Ryabinniki — Rowan Day: women cover heads

On 23 September, the Orthodox Church commemorates Saints Peter and Paul, bishops of Nicaea. In the 9th century, under the iconoclast emperor Leo the Isaurian, Saint Peter defended the Orthodox faith and suffered for it. Saint Theodore the Studite is known to have written him letters — four of his epistles survive. Nothing is known about the life of Saint Paul, but it is known that he likewise preached Christianity in Nicaea.

Many folk omens are tied to this day. It was believed that by Peter’s Day the rowan berries were fully ripe and became sweet after the first cold snaps. During this period people busily prepared them for winter: they cooked compotes, kvass (fermented drink), and medicinal decoctions. Rowan was thought to protect against illness and evil forces, so its clusters were used to decorate windows ahead of winter.

Special properties were also ascribed to it. For insomnia, there was a simple rite: one had to draw a circle around oneself with a rowan twig. And for health and cheer, rowan was used in drinks: tinctures and liqueurs were made from berries picked after the first frosts, steeped in vodka, and kept for several months in the dark.

The number of berries also served to predict the weather: a rich rowan harvest foretold a wet autumn and a cold winter. The day of Peter and Paul carried prohibitions as well. On this day people were advised not to trust their intuition and inner voice, and to avoid quarrels and sadness. Women in particular were warned not to argue with men — it was believed that doing so would bring three months of tears. One should not give in to melancholy or dwell on the past, so as not to invite lingering despondency. In addition, women were forbidden to go outside with an uncovered head — it was believed that evil forces could take up residence in the hair.

At the same time, the day was considered favorable for one’s personal life: one could start a new relationship or mend an old one if it had begun to crack.