Folk signs for September 10: 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 Wednesday, September 10, and which saints are prayed to on this day.

Folk signs for September 10, 2025

In Russia, on September 10, Anna and Savva Skirdniki celebrated the holiday. In the villages, the harvest was coming to an end during this period, the peasants erected sheaves in ricks (tall stacks) and took them out of the fields to protect the harvest from autumn rains and cold weather.

On the occasion of the end of the harvest, the peasants set generous tables, inviting relatives and neighbors to the feast. Traditionally, pies with viburnum, jelly and sweet pastries were prepared on the holiday. They also provided assistance to those in need. Our ancestors believed that charity and caring for loved ones would return a hundredfold.

Great importance was attached to omens. They were used to determine what kind of weather would set in the coming days. According to observations, the red sunset on September 10 promises bad weather, and if it turns out to be a fine warm day, there will be no frosts until the end of September.

Other signs of the day:

• There's a thunderstorm outside — it's going to be warm all fall;
• there are a lot of berries on the branches of mountain ash — for a rainy autumn;
• Wild geese are not rushing south yet — winter will be late.;
• There are a lot of nuts in the forest, but almost no mushrooms — the winter will be harsh and snowy.;
• the leaves on the birch tree began to turn yellow — for a rich harvest of honey mushrooms;
• dreams dreamed on September 10 may be prophetic and contain clues about the future.

What not to do on September 10th

There were also some warnings on the holiday, which were heeded in order not to bring misfortune. In particular, this day was considered unlucky for love affairs. Therefore, the Skirders did not advise Anna and Savva to open their hearts and plan a matchmaking. In the old days, they believed that a strong union would not work, and only disappointments awaited ahead.

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What else can not be done on September 10:

• to look at a mirror or water for a long time is to lose your health and vitality.;
• walking in unfamiliar places — our ancestors believed that you could never return from such walks.;
• going into the forest alone — the old-timers said that at this time there were goblins in charge, a meeting with which did not promise anything good.;
• indulge in despondency and sadness — otherwise there will be even more reasons for sadness.;
• to make empty promises and hopes — most likely, they will not be able to be realized.;
• to conceive evil towards other people — it will return in a five-fold amount.

What is the church holiday on September 10th?

On September 10, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the righteous Anna the Prophetess, mentioned in the Old Testament. She came from the tribe of Asher (one of the tribes of Israel), was married, but was widowed early. After her husband's death, Anna chose the path of piety, serving the Lord "by fasting and prayer day and night."

In old age, the righteous woman witnessed how Simeon the God-Receiver told the Virgin Mary that her firstborn would become the Savior of the world. Upon hearing these words, the prophetess began to praise the baby and spread the news of the coming of God's Anointed. Icons often depict her as an elderly, thin woman with a widow's veil on her head and a prayer scroll, which says about the imminent deliverance of all those living in Jerusalem.

On the same date, believers remember St. Sava Krypetsky, a monk and founder of the St. John the Theologian (Savvo-Krypetsky) monastery, who lived at the end of the XV century. He is revered as a wonderworker and a monk of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Cathedral of the Pskov Saints. The monk arrived in Pskov, presumably from Mount Athos or Serbia. The saint led a strict ascetic life and instructed the brethren to follow the example of the ancient ascetics. Soon after his death, miracles and healings began to occur in the monastery he founded.

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Prayers on September 10th

In Russia, Saint Anna the Prophetess is considered the patroness of girls and women of different ages. She helps widows, nuns, single women and babies. Therefore, she is most often asked to restore peace and mutual understanding between spouses, protect loved ones from illness and evil, and find family happiness and well-being. Reverend Savva Krypetsky is asked to heal loved ones, protect them from diseases, ailments, disasters, strengthen the spirit and help them overcome life's trials.

Prayer to Anna the Prophetess

"Oh, holy Saint of God, Holy Anna the Prophetess! Having labored with good deeds on earth, you have received in heaven the crown of righteousness, which the Lord has prepared for all who love Him. Looking at your holy image, we rejoice at the glorious end of your residence and honor your holy memory. But as you stand before the Throne of God, accept our supplications and offer them to the All-merciful God, that He may forgive us every sin and help us against the wiles of the devil, so that we may be delivered from sorrows, diseases, troubles and misfortunes, and all evil. Let us live piously and righteously in the present age and be worthy through your intercession, even if we are unworthy, to see the good in the land of the living, glorifying God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who alone is glorified in His saints, now and forever and ever. Amen to that."

Prayer to Savva Krypetsky

"Venerable Father Savva, ascetic of the desert, in the body of an angel, a valiant soldier of Christ, a rule of faith, a confirmation of the church, an image of piety, a luminary of virtues, a refuge for all those in need and overwhelmed <...> Look mercifully upon us who fall down to your holy relics, hearken to our prayers <...> Raise us from the depths of sin, Enlighten the infidels, convert the heretics, guide those who have erred in us from Orthodoxy to the knowledge of the true faith, and intercede for peace and holiness to the whole church, unity in faith, unanimity in brotherly love, loyalty to the fatherland, parental care for children, fear and obedience to children, virginity and chastity to virgins, and faithfulness and chastity to the marriage bed, But grant repentance to all sinners, forgiveness to those who repent, patience and hope in misfortunes, and salvation in hope. Deliver us all from gladness, destruction, cowardice and deluge, from fire and sword, from foreign wars and internecine warfare, <...> and from all evil, so that we may all enlighten, instruct, comfort, affirm and preserve you, glorifying God, who glorified you, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and Thy intercession, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia told what they pray to St. Pimen the Great.