Folk signs for August 8th: 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 August 8 and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for August 8th

In Russia, Ermolai Day was celebrated on August 8, which fell at the height of summer and was considered an important milestone in the agricultural cycle. By this time, the main field work was completed, preparations for the autumn period and the harvesting of late crops began. The people said: "On Ermolai day— reap, do not yawn," "Ermolai— harvest the field."

The peasants went out into the field with songs and prayers, asking the saints for help in a good harvest. Special attention was paid to the completion of field work, trying to remove oats before the onset of stable cold weather. It was believed that oats compressed on this day would be especially heavy and would yield good grain.

Another name has been assigned to the holiday — Mary's Day. It is associated with beliefs that during this period morning mists and dew (haze) endow plants with special healing power. The herbs were dried and stocks were prepared to be used in winter.

During the holiday, they also carefully observed nature, trying to predict the future harvest and the weather for the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. Our ancestors believed that if the morning turned out to be foggy and damp on Ermolai, then autumn would be warm and protracted. A rainy day promised a rich harvest of mushrooms in the forests.

Other signs of the day:

• strong wind — a change in the weather in the coming days;
• Birds are flying low — it's going to rain soon;
• The morning dew does not dry out until noon, leading to a thunderstorm in the afternoon.;
• the sun sets in a cloud — to worsen the weather;
• the leaves begin to turn yellow from below — autumn will be early and rainy.

What not to do on August 8th

On St. Ermolai's Day, there were a number of beliefs and prohibitions, the violation of which, as was believed in the old days, could cause trouble and deprive the family of well-being. They were afraid to loudly sort things out and quarrel on this day, especially with elderly relatives. It was also strictly forbidden to dawdle and postpone work, so as not to be left without supplies in winter.

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What else can not be done on August 8:

• starting new businesses leads to setbacks and losses;
• to refuse help leads to one's own difficulties;
• complaining about fate leads to a worsening of the situation;
• to borrow money or bread — you can "give away" prosperity from home;
• leaving unwashed dishes overnight leads to quarrels and empty conversations.

What is the church holiday on August 8th?

On August 8 (July 26, Old style), the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Holy Martyrs Ermolai, Ermippus and Hermocrates, presbyters of the Nicomedia Church who lived during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Maximilian.

Saint Ermolai was a priest who secretly instructed believers and baptized pagans, for which he was captured. Together with him, his companions Hermippus and Hermocrates suffered, who, despite torture and death threats, refused to renounce Christ. All of them were sentenced to death by beheading with a sword.

On this day, the faithful remember the Venerable Martyr Paraskeva of Rome. The saint lived in the second century and was the daughter of pious Christians, dedicating her life to God from a young age. After the death of her parents, she distributed all her possessions to the needy and became a monk, diligently preaching the gospel among the pagans.

During the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius, she was captured for her faith and brought to trial. The ruler tried to force her to sacrifice to idols, promising riches and honors, but the saint remained steadfast, for which she was subjected to cruel tortures and executions.

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Prayers on August 8th

The Holy Martyrs Ermolai, Ermippus and Hermocrates are asked for the gift of spiritual strength and courage in faith, as well as for help in difficult life circumstances. Saint Paraskeva, revered as a healer of mental and bodily ailments, is considered a helper in illnesses and sorrows.

Prayer to Ermolai, Ermippus and Hermocrates

Troparion, glas 1:

"Anointed with the peace of grace, Most blessed Father Ermolai, you have appeared as a priest of the Most High God and a bright preacher of piety, as a firm martyr and a gratuitous physician to those who flow to you. Glory to Him Who gave you strength, glory to Him who crowned you, glory to Him Who works by you, healing all."

Troparion, glas 8:

"Holy heralds of the Trinity, holy trinity of martyrs, who have exposed idolatrous wickedness and crushed a countless enemy, now, with Christ reigning, pray, holy Ermolai with Ermippus and Hermocrates the glorious, that we may defeat our enemies and receive from the King of all, God, eternal life and an incorruptible crown."

Prayer to Paraskeva of Rome

"Oh, holy and long-suffering Venerable Martyr Paraskevo! To you, like a warm prayer book for God, we fall down and fervently pray: beseech our Lord and Master to show His mercy to us, His unworthy servant, and grant us mental and bodily health, fruitful land, good air, prosperity in Christian piety, a necessary and contented life, and all that May we live peacefully and piously, and may we be worthy to attain a good Christian end and inherit the Kingdom of heaven. To her, our good intercessor! Do not put to shame our trust, which we place in you according to the Lord and the Most Holy Theotokos, but intercede for us for salvation, so that together with you and all the saints, in the joy of eternal bliss, we may glorify in your intercession the great mercy of our God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. centuries. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the folk and church traditions of the Anna Summer holiday.