Folk signs for October 13: what can and cannot be done

In Russia, omens were given special importance. They were used to determine the time of the beginning and end of field work, the weather for the coming days, and even the future of a person. The national calendar was full of beliefs and traditions. Izvestia tells about the signs for October 13 and the church holidays that fall on this date.

Folk signs for October 13, 2025

In Russia, Mikhail Solomenny Day was celebrated on October 13. On the holiday, it was customary to burn old straw from pillows and mattresses, as well as unusable bast shoes. The ritual was performed exclusively by young married women. It was believed that this would protect the family from evil spirits. Elderly women threw unsuitable bast shoes into the fire to "give a go" to winter.

On the holiday, the ancestors also paid attention to natural signs. It was believed that if the first snow fell on Mikhail, then winter would not come soon.

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Other signs of the day

• The cranes have flown away — winter will be early and cold;
• the squirrel has completely faded out — the winter weather will be comfortable;
• The moon is pale and covered with a cloudy haze — the weather will turn bad soon.;
• frosty patterns on the window in the morning — for the arrival of guests;
• there are a lot of leaves on the birches — the snow cover will not be established soon.

What not to do on October 13

The ancestors of October 13 adhered to strict prohibitions so as not to get themselves into trouble. They went to bed on Mikhail only after changing the bed linen. It was believed that anyone who did not do this could become seriously ill.

What else can not be done on October 13

• Wearing dirty clothes is unfortunate;
• quarreling with your loved ones will make it difficult to reconcile.;
• Letting strangers into the house can jinx it.;
• accept gifts — you can "pick up" other people's illnesses with them.;
• Going to the forest is a risk of getting lost;
• to start the repair, it will not be possible to finish it on time.

What is the church holiday on October 13th?

On October 13, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Michael, the first Metropolitan of Kiev. In 988, he was sent from Constantinople to baptize Rus. He actively spread Christianity.: He built temples, appointed priests, and destroyed pagan idols. He is credited with founding the Kiev-Zlatoverkho-Mikhailovsky Monastery, one of the oldest active monasteries in Kiev. St. Michael died in Kiev, initially he was buried in the Tithe Church, later the relics were transferred to the Kiev Caves Lavra.

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Also on October 13, believers remember the Holy Martyr Gregory of Armenia, who lived in the III–IV centuries. He came from a royal family, but was raised in Caesarea of Cappadocia as a Christian. Becoming a servant of the Armenian king Tiridates, he refused to renounce his faith and suffered severe tortures — the saint was thrown into a pit with snakes, in which he spent 14 years. One day, blinded by hatred, Tiridates ordered the torture and murder of 35 nuns from a monastery in Asia Minor. For this, he and his warriors were struck down by a demoniac. Through Gregory's prayers, all sinners were healed and baptized. And in 305, the saint became bishop of Armenia.

Prayers for October 13th

Orthodox believers pray to St. Michael on October 13. He is asked for spiritual enlightenment, protection from enemies and strengthening of faith. Also on this day, prayers are addressed to Gregory of Armenia. He helps in converting the lost to faith and overcoming difficult situations.

Prayer to St. Michael, Metropolitan of Kiev

"Holy great and glorious archpastor and our father Michael, the mother see and enlightener of the Russian country, and the faithful intercessor of all Christian tribes before God, we pray to you: help us to be an imitator of your love for God, and you were filled with it in your earthly life. Enlighten our minds and hearts with the light of the Divine teaching. Teach us to follow you faithfully and to diligently do the commandments of the Lord, so that your children may appear not in your name, but in our whole lives, so that we may know. Pray, hierarch equal to the Apostles, for the Russian Church, for your city and monastery, in which your holy relics rest incorruptibly, and for our whole Fatherland, look mercifully upon all your faithful worshippers who seek your help: be a healer to all in pain, a comforter in sorrow and sorrow, a helper in troubles and needs, At the same time, you are a mortal intercessor and protector, so that through your help we sinners may also receive salvation and inherit the kingdom of Christ. To her, the holy One of Christ, if thou wilt, mayest help us, that we may trust in thy help, let us glorify the Wondrous God of our saints, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

Troparion to the Holy Martyr Gregory of Armenia

"When you were a communicant of the spirit and a vicar of the throne, you found an act inspired by God and ascended into visions; correcting the word of truth for this, and suffering even to the point of blood for the sake of faith, Holy Martyr Gregory, pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved."

Kontakion to the Holy Martyr Gregory of Armenia

"Let us praise the blessed and priestly leader of all, as a sufferer of the truth, today, faithful in hymns and hymns, the good shepherd and teacher Gregory,/the universal lamp and champion, for he prays to Christ that we may be saved."

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs of the national holiday Savvatiy Pchelnik.