Kupriyan and Ustigny Day: what you can and cannot do on October 15

History of the holiday

The Hieromartyr Cyprian lived in Antioch in the third century. From early childhood, his parents identified him as a minister of pagan gods, and over time he became a chief priest, who was believed to have a special magical power. He studied in Sparta, Phrygia and Memphis in Egypt and, according to legend, had demons in the service.

In the same city lived a young Christian Justina, who devoted herself to God and spent time in fasting and prayer. When a young man Aglaid asked her to become his wife, she refused. Then he appealed to Cyprian with the help of magic to persuade the girl to marry. But no matter how hard Cyprian tried, he could do nothing – the saint defended herself with prayer and fasting.

Then Cyprian resented and took revenge, sending pestilence and plagues on Justina’s house and on the whole city. But through her prayer, the obsession stopped. After this change, Cyprian saw vision, renounced the works of the devil, confessed sins to Bishop Anthimus, gave all his books to be burned and accepted baptism. He was later made bishop and led a life worthy of great saints.

During the persecutions under the emperor Diocletian, Cyprian and Justina were slandered, imprisoned, tortured, and then sentenced to beheading with the sword. Together with them, the warrior Theoctistus, who declared himself a Christian, was martyred.

The people called this day Kupriyan and Ustinya. Saints were venerated as protectors against evil spells and evil spirits - they were believed to help in the fight against temptation and danger. The peasants were already completing the autumn work, preparing for the winter. The day of October 15 in the national calendar was associated with the first serious cold - they said: "On Kupriyan and Ustinya - the first frosts.".

What to do on October 15th

What not to do on October 15th

People's signs for October 15