Church holiday on 22 July 2026: what women must not do

Mary Magdalene came from the town of Magdala, situated on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. The Gospel states that Jesus Christ healed her, after which she became His devoted follower.

Mary accompanied Christ, was present at the crucifixion and went to the tomb after His burial. According to the Gospel of John, she was the first to see the risen Jesus and was instructed to tell the disciples about it.

For this reason, in Christian tradition, Mary Magdalene is referred to as ‘equal to the apostles’ and ‘an apostle to the apostles’.

According to church tradition, she later preached Christianity in Rome and other lands. One account links Mary Magdalene to the origin of the tradition of painting Easter eggs.

According to legend, during a meeting with the Roman Emperor Tiberius, she presented him with an egg and announced the Resurrection of Christ. When the emperor doubted her words, the egg is said to have turned red. This story is part of ecclesiastical tradition and is not described in the Gospels.

According to tradition, Mary Magdalene spent the last years of her life in Ephesus. In the 9th century, her relics were transferred to Constantinople, and part of the relic is now kept at the Simonopetra Monastery on Mount Athos.

What people pray to Mary Magdalene for

People turn to Mary Magdalene, Equal to the Apostles, with prayers for the strengthening of faith, spiritual fortitude and help during difficult circumstances in life.

She is also asked for good health, peace in the family, protection from despair and the strength to overcome trials. As Mary Magdalene held a special place among Christ’s female followers, she is regarded in popular tradition as the patron saint of women.

What to do on 22 July

On this day, believers are advised to attend church services, pray, help those in need, and spend time with their families.

Traditionally, on 22 July, people would tidy their homes, wash the windows, wash the curtains and let more sunlight into the house. It was believed that the so-called ‘Mary’s light’ brought prosperity and harmony to the home.

The name ‘Mary the Berry-Gatherer’ is linked to the picking of raspberries, blueberries and other summer berries. These were used to make jam, compotes and other preserves for the winter.

What women must not do on Mary Magdalene’s Day

The Church does not impose a specific ban on women working on 22 July. The claim that women must not work on this day stems from folk beliefs.

According to an ancient tradition, women were advised not to carry out heavy work in the fields, orchards or vegetable gardens. It was suggested that the day be devoted to prayer, family and peaceful household chores.

Field work was particularly avoided during thunderstorms. This prohibition was linked to the image of ‘Fiery Mary’, who was regarded in popular belief as the mistress of lightning. At the same time, there is a practical explanation for this rule: it is indeed dangerous to be out in the open during a thunderstorm.

On this church feast day, one should not quarrel, use foul language, gossip, feel envy, belittle others or refuse to help. Nor should folk superstitions be mistaken for church precepts: the main essence of the day lies in prayer, charity and restraint.

What feast day is it according to the old calendar?

Communities that continue to follow the Julian calendar honour the holy martyr Pankratius, Bishop of Tauromenium, on 22 July.

The feast day of Mary Magdalene according to the old church calendar falls on 4 August in the modern civil calendar.

Folk omens for 22 July

If fog lay low over the ground in the morning, a warm and sunny day was expected. A thunderstorm was considered a harbinger of a good grain harvest, whilst bright stars before dawn signalled the approach of rain.

If frogs remained in the water, dry weather was expected, but when they came ashore, people prepared for rain. Pigeons hiding in their nests were also seen as a sign of approaching bad weather.

These omens are part of folk tradition and have no connection with church teachings or scientific weather forecasting.

Who celebrates their name day on 22 July

According to the new church calendar, the main name day on this day is celebrated by women named Maria.

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