The Church honours the holy brothers Boris and Gleb (in Baptism Roman and David), among the first Russian saints to be canonised by the Church, on 24 July. Many written monuments of antiquity dedicated to the life and tragic death of the brothers have survived to our days.
Princes Boris and Gleb were the youngest sons of the holy Prince Vladimir the Equal-to-the-Apostles. They were born shortly before the baptism of Kievan Rus’ and were brought up in Christian piety.
Boris and Gleb were killed by their elder brother Svyatopolk during the feud that broke out after the death of their father in 1015. At first the latter ordered to kill Boris. It happened on 24 July 1015 (6 August New Style) on the bank of the river Alta. Soon Gleb also died. The murderers caught up the prince at the mouth of the river Smyadini, near Smolensk.
After their martyrdom at the hands of co-religionists, the Church consecrated the brothers to the countenance of saints. they became the first saints in Russia to be canonised as martyrs-passion-bearers.
What is forbidden to do on the day of Boris and Gleb
- People preferred to refrain from any difficult work and do not burden themselves with household chores. But on this day they went to visit each other and treat each other with homemade pies.
- On the day of commemoration of Saints Boris and Gleb people tried not to go to work in the field, so as not to get into a strong fire. The thing is that usually in August it was the time of thunderstorms with lightning, because of which haystacks could catch fire.
- Chopping wood was also forbidden, as it was believed that it could bring bad luck.
- On this day you should not swear profanely, swear.
At the same time, on 24 July you can collect berries, make compotes and jam from them. Also on this day were made also stocks of birch brooms for the bath. Choose birch trees with drooping branches or young trees that have not yet blossomed.