On July 26, the faithful honor the memory of Saint Hermolaus the Martyr
On Sunday, July 26, the Orthodox Church celebrates the eighth Sunday after Pentecost and commemorates the Holy Martyr Hermolaus.
The 8th Sunday after Pentecost (or the 8th Sunday after the Descent of the Holy Spirit) is a transitional Sunday service in the Christian liturgical calendar, whose main theme is the miraculous feeding of five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish.
This event speaks to God’s boundless mercy, His care for our daily needs, and serves as a foreshadowing of the Sacrament of the Eucharist. The Gospel reading also includes the Apostle Paul’s call for unity, peace, and harmony among the faithful.
On July 26 according to the New Church Calendar (August 8 according to the Old), we commemorate the holy martyrs Hermolaus, Hermippus, and Hermocrates of Nicomedia, who suffered for their faith in the 4th century. Hermolaus was born in the 3rd century in Nicomedia. After his baptism, he became a presbyter and actively preached Christianity. At a time when Christians were being persecuted, Hermolaus, together with his companions, Hermippus and Hermocrates, was forced to go into hiding.
However, Hermolaus did not abandon his mission and continued to preach the faith, drawing more and more people to Christianity. Among his disciples was also the famous healer and Great Martyr Panteleimon, whom, according to tradition, Hermolaus himself taught to heal. When Panteleimon was arrested, he revealed the name of his mentor, Hermolaus, and the location of his hiding place. As a result, Hermolaus and his companions were arrested and soon executed.
Traditions
In the folk calendar, July 26 is known as Yermolai’s Day or Mary’s Day. Since ancient times, this period has marked the start of digging up early potatoes, picking the first apples, and preparing home supplies for the winter. At the same time, there was a belief that one should not taste apples from the new harvest until Apple Savior Day.
Our ancestors also believed that it was precisely at the end of July that morning dew endowed medicinal plants with special power. Therefore, in the afternoon, they would set out to gather healing herbs for drying and preservation.
Our ancestors closely observed nature to predict the weather:
- if flies became particularly pesky, rain was expected;
- if frogs come closer to bodies of water, prolonged rainfall will soon begin;
- if the cuckoo sings in the morning, fall will be warm and long;
- a crimson sunset portends rainy weather;
- if the linden trees start turning yellow at the end of July—autumn will come earlier than usual.
As a reminder, July 27 is celebrated worldwide as Bagpipe Appreciation Day—a holiday dedicated to one of the most famous musical instruments, which has long been a symbol of Scotland. On this day, people reflect on the history of the bagpipes, their role in the cultures of various peoples, and their unique sound, which cannot be confused with any other instrument.
On July 25, the U.S. celebrated National Wine and Cheese Day—a holiday dedicated to one of the world’s most famous culinary pairings. On this day, wine and cheese lovers gather together, host tastings, experiment with flavors, and simply enjoy each other’s company.
