A special holiday on September 15 is Mammoth Day: history, traditions, omens

Every year on September 15, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the martyr Mamant of Caesarea, who lived in the III century. In 2025, the celebration falls on a Monday. In the national calendar, the holiday is called Mammoth Day, or Mammoth Shepherd. Read about its history, traditions and signs in the Izvestia article.

What is the church holiday on September 15th?

Saint Mamant was born in Paphlagonia, a region in modern Turkey. His parents, the pious Christians Theodotus and Rufina, were killed during the persecution. Shortly before her death, Rufina gave birth to a son, bequeathing his care to God.

The baby was taken in by a wealthy widow and a secret Christian, Ammiya, who took care of him and taught him to read and write. Mamant grew up a talented and very intelligent boy, distinguished by piety and spiritual maturity. As he grew older, the saint began to preach faith in Christ among his peers and convinced many to renounce paganism. This attracted the attention of the ruler Democritus, who put the young man on trial for his beliefs.

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

Because of Mamant's noble family, Democritus did not dare to immediately torture him and instead sent him to Emperor Aurelian. He tried to persuade the young man to paganism with affection and threats, but the saint remained adamant. Then he was tortured and sentenced to death, but the angel saved Mamant and ordered him to retire into the desert. There the young man built a church and devoted himself to prayer.

In the desert, Mamant led a strict ascetic life, feeding on the milk of wild goats and fallow deer that came to his monastery to listen to the reading of the Holy Scriptures. He also made cheese from this milk, which he distributed to the poor. Soon the fame of the hermit spread throughout Caesarea, and the governor sent a detachment of soldiers after him. Upon learning about this, the saint did not hide and surrendered himself into the hands of the tormentors.

After his arrest, Mamant was tortured again, but the saint endured the pain and humiliation with fortitude. In anger, one of the pagan priests pierced him with a trident. The wounded saint managed to get out of the city and died in a cave. Other Christians honorably buried him there.

Traditions of the national holiday Mammoth Day (Mammoth Shepherd) on September 15

In Russia, the day of memory of Mamant of Caesarea was called Mammoth Day, or Mammoth Shepherd. The saint was revered as the patron saint of goats and sheep, so special attention was paid to them on the holiday. It was believed that on September 15, animals were particularly vulnerable to diseases, so they needed to be well fed and watered. To protect the cattle from the evil eye and diseases, old shoes were hung in the stables.

On Mammoth, it was customary to eat dishes made from goat's and sheep's milk — according to legend, it brought good luck. The women prepared cheeses, cottage cheese, and various dairy drinks. Milk dishes symbolized fertility and well-being in the family.

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In 2025, the event falls on a Tuesday.

Dairy treats were especially popular among unmarried girls. At dawn, they drank some goat's milk to preserve their beauty and attract their betrothed.

What not to do on Mammoth Day on September 15th

On Mammoth Day, the ancestors adhered to certain prohibitions so as not to bring trouble upon themselves and their loved ones. Livestock, especially sheep and goats, were not offended on the holiday. It was believed that animals could get sick from rough treatment.

What else can't be done on September 15th

• Starting important things is bound to fail on this day.;
• make large purchases — the purchased items will soon be out of order;
• Wearing bright clothes can attract negative energy and the evil eye.;
• to refuse to help those in need leads to poverty.

Folk signs on September 15th

The ancestors paid attention to Mammoth various weather signs. It was believed that if it was warm and clear on a holiday, then the whole autumn would be the same. There were other signs, too:

• Red sky at sunset — frosts are coming soon;
• rain — autumn will be fine;
• Clouds are low — the weather is going to turn bad soon;
• No wind — autumn will be warm;
• It's a clear but cold day, and it's going to rain soon.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the history and traditions of the Kupriyanov Day national holiday.