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St. Lawrence's Day on August 23: ancient traditions and rituals for getting rid of diseases
On August 23, 2025, the Orthodox Church celebrates the day of remembrance of two Saints Lawrence of Rome and Kaluga. This holiday is popularly known as St. Lawrence's Day, or St. Lawrence's Day, and is associated with many folk rituals aimed at promoting health and protecting against diseases. On this day, people washed their faces with dew, believing that water acquires miraculous powers. For more information about the traditions and significance of Laurentian Day, see the Izvestia article.
Laurentian Day: the history of the holiday
In the Orthodox tradition, on August 23, two saints named Laurentius are venerated — Laurentius of Rome and Blessed Laurentius of Kaluga. Their life paths are separated by almost 1.5 thousand years, but they are united by one thing — spiritual strength and willingness to help those in need in difficult times.
St. Lawrence of Rome lived in the 3rd century in the capital of the Roman Empire. At that time, being a Christian was extremely dangerous: faith was forbidden, and a simple confession could cost lives. Laurentius was a pupil and closest assistant of Pope Sixtus, served as archdeacon — holder of church treasures and trustee of the poor.
Mosaic fragment in the altar of the "Holy Rite" depicting Saints Archdeacon Lawrence of Rome, Basil the Great, John Chrysostom, Gregory of Nyssa
At that moment, Emperor Valerian began a severe persecution of Christians. Pope Sixtus and several of his assistants were arrested. Before falling into the hands of the executioners, the mentor ordered Laurentius to sell all church property and distribute money to those expelled from their homes for refusing to worship pagan gods. Lavrenty fearlessly carried out the order, sacrificing all material wealth for the sake of people. Three days after the execution of Pope Sixtus, Lawrence himself was captured and tortured, demanding to find out where the treasures were. The saint replied that true wealth is people who are faithful in their souls, not gold and jewels.
In prison, Lawrence did not lose his spirit and continued to preach Christ, healing the sick and strengthening faith. Despite this, the executioners subjected the saint to severe tortures, from which he died a martyr's death. His name has since become a symbol of faith, courage and compassion.
Icon of the Holy Archdeacon Laurentius
Several centuries later, in Russia at the end of the XV — beginning of the XVI century, another Lawrence appeared — Blessed Kaluga. According to one version, Lavrenty came from a noble boyar family of Khitrovs. He gave up comfort and wealth to serve God, choosing the path of foolishness. Lavrenty lived in a forest hut near Kaluga, and went barefoot even in winter in a simple shirt and sheepskin coat. For his bodily suffering, he was awarded the gift of miracle-working.
According to legends, Lawrence of Kaluga became famous as a miracle worker and defender of his native land. In 1512, during the offensive of the Crimean Tatars, he miraculously appeared on the big ship of Prince Simeon Ioannovich and inspired the army to victory, holding a sharp axe in his hands — a symbol of determination and strength. In memory of this saint, he is often depicted on icons with an axe in his hands. Blessed Lawrence died in 1515.
St. Lawrence's Day in Russia: traditions and rituals for health
In Russia, August 23 was called Laurentian Day, or Lavrentiy Zorechnik, because the morning and evening dawns on this date often turned bright red. On this day, special attention was paid to water. Villagers hurried to the nearest bodies of water — rivers, lakes and ponds to look into their mirrored surface. If the water was calm and level, it promised a warm autumn and a snowy winter. If the surface was swaying uneasily from the wind, it promised bad weather and snowstorms in the cold season. Light ripples on the water warned of bad weather in late summer and early autumn.
In the early morning, the peasants washed their faces with dew, a source of healing power and youth. They especially appreciated the water from wells and springs, believing that it absorbs the power of St. Lawrence, which can heal ailments and strengthen health. Special attention was paid to the eyes — according to legend, it was on this day that washing with spring water helped preserve eyesight and protect against eye diseases. In addition, the faithful prayed to Saint Lawrence, asking him for healing and protection from the evil eye and corruption.
It was also customary to pet black cats on the holiday. It was believed that contact with these animals possessed magical powers capable of relieving mental burdens, sorrows and inner torments.
On August 23, the girls went in search of magical daisies, raspberries and lingonberries, from which it was customary to make amulets to attract their betrothed. People believed that if you carry such a bag with you, then love will surely come, and marriage will be happy and long.
What can and cannot be done on St. Lawrence Day
St. Lawrence's Day is not only a feast of saints, but also a day of special traditions and prohibitions. They were observed in order to preserve health, avoid diseases and not bring trouble to the home and family.
Orthodox believers visit the temple on this day to pray to Saints Lawrence of Rome and Lawrence of Kaluga, asking them for help in healing and protection from troubles. It is important to remember that the holiday falls on the Dormition Fast, a time of spiritual and physical purification. Therefore, believers should abstain from foods such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products.
There were also popular prohibitions: it was forbidden to walk barefoot in the dew, so as not to hurt your feet. It was believed that dew on this day has a special power and at the same time a pathogenic danger for the unwary.
Early and diligent work on this day was welcomed, as laziness was considered the cause of future financial problems and lack of money. There was also a belief that you can not collect nuts — it could bring upon a person financial difficulties and losses.
On this day, people tried to avoid quarrels, negative thoughts and actions, so as not to invite illness and failure. It was important to maintain mental balance and calmness.
What prayers should be read on St. Lawrence's Memorial Day?
On the memorial day of Saints Lawrence of Kaluga and Lawrence of Rome, believers turn to the saints with prayers for help, healing and protection from diseases and troubles. Akathists and troparia are especially powerful, praising the saints and asking for their protection.
Prayer to Blessed Laurentius of Kaluga
"O Holy and God-blessed Saint Lawrence, the righteous and wonderworker, the speedy helper and zealous intercessor of all who come to you with faith and love!
Behold, we also, humble and sinful, burdened with the heavy yoke of our many iniquities, run to you in deep emotion and, falling down to the healing shrines of your holy relics, we pray and ask you.:
Pray to the Lord God for us, that He may not destroy us with our iniquities, but turn us to the path of repentance and salvation.
We lead, we lead, that the prayer of a righteous man can do much before Him.
But to you, the true righteous one, we offer supplication to Him with strong hope, so that for your Heavenly intercession we, the unworthy, may have mercy.
Ask our Creator for the great gifts of His goodness: health, peace, piety, and consolation. Amen to that."
Troparion to Blessed Laurentius of Kaluga (Glas 4)
"Hail, Blessed Lawrence, miracle worker of Kaluga!
You have understood well all the machinations of the enemy of the devil, because you want to destroy your good will with abuse and beatings from evil people. All the more you have resisted it mightily, and you have prayed for your aggressor, and you have taught us to cry out to you.:
Rejoice, unshakable pillar of patience;
Rejoice, thou most merciful image.
Hail, true follower of Christ;
Rejoice, you have endured the beating complacently.
Rejoice, over the reproaches and ridicule of neglect;
Rejoice, you who have conquered human malice through holy love.
Rejoice, you have lived well in the world;
Hail, imitator of angels in the flesh.
Hail, Blessed Lawrence, Miracle worker of Kaluga."
Prayer to the Great Martyr Lawrence of Rome
"Great Martyr Lawrence, most glorious servant of Christ, forerunner of the faith and strong defender of all who seek refuge in you with faith and hope!
You burned with the flame of love for Christ and bravely endured suffering for His name. Hear our prayers, strengthen our faith, heal our mental and physical ailments, and keep us in the ways of righteousness.
Help us in our sorrows and troubles, intercede before God for all those who suffer and are discouraged, so that we may glorify the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit in peace and health forever and ever. Amen to that."
Troparion to the Great Martyr Lawrence of Rome
"Oh, the most holy and most faithful stratotermist of Christ, Archdeacon Lawrence!
Praising your faith and sufferings, we honor your victory and crowned passage.
Hear our prayers, help us in our sorrows and sorrows.
Heal the diseases of the soul and body, guide us on the path of salvation, save and preserve our souls.
Thank God for your gift and your help, now and forever and ever. Amen to that."
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