Intercession and Defenders’ Day: this year on October 1, Ukraine celebrates 11 holidays at once
1 October 02:26
on October 1, 2025, Ukraine celebrates 11 holidays on the same day. Today is the Day of Defenders of Ukraine, the Day of the Ukrainian Cossacks, International Music Day, Sociologist of Ukraine Day, Veteran’s Day, World Vegetarian Day, World Tattoo Day, World Cocoa and Chocolate Day, International Day of Older Persons and International Coffee Day, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
Believers celebrate the Intercession of the Holy Virgin.
Day of Defenders of Ukraine
The Day of Defenders of Ukraine is a public holiday that until this year was celebrated on October 14. It was created to honor the memory of the defenders of our country and to thank those who are currently defending it from the enemy.
After independence, the defenders of the Motherland were honored on February 23 according to the Soviet tradition. Ukraine first began celebrating Defenders’ Day in 2014 by decree of President Petro Poroshenko. It is celebrated annually along with the church holiday of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who was highly revered by Zaporizhzhia Cossacks.
in 2023, the Day of the Defender of Ukraine was moved to October 1 by decree of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The holiday changed its date due to the reform of the church calendar. On September 1, the OCU switched to the New Julian church calendar, where all holidays are celebrated 13 days earlier.
Day of the Ukrainian Cossacks
The Day of the Ukrainian Cossacks has been celebrated on October 1 since 2023. The holiday was postponed by a decree of the President of Ukraine dated July 28, 2023, and the date change was due to the transition of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church to the New Julian calendar.
In 1999, the President of Ukraine issued a decree designating October 14 as the Day of the Ukrainian Cossacks. The date was not chosen by chance, as it was on this day that believers celebrated the Intercession of the Mother of God, who was considered the heavenly guardian of the Cossacks. Therefore, this holiday is also called the Cossack Intercession. It was also the day when the Sich elected new atamans.
Veteran’s Day
Every year on October 1, Ukraine celebrates Veteran’s Day. The holiday was established in 2004 by a presidential decree
. On this day, respect and gratitude are expressed to both veterans who fought in World War II and soldiers who are defending the country’s independence during the Russian aggression.
According to Ukrainian law, veterans are considered combatants, veterans of military service, injured participants of the Revolution of Dignity, war veterans, and persons with special services to the country.
World Cocoa and Chocolate Day
on October 1, the world celebrates World Cocoa and Chocolate Day. This event was launched in 2010 by the French Academy of Chocolate in Milan.
Celebrating this day, each country has the opportunity to showcase the best chocolate and cocoa bean products. Professional bakers present a wide range of pastries, cakes and delicacies. Trade fairs are held in different cities where you can buy the most delicious chocolate delicacies.
Day of the Sociologist of Ukraine
on October 1, since 2011, sociologists of our country have been celebrating their professional holiday – the Day of Sociologist of Ukraine. This is a professional holiday that celebrates the importance of sociology as a science and honors the work of sociologists in the country.
Sociologist’s Day is a relatively young holiday in Ukraine. This event was established on the initiative of delegates from the Lviv Regional Branch of the Sociological Association of Ukraine (SAA) at the VII Congress of the SAA in 2011, where it was decided to declare October 1 as the Day of the Sociologist of Ukraine.
Protection of the Holy Virgin
The Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary was celebrated on October 14 until 2023. But since the OCU and the UGCC switched to the New Julian calendar, this day will now be celebrated annually on October 1.
The Feast of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary is considered one of the most important religious holidays for Christians. On this day, believers recall the miraculous apparition of the Mother of God, which took place in the middle of the tenth century in the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople.
On this day, one should not engage in hard labor or swear. Believers go to church to light a candle and pray. They ask the Virgin for healing from diseases, family happiness, protection from enemies, and peace.
It is believed that all prayers will be answered on this day.
International Day of Older Persons
on October 1, the world celebrates International Day of Older Persons. The holiday was approved by the UN General Assembly in 1990.
Initially, this day was celebrated in Europe, and later in America. Since the 1990s, the initiative to celebrate has been supported by the whole world, including Ukraine since 1991.
This day is intended to remind everyone that old age is inevitable and that efforts should be made to help the elderly feel more comfortable and valued. For example, the need for medical care among older people is 50% higher than among the middle-aged population, and the need for hospitalization is almost three times higher.
World Tattoo Day
In 2005, the community of tattoo professionals established World Tattoo Day, which is celebrated annually on October 1. For tattoo artists, this holiday is considered an unofficial New Year.
Archaeologists claim that tattoos were made as early as the VI century B.C. They reflected the social status of the owner, his belonging to a certain tribe or clan. Egyptians used tattoos to brand slaves, while priests had other images of better quality.
International Music Day
International Music Day, celebrated annually on October 1, is a global event initiated by the International Music Council.
The holiday was established in 1975 by Lord Yehudi Menuhin, a prominent violinist, conductor and then President of the International Music Council (IMC), an associated organization of UNESCO.
The decision to dedicate the day to music was made at the 15th General Assembly of the IMC in Lausanne in 1973, and the first celebration took place on October 1, 1975
International Coffee Day
on October 1, the world celebrates International Coffee Day. The holiday was established by the International Coffee Organization in 2015.
The first coffee shop was opened in Istanbul in 1554, as the drink brought from Syria was very popular with the locals. In Ukraine, coffee was first tasted in 1672 in Kamianets-Podilskyi. It was then that the first coffee shop was opened in Ukraine.
World Vegetarian Day
To promote the vegetarian diet and draw people’s attention to the ethical and practical benefits of this lifestyle, a special event is celebrated internationally every year on October 1 – World Vegetarian Day.
Events dedicated to this event begin on October 1, but continue afterwards – throughout the month, until November 1, when World Vegan Day is celebrated.
What not to do on October 1
october 1 – on the Intercession, it is forbidden to do hard labor: washing, cleaning, sewing, and gardening.
It is believed that it is better not to borrow money on this day, because there is a risk that you may remain in debt for a long time.
People also warn that you shouldn’t cut your hair on Intercession, so as not to shorten your life.
Folk signs
Our ancestors had many interesting signs for this day:
- If the cranes are already flying to warm lands, then it will be cold on the Intercession Day and real winter will come.
- According to the signs, the weather will be the same on April 1.
- If a person was born on October 1, he or she will be a traveler. They can wear a pomegranate as a talisman.
- Birds are in no hurry to leave – most likely, winter will not come soon.
- Weeds grow tall – a sign that a lot of snow will fall.
- The birch tree hasn’t lost its leaves on October 1 – it won’t be snowing for a while.
