiliev while mowing the grass. A wonderful radiance emanated from the image, which was subsequently repeated many times.
In 1751, the Holy Synod decided to venerate the newly-minted Akhtyr Icon. Later, the majestic Pokrovsky Cathedral was consecrated in Akhtyrka, where the image was placed. In July 2010, it was transferred to the Resurrection Novodevichy Monastery in St. Petersburg, where it remains today.
Prayers on July 15th
On the holiday, believers turn to the Mother of God with prayers for family peace, the health of loved ones and the strengthening of spiritual strength. The Blessed Virgin is also asked for intercession and protection from harm. It is believed that prayer uttered on this day has great power.
Prayer to the Position of the Virgin's Honest Robe
"O Most Blessed Virgin, O Lady, Theotokos, we now see the pledge of Your mercies to the Christian race, and today we brightly celebrate Your honorable position, for in this Robe you have been pleased to reveal to us the mystery of gracious help and intercession to all who reverently seek You and pour out their hearts before Your Icon in prayer. Accept, O All-merciful Lady Theotokos, these gifts, bestowed upon You alone, from us Your unworthy servants, chosen from all generations, All-beloved of all creatures of heaven and earth. And now, All—holy Theotokos, do not stop praying for us, that we may be delivered from every situation and slander of evil men by Your Robe, and that we may be preserved intact from every poisonous attack of the enemy by the power of Your prayers, so that through Your intercession and the gracious help of Your Precious Robe We may be saved. Glory, praise, thanksgiving and worship for all in the Trinity, to the One God and Creator of all, we send now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen..
Prayer to the Mother of God in front of the Akhtyrskaya Icon
"O Most Blessed and Most Merciful Lady of the world! Behold, we sinners gaze upon Your holy image <...> and fervently beseech You: <...> do not forsake us in the day of trial and tribulation, but in the temptations and adversities we experience, protect us with Your all-honorable protection from enemies visible and invisible, and grant us the power to do the all-perfect and good will of the Creator and the Master of the world.. Behold, O our merciful Intercessor, how much we are subject to all kinds of sins: not only do we sin voluntarily, but we also involuntarily fall into various sins. For this reason, we run to You, the sovereign organizer of Christian salvation, and cry out with emotion: enlighten our mind with the knowledge of Divine truth, warm our heart with the warmth of Christian love and saving desires, and confirm our will in the unfeigned fulfillment of the commandments of the Lord.<...> Heal the diseases of the sick, calm the hearts of the embittered, grant patience to the suffering, instill the fear of God to those who offend, Strengthen those who are persecuted for the truth, protect orphans and widows, grant comfort to those who weep, ask forgiveness for those who repent, calm the demonic storm of passions in sinful souls, and root out Christ's meekness and love in the hearts of those who honor You, and strengthen this spirit of mercy and compassion. <...> To our fathers and brothers and sisters who have departed from this life, O Mother God's mercy, ask for the forgiveness of sins and the beginning of eternal bliss. When the hour of our death draws near, then, O Lady, receive our soul and rest it in the company of the righteous, as the faces of the Angel and saint unceasingly glorify the power and mercy of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and Your maternal intercession and intercession for us, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the folk and church traditions of the summer Kuzminki holiday.
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