September 19 – Mikhailovsky matinees. However… it's getting colder

Now that’s all for sure! Summer is gone and there’s no turning it back. Significant points:

• the day of September 19 becomes shorter by five hours — this is what people said, since it began to get dark quite early;
• The date in the popular consciousness was associated with the first autumn cold. The Michaelmas morning frosts are beginning — not particularly strong, but already noticeable.

The Church today honors the memory of Archangel Michael, who was one of the most important angels and is very often mentioned in the Holy Scriptures. In the Bible, he is called the archangel and is revered as the head of the entire angelic army, being the patron saint of Christians who oppose evil. Michael is also called the protector of the dead, since, according to legend, it was Michael who carried the souls of the Virgin Mary and the prophet Abraham to heaven. Legend has it that it is Michael who guards the gates of Paradise. Usually people turn to Michael with prayers for healing from serious illnesses. Various springs that have healing properties are often named after Michael.

And usually on this day there was the first truly autumn bad weather. It was strictly forbidden to work on Michaelmas Day — God can punish for disrespect for the saint. But this applied mostly to field work. Urgent household chores (feeding the family and livestock, caring for small children, etc.) were not prohibited.

Signs of the day:

• Frost on the trees in the morning means a snowy winter.
• A foggy morning means warmth.
• How many days have passed since the new moon — so many floods to expect in the spring.
• You can’t go into the forest for blueberries on Michaelmas Day — the devil himself tramples them.
• Birch leaves turn yellow on top — in early spring. From below — by late spring.
• The leaves of the birch tree have not yet fallen — it’s a cold winter.
• A leaf from an aspen tree falls face up — the winter will be cold. If it falls face down, it means there will be thaws in winter.
• You can’t work on Michaelmas Day — God will punish you.
• According to tradition, on this day the girls bake a festive cake and bake a ring in it. Whoever gets the ring will soon get married.
• Frosts in the morning are good. It is believed that the Archangel Michael himself descends to earth and freezes out all evil spirits from the light.
• Wash your hair on Michaelmas Day — wash away your entire mind.
• Large purchases on this day will not bring much joy.
• If you wish for something on this day, then soon everything will come true.
• Anyone born on September 19 will achieve a lot through their own labor.

Name days are celebrated today by: Makar, Andrey, David, Kirill, Denis, Vsevolod, Konstantin, Dmitry, Mikhail, Ivan.