A special national holiday on October 16 — Denis Pozimny: history, traditions, omens

Every year on October 16, Orthodox believers honor the memory of the Holy Martyr Dionysius the Areopagite, the first bishop of Athens who suffered for the Christian faith in the 1st century. In the national calendar, the holiday was named Denis Pozymny. In 2025, the date falls on Thursday. Read about its history, traditions, signs and prohibitions in the Izvestia article.

Denis Pozimny – 2025: the history of the holiday

Saint Dionysius the Areopagite was one of the outstanding theologians. He was born and raised in Athens, where he received a brilliant education that included rhetoric, philosophy, and astronomy. To continue his studies, he went to Egypt, to the city of Iliopolis (Heliopolis), where, together with a friend, he witnessed the solar eclipse that coincided with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This event shocked him so much that the desire to comprehend the truth arose in him.

Upon his return to Athens, he was elected to the Areopagus, the supreme court composed of the most respected and educated citizens. It was in this capacity that Dionysius was present at the public speech of the Apostle Paul, in which he preached the doctrine of Jesus. Impressed, he converted to Christianity, became a disciple and companion of the saint.

For several years they preached together in Greece, after which the apostle ordained Dionysius bishop of Athens. Later, he accompanied Paul on his missions and, according to church sources, personally met with the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well as attended Her funeral. He expressed his spiritual reflections on what he had seen in letters to the apostle, emphasizing the inexpressible grace that emanated from the Mother of God.

After the martyrdom of the Apostles Peter and Paul in Rome, Dionysius decided to continue their mission. Accompanied by Presbyter Rusticus and Deacon Eleutherius, he went to preach Christianity in the western provinces of the Roman Empire — Italy, Germany, Spain, and then to France (Gaul).

On the territory of modern France, in Lutetia Gallica (as Paris was called in ancient times) All three were arrested during another wave of persecution of Christians. After being tortured and interrogated, and refusing to renounce their faith, they were beheaded. According to legend, after the execution, Dionysius raised his severed head and walked with it to the temple, where he fell dead. His remains were honorably buried by a pious woman named Catulla.

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Traditions of the national holiday celebrated on October 16

In Russia, Dionysius Memorial Day transformed into a national holiday with a telling name — Denis Pozymny. It was believed that from that day on, the cold weather became angrier, and with it the dark forces became more active. People were wary of leaving their homes unless absolutely necessary, especially at night.

In the morning, believers went to church, where they asked Dionysius the Areopagite for protection from diseases and unkind people. It was customary to spend the day calmly, without unnecessary noise, fuss and conflicts.

On October 16, special attention was paid in the villages to protecting homes from evil spirits. It was believed that on this day, "autumn fevers" roam the earth — evil spirits that enter houses, bringing diseases and troubles. To prevent this, amulets were placed on windows and doors — garlic, onion, salt, radish, as well as pieces of aspen bark.

In the evening, families gathered at the samovar, brewed herbal teas, baked pancakes, and told fairy tales to children. The holiday was considered a time of rapprochement of generations, warmth and mutual understanding.

What not to do on a holiday Denis Pozimny

In Russia, it was believed that the influence of dark forces was increasing on October 16. People tried not to open windows and doors unless absolutely necessary, fearing that evil spirits could enter their homes through them.

Those who had not attended church for a long time and had not strengthened themselves with prayer should not go out unnecessarily. They were supposed to blind the windows and close the doors tightly to keep trouble out of the house.

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The holiday traditionally falls on September 27.

What else can not be done on October 16:

• Saying the word "no" to your loved ones can lead to a quarrel or breakup.;
• Picking up things at intersections, especially coins, is a risk of "catching" someone else's trouble or illness.;
• looking in the mirror for a long time and with sadness — you can "attract" forty troubles;
• throwing out the trash — you can accidentally take luck out of the house with it.;
• Cut your hair — it will be difficult to grow it back;
• talking loudly and arguing — the day requires silence and benevolence.

Folk signs for October 16

The Denis Winter holiday was considered by the ancestors to be a kind of boundary between autumn and winter. Observing nature on this day helped the peasants to make a weather forecast for the coming months. Birds and animals were especially closely watched in the villages.:

• jackdaws gather in noisy flocks — it's worth waiting for warm weather.;
• Sparrows are rushing from place to place — towards the rain;
• crows are decorously walking on the ground — there will be no bad weather in the near future;
• sheep and cows make noise in the late afternoon, due to a sudden change in the weather.;
• the rosehip has bloomed again — autumn will drag on;
• The hares are already fat, and the winter will be harsh.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on important signs and strict prohibitions of the main holiday of October — the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.