Folk signs for September 15: what can and cannot be done

In Russia, omens were given special importance. They were used to judge the weather for the coming days and months, the time of sowing and harvesting, as well as the future. Rituals and beliefs were an integral part of the national calendar. Izvestia tells about the signs of September 15 and shares prayers for the day.

Folk signs for September 15, 2025

In Russia, Mammoth Day, or Mammoth Shepherd's Day, was celebrated on September 15. On the holiday, it was customary to take care of sheep and goats — the animals were fed, watered and put into clean pens. Old shoes were hung in the stables as a talisman against diseases and the evil eye, and the room was fumigated with incense to protect it from evil spirits.

On Mammoth Day, the housewives prepared various treats from goat and cow's milk: cottage cheese, cheese and others. They believed that it brought good luck. Unmarried girls got up at dawn to drink goat's milk. It was believed that this way you could speed up a meeting with your betrothed.

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On September 15th, the ancestors paid attention to various weather signs. Here are some of them:

Folk signs on September 15th

• windless weather and plenty of dew will lead to a clear and warm autumn.;
• The snow has melted quickly, and the winter will be mild.;
• red sunset — for a cold snap soon;
• Clouds are floating low — towards the rain;
• the wind changes direction — to change the weather.

What not to do on September 15th

The ancestors adhered to strict prohibitions on the Mammoth Shepherd. No one raised their voice that day, much less raised their hand against pets. It was believed that after that they could become seriously ill.

What else can't be done on September 15th:

• Complaining about life — troubles and problems will double;
• refusing to help those in need leads to financial difficulties.
• starting new businesses will not bring the desired result.;
• make purchases — they will quickly become unusable.

What is the church holiday on September 15th?

On September 15, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of Mamant of Caesarea, who lived in the III century. He was the son of Theodotus and Rufina, who were martyred during the persecution of Christians. After their death, the infant Mamantia was taken over by the noble widow Ammiya, who took care of him and raised him in faith and piety. The saint aspired to Christ from his youth and even began to preach among his peers. For this, he was tortured and sentenced to death, but an angel helped the young man escape.

Mamant settled in the desert and began to lead an ascetic life. He fed on the milk of wild goats, which came to him to listen to the reading of the Holy Scriptures. When the fame of the hermit spread, the governor of Caesarea ordered his arrest. Mamant had to go through torments again, but he did not renounce his faith. As a result, the saint was stabbed with a trident.

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Also on September 15, believers remember the Venerable Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves, the founders of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra and the founders of monasticism in Russia. The saints lived in the 11th century. Saint Anthony took monastic vows on Mount Athos and in 1051 returned to Russia, settling in a cave near Kiev. There he led a strict ascetic life, which soon attracted other monks. Among them was St. Theodosius. When Anthony went into seclusion, he led the brethren and became abbot. The saint established in the new monastery a strict cenobitic rule modeled on the Studian monastery. Over time, the Kiev Caves Lavra became the center of monasticism in Russia.

Prayers on September 15th

On September 15, Orthodox believers can pray to the Venerable Anthony and Theodosius of Pechersk, as well as to the Martyr Mamant of Caesarea. They turn to them for help in the fight against temptations, sorrows and fears. Saint Anthony is also revered as the patron saint of monasticism and all those who strive for a spiritual life.

Troparion to the Martyr Mamant of Caesarea

"Thy martyr, O Lord, Mamant, in his suffering, has received an incorruptible crown from Thee, our God: for thou hast thy strength, overthrow the tormentors, and crush the demons of feeble insolence. Save our souls with your prayers."

Kontakion to the Martyr Mamant of Caesarea

"With the holy rod given to you by God, save your people from the pastures of the life-bearing ones, but the invisible and indomitable beasts crush those who sing under your feet, for all who are in trouble will intercede for you with warmth, Mammoth, and love."

Prayer to St. Anthony of the Caves

"O our good shepherd mentor, the ever-remembered primordial monk of Russia, our venerable and God-bearing Father Anthony! You are in heaven, we are on earth, far away from you, not only in a place, but in our sinful uncleanness; therefore, remembering your fatherly love for people close to you, we fall down and pray with tenderness and faith: help us sinners to be cleansed by repentance and worthy of mercy and forgiveness from the Lord and Creator ours. Beseech His goodness to grant us great and rich mercies: fruitfulness of the earth, healthfulness of the air, deep peace, sincere brotherly love, unfeigned piety, contentment for everyday needs, and may we not turn the good things bestowed upon us by His generous right hand to evil, but to the glory of His holy Name and for our salvation. O holy wonderworker, through your merciful prayers keep the Russian cities, your monastery, and the entire Russian Orthodox country safe from all evil, and grant all the people who live in your monastery and come to worship you with your heavenly blessing, and in tribulation, trouble, and pain, comfort, deliverance, and healing, may you thankfully grant them We glorify, praise, and magnify the Lord who glorifies you, through you who wonderfully does good to us, the Beginningless Father, His Only Begotten Son, and His Consubstantial Spirit, the Life-giving and Indivisible Trinity, and your holy intercession forever and ever. Amen to that."

Prayer to St. Theodosius of the Caves

"O holy head, earthly Angel and heavenly man, our venerable and God-bearing Father Theodosius, a worthy servant of the Most Holy Theotokos, who built a most wonderful monastery on the Pechersk Mountains in her name, and shone forth with many miracles! We beseech you with many fervor, pray to the Lord God for us, and ask for great and rich mercy from Him: just faith, the hope of salvation beyond doubt, love for all without hypocrisy, unshakeable piety, health of soul and body, contentment for everyday needs, and may we not turn to evil the good things bestowed upon us by His generous right hand but for the glory of His holy name, and for our salvation. Through your holy intercession, O God-pleasing one, preserve our country, the Orthodox Russian Church, your city, and your Lavra unharmed from all evil, and mercifully deliver all the people who flock to worship at your precious tomb and reside in your holy monastery, overshadowing them with your heavenly blessing and from all evils and troubles. Above all, at the hour of our death, show us your mighty protection: may we be delivered by your prayers to the Lord from the power of the fierce ruler of the world and be worthy to inherit the Kingdom of heaven. Show us your compassion, Father, and do not forsake us weak and helpless, so that I may glorify God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who is wonderful in His saints, and your holy intercession, forever and ever. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs and traditions of the Kupriyanov Day national holiday.