A special national holiday on September 13 is Kupriyanov Day: history, traditions, omens

Every year on September 13, Orthodox believers honor the memory of the Holy Martyr Cyprian of Carthage, bishop, theologian and ascetic who lived in Carthage in the III century. In the national calendar, this day is called Kupriyanov Day. In 2025, the date falls on a Saturday. Read about its history, traditions and signs in the Izvestia article.

What is the church holiday on September 13th?

Saint Cyprian was born around the year 200 in the city of Carthage in the family of a pagan senator. The young man received a brilliant education and made a career in law, becoming one of the most famous lawyers and teachers of eloquence in the Roman Empire. But despite his success and fame, he tried to find his own spiritual path.

At the age of 46, the saint decided to give up his former life, give away his rich possessions and convert to Christianity, devoting himself to the service of God. Two years later, he was elected bishop of Carthage.

Cyprian's pastoral work fell on difficult times. The Roman Empire was experiencing a wave of persecution of Christians, organized by Emperor Decius. Thousands of Christians, including members of the clergy, have renounced their faith. However, the saint not only did not retreat, but also continued to conduct active theological activities.

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After the Mother of God, he is revered more than other saints.

After the easing of repression, the question arose about the possibility of the forsaken returning to the Church. Cyprian insisted that forgiveness could only be granted through a bishop or a presbyter appointed by him, emphasizing the importance of the canonical order and the conciliar approach. He opposed the practice in which confessors arbitrarily forgave apostates.

The bishop's tough stance on church discipline led to an open theological conflict with Pope Stephen, which almost escalated into a schism, but was interrupted by the arrest and subsequent execution of the pontiff. A few years later, Cyprian himself was arrested, exiled, and then executed. Before he died, he prayed quietly. His martyrdom became a symbol of steadfastness and devotion to Christian ideals.

Traditions of the Kupriyanov Day national holiday, celebrated on September 13

In Russia, Kupriyanov Day was considered a kind of boundary between the seasons. In the folk tradition, it was also called Zhuravlinka or Crane Veche. According to legend, on September 13, cranes gathered in the marshes before flying to warmer climes, which was perceived as a sign of the onset of autumn. The ancestors tried to avoid these places — it was believed that human intrusion could frighten birds and disrupt the natural order.

It was also believed that cranberries, popularly known as crane berries, ripen precisely for the holiday, so their harvest began on September 13. They didn't touch her until Kupriyanov Day. According to beliefs, haste could lead to various troubles, from infertility in women to mental disorders in men.

Our ancestors considered cranberries to be a powerful natural remedy for maintaining health. The housewives appreciated it not only for its taste, but also for its pronounced medicinal properties. Fruit drinks, homemade tinctures, jams and wines were made from berries. The fruits were used for colds, pain in the heart, stomach and joints. Women used cranberry juice for cosmetic purposes — it was considered an effective skin care product, helped to even out the tone of the face and reduce age spots.

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In 2025, the event falls on a Tuesday.

On this day, the peasants worked hard, the men worked in the fields, harvested turnips, carrots, onions and pumpkins, and the women cleaned up the house, cooked cranberry dishes, including pies, symbolizing the end of the summer cycle.

According to legend, the berries harvested on Kupriyanov day acquired a special power. They were kept in a small bag made of blue cloth and carried with them as a talisman capable of attracting good luck and protecting from troubles.

What not to do on Kupriyanov Day on September 13th

In Russia, Kupriyanov Day was accompanied by a number of strict prohibitions, to break which meant to bring trouble upon oneself. According to popular beliefs, the marshy area on September 13 was especially dangerous, as the spirits of the marshes, kikimora, became active near the crane camps. They could drag a traveler into a quagmire, so it was forbidden to approach marshy places, especially alone.

What else you can't do on September 13:

• Going on a long journey will be difficult and unsuccessful.;
• to borrow or borrow money — you can lose your financial well-being;
• Accepting gifts from strangers is a way to "accept" someone else's misfortune with them.;
• quarreling, raising your voice and showing aggression — conflicts promise protracted troubles.;
• to do needlework and especially to knit knots — you can "tie", confuse luck;
• replant plants — they will not bloom and bear fruit well;
• make large purchases and investments — they will be unsuccessful.

Folk signs for September 13

On Kupriyanov Day, peasants observed nature, especially the behavior of cranes, to determine what weather to expect in autumn and winter.

• cranes fly in a wedge and high — winter will come early and will be harsh, low — frosts can not be expected;
• swarms of swans are flying south — snowfalls are expected soon, and if they haven't flown yet, autumn will linger for a long time.;
• huddled chickens and geese are harbingers of bad weather;
• dandelion blooms — for a long warm autumn;
• fog at dawn — the day promises to be clear and windless;
• the anthills are high — the winter will be cold.

Earlier, Izvestia told when and how a special national holiday, Alexander Sytnik, is celebrated in Russia.