Church holiday October 26, 2026: Iberian icon and Bath day – signs, traditions and prohibitions

Who does the church remember

The Iberian icon of the Mother of God is considered one of the most revered in the Orthodox world. According to legend, it was written by the evangelist Luke, and the original is stored in the Iberian monastery on Athos. In 1648, the list of the icon was brought to Moscow, and since then, on October 26, the church celebrates this event. The icon is also called the "Guardian" or "Guardian" - according to legend, she chose a place above the gates of the monastery.

St. John Chrysostom is the Archbishop of Constantinople, one of the three Ecumenical Hierarchs, a famous preacher and author of theological works. He is known for the gift of eloquence, for which he received the name Chrysostom.

The martyrs Carp, Papila, Agathodorus and Agathonika suffered for their faith in the third century. Carp was Bishop of Theater, Papila was Deacon, Agathodor was his brother, and Agathonique was his sister. They preached Christianity, for which they were captured and executed.

Folk traditions

In Russia, October 26 was called Bath Day. It was believed that on this day it is necessary to go to the bath to wash off autumn fatigue and illness. The bath was also considered a place of purification before winter.

Another tradition is to put the house in order: insulate windows, clean summer clothes, prepare winter clothes. Also on this day it was customary to do needlework - women spinned, weaved, sewed.

Farmers on this day watched the weather and made forecasts for the winter.

Notes on October 26

If snow falls on Iverskaya, winter will be snowy and cold.

Clear weather and frost - to a good harvest next year.

Rain on Iverskaya - to late and warm autumn.

Strong wind - to frequent snowstorms in winter.

If the leaves from the birch have not fallen yet, the snow will fall late.

Thunder on Iverskaya - for a short winter.

Birds fly low - to the soon snow.

What can and cannot be done

You can:

Go to the bath and cleanse the body and soul.

Clean up the house, insulate the windows.

Do needlework and housework.

Pray to the Iveron Icon for the protection of home and family.

Help those in need and take care of loved ones.

You can't:

Laziness and postponing household chores.

Fighting and swearing - conflicts on this day can last for a long time.

To brag about your achievements is to lose luck.

Refuse to help the petitioner.

Washing and leaving dirty dishes overnight was thought to bring poverty.

Prayer of the Iverian Icon

Believers turn to the Iberian Icon of the Mother of God with requests for protection of home and family, for help in difficult life situations, for healing from diseases and for strengthening faith. On this day it is also customary to pray to St. John Chrysostom for the granting of eloquence and wisdom.