Church feast day on 23 July 2026: what people ask of the Mother of God of Pochaiv
According to the New Julian calendar, on 23 July, the faithful honour the Pochaiv Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God. According to the old church calendar, this feast day falls on 5 August.
The miraculous icon is kept at the Pochaiv Lavra of the Dormition in the Ternopil region. According to tradition, the icon was donated to the monastery in the 16th century by Anna Goyska, a noblewoman, in whose estate it had been kept for around three decades.
One of the main church traditions is linked to the siege of the Pochaiv Monastery in 1675. The monks and local residents, who lacked sufficient strength to defend themselves, prayed before the icon of the Mother of God.
According to church tradition, the Mother of God appeared above the monastery, together with the Venerable Job of Pochaiv and angels. The attackers were frightened by the vision and retreated. A special day of veneration for the Pochaiv Icon was established to commemorate the monastery’s deliverance.
What do people pray for before the Pochaiv Icon?
Believers turn to the Mother of God with requests for spiritual support, health and protection. People pray before the Pochaiv Icon:
- for healing from serious illnesses;
- for the protection of children and family;
- for peace and understanding amongst loved ones;
- for deliverance from fear and despair;
- for help for people in danger;
- for the strengthening of faith and sound judgement in difficult situations;
- for the protection of Ukraine and its soldiers.
The Church emphasises that the faithful do not worship a material object, but turn in prayer to the Mother of God depicted on the icon.
What you can do on 23 July
On this day, believers may visit a church, pray before the image of the Mother of God, light a candle for the health of their loved ones, and ask for protection for those who are far from home.
The day is considered auspicious for reconciliation, helping those in need and doing good deeds. It is also a good time to tidy the home, finish any postponed work and spend time with the family.
In the folk calendar, 23 July is known as ‘Trokhym the Sleepless’. The name is associated with the memory of the martyr Trokhym and the great amount of farm work traditionally carried out at the height of summer.
By this time, people would have been picking raspberries and other seasonal berries, and making jam, compotes and provisions for the winter. The day was also considered auspicious for starting a worthwhile endeavour.
What not to do on 23 July
There is no specific church prohibition against physical labour on this day. However, believers are advised to avoid actions that contradict Christian teachings.
You should not:
- argue or insult others;
- use foul language or spread rumours;
- be envious or wish ill on anyone;
- refuse to help when you are able to;
- abuse alcohol;
- to waste the day through laziness.
The folk belief about the prohibition on sleeping late is linked specifically to the name Trofim the Sleepless and is not a church requirement. Similarly, folk traditions include the warning not to break viburnum branches unnecessarily, as Ukrainians have long regarded them as a symbol of the family and a talisman for the home.
Folk omens for 23 July
People used to try to predict the harvest and future temperature changes based on the weather on this day:
- morning mist foretells an abundance of mushrooms;
- evening mist promises clear weather;
- bright stars before dawn warn of rain;
- if pigeons take shelter, bad weather is on its way;
- the loud cries of birds foreshadow a change in the weather;
- the hooting of owls at night was associated with a drop in temperature;
- rain on this day was considered a good omen for the harvest.
- These superstitions are part of folk tradition and have no scientific basis.
Who celebrates their name day on 23 July
According to the new church calendar, Trofim and Theophilus may celebrate their name days on 23 July. Those who follow the old style will honour these saints on 5 August.
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