Folk signs for August 16: what can and cannot be done

In Russia, omens have been given special importance since ancient times. They were used to judge the weather, when to sow and harvest, and what to expect in the future. Therefore, every day of the national calendar was full of rituals and superstitions. Izvestia tells about the signs and church holidays of Saturday, August 16.

Folk signs for August 16, 2025

In Russia, Anton Vikhrovey holiday was celebrated on August 16. This name is due to the fact that usually at the end of August strong, gusty winds began to blow, sometimes with swirls. They served as harbingers of autumn. Our ancestors used them to determine the future. To do this, they went to the fork of two roads and "guarded" the wind. As soon as a whirlwind blew, a knife was thrown at him, "cutting off" everything bad from himself.

In the old days, it was also customary to "air out" things. They were taken out into the courtyard, leaving them until the evening. It was believed that after this, the family would be cured of illness, and prosperity and well-being would come to the house. On Stepan Hayloft, attention was also paid to weather signs.

So, on a holiday, they judged by the wind what kind of winter it would be. According to observations, if a strong wind blows on August 16, the winter will be snowy. A cold wind is a harbinger of frost. And a warm south wind — for a fine winter and a good harvest next year.

Other signs of the day:

• thick morning fog — for clear, warm days ahead;
• Clouds are floating high in the sky — the weather will be sunny all week.;
• a windless day leads to prolonged rains at the end of August;
• The leaves on the trees began to turn yellow by early autumn.;
• domestic birds have started to molt — wait for frosts;
• to meet a bear in the forest is good news.

What not to do on August 16

Anton Vikhrovey falls at the beginning of the Dormition Fast, which lasts two weeks and is considered one of the strictest (lasts from August 14 to August 27). Therefore, the believer is instructed to give up meat, dairy products, fish and eggs. There are also no noisy events on this day, focusing on spiritual purification and prayer.

August 16 — Anton Vikhrovey Day: history, traditions and signs of a national holiday

How Anthony the Roman predicted the weather for autumn and winter

What else can not be done on August 16:

• cleaning the house — together with the garbage from the house, you can "sweep out" luck;
• dusting will lead to a void in your wallet.;
• Lazing around and being lazy is believed to lead to a loss of well—being.;
• quarreling and swearing — any swearing during the fast is considered a sin;
• to refuse to help those in need is to experience need yourself.;
• taking on new cases can end badly.

What is the church holiday on August 16?

On August 16, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Memorial Day of St. Anthony the Roman, the wonderworker of Novgorod and founder of the famous St. Anthony Monastery in Veliky Novgorod. The saint lived at the beginning of the XI century in Rome. As an 18-year-old boy, he gave away all his possessions to the poor and became a monk, thereby completely renouncing worldly life and devoting himself to God. According to legend, one day the stone on which Anthony prayed was blown into the sea by a storm. For several days he drifted in the open sea and miraculously found himself in an ancient Russian city. It happened on the day of the Nativity of the Virgin. At that place, he founded the Nativity Cathedral, also called the Antoniev Monastery.

In Veliky Novgorod, Anthony the Roman has long been revered as a saint. After his death, his relics were placed in the cathedral he founded, attracting many pilgrims from all over Russia. The church canonized him only in 1597.

On Saturday, the church honors the memory of St. Joachim Ugrin (Joachim Ugrinsky), a monk of the Kiev Caves Monastery of the XI century. He came from a Ugric family and professed Christianity in his youth. Later, he took monastic vows and settled in the monastery, keeping his vow of chastity. He spent his whole life in silence and fasting. Joachim Ugrin is revered as the patron saint of purity and spiritual fortitude, especially among the monastic brethren.

Prayers on August 16

On the memorial day of St. Anthony the Roman, believers pray to the saint, asking for strength, patience and faith in various temptations. It is also believed that he provides assistance along the way, including traveling.

Prayer to Anthony the Roman

"Our kind shepherd and mentor, Reverend Father Anthony! For thou art still in the flesh, and by a divine decree We rule, old Rome, thy fatherland, and thy family hast forsaken, and I will sail wonderfully on the waters of the rock, as on light ships; by thy coming thou hast sanctified this city, and in it thou hast erected the temple of the Mother of God, and by thy labors and exploits thou hast enlightened This monastery, which was your foundation, you multiplied your children in it, instructing them with the image of good deeds and teaching: for this, God glorify you with the incorruption of your relics and miracles, and rejoice in Him who stands bodiless with bodiless ones, and rejoices over those who flow to your miraculous temple, and your mouth and heart kiss your might. Pray. Even now, as you have the boldness to the Lord Christ, be a prayer book and intercessor for these servants of yours who are coming, bowing down with your honest might and asking for your merciful intercession. Free us from all misfortunes, so that through your prayers we may all live God-pleasing lives on earth, and inherit the heavenly kingdom. Be worthy to praise the All-Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen to that."

Prayers during the Dormition Fast

During the Dormition Fast, believers turn all their prayers to the Mother of God, who is the intercessor and patroness of people in heaven. During this period, the prayer Canon for the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos is read. Also, throughout the entire fast, one should recite the prayer "Hail Mary." In addition, you can add the reading of the Theotokos Rule, the Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos and the Akathist to the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on popular signs on the Honeymoon.