On September 21, Orthodox Christians following the old, Julian Calendar celebrate the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is the first of twelve major church feasts the new ecclesiastical year begins with.

Her birth is considered a miracle, as it broke the childlessness of her parents Joachim and Anne. Christians believe that, following fasting and prayer by the couple, archangel Gabriel himself announced them that they had been blessed with a child.

On this day, believers bring fresh autumn fruits and grapes to the church to bless. Household chores are prohibited today.

According to tradition, the feast also marks the beginning of the autumn, and after September 21 farmers may begin sowing.

Multiple localities in Moldova today celebrate their patron saint’s day, including Chisinau’s suburb Stăuceni, Căinarii-Vechi town in Soroca district, and Grinăuţi commune in Râşcani.

Moldova is home to about 130,000 women and girls named Mary, 23,000 named Mariana, and 20,000 named Marina.