What holiday is September 27 today? According to the new Julian calendar of the OCU and the UGCC, on this day the Church honors the memory of the holy martyr Callistratus and his wife – fifty soldiers who accepted death for Christ in the III-IV centuries, as well as monk Nilo Rossansky, the head and abbess of the Kryptoferrata monastery. The story of Saint Callistratus is a testimony to the fact that one courageous heart can convert an entire military unit to God. Therefore, thousands of believers today are looking for answers to questions about folk customs of the day, prohibitions, name days and a strong prayer for courage and protection.
Orthodox holiday of September 27: the life of the martyr Callistratus and his wife
Saint Callistratus came from Carthage, from a military family. His ancestor Neoscorus served in Palestine under the emperor Tiberius, in the detachment stationed in Jerusalem, and was a witness to the sufferings of the cross, death and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Seeing how the sun was darkened, the earth shook and the curtain of the temple was torn, he believed, accepted baptism from the apostles and brought his faith to Carthage, like the most precious pearl. From then on, his family was Christian: Kallistrata’s father raised his son in faith, piety and love of prayer.
When he became an adult, Callistratus, like his father, chose military service and was the only Christian in his regiment. He stood out among his brothers for his gentle nature, honesty, and the fact that when everyone was asleep, he got up for the night prayer. One night, a soldier lying nearby heard Callistratus calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and reported it to the commander. He called the young man, questioned him and demanded that he sacrifice to the idols. Callistratus answered with a firm refusal – not with a shout, but with a calm confession: he is a Christian and will not deny Christ. Then they beat him mercilessly, and then dragged him over sharp stones; but neither beatings nor abuse broke his will.
The torturer ordered the saint to be sewn into a leather bag and thrown into the sea. However, by God’s providence, the bag ran into a sharp rock and broke, and the martyr made it to land unscathed – according to church tradition, dolphins supported him. After seeing this miracle, forty-nine soldiers believed in Christ. They were all thrown into prison and subjected to new tortures, and even there Saint Callistratus did not stop teaching his brothers the faith and preparing them for the feat. When the martyrs, bound hand and foot, were thrown into the deep pool behind the dam, the bonds broke, and the saints stood in the water with bright faces, rejoicing that this very suffering had become their baptism. Bright crowns appeared above their heads, and all heard a voice: “Hold on bravely, Callistrates, with your wife, and come to rest in the abodes of the eternal.” At the same moment the earth shook, and the idol that stood nearby fell and broke; another hundred and thirty-five soldiers believed in Christ.
The military commander, fearing a rebellion in the regiment, did not dare to judge the new Christians, but at night he ordered Callistratus and forty-nine of his brothers to be cut down with a sword. Their honest relics were buried by the soldiers who remained alive, and later on the place of suffering, as the saint predicted, a temple was built. Later, the relics of Saint Callistratus were kept in Constantinople and became famous for numerous miracles and healings.
Venerable Neil Rossansky is a luminary of monasticism in Italy
On the same day, the Church commemorates Venerable Nilo, originally from the city of Rossano in Calabria, in the south of Italy. He lived in the 10th century, received a good education, but with his heart he chose the narrow path of monasticism: he gave away his estate to the poor, took tonsure and struggled in desert places, copying books, composing church hymns and teaching students sober prayer. He was revered by princes and popes, emperors and simple peasants, because the saint loved everyone equally and was not afraid to tell anyone the truth. Around 1004, he founded the Cryptoferrata (Grottaferrata) monastery near Rome, which became the center of the Greek monastic tradition in Italy, and there he ended his earthly life at a very old age. Venerable Neil left behind the teaching that true fasting is not only abstinence from food, but also abstinence from the tongue from condemnation and the heart from malice.
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What do the saints pray for on September 27
Saint Callistratus was a warrior, so prayers to him are often about the strength to endure – in war, in illness, in temptation, in betrayal of loved ones. And those who seek wisdom and peace in study and work turn to Venerable Neil.
- About courage and indomitability in trials, about not renouncing faith under the pressure of circumstances or people.
- On the protection of soldiers and the whole of Ukraine, on the return of prisoners and missing persons alive, on peace and the victory of truth.
- On healing from wounds, injuries and physical ailments, on restoring strength after a serious illness.
- On protection against treason, slander and unjust accusation – the saint himself was denounced by a friend.
- On the conversion of relatives and friends who have not yet come to faith, following the example of one hundred and eighty-four soldiers.
- On wisdom in learning, patience in work and the gift of pure prayer – to Venerable Nilo Rossansky.
Folk traditions on September 27: Kallistratus
In the Ukrainian folk calendar, this day was called briefly – Kallistratus. Our ancestors completed the so-called bee nineties with it: beekeepers prepared the apiary for the winter for nine days in a row, moved the beehives to a shelter — the omshanik — and concluded the ceremony with a prayer and sprinkling with holy water. It was believed that the bees that were blessed and “spoken” on this day would overwinter without loss, and the honey from such an apiary would be healing. The host always put a candle in front of the icon and thanked God for the work of the tiny workers who managed to collect their honey before the cold weather.
Another good tradition of the day is honey gingerbread. They were baked from new honey and distributed to relatives, neighbors and children, so that prosperity and harmony would come to the house: sweet cookies were a sign that the summer worked for nothing. And since St. Callistratus was a warrior, on this day in Ukraine, all defenders were remembered in prayer: candles were brought to the church for the health of the living and for the repose of the fallen, they asked the saint for intercession for those who are currently defending their native land. According to tradition, whoever sincerely asks the martyr for strength of spirit on this day will not break down even in the most difficult trouble.
What absolutely cannot be done on September 27
- You can not quarrel, slander and gossip – the day of martyrs for the truth does not tolerate lies and malice.
- You cannot drink alcohol – Saint Callistratus was a warrior and taught sobriety of spirit, without which prayer is impossible.
- You should not go to the forest – according to popular belief, it is easy to get lost there on this day.
- You cannot borrow or lend money – it was believed that this would lead to long-term financial difficulties.
- One should not engage in hard, exhausting work – the day is given to prayer, family and works of charity.
- You must not despise the work of bees and waste bread – according to ancient custom, this calls the poor to the house.
Folk omens for the weather on September 27
- Morning frost on the ground and roofs – winter will come early, and spring will be early.
- Migratory birds have already flown away in a whirlwind – expect quick frosts.
- Wind from the west – to a sharp change in weather for several days.
- Cold north wind – next summer will be warm and generous.
- The bees tightly cover the flights with wax – the winter will be harsh and long.
- A clear, quiet day with cobwebs in the air – autumn will keep warm for a long time.
Canonical prayers of the day: troparion, kondak and sincere prayer
Troparion of the holy martyr Callistratus and his wife, tone 4:
Your martyrs, O Lord, in their exploits received crowns of incorruption from You, our God: because having Your fortress, they overcame the tormentors and crushed the demons of impudence. Save our souls with those prayers.
Kontakion of the holy martyr Callistratus and his wife, tone 2:
Wise and God-bearing saints, today the whole Church, honoring you, spiritually sings your praise: for you stood up for her, victorious martyrs of Christ our God. Therefore, pray unceasingly so that we too may spend our lives in peace and repentance and save our souls.
Sincere prayer to the holy martyr Callistratus (home):
Oh, holy martyr of Christ Callistrate with your wife, invincible warriors and steadfast confessors! You, who were not afraid of beatings, or stones, or the depth of the sea, or the sword, and who testified with your blood that Christ is truly risen, look even now at us, who with faith and love run to your intercession. Ask the Lord for strength of spirit for those who stand in defense of our land, courage for those who are despised and persecuted for the truth, healing for those wounded in body and soul, return for those who were captured and missing. Teach us not to betray Christ with fear, profit, or fatigue, to keep a sober mind and a clear conscience, and to stand in faith to the end. Pray, courageous sufferer, that we too, having passed through the waters of trials, may be worthy of eternal rest in the abodes of the Heavenly Father together with all the saints. Amen.
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FAQ: frequently asked questions about the holiday on September 27
Which church holiday is celebrated on September 27 in a new style?
According to the New Julian calendar, the OCU and the UGCC commemorate the holy martyr Callistratus and his wife (49 warrior-martyrs) on September 27, as well as the venerable Nilo Rossansky, the abbot of the Kryptoferrata monastery in Italy.
Who celebrates the name day (angel’s day) on September 27?
The following are celebrating their birthdays today: Kallistratus (Kalistratus), Nil, Viktor, Dmytro, Ignat, Marko, Petro and Fedir.
Is today a fasting day?
September 27, 2026 falls on Sunday — the day of the Resurrection of Christ, so there is no fasting, any moderate food is allowed. The Church calls to spend this day in the temple, in prayer and works of love.
What is most often prayed to Saint Callistratus?
About courage in trials, protection of soldiers and all of Ukraine, healing from wounds and ailments, about protection from betrayal and slander, and about conversion to faith of those who are still seeking God.