Church holiday October 28, 2026: Ethymius Autumn - signs, traditions and prohibitions

Who does the church remember

Saint Euthymius the New lived in the ninth century. At birth, his name was Nikita, he was born into a pious Christian family in Galatia. Having lost his father early, he helped his mother, and after growing up, he married at her insistence. However, at the age of 18, leaving his wife and young daughter, he secretly went to a monastery on Mount Olympus, where he took monastic tonsure with the name Euthymius.

Later he asceticized on Athos, accepted the great schema and lived in solitude. In search of complete hermitage, Euthymius settled on a desert island near Athos, where he spent the rest of his life in prayer and labor. He died in old age, his relics were famous for miracles.

Saint Athanasius (Sakharov), Bishop of Kovrov, lived in the XX century. He was a well-known theologian and spiritual writer, the author of a book on the remembrance of the dead. During the years of Soviet power, he was repeatedly subjected to repression and spent about 30 years in camps and exiles. He died in 1962 and was canonized in 2000.

The Monk Martyr Lucian of Antioch suffered for his faith at the beginning of the fourth century. He was an educated presbyter in Antioch and led a strict ascetic life. During the persecution under the emperor Maximian, he was captured and executed after torture.

Folk traditions

In Russia, October 28 was called Ethymius Autumn. It was believed that from this day autumn finally comes into its own: the cold begins, the first snow is possible.

On this day, it was customary to insulate the house: close the gaps in the windows and doors, prepare stoves for the winter. Also, the peasants stored the last harvest and harvested firewood.

Particular attention was paid to linen: on Ethymia, women began spinning flax to weave a canvas for winter. It was believed that if you take up the work with prayer, the linen will be soft and durable.

Notes as of October 28

If snow falls on Ethymia, winter will be established early.

Clear and cold weather - for a good harvest next year.

A strong wind on this day - to frequent snowstorms in winter.

Rain on Ethymia - for late and warm autumn.

If there are many leaves on the trees, winter will be late.

Thunder on Ethymia - for a short autumn.

The moon in a circle - to the soon snow.

What can and cannot be done

You can:

Insulate the house, close the cracks, cook stoves.

Start spinning flax and doing needlework.

Clean the house and the yard.

Pray for family well-being and health.

Help those in need and take care of loved ones.

You can't:

Laziness and postponing household chores.

Fighting and swearing - conflicts on this day can last for a long time.

To brag about your achievements is to lose luck.

Refuse to help the petitioner.

Washing and leaving dirty dishes overnight was thought to bring poverty.

Prayer to the Monk Euphemia the New

Believers turn to the Monk Euthymius with requests for spiritual strength, patience in trials, protection from diseases and troubles. On this day it is also customary to pray to St. Athanasius of Kovrov for the bestowal of faith and perseverance in difficult circumstances, and to St. Lucian for protection from ill-wishers and strengthening in the faith.