Jeremiah's Day. What Orthodox Christians in Latvia Can and Cannot Do on May 14, 2026

On May 14, 2026, the memory of one of the great prophets of the Old Testament, Jeremiah, is honored. He is the author of the "Lamentations of Jeremiah" and the "Book of the Prophet Jeremiah." In the folk tradition, the day has a more understandable name, Erema the Plowman. On this day, it was customary to harness horses and sow grain.

What is Remembered in the Church on May 14, 2026

Jeremiah is one of the four great prophets of the Old Testament. He was born near Jerusalem in the 6th century BC. He came from a family of clergy and decided from an early age to follow in his father's footsteps.

At the age of 15, he received a vision that he would soon become a prophet. He then renounced worldly life and dedicated the next 23 years to teaching the people, refusing to start a family, and prophesying the messages he received from above. He warned that for straying from the one God, great punishments awaited everyone soon — the desolation of their homeland, wars, and slavery. The personal tragedy of loneliness and the understanding that the people would soon suffer led him to be constantly sorrowful. For this, he earned the nickname the weeping prophet. No one listened to his words, and for such outspokenness, the prophet was imprisoned.

Jeremiah's prophecies soon came true. Jerusalem was destroyed by the armies of King Nebuchadnezzar, and the Jews were taken captive. Nebuchadnezzar freed the prophet and allowed him to live wherever he wished. Jeremiah chose to live among the ruins of Jerusalem. According to tradition, he hid the Ark of the Covenant in one of the caves on Mount Nebo. The remaining Jews in Jerusalem decided to flee to Egypt and called the prophet to go with them. He refused and prophesied that this journey would bring punishment. Nevertheless, those going to Egypt forcibly took Jeremiah with them. He submitted. He began to live in the city of Tahpanhes.

He then prophesied that the Babylonian king would come to Egypt and kill the Jews there. This caused a wave of fear and hatred — the prophet was killed. The prophecy came true that same year.

The Meaning of the Holiday

The prophets foretold the coming of Jesus and the salvation of humanity through him, which gave hope to people for many centuries.

What Can Be Done on May 14, 2026

On this day, it is customary to bake special cookies — larks.
It is also good to prepare porridge and treat everyone around with it.
It is an excellent day to plant seedlings. It is believed that the plants will definitely take root.
It is good to do a thorough cleaning.
One should work actively.

What Cannot Be Done on May 14, 2026