Ilyin day: holiday history and traditions

The Prophet Elijah is one of those holy people who are worshiped in different religions. There are even traces of the presence of Elijah in pagan religions, Judaism, Islam. In the article we’ll talk about Ilyin’s day. The history of the holiday is vague. Various myths are associated with it.

Ilyin day holiday story


After Ilyin’s day, you can’t swim in open water. It is believed that the prophet comes to freeze water. There is a version that Ilya urinates in the water. Regardless of the reason, you can’t swim after the second of August. This is because disaster can happen.

history of the holiday

The history of the holiday Ilyin day began a long time ago, even before the birth of Christ. According to legend, Ilya is a great prophet from the Old Testament. He was born nine hundred years before the birth of Christ.

When Ilya was born, his father, Sovak, had a vision that the men talked with the child and fed him fire. From a young age, the prophet lived in the desert, in strict fasting and prayer. After he was called to the service of King Ahab, who worshiped Baal. The Lord sent Elijah to the king and ordered him to say that if his people did not turn to the true God, then his kingdom would suffer famine. The tsar did not listen, famine came in the country, and a severe drought came.

During the famine, Ilya lived in the desert for a year. Birds carried him food. Then he came to the widow of Sarepta. After three years of wandering, the prophet returned to the kingdom of Israel and again tried to convey to the king that all the troubles were from the wrong faith. To prove his case, he proposed making altars: one was intended for Baal, and the second - for the true God. If the fire descends on the altar of Baal, then he is the true God, if not, then it is just an idol.

Ilyin day holiday story why you can not swim

First an altar of Baal was made. People stabbed the bull, the priests began to pray, asking to send fire from heaven. Despite all the supplications, no fire was sent.

In the evening of the same day, Ilya made his altar, laid firewood, poured water over them and began to pray. The fire that came down from heaven set fire to both firewood and sacrifice. He burned stones with fire, the waters evaporated. The people saw a miracle and glorified the real God, having believed in him again.

For his deeds, earthly Elijah was taken to heaven alive, in a fiery chariot. This miracle was seen by the prophet Elisha. Then, in the Transfiguration of the Lord, he appeared with Moses and appeared before Christ. They had conversations on Mount Tabor. The tradition of the church says that the prophet Elijah is the Forerunner of the Terrible Second Coming of the Savior on earth. He will be on earth in a mortal body.


The history of the holiday Ilyin Day shows severity and at the same time generosity. The Prophet was highly revered among all the Saints. He always favored believers, the righteous, and was severe with sinners. He fulfills human and God's laws.

Ilya is considered the lord of lightning. Since the adoption of Christianity, the prophet has been portrayed as a thunder god. Many find in this resemblance to the image of Perun, revered by the ancient Slavs.

Ilyin day omen holiday history

You can not swim

Many are interested in trying to find a day in the history of the holiday Ilyin, why you can not swim. Several beliefs are connected with this.

On August 2nd, on Ilyin’s day, it was forbidden to swim in open waters. They used to believe that this could cause great disaster and cause great harm to health. Often people drowned on this holiday.

There are several different versions of why you should not swim. One of them says that the prophet cooled the water. When the saint went to heaven, one of the horses fell a horseshoe directly into the water, making it cold. To this day, people say, "Ilya the prophet stirs up water." This saying is connected with the fall of a horseshoe in the water.

Another version says that from this day water begins to bloom. It is believed that during flowering ponds water acquires an unpleasant, rotten smell. Mud appears on the surface of lakes and rivers. All this can be harmful.

Some people in ancient times believed that on the night of August 2, evil spirits gather near water bodies: devils, mermaids, and water. From this day they begin to host on the water, drowning all who climb into the water to swim.

Ilyin day holiday story for children


The history of the holiday Ilyin Day has its own traditions. The prophet was respected, because he controls the forces that help the peasant to work, to live comfortably. Therefore, the second of August was decided to celebrate, and not to work.

They say that Ilyin a day does not do without thunderstorms, but only sinners hear them. The one who saw the lightning and heard the thunder hid in the houses, closing the shutters and doors. Everyone was afraid of the anger of Elijah.

The traditions and history of the holiday Ilyin Day are very interesting. The villages believed that if it rains, then this is the blessing of the prophet. It was believed that this moisture has a healing power. Women, washed with this water, became more beautiful, more attractive.


In the history of the holiday Ilyin, the day of omens was of no small importance. What are they talking about?

  1. From the second of August, the nights become dark.
  2. Until Ilyin’s rain day, you won’t lure a finger from heaven, and after that - anyone can lure the rain.
  3. If a fire occurs on Ilyin’s day, then before putting out the milk, it is necessary to pour milk into the fire and only then can it be extinguished. If this is not done, then the flame will disperse throughout the village.
  4. You can’t count the mocks.
  5. You can’t work, because Ilya will take away well-being.

Despite the prohibitions, on August 2, some types of work can be performed. It is allowed to take care of bees.

The history of the holiday Ilyin Day for children tells that it was customary to prepare wax for candles. It is believed that the wax prepared specifically on the second of August has special properties. Candles prepared on Ilyin’s day are kept in the house all year and are lit for special occasions. This is due to their ability to protect against evil.

According to legend, it was impossible to stand under the trees that day. Such superstition is associated with the possibility of lightning falling into a tree. Also, you can’t stand at the crossroads where evil spirits gather.

The most important thing that you can’t do on the second of August is to swear, abuse alcohol. Spend the day with an open heart, kind thoughts.

For the celebration on the eve of the second of August, it was customary to bake ritual cookies, ceremonies were held to protect the house from water, lightning. They did rituals to protect themselves from the evil eye, diseases.

Feast Ilyin day history and traditions

The Prophet Elijah is portrayed as stern and at the same time generous. In his submission are lightning, rain, thunderstorms. With them, fertility comes to the earth, the well-being of those who worked for a whole year. For the works of the righteous, a reward awaits him.

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