A special national holiday on September 20 is Lukov Day: history, traditions, omens

Every year on September 20, Orthodox Christians honor the memory of St. Luke of Glugorechensk, a monk and ascetic of the 10th century, whose life was an example of asceticism, humility and spiritual service. In the national calendar, the celebration is known as Lukov Day. It symbolizes saying goodbye to Indian summer and meeting with autumn. In 2025, the holiday falls on a Saturday. Read about its history, rituals, prohibitions and omens in the Izvestia article.

What is the church holiday on September 20th?

St. Luke of Glugorechensk came from Lycaonia and asceticized in the Monastery of the Savior "Deep Rivers", located near Constantinople, in the Bay of Kiosk. She was famous for her particularly strict lifestyle, where the brethren led a harsh ascetic life filled with spiritual pursuits and the strengthening of the monastic tradition.

According to legend, Luke's main qualities were righteousness, compassion for people, and spiritual fortitude. He became the third holy abbot of the monastery in 975, after Saints Basil and Ignatius, whose memory is also revered in the Orthodox tradition.

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The saint lived a long life — more than 90 years, fully devoting himself to serving God, the monastery, and people who sought spiritual help.

Traditions of the national holiday Lukov Day, celebrated on September 20

In Russia, the memory of St. Luke is firmly intertwined with peasant traditions. Onion Day was the boundary between Indian summer and autumn bad weather — it was believed that it was after September 20 that autumn finally came into its own.

The holiday was popularly called Onion Day, because by that time onions were maturing and actively harvested — one of the main vegetables on the peasant's table. People believed in its healing power, it was revered as a talisman against diseases and the evil eye, strengthening strength, bringing good luck to the house, scaring away evil spirits. Onion husks were used in everyday life and medicine — they were used to dye fabrics and Easter eggs, to treat colds and skin diseases.

From the early morning of September 20, the housewives began preparing festive treats. It was believed that the more onions you could eat on that day, the better your health and the better your year would be.

Traditionally, stuffed onions should have been served on the table. To do this, the largest fruits were selected, the core was removed, blanched in boiling water, and then filled with minced meat, most often chicken or pork. The dish was baked in an oven or boiled in broth, seasoned with spices and herbs.

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In the evening, families gathered around a common table and told stories. In some regions, onion fairs were held on the holiday, vegetables were sold in bulk or plaited from it — it was believed that this way it was stored longer.

What not to do on the feast of Bows Day

Our ancestors believed that in order to preserve prosperity and family well-being, a number of prohibitions should be observed on Bows Day. In order not to scare off prosperity, on September 20 it is undesirable to check the bins, recalculate stocks. It is forbidden to brag about income and spend money on luxury — bragging can attract misfortune and envious people who can jinx it. Also, you should not lend or borrow money, this can lead to financial losses and debt obligations for a whole year.

What else you can't do on September 20th:

• to have a wedding — the union concluded on this day will be short-lived;
• Giving dolls to girls is believed to be a gift that can "ruin" a woman's life and lead to infertility.;
• to quarrel and sort things out — the conflict will drag on for a whole year.

Folk signs for September 20th

On this day, the ancestors carefully observed nature in order to predict what the coming months would be like.:

• a lot of husks on the bulbs — for a harsh, frosty winter;
• rain on Lukov day — autumn will be slushy and protracted;
• cones grow low on fir trees — it is worth preparing for an early and cold winter.;
• the scales on the cones close together — to prolonged rains and inclement weather;
• there are few clouds in the sky — winter promises to be windy and frosty;
• cranes fly high and slow — rainy autumn is ahead.

There was also a sign in Russia that if a man was the last to enter the house on Luke's Day, the year in the family would pass without illness.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the traditions and signs of the national holiday of Zachary and Elizabeth.