Folk signs for September 22: 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 September 22 and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for September 22

Akim and Anna Day was celebrated in Russia on September 22. The date was associated with the veneration of the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the righteous Joachim and Anna, who were considered the patrons of mothers. In the folk tradition, the holiday was also called the Day of the Assumption and the Day of Women in Labor. This name is associated with the customs of giving gifts to young mothers, honoring midwives and bringing treats to relatives.

On the holiday, the newlyweds baked round pies and took them to matchmakers and relatives, invited neighbors to the festive table. Young spouses could be given advice on household management, and the owners showed the guests the yard, barns and supplies. At the same time, they congratulated women who had recently become mothers and thanked the midwives. Childless women turned to Joachim and Anna with prayers for the birth of a child.

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The Orthodox Church celebrates the holiday on September 21

Special attention was paid to weather signs during the holiday. Heavy leaf fall was considered a harbinger of an early and cold winter, and a large number of cobwebs, on the contrary, promised a long and dry autumn.

Other signs of the day:

• The cherry leaves haven't fallen yet, ready for the warm weather.;
• a lot of husks on onions — for a cold winter;
• snow has fallen, leading to crop failure next year;
• There are still needles on the larch — the winter will be snowy.;
• It froze up at night, leading to rain.

What not to do on September 22

Various prohibitions and superstitions were associated with Akim and Anna's day in popular culture. The ancestors tried to spend it quietly, pay attention to the family and not refuse those who need help. It was considered undesirable to quarrel with loved ones and be stingy, especially towards relatives and young mothers. They were also afraid to lend money, because they believed that prosperity could leave the house with them.

What else you can't do on September 22:

• leaving the house in disarray leads to failures;
• spending the day in an empty fuss interferes with family well—being.;
• Starting new businesses without completing the old ones is not something you can expect to succeed in.;
• sleeping in a bed that gets moonlight is a loss of beauty.

What is the church holiday on September 22

On September 22, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the righteous Joachim and Anna, the parents of the Virgin Mary. According to legend, the couple remained childless for a long time, which in those days was considered a sign of sinfulness. Despite the reproaches and ridicule of others, they continued to pray to God, and at an advanced age they had a daughter, Mary, who was destined to become the Mother of Jesus Christ. The Church honors Joachim and Anna as the Forefathers of God, that is, the ancestors of the Savior in the flesh.

Also on September 22, believers remember St. Joseph of Volotsk. He was born around 1439 into a pious family near Volokolamsk. In his youth, he chose the monastic path, and in 1460 he was tonsured at the Borovsky Monastery by St. Paphnutius of Borovsky. After the death of his mentor, Joseph headed the monastery for a while, and then went to his native place. In 1479, he founded the Assumption Monastery, which later became known as the Iosifo-Volotsky Monastery.

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Orthodox Christians turn to him with prayers, believing in his intercession.

Joseph Volotsky became famous for his strict monastic life, preaching and caring for the needy. The monk drew up a monastic charter, which was later used as a model for other monasteries. He also participated in the church life of his time and opposed the spread of the Judaism heresy. Joseph Volotsky died on September 9, 1515, and the church-wide veneration of the saint was established in 1591.

Prayers on September 22

Believers traditionally turn to Joachim and Anna with prayers for family well-being, marriage, the birth and upbringing of children. A special place is occupied by prayer for the gift of a child to those who dream of parenthood. The saints are also asked for help in family difficulties and to strengthen peace between spouses. Reverend Joseph of Volotsk is sought for spiritual support, help in life's trials, and fortification in faith.

Prayer to the Righteous Forefathers Joachim and Anna

"O ever-glorious righteous women of Christ, holy Forefathers Joachim and Anna, who stand before the heavenly Throne of the Great King and have great boldness towards Him, as He has deigned to incarnate from your Most Blessed Daughter, the Most Pure Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, to you, as a powerful intercessor and fervent prayer-book for us, we seek refuge, sinners and unworthy. Pray to His goodness, that He may turn away His wrath from us, which is justly directed against us by our deeds, and that, despising our innumerable transgressions, He may turn us to the path of repentance and establish us in the path of His commandments. Also, through your prayers, preserve our life in peace and ask for good haste in all good things, giving us everything we need from God for life and piety, delivering us from all misfortunes and troubles and futile death through your intercession, and protecting us from all enemies visible and invisible, so that we may live a quiet and silent life in all piety To the purity and peace of this temporary life that we have passed away, we will attain eternal peace, so that by your holy supplication we may be worthy of the heavenly Kingdom of Christ our God, Who, with the Father and the Most Holy Spirit, is worthy of all glory, honor and worship forever and ever. Amen to that."

Prayer to Joseph Volotsky

"Oh, great Orthodox believer and teacher, Holy Sage Joseph! Accept the supplication offered to you by us sinners, and with warm intercession implore the glorified God in the Trinity, that He may bestow His rich mercy on us sinners, that He may establish the right faith and piety in His Most Holy Orthodox Church: may He shepherd her with holy zeal for the salvation of the verbal flock, so that believers may keep, unbelievers and those who have fallen away from The true faiths will bring you to reason and convert you. In the same way, ask for all of us everything that is useful in this temporal life and useful for our eternal salvation. Remember your flock, which you have gathered, do not forget to visit your children, and as a child-loving father, do not despise or reject our supplications, but lift up your hands of prayer to the Lord God, so that He may put aside His righteous wrath against us, and deliver us from enemies visible and invisible, from famine, flood, swords, deadly plagues, foreign invasions, and internecine warfare. To her, Our Most Merciful intercessor, most glorious wonderworker! Rule us all in peace and repentance to end our lives and be filled with hope in the blessed bosom of Abraham, where the all-holy name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit is glorified, forever and ever. Amen to that."

Earlier, "Izvestia" told what they pray to Archangel Michael.