Folk signs for September 30: what can and cannot be done

In Russia, omens have been given special importance since ancient times. They were used to judge the weather, when to sow and harvest, and what to expect in the future. Therefore, every day of the national calendar was full of rituals and superstitions. Izvestia tells about the popular signs of Tuesday, September 30, and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for September 30, 2025

In Russia, the Universal Women's Name Day was celebrated on September 30. On this date, they paid tribute to the memory of the holy martyrs Vera, Nadezhda, Lyubov and their mother Sofia, and also congratulated all women with these names. Personalized icons consecrated in the church and small souvenirs were often chosen as gifts to loved ones.

Traditionally, the morning began with prayer and a visit to the temple. Then lavish tables were set in the houses. The main treats on this day were pies made from new harvest apples and pretzels. There was still a custom among the people of the "all-world women's meeting", when women gathered together and shared their sorrows. After that, we went about our daily business with a pure heart.

According to the signs of the day, the weather for the coming months was judged. According to observations, if there is fog in the morning, but it clears by noon, then the rest of autumn will be warm. If cranes gather in flocks and fly south, frosts are expected on the Cover (celebrated on October 14).

Other signs of the day:

• thunderclaps are heard — autumn will last a long time;
• The weather is sunny, leading to a mild winter.;
• It started raining — spring will come earlier than usual;
• the dog often barks and turns around on the threshold — to a cold snap;
• the cat washes at the window — October will be dry;
• A girl who washed her face with holy water on this day will be beautiful and happy.;
• Another sign says that on the night of September 30, you can get hints from deceased relatives in a dream.

What not to do on September 30th

During the holiday, our ancestors adhered to certain prohibitions so as not to bring trouble. Since the celebration is considered a family event, the day was supposed to be spent in prayer and quiet communication with the family. Any quarrels and resentments on this day are forbidden. Especially it is impossible to quarrel with women, so that there is no serious discord in family life.

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What else can't be done on September 30th:

• to be lazy and leave household chores in disarray — idleness can bring bad luck, while needlework and hard physical labor were not encouraged on this day.;
• to sort things out, to arrange scenes of jealousy, to use abusive words — on a church holiday it is a great sin;
• to refuse to help loved ones, especially mothers and daughters, it is necessary to support relatives with a kind word or advice.;
• You can hold back tears on a holiday and cry, in the old days women were allowed to do this in order to vent their accumulated emotions.;
• to woo or get married — according to beliefs, such a union will not be happy, in addition, weddings are not held in the church on the day of the saints' memory.

What is the church holiday on September 30th?

According to the hagiography, the holy martyrs Vera, Nadezhda, Lyubov and their mother Sofia lived in Rome in the II century, when the empire was ruled by Emperor Adrian, whose reign was marked by persecution and persecution of Christians. Sofia was widowed early and raised her three daughters alone. She was deeply religious and raised her daughters in the Christian faith, naming them after the main Christian virtues.

Adrian heard rumors about the family, and he decided to visit them personally. Despite the persuasions and threats, the girls did not renounce their faith, openly declaring that they believe in one God, Jesus Christ. For this, the martyrs were severely tortured, but, seeing their intransigence, they were sentenced to death. Every year, the church commemorates them on September 30. Memorial Day symbolizes steadfastness in faith, maternal love and spiritual hope.

On the same day, two more early Christian martyrs are remembered: Theodotia of Nicaea, who suffered for her faith in the third century in the city of Nicaea, and the Christian slave Agathoklia, who suffered severe persecution from her pagan mistress for many years and was killed by her mistress. Both saints went down in history as an example of indomitable faith, and their feat became an inspiration to many Christians, especially during the period of persecution of the Church.

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Prayers on September 30th

In the Orthodox tradition, the icon of Saints Vera, Nadezhda, Lyubov and their mother Sofia is considered a family icon and is revered as the patroness of the hearth. On this holiday, the saints are addressed with prayers for family peace, health for children and loved ones. The Martyrs Theodosia and Agathoklia are asked for spiritual steadfastness and devotion to the Lord in the difficult trials of life. There is no separate prayer for them, but you can say a prayer to all the saints by including their names in the text.

Prayer to Faith, Hope, Love and Sofia

"O holy and praiseworthy martyrs Faith, Hope and Love, and the valiant daughters of the wise Mother Sophia, let us now come to you with fervent prayer, for it is more possible to intercede for us before the Lord, if it is not faith, hope and love, these three cornerstones of virtue, in which the image of the called, the very thing you are revealed! Beseech the Lord, that in tribulation and adversity He may cover us with His ineffable grace, save and preserve us, for He is good and loves mankind. Glory to Him, as the sun never sets, now seeing the splendor of light, help us in our humble supplications, may the Lord God forgive our sins and iniquities, and may He have mercy on us, sinners and unworthy of His bounty. Pray for us, holy martyrs, our Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom we ascribe glory, together with His Beginningless Father and His All-holy, Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

Prayer of Theodotia and Agathoklia

"To you, O saints of all (names of saints), as guiding lights who have illuminated the path of the heavenly sunrise through your deeds, I humbly bow the knee of my heart and cry out from the depths of my soul: beseech the God who loves mankind for me, so that He may not allow me to wander through the crossroads of sin, but may enlighten my mind and heart with light. By my grace, which we enlighten and strengthen, I will be able to pass the rest of my earthly life along the right path without interruption, and through your intercession with the Most Gracious Lord, I will be worthy to participate in your spiritual meal in the heavenly palace of the King of Glory. Together with His Beginningless Father and the Most Holy, Good and Life-giving Spirit, be glory, honor and worship forever and ever. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia told what they pray to the Great Martyr Euphemia of All Praise.