Peter and Pavel Ryabinniki September 23, 2026: what not to do, signs and traditions

On September 23, 2026, Orthodox believers remember Saints Peter and Paul, bishops of Nicea, who suffered for their faith in the era of iconoclasm. In the national calendar, this day was called “Peter and Paul Ryabinniki”, or “Autumn Peter and Paul” – by this date, after the first frosts, the ash lost its bitterness and became sweet. They said, “From Petrov’s day in the summer, eat strawberries, and from the autumn – rowan.”.

Unsurprisingly, the strictest ban of the day concerned the ash. It was believed that it was impossible to cut this tree, break its branches or cause it any harm - the one who would damage it, predicted a black stripe in life. It was also impossible to cut off all the berries cleanly: some of the bunches were necessarily left to birds and forest animals, otherwise, according to legend, misfortune could come to the house.

Women were not advised to go out with their hair loose – it was believed that evil spirits could hide in them. It was also not worth bragging about success and prosperity: luck could turn away. It was not recommended to lend - the money could not be returned.

The main occupation of the day was collecting ash and blanks for the winter. The berries were dried, cooked compotes and healing kvass, which helped with colds, made tinctures and baked pies. Rowberry clusters were hung under the roofs of houses, on the casings of windows and at the front door - they served as a talisman from evil spirits and evil eye. There was also a special rite for insomnia: it was necessary to take a branch of a mountain ash and outline a circle around it. Home chores were welcomed: cleaning, washing, hanging clothes under the sun.

The signs suggested what autumn and winter would be like. If the ash was born a lot - autumn was expected to be rainy, and winter cold and severe. The poor harvest of berries foreshadowed dry autumn and mild winter. Large and juicy berries promised a snowy winter.

The warm and clear weather on September 23 meant a long sunny autumn, and the rain meant protracted bad weather and late spring. Thunder on this day foreshadowed warm autumn. "" Morning fog promised snowy winter, and frost on the grass - early frost.