What NOT to do on Saint Elijah, on July 20. It brings you bad luck

Saint Elijah 2024. On July 20, Orthodox Christians celebrate the ascension of the Holy Great Prophet Elijah the Tesvitean. 120,000 Romanians bear the name of Saint Elijah, according to national statistics.

Saint Elijah is considered one of the most important prophets in the Old Testament and is celebrated as a great miracle worker and bringer of rain in times of drought.

It is said that at birth Elijah’s father saw men dressed in white wrap him in fiery diapers and, after naming him, gave him a flame to eat. From childhood, she strictly kept the commandments of the Law and kept herself in indifferent virginity, incessant fasting and fervent prayer. He was active in the Northern Kingdom, during the time of King Ahab, he writes crestinortodox.ro.

Saint Elias – Traditions and customs

As a popular deity of the Sun and fire, Saint Ilia, considered the protector of the Romanian Air Force and the patron saint of beekeepers, is celebrated through numerous traditions, especially in pastoral environments.

In the old traditions, on the eve of St. Elijah’s Day, the girls would go to the fields sown with hemp in the evening, undress and roll around in the fields, then get dressed and return home. If they dreamed of green hemp at night, it was a sign that they would marry young and handsome boys, and if they dreamed of dry hemp, it was said that they would marry old people.

In the morning of St. Elijah’s Day, medicinal plants, such as basil, were collected, which were then put to dry in the attics of the houses, under the eaves or in the pantries. In the morning, the plants used for spells and charms were also gathered.

During the day, the women took basil to the church to be sanctified, and once they returned home, they put it on fire and the resulting ashes were used for therapeutic purposes.

Saint Elijah is also considered the patron saint of beekeepers. Traditionally, bee honey is harvested only by physically and mentally clean men, dressed as for a holiday and helped by a child. After harvesting the honey, the people of the house, together with their relatives and neighbors, tasted the new honey and a brandy sweetened with honey.

On the day of Saint Elijah, on July 20, the shepherds were allowed to go down to the villages, for the first time after the sheep went to the fold. On this occasion, young or even mature shepherds would bring their girlfriends or wives wooden forks as gifts. In ancient times, it was customary to organize meetings of the villages on both sides of the Carpathians, fairs, fairs and fairs, some of which have been preserved to this day.

Apples are a symbol of the feast of Saint Elias

Until July 20, it was not allowed to eat apples, nor was it allowed for these fruits to hit each other, so as not to bring hail. This custom is still preserved today. On this day, the apples go to the church to be sanctified, so they will become golden apples in the other world.

It is also believed by Saint Elias that if it thunders, the fruit in the orchards will have worms and all the hazelnuts will dry up. People also say that after St. Elijah’s Day, the heavy summer rains will begin.

In some areas of the country, if there is a storm on Saint Elias, people have to stick a staff with a metal handle into the ground.

Romanians also remember the souls of the dead on Saint Elijah’s day, especially those of children. The apples shaken by the women were given as alms to foreign children, to cheer the spirits of the dead.

What not to do for Saint Elijah, on July 20

• Today, July 20, there is no work for fear of damage (lightning, rain, hail).
• In popular tradition it is said that it is not good to eat apples until Saint Elias.
• Also related to apples, it is said that on Saint Elias they should not be cut with a knife, because then a week full of storms and hail will follow.
• In some areas of the country, on Saint Elias, beekeepers harvested honey from hives. This action is called “resecting the hives”.
• According to custom, honey was to be harvested only by men who were clean in spirit and body, in festive attire.
• The men were helped by a child, because the women were not allowed to enter the hive.
• After the harvest, people would make a big meal to which they would invite their relatives to taste the honey and treat themselves to brandy sweetened with honey.
• The festive table has the role of providing plenty to the beekeepers and to ensure protection of the hives.
• On Saint Elias, believers remember the souls of the sleeping, especially the souls of dead children.
• According to custom, on the morning of St. Elijah, women must call the children under an apple tree, which they shake, and the apples that fall are given as alms.