A special holiday on October 22 is Yakov the Woodcutter: history, traditions, omens
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- A special holiday on October 22 is Yakov the Woodcutter: history, traditions, omens
Every year on October 22, Orthodox believers honor the memory of the Apostle James Alpheyev, one of the 12 closest disciples of Jesus Christ, who preached Christianity in Judea, Syria and Egypt. In the national calendar, the date is known as Yakov Drovopilets or Yakov Studenyi. In 2026, the holiday falls on a Thursday. Read about its history, traditions, signs and strict prohibitions in the Izvestia article.
What is the church holiday on October 22
The Apostle James Alphaeus lived in the 1st century and was one of the 12 closest disciples of Christ. According to church tradition, he was the son of Alpheus and the brother of the apostle Matthew, one of the four evangelists, who served as a tax collector before being called by Jesus.
There is no reliable information about James' own activities before the beginning of his apostolic ministry, it is only known that Jesus himself called him to the ministry. He should be distinguished from another disciple of Christ, James Zebedee, the elder brother of John the Theologian. Together with other disciples, he accompanied the Savior during His earthly sermon and listened to His instructions.
After the crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ, the apostles continued His work. After the descent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, James Alphaeus began preaching independently in Judea. Then he joined the Apostle Andrew the First—Called, with whom he went to Edessa, an ancient city in northern Mesopotamia.
Later, Jacob continued his missionary travels, spreading Christianity in Gaza, Eleutheropolis and neighboring areas of Palestine.
Eventually, Jacob reached Ostracina, a seaside town on the border of Egypt and Palestine. Here the preacher was captured by opponents of Christianity and crucified on a cross. The exact date of the saint's death is unknown.
Traditions of the national holiday Yakov the Woodcutter on October 22
In Russia, on October 22, they started harvesting firewood for the winter. The second half of October was perceived by the peasants as the boundary between autumn and winter. The days were getting shorter, the nights were getting colder, and the approaching frosts forced us to take care of fuel for the furnaces. It was believed that with a decrease in temperature, less sap remains in the trees, so the wood harvested in autumn burns better and gives more heat. In the villages, they said: "The autumn log burns hot, spring and summer are no match for it." Therefore, in the national calendar, the day of veneration of the saint was called Yakov the Woodcutter or Yakov Studenyi.
The believers began the morning with a visit to the temple, where they remembered the Apostle James Alpheyev in their prayers. Candles were lit in front of his icon, asking for forgiveness of sins, strengthening of faith, help in difficult matters and protection from troubles.
After the service, the peasants returned to their daily chores, the main of which on this day was the harvesting of firewood. The men went into the forest, felled trees, sawed trunks and split large logs. The logs were stored under canopies or in special woodsheds to protect them from rain and snow. The number of them depended on how warm the house would be in winter, and whether there would be enough firewood until spring.
Old beliefs were associated with this work. Before the start of logging, the peasants tried to appease the owner of the forest, a hog, or a goblin. They left a pot of porridge and a loaf of bread on a stump for him, and brought a handkerchief for his wife, borovukha. The ancestors believed that such an offering would help not to get lost in the thicket, avoid injury and return home safely.
Another important tradition of Jacob the Woodcutter was the processing of grain from the new harvest. At that time, millet, oats and barley were being stripped at the mills, and wheat was being crushed to produce cereals. A significant part of the harvested bread was intended for long-term storage.
On October 22, women always cooked the first autumn porridge from fresh cereals. This dish was associated with prosperity in the house. Hence another name of the holiday — the Day of the first porridge. Millet, oatmeal, barley or wheat were served on the table, generously seasoning it with oil. In some families, pork or mutton fat was added to make the dish more satisfying.
There was a belief that those who ate their fill of porridge on October 22 would not feel the need in winter. Hence the folk sayings: "Jacob will come, he will send a grain," "When the wood is burning, then they cook porridge."
The housewives also baked pies with cereal filling. Baking with oatmeal was especially appreciated, to which it was customary to add mushrooms, cottage cheese, meat or berries. Pastries were served to family members, neighbors, and casual travelers. According to legend, a person who tasted a festive pie received protection from disease and hunger for the coming year.
Yakov attached great importance to hospitality. The hosts tried to feed everyone who crossed the threshold, and the visitors were not supposed to refuse the food offered.
The mushroom season was coming to an end during this period. In the forests, there were also late-season sweet tooth, honey mushrooms and porcini mushrooms. Hot dishes were prepared from them, and the strongest ones were prepared for future use.
What not to do on the holiday of Yakov the Woodcutter
The ancestors had a number of superstitions and prohibitions associated with Jacob the Woodcutter. So, on October 22, sewing and any needlework using a needle were forbidden. The ancestors believed that clothes made on this day would quickly tear, and an accidental injection could lead to a long illness.
What else you can't do on October 22:
- Starting new businesses and major projects will be a failure.;
- Coming to visit empty—handed can lead to losses and financial difficulties.;
- to refuse the food offered leads to a quarrel with the owners and loss of their favor.;
- remembering old grievances and troubles — talking about past troubles will attract new problems.;
- swearing, swearing, and fighting with loved ones can lead to protracted conflicts and illnesses of relatives.;
- Telling dreams seen on the night of October 22nd — good dreams won't come true, but bad ones can come true;
- to give up necessary work leads to poverty in the future.
Folk signs for October 22
On Yakov the Woodcutter, the peasants carefully observed nature, the condition of the trees and the behavior of animals. According to the signs, the ancestors tried to predict the timing of the onset of winter, the duration of frost and the yield of the next year.
- It's raining or fine hail in the morning, and snow may fall in the evening.;
- the first snow fell on the unfrozen ground — next year will be lean;
- light circles are visible around the moon — the summer will be dry.;
- Icicles appeared on the roofs, leading to a prolonged cold snap;
- Icy conditions have formed on the roads, leading to rain and warming;
- The bulbs have grown a lot of dense integumentary scales — the winter will be harsh.;
- There are still leaves on the cherry tree — a thaw is possible in the near future.;
- The larch has not shed its needles — stable snow will not fall soon, and if it does, it will melt quickly.;
- foxes often bark in the forest — in case of rain or sudden weather change;
- The mole throws the earth out of the hole during frosts — it will get warmer soon.;
- Hares have begun to change their gray fur to white as frosts approach.
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs and strict prohibitions of the special holiday of Trifon and Pelageya.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
