September 13 is a unique date for Ukrainians, as there are several reasons to celebrate on this day. Ukrainian, world, church, and folk traditions intertwine, making this day special.
Holidays in Ukraine
On the second Saturday of September, City Day is celebrated in several Ukrainian cities — Dnipro, Zhytomyr, Luhansk, Vinnytsia, Lutsk, Mykolaiv, and Bakhmut. The celebration usually lasts for several days, with concerts and fairs.
Also on September 13, Ukrainians celebrate Ukrainian Borscht Day. This is a national dish that is considered one of the main symbols of our culture. The best way to celebrate is to cook borscht according to a family recipe.
Another holiday is the Day of Ukrainian Cinema. Domestic cinema has been gaining more and more international recognition in recent years. In 2024, the film “20 Days in Mariupol” won an Oscar.
Also, the second Saturday of September marks the Day of Physical Culture and Sports — it is celebrated by both professionals and amateurs.
Holidays in the world
Internationally, September 13th is celebrated as Programmer's Day and First Aid Day. It is a reminder of the importance of digital professions and the ability to save lives.
Church holidays
In the new church style, Christians today honor the holy martyr Cornelius the Centurion and celebrate the renewal of the Church of the Resurrection of the Lord in Jerusalem. This holiday is popularly known as Autumn Easter.
According to the old style, the holiday is celebrated in honor of the Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos, the only relic of the Virgin Mary that has survived to our time.
Folk signs
Traditionally, September 13 was called the day of Cornelius the Root Vegetable, because it was at this time that potatoes, beets, carrots, and turnips were dug. It was believed that it was necessary to have time to harvest before the autumn rains.
Signs of this day:
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frogs croak loudly - to frequent rains;
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a lot of husks on onions - to frost;
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If it rains, it will be dry later.
Prohibitions on September 13
The Church forbids swearing, envy, backbiting, and greed. According to signs, one should not undertake heavy physical labor, especially in the morning. Repairs, construction, or cleaning were considered unsuccessful.
