The Feast of Joachim and Anne, celebrated by the Church on September 9
On September 9, 2026, Orthodox Christians commemorate the righteous Joachim and Anne—the parents of the Virgin Mary and the grandparents of Jesus Christ. The couple is considered a model of love, patience, and strong faith. On this day, people also pray for Ukrainian families, children, and peace and harmony in their homes.
On September 9, the day after the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Church commemorates her parents—the righteous Joachim and Anne. In Christian tradition, they are called the Godparents. Joachim and Anna were the parents of Mary, who became the Mother of Jesus Christ. Their story is linked to many long years of waiting for a child. The couple lived a devout and loving life, but they had no children. In the society of that time, childlessness was often viewed as a disgrace, so Joachim and Anna went through difficult times.
According to church tradition, Joachim once went to the temple to offer a sacrifice to God. However, his offering was not accepted because he had no children. After that, Joachim went into the desert, where he fasted and prayed. Anna stayed at home and prayed as well. She asked God to grant them a child and promised to dedicate the child to the service of God.
According to tradition, their prayers were answered. An angel announced to Joachim and Anna that they would have a daughter. She was Mary—the future Mother of the Savior. That is why Joachim and Anna are especially revered as an example of a married couple who did not lose their faith even after many years of trials.
Why Do We Pray for Ukrainian Families on September 9?
This day is associated with prayer for the family. In Christian tradition, Joachim and Anne have become symbols of love between husband and wife, patience, and trust in God. Therefore, on September 9, believers can pray for their relatives, children, and parents. They ask for health, peace, mutual understanding, and protection for the entire family.
They pray especially for families who have been forced apart by the war. For Ukrainians, this topic remains very important, as many families live apart, are waiting for their loved ones to return from the front, or have been forced to leave their homes. On this day, you can not only go to church but also simply take time for a sincere prayer at home.
Traditions of September 9
In folk tradition, this day had specific customs associated with family and motherhood. September 9 was sometimes called “Mothers’ Day.” On this day, young mothers were congratulated, and women who assisted during childbirth were thanked. Families might bake a round pie. Its shape symbolized abundance, the fullness of life, and family well-being.
People also tried to spend the day peacefully. They devoted more time to children and elderly family members, helped loved ones, and made up after arguments. The main tradition was praying for the family. People prayed for love and mutual understanding to reign in the home and for their children to grow up healthy. At the same time, it’s worth remembering that some of these customs stem specifically from folk traditions. The Church does not prescribe mandatory rituals such as baking a specific dish or performing a particular household chore.
Folk Omens for September 9
In the folk calendar, people also observed the weather on this day. By studying nature, they tried to predict what the fall and the coming winter would be like.
- If September 9 is warm and clear, according to the saying, fall will be long and fair.
- If it rained, people expected a snowy and wet winter.
- If thunder could be heard, people believed that winter would be mild and almost snowless.
- If there were many spiderwebs in the air, there were supposed to be many more warm autumn days ahead.
- If there were many pinecones on the fir trees, this was considered a sign of a good rye harvest.
These folk signs are part of folk culture. There is no scientific evidence that the weather on September 9 can accurately predict the entire coming winter or harvest.
What Not to Do on This Day
According to folk beliefs, people tried not to quarrel with their relatives on September 9. It was believed that conflicts on this day could disrupt family harmony for a long time. It was also advised not to use foul language, insult loved ones, or wish ill on anyone. The day is associated with family values, so special attention was paid to maintaining good relationships.
According to folk beliefs, one should not lend money or borrow it. It was believed that this could lead to financial difficulties. It was also advised not to envy others’ happiness or constantly complain about one’s own life.
At the same time, this day does not impose strict religious prohibitions such as “you must not do laundry,” “you must not work,” or “you must not clean.” The Christian tradition calls first and foremost for prayer, mercy, and love for one’s neighbors.
