The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates a large number of religious dates dedicated to various saints. One of these dates is St. Dmitry’s Day, when believers remember St. Dmitry of Solunsky.
St. Dmitry’s Day in the tradition of the Russian Orthodox Church is celebrated on October 26, when St. Dmitry Solunsky, the Christian great martyr, is remembered.
St. Dmitry's Day
It should be taken into account that the Russian Christian tradition adheres to the Julian calendar in determining significant religious dates. Therefore, according to the Gregorian calendar, which is often called the new style and which corresponds to the calendar adopted in the secular world, St. Dmitry’s day falls on November 8th.
In religious understanding, the day of St. Dmitry is primarily interpreted as the date on which it is customary to remember the dead ancestors. It becomes especially important if Dmitriev falls on Saturday; otherwise, it is customary to pay tribute to the ancestors on Saturday, preceding the onset of St. Dmitry's Day. This day is often called Parent Saturday.
In addition to religious significance, this day has its own interpretation in the national calendar. According to signs, it marks the final onset of the autumn-winter season, as well as the end of the wedding season. In addition to Russia, St. Dmitry’s Day is also celebrated in several other Slavic countries, for example, in Bulgaria and Romania.
