On September 16, the whole world celebrates Ozone Layer Protection Day. This holiday was established by the UN in 1994 as a reminder that human activities are causing devastating consequences for our planet. The ozone layer is a part of the Earth's stratosphere that consists primarily of ozone, a substance that contains three oxygen atoms. In its normal state it is a poisonous gas, but ozone plays an important role in partially absorbing ultraviolet radiation, under the influence of which it is formed from molecular oxygen. This is the natural shield of our planet, which protects all living things from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. The most dangerous ultraviolet radiation in the range of 100-280 nm is almost completely absorbed by oxygen with the subsequent formation of ozone. The ozone layer itself absorbs up to 99% of solar radiation in the range from 200 to 315 nm. In other words, it protects all living things from radiation. The thickness of the ozone layer is minimal. It is often compared to one thin page of a tome called “Stratosphere,” which, nevertheless, contains very important information. Scientists consider the formation of the ozone layer to be one of the factors that allowed living beings, at one of the stages of evolution, to leave the water and get to land. If our planet loses this protective shell, then we will experience all the delights of exposure to aggressive ultraviolet radiation. According to the assumptions of researchers who have already considered a similar model of developments, this will either lead to the complete destruction of life on the planet, or will force surviving species to adapt to radically changed environmental conditions. The fact that humanity began to methodically destroy the ozone layer became known back in the last century. A new term has appeared - ozone holes. These are gaps in the protective screen of the stratosphere, which allow aggressive ultraviolet radiation to freely penetrate the planet's shell and reach the Earth's surface. The ozone layer is destroyed under the influence of several factors that have one common denominator - human activity. To be fair, it is worth noting that there is an unpopular point of view about the natural nature of this process. Opponents of this hypothesis have in their arsenal many compelling arguments that are difficult to dispute. For example, the first large ozone hole was discovered in the last century, immediately after man began to intensively “enrich” the Earth’s atmosphere with chemicals that it had not previously encountered. The strongest blow to the protective layer is caused by the greenhouse effect and freons or freons, as they are also called. The latter were previously widely used in aerosols, foaming agents and solvents, and today they have found their way into the industrial sector. After entering the atmosphere, freons begin to actively decompose, and the components of their decay react with ozone and destroy it, breaking it down into oxygen. When the role of the ozone layer in protecting all life on our planet was scientifically proven, scientists became concerned about the impact of the anthropogenic factor on it. In 1987, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was developed. Almost all countries of the world signed this document and gradually abandoned the use of low-boiling freons based on the ethane, methane and propane series, but this did not help to completely solve the problem. In a number of countries, enterprises that unofficially use these substances in production still continue to open. In 1994, the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer was established to coincide with the signing of the Montreal Protocol. By the way, scientists who worked on research into the causes of ozone layer destruction received the highest award - the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Kofi Annan called the Montreal Protocol one of the most successful international agreements in human history.

Italy is extremely popular among tourists, as the country is rich in interesting places and exciting events. Once a year, a significant number of tourists gather to celebrate Juliet's birthday. The celebration takes place in Verona, the place where the events described by William Shakespeare took place. Both the house with the famous balcony, which once belonged to the Del Capello family, and her tomb in the Capuchin monastery have survived to this day. Juliet's Day is celebrated on September 16th and is one of the most romantic holidays in Italy, which attracts couples from all over the world. The story of unhappy love was first recorded by the historiographer and writer Luigi Da Porto, and it served as the basis for a Shakespearean drama. To determine the date of birth, historians have used both literary versions and other available sources. The literary prototype was a young girl of the Del Capello family, who moved to Verona with her parents at the end of the 17th century. From the story of Luigi Da Porto, it was possible to find out that Juliet had just turned 18 years old, and the day of her 18th birthday coincided with St. Euphemia's Day. This data was enough to find out the year and exact date of her birth - September 16, 1284. For the Italians themselves, Juliet is the most important character in the love drama. Even theatrical productions and film adaptations of the drama are called “Juliet and Romeo”. Italians celebrate her birthday as brightly as they are used to living. On this day, throughout Verona there are:• costume performances;• street processions;• performances by musicians and dancers;• screenings of the best film adaptations about a couple in love. However, the most important actions take place in the place where Juliet lived, on Via Capello. Under that same balcony there is a bronze statue of a girl and there is a legend that if you touch her left breast, the lovers will have a long and happy life. In addition to all the festive events, on this day the winner of the competition of notes that lovers write to Juliet is chosen. All letters addressed to her end up in Juliet's club, and they are answered by girls who are members of this club. During the year, the club receives a lot of letters and the most romantic is chosen from all of them. Juliet's birthday is a beautiful and romantic holiday that glorifies the bright love of a young girl.

The state limited the sale of alcohol in the USSR during Prohibition under Gorbachev, and in America during the Great Depression. A similar ban was established in the Russian Empire after the outbreak of the First World War. In 1914, on September 16, the State Duma approved a law restricting the sale of vodka. Strong alcohol was allowed to be sold only in restaurants.

Beer in Rus' was highly respected, as it was considered a ritual and sacred drink. It was drunk at the birth of a child and at christenings, at weddings and when moving to a new home, after funerals and during other rituals commemorating ancestors. In epics, the intoxicating drink was mentioned as a source of strength: in order to become a hero, Ilya Muromets needed to “drink strong beer.” It was brewed on peasant farms and at monasteries, but with the introduction of a special tax under Ivan III, as well as duties on malt and hops, this branch of the economy by the beginning of the 16th century. began to decline. The traditions of original Russian home brewing have practically not survived to this day. The same cannot be said about Germany, where the intoxicating drink is part of the national culture, a symbol of Bavaria and other federal states. Therefore, every year in the second half of September the Oktoberfest Beer Festival is held in Munich. The first celebrations with free drinks and horse racing took place in 1810 in honor of the marriage of the heir to the Bavarian throne, Ludwig I, and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. All residents of Munich were invited to the meadow, located outside the city limits, to celebrate the wedding of the crowned persons. The festivities, which included treating his subjects to beer, were so fun and joyful that Ludwig I ordered that Oktoberfest be celebrated annually. Over time, competitions and farm exhibitions of thoroughbred horses and bulls appeared in the festival program. Carousels and other attractions were installed for the holiday, and in 1881 a giant chicken fryer was opened, which had no equal in the whole world. The tradition of celebrating Oktoberfest was interrupted only during the First and Second World Wars. Since 1950, the festival has been held in the capital of Bavaria every year. Part of the 2-week holiday is not only beer tasting in huge tents standing in the open air. The celebration takes place with performances by brass bands, folk ensembles and other creative groups. The festival traditionally opens with a costumed procession that moves 6 km to the main celebration site and iconic point - Teresa's Meadow. Beer as a low-alcohol drink has long been consumed by Christian monks during Lent. They called it liquid bread, capable of replacing food during abstinence from nourishing and tasty food. Beer was first mentioned as a kind of “barley juice” in German chronicles of the 8th century AD. It was at this time that the drink began to be produced in southern Germany. Gradually, cooking traditions began to spread throughout the country and beyond. During the same period, German beer entered Switzerland through the Abbey of St. Gall, which legalized its supply from the city of Geisingen, located in Baden-Württemberg. In Rus', by this time, the brewing of an intoxicating drink from malt with the addition of molasses, wormwood, berry mixtures, roots and fruits of some plants, which were later replaced with hops, had long been established. It added bitterness to the beer and was a natural preservative, preventing rapid souring. Initially, yeast was not used to brew the drink. Fungi were introduced into the wort by insects, blades of grass and dust, and entered in other natural ways. This type of cooking was called air fermentation in Rus'. In Germany, traditionally, the drink was prepared using 4 main ingredients: hops, yeast, malt and water. This rule was enshrined in the “Law on the Purity of Beer,” which appeared in 1516 thanks to the Bavarian Duke Wilhelm IV. In 1919, it began to operate throughout the country. Today, German ale and lager are rightfully considered the purest and most delicious drinks in Europe and beyond. There are hundreds of brands and producers registered in Germany that brew beer for sale within the country and for export. The lands are proud of their own recipes for brewing top- and bottom-fermented intoxicating drinks. Among the many brands, the most popular include Weizenbier, Altbier, Kölsch, Dunkel, Gose, Rauchbier, Helles and Pilsner. These and other beers of varying strengths and densities are tasted by drink lovers during Oktoberfest.

The holiday with a delicious name - International Juice Day - does not have a fixed date, since it falls on the third Saturday day of September. Juice Day is an event that began to be celebrated recently. Nevertheless, lovers of a healthy and tasty drink celebrate it with pleasure. The main goal of the holiday is to popularize juices as one of the necessary components of the modern person’s diet. The symbol of the holiday is a fruit cut into pieces, symbolizing the variety of all kinds of natural drinks. According to experts, juices are one of the best natural sources of vitamins, vital microelements and inorganics. They are especially useful in winter and early spring, when vitamin support is especially relevant, is well tolerated by most people, is well absorbed and easy to use. WHO recommends eating 0.4 kg of fresh vegetables and fruits every day to strengthen the immune system. Moreover, 20% of this amount can be replaced with juices. The initiative to establish Juice Day came from the association of fruit juice producers in 2010. The idea was initially supported by Spain, Poland and Turkey, and then by other countries. Today the event is celebrated all over the world. In Russia, the holiday received official status in 2012. In addition to tasting drinks from various producing companies, specialists take part in the popularization of juices, explaining in an accessible form what a concentrated product is and how it is produced. Each of the holiday participants can come up with their own recipe for a unique drink. Experts answer questions regarding the degree of usefulness, quality of juice products and its role in the human diet. Competitions, quizzes, and photo exhibitions with interesting prizes are held. Even if you can’t take part in the holiday, you can spend this day among friends or family. Naturally, you need to make sure that there is no shortage of juices on the table. Of course, drinking juices has its contraindications. However, the variety of these drinks allows you to choose the one that suits your taste and is as healthy as possible: • apple juices are an excellent natural “brush” that cleanses the body of toxins. Apple juice improves skin condition, normalizes kidney function; • cabbage juice is a real storehouse of nutrients for the digestive system, hair, nails and teeth. It is prescribed as an adjuvant in the treatment of certain neurological diseases; • carrot juice - helps lift your mood and improve your overall well-being. Fiber, which is contained in a drink with pulp, improves the functioning of the digestive system. Potassium, magnesium, as well as numerous vitamins, improve immunity, heart function, and vascular condition; • tomato juice—contains folic acid, making it an excellent natural stress reliever. This compound is also necessary for pregnant women, as it contributes to the normal development of the fetus; • beet juice is an excellent preventative against diseases of the gallbladder, kidneys and liver. It also improves the functioning of the lymphatic system. A wonderful remedy for cleansing the liver and kidneys is grape juice; • apricot and peach juices - improve brain activity and are good for the heart muscle; • pear juice - helps cleanse the body and effectively removes toxic substances; • Pumpkin juice is a unique and versatile natural medicine. It normalizes metabolic processes and cholesterol levels, improves blood circulation, removes heavy metals; • cherry juice - reduces discomfort in the muscles associated with intense and prolonged exercise. Vegetable juices are especially useful for people optimizing weight. They are not as high in calories as fruit ones, but they are a real storehouse of vitamins. Pomegranate has the highest energy value. The content of natural juice in the packaged product is small, since the production uses recovery technology using conventional infusion. You can count on the naturalness of the product when purchasing drinks marked with direct extraction. A product called nectar is made from the remains of squeezed fruit frozen in water. The product should not be used as a drink for medications. Absorption of the drug in the stomach occurs especially intensively, and high concentrations in the blood can cause an overdose and associated unpleasant symptoms. The grapefruit drink is especially insidious in this regard.

On the third Saturday of September, Find an Old Friend Day is celebrated to celebrate reconnecting with people you formed friendships with many years ago. In the Soviet Union, the “Gorspravka” or “Information Bureau” booths helped in finding the right person at his place of residence. In the Internet era, the World Wide Web and social networks are used for this purpose. On their pages you can find former classmates, housemates, classmates and work colleagues with whom you were friends 20-40 years ago. “An old friend is better than two new ones,” says popular wisdom. Locate An Old Friend Day encourages people around the world to pay attention to the importance of close connections established with people around them in childhood or adolescence. Old and reliable comrades whom a person acquired in his youth become his true friends and help for the rest of his life. Each of us most often develops trusting relationships in early childhood or adolescence. Experts attribute this to mental mobility, the need of young people for emotional attachments without assessing the real qualities of a partner. Friends are especially important in adolescence, when, due to psychological changes and hormonal changes in the body, it seems to the teenager that the whole world has turned against him. In adulthood, with the acquisition of experience, the emergence of some skepticism and distrust of the world around us, friends appear extremely rarely. Established personalities are not particularly ready to make concessions to each other, turn a blind eye to the partner’s imperfections and endow him, as in his youth, with qualities that he in reality does not possess. The older and more experienced a person becomes, the more difficult it is for him to find a like-minded and congenial person. Friends really don't grow in gardens. They grow up with us in the sandbox of the kindergarten, on the alley near the school, which together they cleared of garbage during the cleanup day. An old friend remains in your memory as a person who stood next to you and did not retreat a single step under the pressure of hooligans from the neighboring yard. This is not forgotten. He managed to give you a cheat sheet during an exam at the institute literally in front of the professor. What is there! A comrade was carrying your lifeless body, filled with liters of beer, after celebrating Tatyana’s Day. And he honestly lied to his parents on the phone that everything was fine - you were drinking tea in the dorm. Look at photos from your high school graduation or wedding! These are the images of your old friends, with whom so many pleasant memories are associated. Yes, life has scattered us across cities and villages. But this is not a reason to forget about those with whom the best years of your life are connected. “Find an Old Friend” Day encourages you to return to the past, to feel like part of a common company or team with whom you went to the collective farm to grow potatoes in your first year.

Mankind has long known methods of treating acute and chronic diseases through surgical intervention. Primitive people performed craniotomy back in Neolithic times. Ancient Greek and Roman aesculapians saved patients by resection of ribs, setting dislocations and broken bones, amputating limbs and crushing bladder stones. Over time, surgeons learned to perform operations on the field - removing bullets from gunshot wounds and applying stitches on the battlefield. The development of medicine and science did not stand still. In the 20th century Endoscopic operations on internal organs began to be performed - surgical interventions through small holes without cutting tissue. Laparoscopy has become a real breakthrough in surgery, which has begun to actively use modern medical devices equipped with digital cameras. However, human participation and its role in the successful outcome of the operation is still very high. A holiday has been established in honor of the professionals to whom hundreds of thousands of people owe their health and lives. International Surgeons Day is celebrated annually on the third Saturday of September. Russian specialists receive congratulations from colleagues, grateful patients and loved ones twice a year. The September celebration appeared in 2014 thanks to the initiative of the International Association of Surgeons, which thus called on society to express respect and gratitude to doctors for their hard work. In honor of the holiday, lectures, seminars, symposiums and other events are held, where medical specialists come to exchange experience and knowledge. Russian Surgeon's Day is celebrated on the last Friday of November. The holiday was established in memory of the great naturalist, doctor and teacher N.I. Pirogov. The initiator of the celebration was the Russian Society of Surgeons. The founder of the Russian school of anesthesia and military field surgery was born in Moscow on November 13, 1810, old style. Thanks to Pirogov, doctors began to use anesthesia during operations and apply plaster casts to broken limbs instead of wooden splints. The scientist opened the country's first Sunday school, organized the work of a medical service at the front and an institute of nurses, whose graduates participated in the Crimean military campaign of 1853-1856. The cohort of great Russian surgeons also includes N.V. Sklifosovsky, A.N. Bakulev, N.N. Burdenko, V.P. Filatov, B.V. Petrovsky, L.A. Boqueria and other professionals. Domestic doctors have made a significant contribution to the development of one of the most extensive branches of world medicine. International Surgeons Day not only brings together specialists from all countries, but is also a good reason for patients to thank doctors for their professional skills and dedicated work.

The Stavropol Territory, one of the significant regions of Russia, is imposingly located in the center of the Ciscaucasia region. In ancient times, the Great Silk Road passed through this area. Due to the importance of the territory and control over it, Catherine II ordered the construction of a defensive fortress. Over time, the village that was erected near the fortress, or rather, under the protection of its walls, was renamed a city and the newly-minted townspeople began to slowly organize their life. At the moment, the Stavropol region is thriving, and ordinary people endow it with weighty and important epithets. It is compared to a pearl, valued as a national treasure, and considered one of the most unique health resorts. The region has become famous for its mineral waters and hot springs. The very first one was opened back in 1801. And the brands of medicinal waters “Narzan” and “Essentuki” are known and drunk all over the world. Among other things, the region is rich in other recreational resources. Recently, the territory has been increasingly visited by lovers of eco-tourism. Stavropol region is a region glorified from all sides. People famous all over the world were born here. For example, the first and last president of the Soviet Union M. Gorbachev, General Secretary of the Communist Party Yu. Andropov. Nobel laureate A. Solzhenitsyn. The leader and founder of the group “Tender May” A. Razin and many others. M.Yu. spent the last years of his life here. Lermontov. The house where the poet lived and created his immortal works has been preserved to this day. Every fourth Saturday of September from year to year, the Stavropol Territory celebrates its holiday, which is called the Day of the Stavropol Territory. On this day, massive, varied, in a word, all sorts of festivities are held. Various solemn and magnificent ceremonies are carefully prepared. And the obligatory one, which has become traditional over many years, is the march parade. Famous musicians, famous dancers, and popular singers perform. Theatrical performances are held in all areas of the region. The performance of the military emphasizes the patriotism and heroic history of the region. Historical reconstruction clubs present their spectacular performances in bright, rich outfits. The solemn day ends with evening, colorful fireworks.

Today, hairstyles with curly locks and voluminous curls are used to create a romantic look. Hairstyles are done according to the mood or out of a desire to play around, bringing a little bright colors into the routine of everyday life. A holiday has been established in honor of unruly, curly hair and hairstyles made from them.

The Age of Great Geographical Discovery was marked by the emergence of new routes by sea and land from Europe to Asia, America, Africa and Oceania. The arrival of the Spaniards, Portuguese and French on their lands brought a lot of grief and suffering to the indigenous people. Liberation from the centuries-old yoke and power of the metropolis is an important milestone in the history of the states of North America. Therefore, Mexican Independence Day is celebrated every year on September 16th. The date of the celebration coincides with the beginning of the uprising to liberate the country from colonial oppression. On September 15, 1810, Father Hidalgo, a priest who went down in history as the leader of the revolution, called on the citizens of New Spain to revolt. Popular resistance, which developed into a war against Europeans and their rule, ended in 1836 with the establishment of Mexican independence. Political sovereignty was proclaimed much earlier - in 1821. The calls made by Miguel Hidalgo are repeated annually on September 16 by millions of citizens of the republic: “Glory to the heroes who died in the fight for the country,” “Long life to the Republic!” In honor of Dia de Independencia, a ceremony is held to commemorate the struggle for independence. Every year, on the night of September 15-16, the president of the country comes out onto the balcony of the National Palace, located in Mexico City on Constitution Square, and, to the sound of a bell, says greetings to the assembled fellow citizens: “Que viva México!” The head of state delivers a message to the people, recalling the hysterical significance of the events that took place in the country in 1810-1821. The struggle for freedom began with an uprising of Indians and mestizos in the Mexican village of Pueblo Nuevo de los Dolores. For many years, Spain depleted Mexico's natural resources, exporting gold and silver, agricultural products, natural fabric dyes and other raw materials to the Old World. The metropolis hampered the economic development of the country and created unbearable conditions for the indigenous inhabitants of the colonies. After confiscation at the beginning of the 19th century. property of the Creoles (Spaniards born in the New World), they suddenly became beggars, joining the ranks of haters of the Spanish crown. One of them was the clergyman Father Hidalgo, whose full name was Miguel Gregorio Antonio Ignacio Hidalgo y Costilla y Gallaga Mondarte Villaseñor. At the morning mass on September 16, 1810, instead of the usual sermon, he called on the mestizos and Indians to start an armed uprising, which developed into a revolution. The padre, who would soon be captured and executed by the Inquisition, called on the inhabitants of his home village of Dolores to oppose the Spanish authorities. Father Hidalgo appealed to the fighting spirit of his compatriots with the words: “Long live Maria of Guadalupe! Death to the unworthy Spaniards!” The Declaration of Independence of the Mexican Empire was published in September 1821. Spain renounced its claims to the mother country on December 28, 1836. The struggle for freedom spread to other colonies of the Old World. Following Mexico in 1840, the Spaniards recognized the independence of Ecuador. State sovereignty was proclaimed by Panama, Peru and Bolivia. In honor of Dia de Independencia, Mexicans gather in all major cities of the country, in whose squares there are performances dedicated to the theme of the struggle for freedom and independence. Many spectators wear national costumes and decorate their cars with national flags to demonstrate the unity of the nation. On September 16, concerts are held, and in the evenings there are fireworks to mark the important national holiday established in honor of the country's liberation from colonial oppression.

All-Russian running day “Cross of Nations”

The Jewish New Year Rosh Hashanah is celebrated for 2 days in a row at the new moon on the 1st and 2nd of the month of Tishrei and is considered one long day (Yom Ha-Arichta). This is a floating date that changes from year to year and falls on the months of September - October. From this date, Jewish Jews begin counting down the new year. These days, believers give account to themselves and God for all their deeds, actions, words and even thoughts in the past year. They think about how to do the right thing, not sin and be closer to the Creator. It is believed that on the Jewish New Year holidays, the Almighty determines who is given a rich life and who is destined to die, who is destined to live and who is destined to die. Deep repentance and a promise to live righteously, mentally sent during prayers around Rosh Hashanah, can influence God's decision. It is believed that on this day all human sins are “reset to zero” and an entry is prepared in the “Book of Fates” for the future. On their New Year, Jews attend the synagogue. There they pray and enjoy the sacred sounds of the shofar. It is blown 100 times during morning prayer. The shofar is not a simple musical wind instrument, it is a special ritual horn that allows every Jew to evaluate his life in the past year, realize his mistakes and repent of his sins. The shofar produces sounds of different tones. They listen to him in a standing position, mentally analyzing their actions and actions over the past year. On this day, it is prohibited to do any work except cooking and feeding pets. At the end of the first day, on the night of the second day, women light holiday candles for the health of each family member. A special feature of Rosh Hashanah is the presence on the festive table of:• honey;• sweet apples;• challah;• fish or lamb's head;• pomegranate;• carrots;• wine. Date, citrus, and flower honey indicate abundance, the desire for a sweet and prosperous new year. The Hebrew word for apple is "tapuach", similar to the word "patuach", which means "open". Jews begin their New Year with open thoughts to God, open doors for guests. By dipping a sweet apple in sweet honey, Jews prepare themselves for the sweet and prosperous year ahead. Challah for Rosh Hashanah is a round-shaped bun with raisins, sesame seeds and poppy seeds, which symbolizes the cyclicality and fullness of the year. It is also eaten with honey. Garnet is associated with labor and strength. Peeling a pomegranate takes some work. According to legend, there are 613 grains in a pomegranate (according to the number of commandments), which will bring increased strength to the Jews. A fish or ram's head is associated with Rosh Hashanah (head of the year). You need to eat your head in order to be ahead, not behind, and walk cheerfully through life. Carrots cut into slices are identified with gold coins. Its presence on the table indicates a comfortable life in the new year. Wine is a symbol of the holiday. The most delicious, expensive wine is placed on the festive table. It is believed that Jews are thrifty people who know how to rationally use and prepare excellent dishes from the most simple products and leftovers. This feature has been carried over to the present day; only Jewish dishes are prepared from high-quality ingredients. On the first and second days of the Jewish New Year, a rich and satisfying table is served. His diet consists of: • traditional stuffed fish;• challah;• liver pate;• chicken broth;• hummus;• forshmak;• dumplings with minced chicken;• matzo dumplings;• stuffed duck, chicken neck;• tzimmes;• chicken with apples;• lamb with beans;• apple and honey pie;• balls in honey syrup, etc. It is not recommended to place too sour and salty foods on the New Year's table. Eating them may make a person involuntarily wince. This indicates that troubles and failures await the family ahead. Lard and pork are unacceptable products. Hasidic Jews dream of celebrating Rosh Hashanah at the memorial complex of Tsaddik Nachman in Uman. They are confident that the New Year celebrated there will bring them happiness, good luck, and prosperity next year. Some believers come here every year, and some come here at least once in their lives. Many charitable concessions organize pilgrimages for low-income Hasidim to Uman.

World Cleanup Day

World Marrow Donor Day

Day of Pharmaceutical Worker of Ukraine

Inventor and Innovator Day in Ukraine

Day of Workers of the State Security Service of Kyrgyzstan

This day is associated with the name of the Christian martyr Domna of Nicomedia. Housewives on this day, as usual, sorted out and threw away the trash. For this reason, the holiday was sometimes called Domovnitsa. On this day, peasants paid special attention to wicker shoes - bast shoes.

Memorial Day of Saint Euphemia in Croatia

Orthodox holidays September 16:

Feast of the Icon of the Mother of God of Pisidia

Memorial Day of St. John the Merciful

Memorial Day of Saint Thebes of Cenchreae

Memorial Day of St. Theoctistus of Palestine

On September 16, Christians celebrate the day of remembrance of the holy martyr Anthimus, who was the Bishop of Nicomedia. Together with his fellow believers, he was persecuted during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. After he came to power in the empire, the era of dominance began. Thanks to one of the famous Soviet films, the emperor became known as a ruler who, in his declining years, chose to step away from power and grow cabbage on his family estate. Despite such a peaceful decline of his life, during his reign Diocletian was known as a cruel emperor who did not spare Christians and declared real war on them. The reason for the official start of the persecution of Christians was a fire in the imperial palace. None of the historical sources contain reliable information about the causes of the fire, but the pagans preferred to blame Christians for the arson. When about 20,000 believers gathered in the Cathedral of Nicomedia to celebrate the Nativity of Christ along with Bishop Anthimus, the emperor sent an envoy to them with an ultimatum letter. In it, the ruler demanded to leave the church and ordered sacrifices to pagan idols. As punishment for disobedience, the emperor threatened to set fire to the church along with the people. Those gathered unanimously refused to obey, and the cathedral was set on fire. While the flames were burning, Anfim, who led the service, hastily carried out the rites of baptism and communion. About 20,000 people locked in the church were burned alive. The bishop himself left the church and hid from retribution among his fellow believers in a village in the vicinity of Nicomedia at the request of his flock. Anthimus had to hide from Roman soldiers, but he regularly sent messages to Christians, in which he asked not to betray their faith and not to be afraid of torture. Deacon Theophilus was caught with one of these letters. They captured him and began to torture him, but they never got the truth. Theophilus died, but did not betray Anthimus and did not tell the Romans about his location. As a result, the emperor finally found out where the fugitive was hiding and sent a detachment of soldiers to the village. The military met the bishop on the road, but did not recognize the ordinary traveler as the one who was to be brought to the ruler. Anfim himself called them, struck up a conversation, treated them to lunch and ultimately admitted who he really was. After communicating with the bishop, the soldiers did not want to take him prisoner and take him to the emperor. One of them suggested reporting that the fugitive had escaped and they were unable to capture him. This proposal was rejected by Anfim himself, who did not tolerate lies. He converted the soldiers into Christians and forced them to escort him to the emperor. To intimidate, the ruler gave the order to bring the instruments of execution and lay them down in front of the prisoner, but this did not have the desired effect. Anfim said that he was glad to accept martyrdom for his faith. He was tortured for a long time, after which he was executed, but the holy martyr did not give up until the last and continued to glorify Christ.

Memorial Day of Blessed John Vlasaty, Wonderworker of Rostov

Memorial Day of the Holy Martyr Basilissa of Nicomedia