July is the seventh month of the year and the second month of summer. Its name comes from the Roman general Julius Caesar. In Cyprus, it is also called Defterogiounis, meaning “second June”.

There are numerous superstitions and beliefs associated with religious Saints’ feast days. On July 8th, Saint Prokopios is honored. On this day, figs and grapes begin to ripen, and people invoke the Saint for a good harvest – which is why they used to say: “Saint Prokopios, make things flourish – for figs and for grapes” (Cyp. Ai Prokopi prokopse gia syka gia stafylin).

On July 17^th, Saint Marina is venerated. She is considered the patron saint of infants. Several lullabies are associated with Saint Marina, with several variations such as this one: “Saint Marina, fair lady, who makes little children fall asleep…” (Cyp. Agia Marina tziai tzyra, pou potzimizeis ta mora…). It is also believed that on this day, the figs begin to ripen and the shepherds stop milking their sheep, as milk production decreases. “On Saint’s Marina Day, the fig and the grape appear, take away the milking pail” (Cyp. Tis Agias Marinas deihnei sykon tziai stafyli tziai portin sto galeftiri).

Prophet Elias’ Day is celebrated on July 20^th. Interesting beliefs about weather conditions are associated with the feast days of Saint Marina and Prophet Elias. According to the wisdom of the elders, if a north wind blows on Saint Marina’s feast day and it is cloudy on Prophet Elias Day, a fertile year is foretold. Conversely, if there is a heatwave, the following year is expected to be barren.

Additionally, on the night of July 19^th to 20^th, people used to place 12 fig leaves outdoors, each representing one month of the year, with a small amount of salt on each. It was believed that if the salt on a leaf dissolved, the corresponding month would be rainy. In some areas of Cyprus, people also placed one oka of wheat (about 1.28kg) outdoors. If the wheat weighed more the following morning, it was a sign of a fertile year ahead. Another custom was to leave three mulberry leaves outdoors. If they were damp in the morning, it was taken as a prediction of a fruitful year to come.

On July 27th, the memory of Saint Panteleimon is celebrated. St. Panteleimon practiced medicine, and for this reason, people suffering from all kinds of illnesses would visit his monastery seeking healing, hence the Cypriot saying “Lame and blind go to Saint Panteleimon” (Cyp. Koutsoi, stravoi ston Ai Panteleimon).

Other important Saint feast days in July include Saint Anargyroi Kosmas and Damianos on July 1^st, Saint Kyriaki on July 7^th, and Saint Paraskevi on July 26^th, among many others.

Religious fairs, known as panigyria, are a cherished tradition in our villages, celebrating their patron saints. This month, panigyria are being held in the villages of Pyrga, Agia Marina Xyliatou and Kyperounta in honor of Saint Marina.