What holiday is September 25 today? According to the new Julian calendar of the OCU and UGCC, the Church on this day honors the memory of two great ascetics: St. Euphrosyne of Alexandria, who for the sake of Christ rejected wealth and earthly marriage and lived a life of monastic asceticism, and St. Sergius of Radonezh, abbot of the land of Rus’ (Kyiv Rus), the great collector of monasticism and the spiritual guardian of the entire nation. That is why thousands of believers today are looking for answers to questions about folk customs of the day, strict prohibitions, name days and strong prayer, which helps to find peace of heart and the intercession of the Lord.
Orthodox holiday of September 25: the life of Saint Euphrosyne of Alexandria
Saint Euphrosyne lived in the 5th century in Alexandria, in the wealthy and deeply religious Paphnutius family. The mother died when the girl was twelve years old, and the father, a pious and merciful man, raised the only child himself, giving her a good education and bringing her up in the fear of God. The name Euphrosyne means “joy”, “kindness”, and this joy about Christ became the content of her entire short but extraordinary life.
When Euphrosyne turned eighteen, her father, caring for the future of the family, betrothed her to a noble and rich young man. The girl has long since chosen a different path – the path of virginity and complete devotion to God. Not wanting to either openly obey her father or betray her vow, she secretly left home, dressed in men’s clothes, called herself Smaragdos and came to one of the Alexandrian monasteries, where she was shorn into a monastic image. The saint spent thirty-eight years in the feat of fasting, vigil and prayer. When temptations and suspicions began among the brothers due to her beauty and spiritual brightness, the hegumen, on the advice of the elders, took her to a deep desert cell, where she lived alone, communicating only with God and with one elder who brought her bread.
Meanwhile, Paphnutius mourned the disappearance of his daughter. He often came to the monastery to seek solace, and the abbot entrusted the spiritual conversation with him to the experienced ascetic Smaragd. Covered by a veil, the saint spoke to her own father without revealing herself, and her words, full of quiet wisdom and peace, gave him the strength to live every time. Only before her death, having heard that her father was completely faint from longing, Euphrosyne revealed her secret to him. They cried together – the father from joy and pity, the daughter from love. After her blessed death, Paphnutius distributed all his property to the poor and the monastery, took a haircut in his daughter’s cell, lived in it for another ten years in penance and prayer, and was buried next to her. The holy relics of St. Euphrosyne became famous for their healings, and the Church commemorates her on September 25.
Venerable Sergius of Radonezh is the abbot of the land of Rus’
On the same day, the Church honors Saint Sergius of Radonezh (Bartholomius in peace), who was born in 1314 near Rostov in the family of pious boyars Cyril and Mary. According to tradition, the boy could not master literacy for a long time: science was difficult for him despite his diligence, and he prayed with tears for intelligence. Once in the field, a mysterious old monk appeared to him, prayed over him and gave him a piece of prosphora – and since then Bartholomew read and understood the Scriptures better than his peers. This old man, according to church tradition, was the Angel of the Lord, sent to bless the future lamp.
After the death of his parents, Bartholomew, together with his brother Stefan, went to the deep forests near Radonezh, to the Makovets hill, where he cut down a cell with his own hands and built a small church in honor of the Holy Trinity – the same one from which the future Trinity-Sergius Monastery grew. Stefan could not stand the rigors of desert life and moved to Moscow, and Bartholomew took a haircut with the name Sergiy and was left alone with the forest, animals and God. Gradually, students began to come to him. The saint refused the abbotship for a long time, considering himself the smallest, but the brothers begged him, and he agreed, becoming an example for everyone: he himself chopped firewood, carried water, picked bread, sewed clothes, and went around the cells of the brothers every night, praying for everyone.
The Lord glorified His devotee with the gift of miracles: at his prayer, a spring of water stopped where there was none; the wild bear began to come to him for food; the dead boy came to life during his prayer; and once the saint was pleased with the appearance of the Most Holy Theotokos with the apostles Peter and John. When the threat of the Horde loomed over Russia, it was Saint Sergius who blessed Prince Dimitriy Donsky for the Battle of Kulikovo and released two of his monks with him – Oleksandr Peresvit and Rodion Oslyabyu. He did not pick up a sword, but with words, prayers and blessings gathered the broken earth, for which he is called the hegumen and mourner of the land of Rus’. The saint departed to the Lord on September 25, 1392, and thirty years later his relics were found incorruptible.
Also read more biographies at Pray.ee: Life of Saint Sergius of Radonezh and complete collection of Lives of Saints.
What do the saints pray for on September 25
Christians turn to St. Euphrosyne and St. Sergius at all times when their own strength is lacking. Their prayers before God have a special power, because both saints lived a life of love, humility and complete trust in God’s will.
- On preserving the purity of heart and body, on chastity and courage in life choices – they especially pray to Saint Euphrosyne, who was not afraid to go against conventional wisdom for the sake of Christ.
- About peace and harmony in the family, about the reconciliation of parents and children, about the return of the missing, despairing or those who left home.
- On the gift of reason in education – pupils, students, teachers and parents turn to Saint Sergius for children who find it difficult to learn.
- On healing from ailments of the body and soul, on liberation from fear, longing, despair and passions.
- On the protection of the native land and peace – Dimitrii Donsky went to battle with the blessing of Sergius, so even today the saint is considered the patron saint of soldiers and all of Ukraine.
- About courage in work and finding one’s way, about patience in poverty and sorrows.
Folk traditions on September 25: Sergius Kapusnyk
In the Ukrainian folk calendar, this day is primarily known as Sergius Kapusnyk – the time to chop cabbage. Our ancestors carefully watched: if the first frosts hit Sergius, then the cabbage has already “set”, filled with juice and become tight, and therefore it is time to prepare it for the winter. They chopped cabbage in a group: women gathered in one house, sang, joked, and the owner treated everyone to vodka and pies. It was believed that the cabbage cut on this day will be especially crisp and will stand well all winter, and a house in which laughter and song can be heard will spend autumn in abundance.
The second folk image of the day is connected with the name of Saint Euphrosyne – Frosina-pryaha. From September 25, long evenings of women’s work began in the villages: spinning cotton, embroidering, preparing dowry, mending clothes for the cold weather. Girls prayed to the saint for a happy fate and a good husband, and older women – for peace in the family. Another good tradition of the day is to thank God for the harvest by sharing it with poor, lonely neighbors and those who have lost their homes this year.
What absolutely cannot be done on September 25
- You cannot quarrel, slander and wish evil – Saint Sergius pacified people all his life, so malice on this day brings lasting enmity to the house.
- You cannot break the fast – September 25, 2026 falls on a Friday, the day dedicated to the Lord’s Cross, so abstinence is mandatory.
- You cannot refuse alms and help – on this day, it is especially sinful to begrudge a piece of bread or a kind word to someone in need.
- You can’t be lazy and put off work – according to folk custom, whoever misses Sergius Day will be miserable all winter.
- You cannot turn to fortune-tellers, magic and divination – the Church warns: this is a rejection of trust in God and the opening of the soul to darkness.
- One cannot miss wealth and reproach poverty – Saints Euphrosyne and Sergius teach that true wealth is a clear conscience and peace in the heart.
Folk omens for the weather on September 25
- If the cabbage heads are tight and white for Sergius, the winter will be snowy and fruitful for bread.
- A warm sunny day with a light fog in the morning – the summer will last for a long time.
- Cranes fly high and leisurely – autumn will be gentle; low and in a hurry – wait for early winter.
- If the leaves on the shore are still green, the snow will fall late, and December will be mild.
- Moles and mice dig holes high and graze a lot – the winter will be warm.
- If it rains a lot on this day, it will be a long autumn without sharp frosts.
Canonical prayers of the day: tropari, kondaki and sincere prayer
Troparion of Saint Euphrosyne of Alexandria, tone 8:
In you, mother, that which is according to the image was carefully saved: for having accepted the cross, you followed Christ, and in deed you taught to despise the flesh, because it passes away, but to take care of the soul is an immortal thing. Therefore, Saint Euphrosyne, your spirit rejoices with the angels.
Kontakion of Saint Euphrosyne, tone 4:
Inflamed with the love of Christ, venerable, you despised the earthly bridegroom and, dressed in a man’s form, you lived an angelic life on earth, mortifying the passions of the body with your mind. Therefore, with the faces of the disembodied, you are now rejoicing, Euphrosyne, pray to Christ God to save our souls.
Troparion of St. Sergius of Radonezh, tone 4:
Ascetic of virtues, as a warrior of the truth of Christ, you struggled very much in your temporal life, being an example to your disciples in singing, vigils and fasting; that is why the Holy Spirit settled in you, by the action of which you are adorned with light. But, having the audacity to the Holy Trinity, remember the flock that you gathered, wise one, and do not forget, as you promised, to visit your children, Saint Sergius, our father.
Kontakion of Saint Sergius, tone 8:
Struck by the love of Christ, monk, and following Him with an inevitable desire, you hated all bodily pleasure and, like the sun, you shone on your homeland; that Christ has enriched you with the gift of miracles. Remember us, who honor your holy memory, so that we call you: rejoice, Sergius the wise.
Sincere prayer to Saints Euphrosyne and Sergius (home):
Oh, holy saints of God, Venerable Euphrosyne and Venerable Father Sergius! You who, for the sake of love for Christ, rejected earthly comforts, wealth and glory, and in the feat of fasting, prayer and humility obtained the grace of the Holy Spirit, look mercifully on us, sinful and weak, who run to your intercession. Ask the All-Merciful God for the strengthening of our faith, peace for our land and the victory of truth, harmony and love in our families, intelligence and patience for our children in education and work, healing of physical and mental ailments, deliverance from all calamities, fear and despair. Teach us not to seek the riches of perishable things, but to seek first the Kingdom of God, so that, having spent the days of earthly life in purity and repentance, we together with you glorify the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit now, and always, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
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FAQ: frequently asked questions about the holiday of September 25
Which church holiday is celebrated on September 25 in a new style?
According to the New Julian calendar, on September 25, the OCU and UGCC honor the memory of Venerable Euphrosyne of Alexandria and Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Abbot of Radonezh and the Wonderworker of All Russia.
Who celebrates the name day (angel’s day) on September 25?
The following are celebrating their birthdays today: Euphrosyne (Frosina), Sergius, Bartholomew, Opanas (Paphnuty), Smaragd, Yuriy and Maria.
Is today a fasting day?
September 25, 2026 falls on a Friday — it is a fasting day. We refrain from meat, dairy products and eggs; according to the church charter, vegetarian food is consumed on Good Fridays, and fish and wine are not blessed. A priest can give relief to people who carry hard work, the sick, pregnant and travelers.
Why has the date of the holiday changed compared to the old calendar?
After the transition of the OCU and UGCC to the New Julian calendar, immovable holidays retain their number, but are celebrated according to the Gregorian calendar. Therefore, the memory of the saints, which used to fall on September 25 according to the old style (October 8 according to the new), is now celebrated on September 25 — together with the entire Orthodox world.