The ninth of August is the Day of Saint Great Martyr Pantheleimon. As they call it among people, especially among peasants, “Saint Pali”.

According to folk traditions Saint Pantheleimon is a protector from fire. During a fire they carry three times his icon around the building which is on fire, believing that the fire will stop. In most cases it is done when the fire is caused by lightning.

On this day farmers pray Saint Pantheleimon and put a candle before his icon. They ask him to “protect their fields from fire”.

There is a token that those who do not worship this saint, reverend Pantheleimon puts their hays on fire. That is why he is also called “Putfireonhay”. In ancient times sorcerers and Cossacks-Characterniks gathered herbs on this day for healing horses and other pets.