Folk signs for October 7: 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 popular signs of Tuesday, October 7, and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.
Folk signs for October 7, 2025
In Russia, on October 7, the day of Thekla the Pryadalnitsa was celebrated. At this time, when agricultural work and basic preparations for winter were completed, women began spinning yarn, believing that it would bring good luck not only in needlework, but also in all household chores. The men dried the sheaves and began threshing the grain. Hence the other name of the holiday — Zamolotki.
Weddings were often scheduled for this date. A married woman named Thekla was invited as the guest of honor. During the ceremony, she tied the newlyweds' hands with red thread and fastened the knot with wax. People used to say, "No one can untie anything tied to Fekla." Therefore, the marriage concluded on this day promised to be long and happy. Later, the thread was removed and kept as a talisman.
Omens were given great importance on Thekla. They were used to determine the weather for the coming months, as well as to judge the harvest next year. So, a rainy day foreshadowed a good harvest of bread, and a strong wind — vegetables, fruits and berries.
Other signs of the day:
- frost has fallen in the morning, which means that the winter will be mild;
- there are many acorns on the oak — for a warm winter and a fertile summer;
- the abundance of berries on mountain ash is suitable for frosty winter weather;
- birds fly low above the ground — winter will come early and it will be cold;
- the squirrel sheds from the tail to the head — to the frosts;
- not all the leaves have flown off the trees — frosts will not come soon.
What not to do on October 7th
During the holiday, our ancestors adhered to certain prohibitions so as not to bring trouble. For example, the day of Fyokla the Pryadalnitsa was considered unsuccessful for making important decisions, major purchases, new beginnings and clarifying relations with relatives, especially with her spouse. This could lead to protracted disagreements in the family.
What else can not be done on October 7:
- leaving a mess in the house — otherwise life will be a mess.;
- swearing, swearing, wishing someone harm - everything said will come back;
- borrowing and lending money leads to financial difficulties;
- to get discouraged and complain about life — the problems will only get worse.;
- Lighting a fire before sunset can scare away luck and well—being.;
- Letting strangers out the door is believed to jinx family happiness and sow discord.
What is the church holiday on October 7th?
On October 7, the Orthodox Church commemorates the early Christian ascetic Thekla of Iconium, revered as equal-to-the-Apostles. She lived at the turn of the I–II centuries in the Malaysian city of Iconium, which is now the territory of modern Turkey. The girl was engaged to a noble young man, but during his stay in the city of the Apostle Paul, she became imbued with his preaching, deciding not to marry and devote her life to serving God.
The parents and the groom could not accept the choice of Thekla. They complained to the governor, and the apostle was thrown into prison. A few days later, the fugitive was found there. She secretly entered the prison, continuing to receive instructions from the apostle, who was soon exiled from the city. Thekla herself was tortured, but she did not renounce her faith. Later, she settled in the vicinity of Seleucia and preached and healed the sick with prayer until her death.
On the same date, the memory of St. Nikander (the Hermit) of Pskov, who lived in the XVI century, is honored. He was born into a peasant family and aspired to monasticism from his youth. At an early age, he took vows at the Krypetsk monastery, but spent most of his life in solitary exploits in the Pskov desert, becoming famous for severe asceticism, the gift of foresight and healing. He was canonized by the church in 1686.
Prayers on October 7th
Saint Thekla prays for healing from various diseases, strengthening in faith, protection from troubles and sorrows. In addition, despite her vow of celibacy, she is popularly considered the patroness of family happiness. The Equal of the Apostles is asked for mutual understanding between spouses and family well-being. They pray to St. Nikander of Pskov for peace and prosperity for the country, victory over enemies, guidance and repentance for lost souls.
Prayer to Thekla of Iconia
"O God-blessed Holy First Martyr, equal-to-the-Apostles virgin, Theklo the laudable, the true bride of Christ, the beauty of the firmament of the church, the morning star of the spiritual sky, the most luminous beads of purity and chastity, the garden of heavenly fragrance. <...> We humbly beseech you: accept our heartfelt supplication, do not forsake us in this world; visit us, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, in this world, raise us quickly to the prison of sin, to vigorous repentance, teach souls and bodies to observe purity, direct us to the path of good deeds, inhale zeal for evangelical living, kindle holy fire and raise us to Divine love. <...> Intercede for us with angelic protection, heal the wounds and sores of the sick, send down grace-filled joy to the sorrowful, youth and adolescence protect with purity, help a monk in labor and obedience, keep marriage indissoluble, create invincible warriors in battle, and destroy the enemies of faith and the Holy Church. Pour out, O Christ's betrothed chosen one, thy supplication to the Lord for us, that He may grant us a blameless course of life, an old age not painful, comfortable, and peaceful; but an unashamed end, a communion of the Most Holy Mysteries, of His Divine Body and Blood, in which we may be blessed with the Kingdom of heaven and abide there with the ranks of angels, and together with the saints In the Trinity we glorify God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen to that."
Prayer to Nikander of Pskov
"O Venerable and most Blessed our Father Nikandra, patient of fasting, a lover of peace, <...> a friend of Christ and a servant of the Most Holy Theotokos, who also glorify the shrine of thy holy relics in His temple, commanding the miraculous rain to pour out abundantly on the faithful! To whom we fall with love, we beseech you, Venerable One: do not cease to pray to the Most Holy and Life-giving Trinity, send down peace and prosperity to our country, and victory and victory to our enemies, and preserve our army in peace from the lies of the enemy, harmony to the Churches, and peace and abundance of good gifts to all people. And quench, O blessed one, through your prayers, the kindled demonic arrows soaring towards us, so that sinful malice may not touch us. And, mercifully bestowing everything upon all, look also upon me, my humble servant. <...> For this reason, I fervently pray to your holiness, O most rich one, and I fall down to the shrine of your relics with tears: stand before me on the path of this wretched life, break the bonds, wring out the passions, loosen the chains of sin, deliver me from the tribulation that lies ahead and from all evil, release me from painful bonds and beseech me for the salvation of my soul, that I may sing and glorify in the Trinity the One God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia told what they pray to the holy Martyr Iraida of Alexandria.
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