September is the ninth month of the year and marks the beginning of autumn. Its name comes from the Latin word septem, meaning “seven”, because in the old Roman calendar it was originally the seventh month of the year. When January and February were added, September shifted to ninth place but kept its original name.

In Cyprus, September is also named as “Trygominas” or “Trygitis”, referring to the grape harvest season. Indeed, this is the month when vineyards come alive and grapes must be gathered. A traditional saying captures these rural activities: “In September the grapes, In October the bells”. The “bells” refer to the flocks of sheep, and goats that must be also gathered into their winter shelters as the colder days approach.

The grape harvest traditionally began after important religious feasts: either the Nativity of Panagia (Virgin Mary) on September 8^th or the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on September 14^th. In rural areas, September was a month of hard work. Once the grapes were gathered, the wine production began along with the preparation of other beloved by-products such as zivania (strong pomace drink), palouzes (a creamy dessert of grape juice and flour), soutzioukkos (strings of almonds or walnuts dipped in palouzes), stafithkia (raisins) and many more delicacies. In addition to all these tasks, farmers also had to do all the necessary preparations for the first rains, sowing their fields and ensuring that everything was ready for winter.

On September 14^th, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, is one of the most important days of the month. The saying “Not even the birds build a nest” (Cyp. Oute ta poulia htizoun folia” stresses the significance of this day. Tradition also holds that this day marks a turning point in the weather as expressed in the proverb “On the Holy Cross Feast, cross yourself and go inside” (Cyp. Tou Stavrou stavrone tz’ empene esso). This phrase was literally addressed to the farmers urging them to leave the fields and return to their homes, since in the old times, they often lived in makeshift shelters near their crops.

September is filled with name days, including Saint Mamas’ Day on the 2^nd (the saint believed to cure sore throats and epilepsy), Saint Theodora’s Day on the 11^th, Saint Efstathios Day on the 20^th and Saint Thekla’s Day on the 24^th.

Religious fairs, known as panigyria, are a cherished tradition in our villages, celebrating their patron saints. They begin on the eve of the feast with a Vespers service and continue throughout the actual day. This month, panigyria will take place in the village of Troulloi on the 2^nd in honor of Saint Mamas, in Omodos and Lefkara on the 14^th for the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, and in Mosfiloti on the 24^th in honor of Saint Thekla.