Why you shouldn’t walk barefoot on August 15 and what to eat today: signs and prohibitions on the Assumption

On August 15, according to the new church calendar, Orthodox believers celebrate a great holiday – the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and also honor the day of remembrance of the icon of the Assumption of the Mother of God of Kiev-Pechersk.

This holiday is popularly known as “Persha Prechista”, it is also called “Assumption”, “Velyka Prechista”, “Spozhinky”, “Dozhinky”.

In mid-August, according to the old style, harvest work ended, which became the basis for the names of the holiday. Regardless of the name, the essence remains the same – to harvest and give thanks to the Virgin Mary during the service. It is essential to light candles and pray for relatives and friends. Special attention should be paid to prayers for children, asking for their health, good luck, and happiness. Also, do not forget about those in need; offer them lunch or small gifts.

For our ancestors, the Virgin Mary symbolized Mother Earth, so many traditions are associated with this aspect. Today, believers gather at the highest points, holding an image of the Virgin Mary in their hands, and read prayers. Icons are hung at home to bring peace and tranquility and alleviate the condition of the sick.

On this day, people usually do various jobs – they prepare food, work in the field and at home, and chop firewood. Girls are advised to cut their hair to promote healthy hair growth. The cut strands should be kept until the feast of the Protection of the Mother of God, and then burned.

Consecrate the cross: dip it in holy water. The water that flows from the cross promises healing from ailments. Do not forget to bake bread from fresh flour, with raisins and nuts, to treat your family. If a pregnant woman wishes you health, this promises that your hopes will come true. If the woman does not appear by the twelfth day, the bread should be given to the beggars in the church.

If there is an unmarried girl in the family, relatives or friends should help her get married by giving her their things. Previously, girls gathered in central squares, dancing round dances, and boys chose the best ones for themselves, giving the girls icons of the Mother of God. The girls received gifts, but they had to give nothing in return, which meant they didn’t like the guy.

Today, it is recommended to eat cereals and honey, which promise material well-being throughout the year. If you eat consecrated bread with salt in the church, you can avoid illness. But if you accidentally drop a piece, you should expect illness.

What not to do on August 15

On this day, the church prohibits swearing, aggression, gossip, slander, envy, greed, and revenge. During the celebration, it is advisable to refrain from work, especially for women, who should avoid cleaning, washing, cooking, or doing needlework. Also, you cannot use cutting objects, light a fire, have fun, or cut your hair.

It is especially forbidden to use obscene words – it is believed that this can lead to punishment in the form of stuttering or memory loss. There is a belief that you can not walk barefoot in dew, as it is believed that these are tears of the Virgin Mary, which can harm your health.

Stay with us to learn more about the traditions and holidays that await us shortly.