Folk signs for October 19: 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 Sunday, October 19th, and which church holidays are celebrated on this day.
Folk signs for October 19, 2025
In Russia, on October 19, St. Thomas's Day, or St. Thomas the Baker's Day, was celebrated. At this time, the peasants summed up the agricultural season, counted supplies for the winter and thanked God for the harvest. It was customary to spend the day at work, and in the evening festive tables were set. Among the people, the sayings "Thomas is a big hole" and "Take everything to the bins on Thomas" are dedicated to this holiday.
From the same day in the old days, they started teaching children. Mothers shared cooking and needlework secrets with the girls, and fathers told the boys how to run the household. Adult sons who were planning to get married were allocated a place in the bins with supplies for their future family. It was also an important tradition to share fresh bread with neighbors and those in need.
According to weather signs, a forecast for the coming winter was made on Fomin's day. Observant ancestors noticed that if the weather is clear and windless on October 19, then the winter will be mild, without severe frosts. And if it was raining or snowing, then it was necessary to prepare for a long and harsh winter.
Other signs of the day:
- A foggy morning leads to a clear day;
- smoke from the chimney rises in a column — to the warmth soon;
- The northern birds have arrived — in time for the early frosts;
- windless weather and pale sunset lead to a cold snap;
- A flock of crows is circling high in the sky — to worsen the weather;
- it started snowing — for a rich harvest next summer;
- wet snow — for winter in the middle of November.
What not to do on October 19th
On Fomin Day, as on many other dates of the national calendar, strict prohibitions were observed. It was believed that their violation could lead to setbacks, illnesses and financial difficulties. Laziness and idleness were especially forbidden, since idleness on this day promised poverty and hardship for the whole winter. In addition, discouragement and doubt should not be allowed, which is directly related to the story of the Apostle Thomas. Our ancestors believed that such thoughts could weaken faith and spirit.
What else can't be done on October 19th:
- to engage in heavy physical labor leads to exhaustion;
- Bragging about your successes or wealth can jinx your luck.;
- Laughing out loud and having too much fun leads to tears.;
- Telling girls about their boyfriends is the way to break up;
- to lend or borrow money leads to financial problems;
- to quarrel and swear is to bring discord into the house.
What is the church holiday on October 19th?
In the Orthodox calendar, October 19 is commemorated by two prominent personalities: the Apostle Thomas, one of the closest disciples of Jesus Christ, who went down in history as Thomas the Unbeliever, and the Russian hieromartyr John Rybin, who suffered during the period of mass repression and persecution of the Church.
Saint Thomas was a simple fisherman in the Galilean city of Panead. One day, he heard the Savior's sermon and followed Him. He was distinguished from other students by an inquisitive mind and a desire for personal realization of the truth. This was most clearly manifested at the moment when the apostles informed him of the Resurrection of Christ.
Thomas declared that he would believe only when he saw the nail wounds on the Savior's hands and put his fingers into them. Eight days later, the Lord appeared to the apostles and, turning to Thomas, invited him to do so. When Thomas saw the resurrected Teacher with his own eyes, he repented of his unbelief. It was this event that gave the world the famous expression "Thomas the unbeliever."
On the same day, the church honors the memory of the Holy Martyr John Rybin, a confessor of the faith of the 20th century. He was born in 1877 into a peasant family in Samara province and was ordained a priest at the height of anti-religious persecution. John was repeatedly subjected to repression. Despite this, he continued to carry out pastoral ministry, supporting his flock.
In 1937, the priest was arrested again on charges of organizing illegal worship services and sentenced to death by firing squad. The sentence was carried out on October 19, 1937. This date formed the basis of the day of commemoration and veneration of the martyrdom of the spiritual pastor. In 2000, John Rybin was glorified among the holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia.
Prayers on October 19th
Believers turn to the saints with various prayers. They pray to St. Thomas for strengthening faith, enlightening the mind in difficult matters, and getting rid of doubts and indecision. According to legend, he is also considered the patron saint of builders and architects, as during his missionary activity in India he designed and built temples himself. They pray to the Holy Martyr John Rybin for help in everyday needs, for giving strength of spirit during the period of persecution and trials.
Prayer to the Apostle Thomas
"O holy Apostle Thomas of Christ! We beseech you: preserve and preserve us through your prayers from the temptations of the devil and the falls of sin, and ask us, the servants of God (names), for help from above in times of unbelief, so that we may not stumble over the stone of temptation, but steadily walk the saving path of the commandments of Christ, until we reach these blessed mansions of paradise. To her, the Apostle of the Savior! Do not put us to shame, but be our helper and protector in all our lives, and help us to end this temporary life piously and God-pleasing, to receive a Christian end, and to be vouchsafed a good answer at the Last Judgment of Christ; may we glorify the glorious name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen to that."
Prayer to John Rybin
"O Holy Hieromartyr our Father John, champion of the truth of God and defender of the holy Orthodox faith of Christ, accuser of the detractors of the Holy Church, persecutor of enemies, patron of the offended, and warm intercessor for all faithful Christians. You have loved the commandments of Christ with all your soul from your youth. And in the days of the fierce persecution of the Orthodox faith, you appeared as a true shepherd, having walked the way of the cross and received such a martyr's crown. Pray to our Lord God Jesus Christ to deliver us from all evil and to preserve this temple, and our city, and our country, and the people who piously honor you from all misfortune, from disease, famine, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare, from slander and every evil situation. Guide those who have strayed on the right path, support old age, enlighten the young, raise up infants, and strengthen all of us who honor you with love, so that we may remain in love for one another, confessing the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit with one mind. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia told about what they pray to St. John Chrysostom.
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