August 9 according to the new church calendar is the day when believers honor the memory of Saint Apostle Matthew. His life is an example of devotion and faith, as he was chosen instead of Judas Iscariot to complete the number of twelve apostles of Jesus Christ.
'Chief' tells about religious holidays, history, traditions, and omens of August 9, 2025.
Religious holidays and their history
- Memory of Saint Apostle Matthew
- Prayer of the day
- Folk beliefs and omens
Religious holidays and their history
Memory of Saint Apostle Matthew
Saint Apostle Matthew was one of the 70 disciples of Jesus Christ. He witnessed His life, miracles, death, and Resurrection. After the Ascension of the Lord, at the suggestion of Apostle Peter, it was decided to choose a new apostle instead of the traitor Judas. The lot fell on Matthew, and he became one of the twelve chosen.
Apostle Matthew preached the Gospel in Judea and then in Syria, Cappadocia, and Macedonia. His missionary activity was extremely successful. He converted many people to Christianity, performing miracles and healing the sick. For his faith and preaching, he faced severe persecution and was sentenced to death. According to legends, Saint Matthew accepted martyrdom in 63 AD, being crucified on a cross. In Rome, in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore lie the relics of the saint.
Memory of Saint Great Martyr Panteleimon the Healer (according to the old calendar)
On August 9 according to the old calendar, the feast of Saint Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon was celebrated. He is honored as the patron of doctors and protector of warriors. According to legends, Panteleimon was a doctor and, believing in Christ, treated people for free, performing numerous miracles. He visited prisoners in dungeons, especially Christians, who filled all the prisons, and healed them of their wounds. Soon the news of the merciful doctor spread throughout the city. Leaving other doctors, the townspeople began to turn only to him. Out of envy, the doctors reported to the emperor that Saint Panteleimon was healing Christian prisoners. Maximilian urged the saint to deny the slander and make a sacrifice to the idols, but Saint Panteleimon confessed himself a Christian and, before the eyes of the emperor, healed a paralyzed man in the name of Jesus Christ. The fierce Maximilian executed the healed man, who praised Christ, and subjected Saint Panteleimon to cruel torture. For his faith, he was executed.
The veneration of the holy martyr in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has been known since the 12th century. Prince Iziaslav, baptized as Panteleimon, son of Mstislav the Great, had an image of the Great Martyr Panteleimon on his helmet. In the folk tradition, he was often referred to as Panteleimon the Fireman due to the frequent storms and fires that occurred at this time of year.
Prayer of the day
Prayer to Saint Apostle Matthew
O, holy apostle of Christ Matthew! You, who were chosen instead of the traitor to be among the twelve apostles, we beseech you, plead with our Lord that He may grant us a pure heart and unwavering faith. Protect us from temptations and betrayals, teach us to walk the path of truth and righteousness. Hear us, unworthy, and by your prayers help us receive God's mercy, so that we may live to the end of our days in faith and virtue, glorifying the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayer to Saint Great Martyr Panteleimon the Healer
O, great servant of Christ, passion-bearer and most merciful physician, Panteleimon! Look mercifully upon us, sinners, and hear us who pray diligently to you. Earn us mercy and forgiveness of our sins from Christ God. Heal our ailments, comfort our sorrows, protect us from all evil, and help us in faith, that we may worthily pass our life’s path and be worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen.
Folk beliefs and omens
In folk tradition, August 9 was called 'Matthias the Wind Blower' or 'Panteleimon the Fireman'. The names are associated with the frequent strong winds that arose at this time. Also, herbs and healing plants were gathered on this day, as it was believed they gained special power.
- On Matthew's day, it was forbidden to work in the field, especially to transport hay or bread, because it was believed that lightning could strike the harvest.
- If the weather is clear on August 9 - the autumn will be warm and sunny.
- If thunder is heard after lunch - the autumn will be early, and the winter will be snowy.
- If the birds have quieted down - autumn will come very soon.
- On this day, it was not advisable to quarrel and conflict, as any quarrels were considered a sin that could bring misfortune.
Long before the veneration of saints, this period was deeply connected with the agricultural cycle. It was a time of intense labor in the fields, accompanied by rituals and beliefs aimed at honoring the forces of nature and spirits that were believed to promote the fertility of the land.
The news describes religious holidays and their history on August 9, including the memory of Apostle Matthew and Great Martyr Panteleimon, prayers to them, as well as folk beliefs and omens of this day. Religious events and rituals are intertwined with natural phenomena and traditions of peasants.