Church holiday September 23, 2026: the day of Peter and Paul Ryabinnikov - traditions, signs and strict prohibitions

Who are Saints Peter and Paul

St. Peter headed the Nicene See in the ninth century, when the Orthodox Church was persecuted by the iconoclasts. The Byzantine emperor Leo the Isaurian supported heresy, which prohibited the veneration of holy icons. Peter openly condemned this teaching and suffered for his firmness. Four letters of St. Theodore Studite addressed to St. Peter have survived to this day, a testimony of his authority among the defenders of Orthodoxy.

Folk traditions

The main custom of this day is the collection of arrows. By September 23, the berries were gaining sweetness after the first frost. The hostess boiled jam from them, made tinctures, dried for the winter, and part of the harvest was left on branches for birds.

Rowberry clusters were hung under the roof of the house and in sheds - it was believed that they protected from evil spirits and fires. Girls wove berries beads and wreaths, using them as a talisman from the evil eye.

On this day it was customary to treat relatives with pies with ash, as well as harvest berries for the future - it was believed that they retain healing properties throughout the winter and help with colds.

Marks

Weather on September 23 was judged on winter and future harvest:

A lot of ash - for rainy autumn and harsh winter.

Few berries - autumn will be dry and winter mild.

Thunder on September 23 - to a warm and protracted autumn.

If the leaves from the birch have not fallen yet, winter will come late.

The mountain ash was born large - wait for a good winter harvest.

What can I do

Collect the ash and harvest it for the winter.

Bake cakes and treat loved ones.

Hang bunches of ash at home like a talisman.

Pray to Saints Peter and Paul for the protection of family and health.

Help those in need, give charity.

What can't you do

Cutting a mountain ash and breaking its branches was believed to bring trouble to the house.

Arguing with loved ones and wishing evil - the conflict can drag on.

Refuse to help those who ask for it.

To do heavy physical labor - the day is better to devote to the family.

Leaving the house unprotected - rowan amulets on this day were considered especially strong.

People's wisdom

On this day, they said: “Peter and Paul Ryabinniki are a rowan birthday girl.” It was believed that if on September 23 the ash was born richly, the winter will be frosty, but the house will be prosperous and healthy. And if there are few berries, wait for a mild winter, but a poor harvest.