October 9: What you need to know about the day of Apostle James and folk signs

On October 9, the Orthodox Church commemorates the celebration of the memory of St. Apostle James Alpheus, one of the twelve closest disciples of Jesus Christ. This holiday is dedicated to faith, missionary work, and the spread of Christianity. The 'Glavkom' magazine reveals the details of religious holidays, their history, traditions, and signs on this special day, October 9, 2025.

Contents

• Religious holidays and their history
• Prayers of the day
• Folk beliefs and signs

Religious holidays and their history

The day of remembrance of St. Apostle James Alpheus

On October 9 according to the New Style, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Apostle James Alpheus, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, who was chosen by Him to preach the Kingdom of God.

Holy legends tell that James was the brother of the Apostle and Evangelist Matthew and lived in the 1st century. He went to spread the Gospel among the nations, preaching in Judea and even among pagans in other countries. Through his activities, he experienced numerous persecutions and ultimately died the death of a martyr.

People often call this day 'James the Cold', as it was considered the transition from the warmth of autumn to the winter cold.

Prayers of the day

O, great Apostle of Christ, James! You were chosen from among His disciples and entered into the number of the Twelve. We pray to you: ask Christ to support our faith, to give us strength to devote ourselves to His commandments and to forgive us our sins. Be our intercessor in all our sufferings, so that we may pass through this world and enter the Heavenly Kingdom.

Amen

Folk beliefs and signs

Among our ancestors, there was a widespread belief that the signs of this day could predict the weather in the future:

• A lot of spiderweb in the air means a warm and dry autumn.
• Frost in the morning - a warning about a cold winter.
• Birds completely flew away - winter approaches within three weeks.
• Rain - a sign of a rainy and damp autumn.
• Clear starry night - a prediction of frost in the morning.

The memory of St. Apostle James Alpheus is an important religious holiday dedicated to missionary work and the spread of Christianity. Through the ages, James remains a symbol of faith and courage, inspiring believers to devotion and discovery. The signs and folk beliefs associated with this holiday add a specific color to it and help feel the connection with nature.