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Ermolaev Day: What Can and Cannot Be Done on This Holiday – Note for Orthodox Christians
08.08.2024 00:05
Today, Orthodox believers honor the memory of the early Christian holy martyr Hermolaus of Nicomedia.
Among the people, this celebration is called Ermolaev Day.
In Rus', it was customary to watch the weather on this day. Thus, it was believed that the haze, which is a wet fog, can give special power.
Hermolaus was a presbyter of Nicomedia. He was born at the end of the 3rd century AD.
Yermolai lived during a period of cruel persecution that was carried out against Christian believers.
Despite this aspect, the believer and his associates remained adherents to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Yermolai was a believer, but very fearless. Thus, in particular, he was able to baptize many pagans into the Christian faith.
Among the disciples of Hermolaus was such a great healer as Saint Panteleimon.
It is believed that it was the believer who taught Panteleimon how to heal.
Yermolai and his companions were executed by idolaters for his refusal to betray Christianity and follow pagan beliefs.
What you shouldn't do on Yermolaev's Day
On this day, many people followed certain rules:
- they didn’t work, they could only work in the garden;
- did not quarrel or argue;
- did not go hunting or fishing.
It was on August 8 that it was considered a grave sin to commit ungodly acts, namely, to offend animals. Otherwise, according to beliefs, one could bring trouble upon oneself.
What can you do on Yermolaev Day?
Today it is recommended to start harvesting ripe apples.
In addition, you should dig up early potatoes and make potato pancakes from them.
It is also worth doing some winter preparations and making jam.
