Folk signs for October 10: what can and cannot be done

In Russia, omens were given special importance. They were used to determine the weather for the near future, the beginning and end of field work, and even fate. The national calendar was full of traditions and beliefs. Izvestia tells about the signs of October 10 and the church holidays that fall on this date.

Folk signs for October 10, 2025

In Russia, on October 10, a holiday called "Savvatiy Pchelnik" was celebrated. It marked the end of the bee season — nine days during which it was customary to prepare hives for winter. On this day, the beekeepers collected the last honey, carefully insulated the "bee houses" and moved them to warm rooms.

On Savvati, the ancestors of the whole family visited the temple. It was believed that if a child prayed to Saint Savvati of Solovetsky on this day, the honey harvest next year would be worthy. Women baked honey cakes for their households, which were supposed to be eaten in the morning to strengthen their health and attract good luck. Fairs were also held on October 10, where farmers chose horses for their farms, and young girls and their mothers looked at potential suitors.

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On October 10, the ancestors paid attention to various omens. If the flaps (holes in the hives) remained ajar by that day, it was understood that the winter would be mild. If they were tightly sealed, they were preparing for severe frosts.

Other signs of the day

• thunderstorm — for a snowless, mild and short winter;
• Dry weather — winter will come late;
• rain and snow — January will be warm;
• snow — frosts will come in 40 days;
• cold snap — this weather will last for another week;
• there are a lot of cones on the firs and pines — the winter will be harsh.

What not to do on October 10th

The ancestors adhered to strict prohibitions on the Savvation of the Bee, fearing to bring misfortune upon themselves. During the holiday, they did not do work that was not related to bees — it was believed that other household chores could lead to losses.

What else can not be done on October 10

• starting a new business will not bring success.;
• quarreling with loved ones leads to long—term conflicts;
• Going into the woods alone can lead to getting lost or encountering evil spirits.;
• being lazy, sleeping for a long time leads to losses and financial difficulties;
• Cutting your hair can "cut" your happiness.;
• taking things of a husband or wife leads to quarrels in the family.

What is the church holiday on October 10th?

On October 10, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Savvati Solovetsky, one of the founders of the Solovetsky Monastery and the founder of monasticism in the Russian North. He was born at the end of the 14th century. In his youth, he worked in the Kirillo-Belozersky monastery. Striving for solitude and distance from the hustle and bustle of the world, the saint went to Valaam, and then, in 1429, together with St. Herman, settled on the Solovetsky Islands. There they founded the famous Solovetsky Monastery, which became the center of spiritual life in the north of Russia. Savvaty died on September 27, 1435. His relics were transferred to the Solovetsky Islands in 1465.

Also on October 10, believers remember the Holy Martyr Peter, Metropolitan of Krutitsky. He was born in 1862 into the family of a priest. After graduating from the Moscow Theological Academy, he held various church positions, including inspector of the Moscow Theological Academy and a member of the Synodal Educational Committee.

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In 1917, Peter was elected Metropolitan of Krutitsky and locum tenens of the patriarchal throne after the death of Patriarch Tikhon. During the years of persecution of the Church, he steadfastly professed the Orthodox faith, refusing to renounce his ministry. In 1925, he was arrested and spent 12 years in prisons and exile, and in 1937 he was shot in Magnitogorsk prison. He was canonized in 1997.

Prayers for October 10th

Orthodox believers pray to St. Savvati of Solovetsky on October 10. He is revered as the patron saint of beekeepers, so representatives of the profession often turn to the saint for help. They also ask for protection from enemies, healing from diseases, strengthening faith and admonishing the lost. Also on this day, you can pray to the Holy Martyr Peter Krutitsky (Polyansky). They turn to him for help in difficult situations, healing from diseases and support in the fight against temptations.

Prayer to St. Savvati of Solovetsky

"O venerable father, servant of Christ, Savvati, who lovest the Lord with all thy soul, and depart into this wilderness and complete the course of thy saving labors. O faithful servant of the King of Heaven, teacher of virtues, image of humility, citizen of the desert, angelic companion, Cherub of the earth, heavenly man. About the light of the gloomy otoka of Solovetsky, above all, the great luminary of the entire Orthodox Church. I pray to you, most honorable, most sinful (name of rivers): hear my poor supplication, your servant, listen to the words of my unclean lips, which now require your help. For the evil enemy seeks to destroy me at all times, and he bitterly consumes my soul, and I have no salvation, so please help me, for I am beset by the weakness of my flesh, and I bow down to my passions, not the Imam of boldness to God. But now I submit myself to your intercession: have mercy on me, who am darkened by all evil deeds, and lift up your all-honorable hands to the Lord for me, O warm prayer book, Venerable Savvati. May He grant me remission of my sins for the goodness of His generosity, and on the Day of Judgment He will deliver me from eternal torment and make me worthy of His kingdom by His grace, which will always be glory, honor, and worship forever. Amen to that."

Prayer to the Holy Martyr Peter Krutitsky (Polyansky)

"O Holy Hieromartyr Peter, to the holy one of the glorious Russian land, the episcopacy, for in a time of fierce trials, you accepted the cross, drank the bitter cup of suffering, and kept the patriarchal throne well, endured all things by faith and acquired great grace by humility! What praise shall we give you? And how, in our sins and infirmities, dare we call upon you? May we pray with all the saints of our land, especially with the Holy Patriarch Tikhon, without waiting at the Throne of the Most Holy Trinity for the Russian Church, may the Lord preserve her from all evil and temptation, may her archpastors and pastors rightly rule the word of truth, may faith never run out in the hearts of men, and in the council All disorder is permitted by many, and may all love happen to all!Oh, glorious sufferer! You, as a child-loving father, weigh all that we need, for this alone we seek: to be imitators of you, as you are of Christ, so that we may take up our cross, as a good and light burden, along a narrow path, and so reach the heavenly mansions, so that together with you and all the saints we may be worthy to glorify the most honorable and magnificent name of the Father and The Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs of the Ivan the Autumn national holiday.