Important Russian Fall Holidays, Customs and Traditions

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Important Russian Fall Holidays, Customs and Traditions

Feast of the Intercession

St. Sergii's Day

Paraskeva Piatnitsa's Day

Icon of the Khazan Virgin

Dmitry's Day

Feast of the Intercession

Feast of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin (Pokrov) (October 1/10) was supposedly giving the first "glimpse" of winter, the end of round dances with singing, and the beginning of gatherings. It was believed that Pokrov covers houses with warmth (on Pokrov they would start covering all the cracks in the houses with cloths), and girls get their fiances. Early in the morning the girls would run to the church to light a candle. The popular belief was that whoever lights the candle first would be the first to get married.

St. Sergii's Day

Winter was believed to start on St. Sergii's Day (October 7/20). On that day it would often start snowing in the northern regions of the country.

Paraskeva Piatnitsa's Day

Paraskeva Piatnitsa's Day (October 14/27) - women's holiday. Paraskeva Piatnitsa is a patron of women's work and fate. Paraskeva Piatnitsa is often pictured as a tall thin woman with long hair. On Paraskeva Piatnitsa's Day it was forbidden to do certain types of household work, especially spinning, washing clothes, etc. Violating these bans could cause a possible visit from angry Piatnitsa - an ugly woman in ragged clothes covered with dirt. She would punish the guilty woman unless the latter took certain precautions (for example, said a special incantation). Sometimes Paraskeva Piatnitsa was depicted as a young woman that closely watches how people lived and how they observed traditions. She can punish some of them and have mercy on others; she can even reward some of them.

Icon of the Khazan Virgin

Another women's holiday was the holiday of the Icon of the Khazan Virgin (October 22/November 4). Many people believed that that holiday signified the beginning of winter.

Dmitry's Day

Yet another holiday that was associated with the beginning of winter is Dmitry's Day (October 26/November 8) - an all-Russia day of remembrance of the deceased. The entire "Dmitry's week" was popularly called "Parents' week" or "Grandparents' week". Particularly important was Dmitry's Saturday, when they would remember all the deceased. The establishing of this tradition is attributed to Dmitry Donskoi. The legend is that after he won a spectacular victory over Mamai in 1380 (Kulikovskaya Battle), he ordered that prior to the anniversary of the battle there would be a memorial service held for all those who perished during the battle.

Feast of the Intercession Feast of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin (Pokrov) (October 1/10) was supposedly giving the first "glimpse" of winter, the end of round dances with singing, and the beginning of gatherings. It was believed that Pokrov covers houses with warmth (on Pokrov they would start covering all the cracks in the houses with cloths), and girls get their fiances. Early in the morning the girls would run to the church to light a candle. The popular belief was that whoever lights the candle first would be the first to get married.
St. Sergii's Day Winter was believed to start on St. Sergii's Day (October 7/20). On that day it would often start snowing in the northern regions of the country.
Paraskeva Piatnitsa's Day Paraskeva Piatnitsa's Day (October 14/27) - women's holiday. Paraskeva Piatnitsa is a patron of women's work and fate. Paraskeva Piatnitsa is often pictured as a tall thin woman with long hair. On Paraskeva Piatnitsa's Day it was forbidden to do certain types of household work, especially spinning, washing clothes, etc. Violating these bans could cause a possible visit from angry Piatnitsa - an ugly woman in ragged clothes covered with dirt. She would punish the guilty woman unless the latter took certain precautions (for example, said a special incantation). Sometimes Paraskeva Piatnitsa was depicted as a young woman that closely watches how people lived and how they observed traditions. She can punish some of them and have mercy on others; she can even reward some of them.
Icon of the Khazan Virgin Another women's holiday was the holiday of the Icon of the Khazan Virgin (October 22/November 4). Many people believed that that holiday signified the beginning of winter.
Dmitry's Day Yet another holiday that was associated with the beginning of winter is Dmitry's Day (October 26/November 8) - an all-Russia day of remembrance of the deceased. The entire "Dmitry's week" was popularly called "Parents' week" or "Grandparents' week". Particularly important was Dmitry's Saturday, when they would remember all the deceased. The establishing of this tradition is attributed to Dmitry Donskoi. The legend is that after he won a spectacular victory over Mamai in 1380 (Kulikovskaya Battle), he ordered that prior to the anniversary of the battle there would be a memorial service held for all those who perished during the battle.

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