The day of the prophet Elijah, or Ilyin's day, is celebrated. It was from this day, according to popular belief, that you can’t swim in rivers and lakes.
Among the people, the prophet Elijah is considered the lord of thunderstorms and rains. On Ilyin's day, the first signs of autumn are already noticeable, the days are getting shorter and colder. By August 2, they try to have time to finish the haymaking. The main prohibition associated with the feast of the prophet Elijah concerns swimming in ponds.
About the holiday Ilyin's day
The holiday is dedicated to the prophet Elijah, who is revered in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Orthodox celebrate the day of the prophet Elijah on August 2. Saint Elijah is one of the most “popular” among the people, and many signs are associated with his day.
Elijah lived in the 9th century BC in the Jewish city of Thisbe. As soon as the baby Elijah was born, his father had a vision that he would become a prophet, and the grown-up Elijah could perform miracles, such as sending fire from heaven or causing rain. The words belong to him: “And in these years there will be neither dew nor rain, except at my word,” the prophet is called upon during periods of drought, praying for rain.
On Ilyin's day and after it, it is forbidden to swim in the reservoirs. According to legend, the prophet Elijah rode a fiery chariot into the sky, and a horseshoe fell into the water from the horse's hoof, cooling it. Therefore, if you swim on this day, you can catch a cold and become seriously ill.
In this regard, there are many sayings that prohibit swimming after August 2. For example, “Ilya the prophet stirs up water in the rivers”, “On Ilyin’s day, a deer swam across the water, it’s not worth swimming” and more free content.
You can’t swim, as evil spirits can grab and drag you to the bottom. In addition, the devils defiled the water, so that bathing in it, one could get sick, covered with ulcers, or even worse.
Although the ban on swimming in August has a completely rational explanation. At this time, the water in the rivers and ponds begins to bloom, a lot of algae appears, the water becomes musty smell. In such reservoirs it is simply not very pleasant to swim. And the water temperature is already noticeably lower in the evening, so the danger of catching a cold is not at all mystical, but real.
There are many different beliefs among the people. Some of this list is observed, some of which people gradually begin to forget. After it comes, why can't you swim? What is the reason?
Before you figure out why you can’t swim after Ilyin’s day, you should find out when exactly this holiday comes. This is a birthday that was born almost a thousand years before This holiday is celebrated annually on August 2.
About the climate
Many will be surprised by the statement that after the second of August it is no longer worth swimming in open water. After all, it is in this month that the weather is the warmest, and the water is ideally warmed up. But that's just today. Earlier in August it was much cooler, so they stopped swimming. It is precisely since then that the sign has remained. And even despite global warming and a slight shift in the seasons, it is still relevant. People try to follow it.
Why can't you swim after Ilyin's day? The thing is that at this time, according to popular beliefs, all evil spirits settle in the reservoirs: mermaids, water and other inhabitants. What does this mean for a person? At least abscesses, warts and other unpleasant skin diseases. And the most good people this one takes it under water with it, so a person who decides to swim on Ilyin’s day and after it (according to legend) risks simply drowning. Knowing why you can’t swim after Ilyin’s day, you can follow this sign, or you can ignore it (as most people do today).
What does science think about it?
Having learned why it is impossible to swim after Ilyin's day, scientists only smile indulgently. And, of course, they don't believe it. They say that only in August the water becomes the purest and is completely cleared of microbes and microorganisms that are washed into the reservoirs with a thaw. The only thing is that the nights in August really become colder, the reservoirs begin to gradually cool down. Swimming can be dangerous for a person only from the point of view of hypothermia of his body.
What does the Church think about it?
Why can't you swim after this day? For priests, this remains a mystery. Church leaders do not believe in this sign, and such statements are generally considered sinful. They call their flock to the same.
Other signs
Ilyin's day is also rich in somewhat different signs. You can’t swim after August 2 - this is already clear. What else can this prophet suggest? So, among the people it is also called a thunderer, so there are several signs associated with this particular phenomenon. So, if on Ilyin's day the thunder is deaf, there will be a quiet rain, a booming rain, and if it is continuous, there will be hail. It is also believed that it is after this holiday that the rainy season begins. Therefore, it was necessary to remove everything from the fields before the second of August and roll up the hay, only in this way it would be dry and fragrant. Interesting is the sign that says that after the day of Elijah, mosquitoes do not bite. Also, the flies stop bothering.
Memorial Day of Elijah the Prophet is celebrated on July 2, 2018. The history of the holiday is overgrown with legends and signs, one of which says that neither on this day, nor after it, you can no longer swim in open water. And people sacredly believed in the warning, and refrained from bathing.
The commemoration of Elijah the Prophet is famous for a large number folk signs, but very interesting about the ban on swimming. There are several versions that could extend the light to the true reason for such a limitation. According to one of them, the roots of which go to religion, a whole legend has formed.
Moving across the sky in a chariot, one of Elijah's horses lost a horseshoe, which fell into a pond. An incredible thing happened: the water instantly cooled down and it became impossible to swim in it without harm to health. And therefore, after the Day of Elijah, if you swim, then there is a risk of catching a cold.
The opposite version concerns dark side life and sounds very mythical. In ancient times, they believed that on August 2, evil spirits gather at night near the reservoirs and have fun, and the greatest joy for her is to drown an innocent soul. Therefore, anyone who is unlucky and is forced to walk near the water at night should be extremely careful.
Scientific explanation of why you can not swim on the feast of Elijah and after it
Scientists put forward their theory of the ban on swimming on the holiday of Elijah and the period after it right up to the fall. In their opinion, at this point, the algae no longer grow, but begin to deteriorate. The water turns green and smells bad from the decomposition process that takes place in it. Even fish cannot withstand the harmful effects of decomposition and dies.
Experts warn against bathing in such water, because it provokes a number of serious skin diseases, and if it gets inside, then intestinal ailments can happen. Easily damage decaying algae immune and cardiovascular system. By and large, all organs and systems suffer.
It is better to listen to the advice of scientists and not to swim after the holiday of Elijah. And whatever the reason for the appearance of signs about the danger of swimming on this day and after it, in order to protect health, it is reasonable not to dive into the water of rivers and lakes, but to wait for the next season.
In modern life, a person is used to looking for a logical explanation for everything, and at a time when signs were just being formed, people simply believed in them and did not try to understand anything. Every child knew about the ban on swimming on Elijah's holiday from childhood. On the other hand, the fact that by this day the water just becomes cold is a weighty argument not to swim.
Orthodox Christians on August 2 will celebrate the day of Elijah, which is not only a holiday for believers, but also a transition from summer to autumn, when daylight hours decrease, nights become cold, and the behavior of animals and insects changes.
Elijah - one of the most revered prophets and zealots of the faith - formidable and generous. The prophet instructs the lost, patronizes the faithful to the Lord. In the submission of the saint - rains, thunders and lightnings, the harvest and earthly fertility depend on him.
What they don’t do on Ilyin’s Day, why you can’t swim in the reservoirs
Since ancient times, this day has never been worked, Ilyin's Day was considered free and festive. It was believed that work around the house or in the field could anger the prophet Elijah. Even in the garden it was impossible to just go in, it was believed that the roots of cucumbers and tomatoes would rot, and the leaves of cabbage would wither. The only thing you could do was take care of the bees. These creatures of God produce the wax from which church candles are made. The beekeepers did their work, not being afraid of evil spirits and the fiery arrow of Elijah directed against them. On the contrary, it was believed that Ilya would reward beekeepers who worked that day with good luck.
- They didn't catch fish that day. According to legend, fishermen on this day could become the prey of evil spirits.
- On this day, do not swim in the ponds. One of the legends says that when the prophet Elijah was ascending into the sky in a chariot, one horse's shoe fell off and fell into the water. After that, the water became cold, and those who bathe in it can catch a cold.
- On this day, it is not supposed to stand under a tree, but also shoot from a slingshot, shout loudly. It is believed that lightning can descend on a person. And yet - it was believed that lightning falls into the garden of a sinful person.
- Travelers were not recommended to stand at the crossroads, it was believed that evil spirits were gathering there.
- On Ilyin's Day they don't swear, they don't swear, they don't even allow bad thoughts.
- It was believed that on the day of veneration of the prophet Elijah, evil spirits could move into pets, so they were not allowed into the yard or pasture and were not allowed into houses.
- On this day, in no case did they wash, and in general, they tried to stay away from the water. At the same time, there are also signs that say that you need to wash yourself with rainwater on Ilya.
The history of the holiday Ilyin's day
In the Jewish city of Thesvi in the 9th century BC, a child was born, they named him Ilya. At the time of his birth, drowsiness came over his father and he had a prophetic dream. His newborn son was fed with fire by the archangels themselves and wrapped in fiery swaddling clothes. The dream came true. The baby grew up and became a beacon of faith. During the reign of King Ahava of Israel, the prophet Elijah repeatedly had to perform miracles in order to reason with Ahava, who, under the influence of the Phoenician faith of his wife, became an idolater and served the god Baal. There are stories in the Bible about how Elijah, in order to show the strength of the Christian faith, brought down fire from heaven three times, resurrected a dead youth, and caused rain. Elijah, at the approach of death, reached heaven in a chariot, with 4 fiery horses, in order to return to earth before the 2nd coming of Christ. He graciously transferred spiritual strength to his disciple, Elisha.
Traditions and rituals of the holiday
The celebration of Ilyin's day combines church and folk traditions.
In Orthodox churches, divine services are held in honor of the prophet: they read the divine liturgy and arrange a procession. Farmers pray to Saint Elijah, ask him for a good harvest and bless the seeds in the church.
It is customary for people to arrange a magnificent dinner on this holiday. The hostesses put stewed lamb and pork, bread, and cakes on the table. Festive meals are served to family members, friends and neighbors. On Ilyin's day, it is customary to show mercy and feed the poor.
After the festive feast, people arrange folk festivals and fairs. They sing ceremonial songs, dance and organize games.
The Orthodox Church of the Old Testament prophets recognizes only Elijah - he is the only one of the prophets who was taken alive into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Elijah, who is especially revered among the Saints, is considered the master of lightning - he guards the fulfillment of God's and human laws and administers a fair trial.
Ilyin's Day is celebrated not only by the Orthodox, but also by Jews and Muslims who live in the vicinity of Mount Carmel. According to the biblical story, the Saint defeated the priests of Baal by hiding and praying on this mountain.
Catholics also revere the saint, but they did not establish a separate celebration for him.
In Russia, after the adoption of Christianity, the god of thunder Perun, revered by the ancient Slavs, replaced the image of St. Elijah. Therefore, among the people, many customs, beliefs and signs are associated with Ilyin's day.
He asked why it is impossible to swim on Ilyin's day, with what signs and customs it is connected.
Why can't you swim
Swimming in open water, according to popular belief, was not allowed from August 2, as people in ancient times believed that this could harm their health and bring trouble on themselves.
In connection with why it is impossible to swim in lakes and rivers on Ilyin's day and after it, there are several versions. One of them says that on Ilyin's day, water begins to bloom in reservoirs - it becomes covered with mud and can be harmful to health.
According to another, you can not swim, because "Elijah the prophet cooled the water." According to legend, when Elijah went to heaven in a chariot, one of the horses lost a horseshoe from a hoof. She fell into the water and cooled it off.
Another version of why you can’t swim says that on the night of Ilyin’s day, evil spirits: water, mermaids, devils gathered near water bodies and began to take charge in rivers and lakes.
Daredevils could drown from convulsions or heart failure, pick up warts and other river ailments. Therefore, it was impossible to swim on Ilyin's day.
Customs and signs
On Ilyin’s Day, according to folk customs, they didn’t work so as not to anger St. Elijah - on a holiday, work in the field or in the garden can lead to the death of the crop, so in the old days people tried to put aside all their affairs and relax on this day.
On Ilyin's Day, you can take care of the bees and prepare wax for candles. People believe that it is on Ilyin's day that candles made have special energy and can protect against all evil.
© Sputnik / STRINGER
Standing under a tree, shouting, swearing and scolding on Ilyin's day is a bad omen, since lightning on this day can strike a sinner.
Standing at crossroads where various evil spirits gather is also a bad omen.
According to custom, on Ilyin's day one cannot rowdy, swear and abuse alcohol - the holiday should be spent with an open heart and good thoughts.
According to custom, they began to celebrate Ilyin's day the day before - with the help of various rituals they tried to protect themselves from illness and the evil eye, and the house from rain, lightning and hail. Ritual cookies were also baked the day before.
According to signs, rain on Ilyin's day indicates that there will be few fires in the coming year, and the harvest will be rich. Therefore, people prayed to the prophet for the gift of rain.
© Sputnik / Alexander Imedashvili
On Ilyin's day, according to custom, they collected rainwater, since, according to signs, it was possible to wash off the evil eye and damage by washing it.
On Ilyin's Day, it was believed that all evil spirits, escaping from the fiery arrows of the prophet, turn into various animals - foxes, hares, wolves, cats, dogs, and so on. Therefore, on Ilyin's day, there was a custom not to let dogs and cats into the house, so as not to bring thunder and lightning to the house.
The hunting season began on Ilyin's Day, since from that day on, animal burrows, in particular, wolf burrows, opened in the forests. According to signs, getting "gray" on Ilyin's day meant that luck would accompany the whole season.
From that day on, the first signs of autumn appear in nature, so Ilyin's day was considered the calendar border of summer - the daylight hours decrease, the night increases, the weather becomes moderately warm.
In Russia, on Ilyin's Day, according to custom, they held processions and prayed to the Saint for protection from the evil eye and diseases, for the harvest, for the weather suitable for field work, and so on.
According to custom, on Ilyin's day, the first loaves were baked from the grain of the new crop.
Material prepared on the basis of open sources
