Ilin Day - Traditions

Annually on August 2, believers celebrate the day of Elijah the Prophet. During his lifetime, the saint was a kind of link between people and God. Believers consider him both generous and formidable, as he punishes bad people and helps good. There are various signs, traditions and customs associated with the day of Elijah. Since ancient times, people believe that on this day the saint rides through the sky on a chariot drawn by horses. In addition, that August 2 is a holiday, it is also considered a transition from summer to autumn.

Rites and traditions on the day of Elijah

Since the Prophet is the patron of thunder , rain and lightning, he was approached with requests for weather. To good people who observe the laws of God, Ilya helps, watering their crops with rain, and he punishes the bad by sending hails and showers. Since ancient times people have been afraid that lightning can enter their house, so there is a tradition on the eve of Ilya's Day to fumigate their house with incense. To protect the harvest, in the morning the peasants exhibited bread and salt in the field, which they carried to the river in the evening and lowered into the water.

There is an interesting sign and tradition on the day of Ilya associated with evil forces. It is believed that on this day the sorcerers, leshchi and evil spirits on the ground are planted in animals to hide from the punishment of Elijah the Prophet. That's why on August 2 it is forbidden to let livestock and pets on the street. Fishermen invariably threw away the caught fish if it had red eyes, since it was believed that the devils had settled into it.

Many traditions and customs on the day of Ilya are associated with rain, for example, if there was bad weather, it was necessary to collect rainwater, because it is believed that it has a special power. It was used to protect yourself from the evil eye. It was believed that if a man fell on August 2 in the rain, then it will not hurt for a year. If there was a thunderstorm for Ilya's day, then it was impossible to be in the water at that time, shout and have fun. People believed that if you do not follow this rule, then the Prophet is sure to be struck by lightning . During a thunderstorm, it is customary to stay at home, tightly closing doors and windows, and before lighting it was necessary to light a candle or a lamp. All this was done in order to protect the house from the wrath of Elijah.

According to tradition, on the day of Elijah, it was forbidden to work on a holiday, and if you disregard the prohibition that the whole crop may rot, and all the foliage and fruit fall from the trees. The only exception concerns work in the apiary, as bees are considered to be the workers of God.