In Russian fairy tales Ilya lived on the island of Buyan, which lies on the uncharted seas and oceans; it is an island that protects all inhabitants from thunder and lightning… from the force of stormy winds… But Illya was able to control them: he prayed for protection from gunshots wounds, and for success in hunting, and even for  recovery from anthrax. Many stories have been told in connection  with his formidable and powerful name.

'I get up I, the servant of God, go to the eastern side, to the ocean.   At the ocean  is God's Island;  on the island is a stone altar, and on this sits the  holy prophet Elijah with the heavenly angels. I pray thee, holy prophet, went 30 angels in zlatokovannom dress, with bows and arrows, so they are repelled by your servant all the troubles and misfortunes, all ailments and diseases. "

Fleeing from Ilya, the devil is transformed into various animals - rabbits, foxes, cats, dogs, etc. Therefore, Elijah's Day it is  the custom not to allow dogs and cats in the house.

In Elijah’s day, many wild animals roamed at large.  But even if successful in avoiding predators, a disobedient shepherd would be punished.  This resulted in lightning and other punishments, to the disobedient one and to his animal charges.

On Illya day, one may not work.  Carting hay is a sin.  Sturgeon may not spawn.. The only exception was made for beekeepers: they can cut the cells at the apiary, clean hives. Bee - 'God bird', which collects the wax on a candle to God, Elijah did not hit the arrow in the hive, even if it hid behind him unclean spirit.

On Elijah’s day, one may not swim. If August 1st is not recommended, then the 2 nd strictly prohibited. The ban was explained this way: Elijah the Prophet rides on horseback through the sky, from running in Elijah's Day is one of the horse loses a shoe that falls into the water and the water once it becomes cold: 'Elijah the Prophet in the rivers muddying the water'.