A special Russian holiday on October 1 is Arina Rosehip: history, traditions, omens

On October 1, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the martyrs Ariadne of Promis and Irina of Egypt, who suffered for their faith in the early years of the spread of Christianity. In the national calendar, the day is known as Arina Rosehip. At this time, the peasants began to harvest wild rose and made preparations for the winter, which was reflected in its name. In 2025, the date falls on Wednesday. Izvestia tells us what traditions, signs and prohibitions are associated with this day.

What is the church holiday on October 1st?

The martyr Ariadne of Promis lived in the second century in the Phrygian city of Promissia. She was a slave and served in the house of the local mayor. When the owner held a celebration in a pagan temple on the occasion of the birth of her son, Ariadne refused to participate in the sacrifices. After that, she was thrown into prison, starved and subjected to other trials, forcing her to renounce Christ.

With God's help, Ariadne managed to escape from prison and hide from her pursuers in a rock that parted and then closed at her prayers. After seeing the miracle, the persecutors became confused, began to swear among themselves and eventually beat each other to death with spears.

With the adoption of Christianity, the saint is revered in Russia. On the day of the martyr's memory, believers visit the church and pray in front of her holy image for healing of bodily and mental ailments, deliverance from enemies and ill-wishers. Ariadne is also asked for well-being, health and family harmony.

On the same day, the church commemorates the Martyr Irene of Egypt, who suffered in the third century during the brutal persecution of Christians during the reign of the Roman pagan emperor Aurelian. Despite the great danger, Irina, along with her sister in Christ, Sofia, preached, managing to convert many pagans to the Christian faith.

During one of the sermons, the girls were captured and imprisoned. Subsequently, both martyrs were executed. For Christians, they have become symbols of faith, courage, and devotion to Christian ideals.

20 little—known facts about the Orthodox Cross - what you need to know on the occasion of the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Today marks one of the main twelve—day holidays - the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Traditions of the national holiday Arina Rosehip

In the folk tradition, the day of veneration of saints was named Arina Rosehip, which is associated with the beginning of the rosehip harvest. It was believed that from this day on, berries become especially useful and curative. In the old days they used to say: "The rosehip is red on Arina's Rosehip — health will be strong," "Whoever finds strength in the rosehip will survive the winter without illness."

Rosehip berries were dried, jam and jelly were boiled from them, tinctures and syrups were made for colds. Brewed rosehip was also drunk as a health tea, and was also used for fortune-telling: three berries were placed under the pillow, a wish was made, and in the morning they judged the imminent fulfillment of their plans. If the rosehip shriveled, it meant that the wish would not come true immediately, and if it remained strong, the plan would come true quickly.

Girls' gatherings occupied a special place on Arina's day. The girls gathered in the same house, had conversations, sang songs, and at the same time did household chores: shredded cabbage, salted vegetables, and prepared supplies for the winter. Fortune-telling also took place on these evenings. The holiday was also a day of good deeds. It was believed that elderly people should not be ignored, and by helping neighbors and those in need, a person attracts happiness and well-being into the house.

What can and cannot be done on Arina Rosehip

On a festive day, it is customary to collect and dry rosehips, brew tea from berries and treat their loved ones. Good deeds, attention to relatives and caring for the elderly are still important traditions of the holiday. In the morning, it is recommended to visit the church to pray to the holy martyrs and order prayer services for loved ones.

There are strict prohibitions on Arina Rosehip. For example, you cannot pray for wealth and material well-being. Prayers should only concern health and spiritual benefits. In addition, it is forbidden to boast about their successes. The people believed that fate could punish pride with loss.

The strongest prayer to Vera, Nadezhda, Lyubov and their mother Sofia on September 30th

What to ask of the Holy Great Martyrs

What else can't be done on October 1st:

• complaining about life — it was believed that this would lead to hardships;
• leaving children alone — according to legend, evil forces could frighten kids;
• to receive strangers in the house — the ancestors believed that this leads to quarrels in the family;
• Cutting hair was believed to shorten a person's life.;
• gossiping and discussing others can cause trouble and lack of money.

Folk signs of October 1st

Signs were given special importance to Arina Rosehip. They were used to determine the weather for the coming months. First of all, the peasants watched the cranes fly away. If a crane's wedge appeared in the sky, they shouted "A road with a wheel" after it. Thus, the birds wished to return to their native lands as soon as possible. After all, in the old days it was believed that cranes were messengers of warmth and brought spring on their wings.

Other signs of the day:

• If the cranes have flown south, the frosts will come in two weeks.;
• cranes and geese are not visible in the sky — the warmth will remain until November.;
• tall weeds in the garden — for a snowy winter;
• if there are still leaves on the birch, the winter will be mild.;
• The grass is still high, and there will be a lot of snow.

Earlier, Izvestia told about the signs and traditions of the feast of Yefimiy, Bird's Bone.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.