Folk signs for October 4: what can and cannot be done
In Russia, signs and beliefs were given special importance. They were used to determine the weather, the time of sowing and harvesting. Every day of the national calendar was full of traditions and rituals. Izvestia tells about the signs of October 4 and the church holidays that fall on this date.
Folk signs for October 4, 2025
In Russia, Kondrat and Ipat Day, or Zamolotka Day, was celebrated on October 4. The holiday marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of threshing. The ancestors prepared ovines (two—storey buildings for drying and threshing grain) - they lit stoves on the lower floors and kept a fire in them. It was necessary to get rid of excess moisture. The women prepared treats for family members and employees — all the workers were supposed to be fed to their heart's content in order to attract prosperity and good luck. Some of the food was left to the brownie in the hope that he would show mercy and protect his tenants from adversity.
The ancestors of Kondrat and Ipat paid attention to various weather signs. Heavy fog was considered a harbinger of a good harvest next year, and warming in the evening promised a snowy winter.
Other signs of the day
- clear weather leads to a warm winter;
- strong wind — winter will be harsh;
- birch leaves turn yellow from above — spring will be early;
- birch leaves turn yellow from below — spring will be late;
- The moles dragged a lot of straw into their burrows for the harsh winter.;
- cloudy — it will be like this all month.
What not to do on October 4th
On the day of Kondrat and Ipat, the ancestors adhered to strict prohibitions so as not to invite trouble. During the holiday, they tried not to shake the crumbs off the table with their hand — it was believed that this would lead to loneliness.
What else can't be done on October 4th
- starting new businesses will not bring success.;
- quarreling with loved ones leads to long—term conflicts;
- leaving dirty dishes on the table leads to quarrels in the house;
- Going into the woods alone can lead to getting lost or encountering evil spirits.;
- trying on someone else's shoes — you can "pick up" other people's troubles and illnesses;
- being lazy leads to losses and financial difficulties.
What is the church holiday on October 4th?
On October 4, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Apostle Otto Kondrat. He preached the gospel in Greece, particularly in Athens and Magnesia, converting many to Christ. His activities provoked resistance from pagans, and once an angry crowd tried to stone him, but the apostle miraculously survived. After that, the saint was imprisoned, where he died of starvation. Kondrat is also known as the author of an apology in defense of Christianity. In 126, he presented it to Emperor Hadrian. The work had such a strong impact that the emperor issued a decree forbidding the condemnation of Christians without proof of their guilt.
Also on October 4, believers remember the holy Martyrs Hypatius and Andrew, who lived in the 8th century. In their youth, they studied together at the same monastery. Saint Hypatius became a monk, and Saint Andrew became a cleric and diligently taught the Christian faith to the people. During the reign of the iconoclastic emperor Leo the Isaurian, they actively opposed the destruction of shrines, for which they were captured and subjected to severe torture. Hypatius was imprisoned, where he died of torture, and Andrew was executed.
Prayers on October 4th
Orthodox believers can pray to the Apostle from 70 Kondrat on October 4. He is asked to strengthen his faith, guide him on the right path, heal from diseases and help him in a difficult situation. You can also pray to St. Demetrius of Rostov on this day. People turn to him for spiritual guidance, as well as help in writing scientific papers and books.
Troparion to the Apostle from 70 Kondrat
"Holy Apostle Codrate, pray to the merciful God, that He may grant remission of sins to our souls."
Kontakion to the apostle from 70 Kondrat
"As an honest hierarch and a most enduring sufferer, the universe brings to You, O Lord, the Code of the Holy Apostle and honors his honorable memory with songs, always asking for the sins of those who sing him, to be blessed."
Prayer to St. Demetrius of Rostov
"O all-blessed Saint Demetrius, great servant of Christ, Chrysostom of Russia, hear us sinners who pray to you, and bring our prayer to the Merciful and Loving God, whom you now stand before in the joy of saints and with the countenance of an Angel! Beseech His goodness, that He may not condemn us according to our iniquities, but may He deal with us according to His mercy. Ask for a peaceful and serene life from Christ and our God, mental and physical health, fertility of the earth, and all abundance and prosperity in everything, and may we not turn the good things bestowed upon us by the Generous God to evil, but to His glory and to the glorification of your intercession. Grant us God-pleasing passage through the field of temporal life; deliver us from the ordeals of the air and guide us on the path leading to the villages of the righteous, where they celebrate the unceasing voice, seeing the ineffable goodness of God's face. Preserve the Holy Church from schisms and heresies, strengthen the faithful, convert the erring, and grant to all those who are worthy of God's salvation and glory; preserve your Fatherland from your enemies in vain, but overcome the weapons of the Crusading army; and grant us all your archpastoral and holy blessing, so that we may be overshadowed, free from the machinations of the evil one, and avoid from all troubles and misfortunes. Hear our supplication, Father Demetrius, and pray unceasingly for us to the Almighty God, Who is glorified and worshipped in Three Hypostases, to whom befits all glory, honor, and power forever and ever. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs of the Astafiy Vetryak holiday.
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