Folk signs for June 24: 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 June 24 and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for June 24

In Russia, Barnabas Day was celebrated on June 24, which was traditionally associated with the beginning of steady heat and the height of field work. It was also popularly called Barnabas Strawberry, because by that time the forest harvest was actively ripening in the forests, primarily strawberries.

In the villages on Barnabas, strawberries began to be harvested. It was not only eaten fresh, but the leaves were also dried for medicinal teas, and fragrant jam was brewed, which was considered a good remedy for colds.

For our ancestors, the holiday was associated not only with the harvest, but also with the beginning of a mysterious period — the mermaid days, which lasted until Ivan Kupala. It was believed that since June 24, the evil spirits — mermaids, water and goblins — have become especially active and dangerous to humans. The peasants believed that at noon the spirits divided the land among themselves and could destroy anyone who happened to be nearby.

An important place on this day was occupied by weather signs. It was believed that the morning fog heralded a rich harvest of mushrooms and berries. The clear and dry weather on June 24 promised a hot and long summer.

Other signs of the day:

• strong wind in the morning leads to changeable weather in July;
• dew does not dry out for a long time — for prolonged rains;
• Geese fly against the wind, leading to a cold snap;
• there are no swifts visible in the sky — for a thunderstorm.

What not to do on June 24th

On Barnabas' Day, there were a number of prohibitions in the folk tradition. People were afraid to start important things, especially those involving risk and major changes. They also avoided quarrels and conflicts so as not to "scare off" their luck on the farm. They paid special attention to the words, believing that what they said on that day could quickly come true.

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What else can't be done on June 24th:

• swimming in ponds — mermaids and water people could drag to the bottom;
• being lazy in working on the land leads to a weak harvest;
• Making risky financial decisions leads to losses;
• to refuse help leads to a deterioration of relations with loved ones.

What is the church holiday on June 24th?

On June 24 (June 11, Old Style), the Orthodox Church honors the memory of two great saints of God named Barnabas, the 70th Apostle Barnabas, who played an important role in the formation of the early Church, and St. Barnabas of Vetluzhsky, who lived in the XIV—XV centuries and is considered one of the ascetics of the Russian North.

St. Barnabas the Apostle came from a rich and noble Jewish family from Cyprus, and from his youth he devoted himself to the service of God. His mission was to spread the teachings of Christ among the Gentiles. Barnabas actively participated in missionary journeys with the Apostle Paul. He preached Christianity in Asia Minor and Cyprus. According to legend, he was martyred for his faith.

St. Barnabas of Vetluzhsky is a native of Veliky Ustyug. In 1417, as a priest, he retired to the deep forests on the banks of the Vetluga River, where he spent many years in strict seclusion. Over time, a monastic community formed around him. According to legend, even wild animals came to the saint, who lived next to his cell and were so meek that the elder walked between them.

After his death, Barnabas of the Deserts was formed at the place of his exploits, which became the center of pilgrimage in the region. In 1639, after numerous miraculous healings at his relics, with the blessing of Patriarch Joasaph of Moscow, St. Barnabas was canonized.

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Prayers on June 24

Believers turn to Saint Barnabas with prayers for spiritual strengthening and patience. They pray to him for help in missionary and church affairs. They also ask for family peace and conflict resolution. They pray to St. Barnabas of Vetluzhsky for support in difficult life circumstances and for strengthening faith.

Prayer to Barnabas of Cyprus

Troparion, glas 3:

"The tongue was inspired by fire in the power of the Spirit, the Word that came was preached everywhere in the flesh, for His sake He was beheaded, he was stoned, and he is an ornament to the apostolic face, Bartholomew and Barnabas, we honor your memory with the same and ask: pray to Christ God grant us the remission of sins."

Kontakion, glas 3:

"You were a true servant of the Lord, but you were the first of the apostles in the seventies, and you illuminated your preaching with Paul, proclaiming Christ the Saviour to all, for the sake of which we celebrate your Divine memory, Barnabas."

Prayer to Barnabas of Vetluzhsky

"O All-blessed Father, Venerable Barnabas, who warmly intercedes and helps those who call upon you with faith! Through your prayers to the Lord, deliver us from every demonic condition. Deliver us, thy wretched servants, O wonderworker Barnabas, from the mouth of the pernicious serpent, devour us and bring us down to the living hell. Forgive us, Father, if we have sinned, and deliver us from sin and all the misfortunes that come from our sins. Grant comfort to our souls, plant the fear of God's judgment in our hearts, deliver us from our enemies, visible and invisible, for imams are the warmth of a prayer book and intercessor for you, who are in trouble and have fallen into sins.<...> You, forsaken the world and forsaken the world, and bring us to the Lord through your prayers Most honorable Father, may we also be worthy of the eternal good things that we enjoy: Heavenly glory, desired by Jesus Christ and the sweetest Lord and Lord of all. All glory, honor, and worship befits Him, together with His Beginningless Father and His All-holy, Good, and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the folk and church traditions of the feast of the Sign of Timothy.