Orthodox believers in Ukraine observe the feast day of the Prophet Jonah on 22 September under the revised liturgical calendar, marking ancient autumn traditions across the country.
The commemoration honors one of the twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament, whose biblical story of repentance and survival inside a whale remains central to the day's religious customs.
Under the previous church calendar, which remains observed on 5 October in the civil calendar, 22 September was dedicated to the righteous ancestors of Christ, Saint Joachim and Saint Anna, the parents of the Virgin Mary.
The Biblical Story of Jonah
Jonah lived in the Galilean town of Gath-hepher during the eighth century BC. God commanded him to travel to Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, to preach repentance and save its inhabitants from destruction.
Instead of traveling to the city of his people's enemies, Jonah boarded a ship sailing in the opposite direction. A violent storm threatened the vessel, leading Jonah to confess his disobedience and request that sailors throw him overboard to calm the sea.
A great fish swallowed Jonah, and he spent three days and three nights praying in its belly before being deposited alive onto the shore. He then fulfilled his divine mission by traveling to Nineveh, where the residents repented, sparing the city from destruction for another two centuries before its fall in 610 BC.
Folk Customs and Autumn Traditions
In the popular folk calendar, 22 September is known as the day of Jonah and Phocas, also commemorating the Hieromartyr Phocas. Traditional names for the date include Listopadna and Listoder, referring to strong autumn winds that strip the final leaves from trees.
Folk belief holds that autumn fully takes ownership of the weather starting on this day, lasting through the autumn season until Christmas.
Farmers traditionally finish harvesting radishes and turnips by this date. These root vegetables are used to prepare soups, salads, and traditional remedies, particularly radish juice mixed with honey, which is valued as a natural treatment for coughs.
Believers offer prayers to the saints of the day seeking protection against fires for homes and farm buildings, while sailors and river workers ask for safety on the water. A pine cone or fir cone unexpectedly falling on a person is considered a sign of upcoming wealth.
Religious Guidance and Daily Prohibitions
Church authorities remind believers to avoid arguments, anger, envy, slander, and foul language on this feast day, while urging people to assist those in need.
Strict prohibitions govern the day to protect family well-being and financial stability. In memory of Jonah's ordeal inside the whale, catching or eating fish is forbidden, as tradition holds that breaking this rule brings illness and financial hardship.
Customs also forbid staying in bed during the first half of the day, as laziness is believed to lead to poverty. Discarding or burning old brooms is avoided to prevent sweeping away family happiness, and scolding the wind or bad weather is said to bring misfortune to the entire household.
Weather Signs and Winter Predictions
Observing nature on 22 September allows villagers to forecast the timing of upcoming cold weather and the severity of the winter ahead.
Warm winter weather is expected if mosquitoes remain active, while birch trees retaining their leaves suggest that the first snowfall will arrive late. Conversely, willow trees dropping leaves indicates an imminent cold spell, and bare maple or bird cherry trees signal approaching frosts.
A harsh winter is predicted if trees undergo heavy leaf fall, whereas a small number of pine cones suggests mild winter temperatures. Long cobwebs floating in the air indicate several more weeks of warm weather, while fields filled with weeds point to heavy winter snows.
Cloudy and rainy conditions follow a sunset with red clouds, while a red moon signals strong winds in the forecast.
Name Days and Personal Traits
Under the old calendar system corresponding to 5 October, name days are celebrated by those named Peter and Theodore.
According to traditional belief, individuals born on this day possess natural abilities in the humanities, read extensively, and demonstrate strong erudition. They maintain conversations easily and possess a quiet skill for taking initiative in discussions.
