What can not be done on September 25, so as not to cause trouble: folk signs and prohibitions

September 25, 2026 according to the national calendar - Artamon Zmeevik. In Russia, they believed that on this day snakes crawl out of shelters for the last time, after which they go into forests and burrows until spring. By natural phenomena tried to determine when the cold will come and what the winter will be.

The name of the day is associated with folk ideas about the behavior of snakes in autumn. It was believed that by September 25 they leave the fields and move to forests and other places for wintering, so they tried to meet reptiles with caution.

The day was named Artamon in the church memory of the Hieromartyr Autonomy, Bishop of Italy. Over time, the name of the saint in the folk tradition was transformed into a more familiar "Artamon", and seasonal observations gave the second part of the name - Snake.

In late September, people watched rain, thunder, leaves and acorns closely. These are the signs of the approach of winter:

Another feature of the day was the behavior of snakes: if they really stopped appearing in open places, this was perceived as a sign of the final transition of nature to the cold season.

The day was associated with the preparation of nature and economy for winter. It was possible to do ordinary household chores, clean up supplies, prepare the house for the cold and complete seasonal work.

They also tried not to disturb snakes and other animals that were preparing for the winter. People’s ideas advised to treat nature with caution and without the need to interfere in her life.

The main popular prohibition was to kill snakes. It may have caused illness and other problems.

Some beliefs also advised on September 25:

On September 25, the Orthodox celebrate the feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God and honor the memory of the Hieromartyr Autonomy, Bishop of Italy. Also on this day, a number of other saints are remembered, including St. Athanasius of Vysotsky and Righteous Simeon of Verkhotursky.

The Hieromartyr Autonomy lived in the fourth century and was Bishop of Italy. The Church remembers him as a preacher of the Christian faith, who suffered during the persecution.