Folk signs for October 21: 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 21, and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.
Folk signs for October 21, 2025
In Russia, Trofim and Pelageya celebrated the holiday on October 21. Colloquially, it was also called Chills or Chaffinch, which eloquently indicated the main feature of the weather during this period — the arrival of the first noticeable frosts. It was believed that it was from this time that nature began to actively prepare for winter. These changes are reflected in folk sayings: "It's getting colder with Trofim and Pelagia," "Trofim repairs a fur coat, Pelagia sews mittens."
In the old days, the holiday was dedicated to preparing for the harsh winter. The housewives carried out an audit of winter clothes: they took out sheepskin coats, fur coats, felt boots, hats and mittens from the chests, checking their integrity and repairing them. If the weather allowed and the land was not yet frozen, the peasants went out into the fields to carry out "repairs" — clearing arable land from dead wood to facilitate work in the spring.
An important tradition for Trofim and Pelagia was the preparation of supplies. Until the rivers and lakes were covered with ice, barrels of salted cucumbers and cabbage were lowered into the reservoirs on ropes. It was believed that this way the pickles would survive the winter favorably and keep their freshness until spring.
According to weather signs, forecasts for the coming months were made on October 21. For example, if there were a lot of fallen leaves on the birch tree that day, it promised the late arrival of winter. And if pigeons began to hide their paws in their plumage, this was interpreted as a harbinger of a rapid and sharp cold snap.
Other signs of the day:
- stars glow dimly at night — to worsen the weather;
- clouds are floating low in the sky — to the imminent frosts;
- The forest seems to be graying on the horizon — it's getting colder.;
- if there are still late mushrooms, the snow cover will not be established soon.;
- The sun is in a haze or in a fog — there will be no precipitation in the coming days.;
- The moon is bright and clear — next summer is expected to be dry.
What not to do on October 21
Our ancestors believed that the day of Trofim and Pelagia was filled with special energy and, in order not to incur various difficulties, they observed a number of prohibitions. They were especially afraid of actions that could "freeze" or "scare away" well-being from home. For example, it was strictly forbidden to take winter clothes out of the hut, since it was believed that heat left the house with it.
What else can not be done on October 21:
- to be lazy and idle — idleness on this day can turn into a series of failures.;
- chopping down trees, breaking branches, or peeling bark — otherwise, you will be plagued by pain in your arms and legs all year round.;
- wearing uncleaned or unprepared winter clothes leads to minor troubles.;
- Being discouraged and indulging in longing is believed to attract real misfortune.;
- trusting strangers is a risk of being deceived or getting involved in a dubious adventure.;
- Leaving unwashed dishes overnight will bring poverty and discord into the house along with dirt.;
- There was no need to go to the intersections — it was believed that evil spirits gathered there on that day.
What is the church holiday on October 21st?
On October 21, the Orthodox Church commemorates two saints — St. Pelagia of Antioch and St. Tryphon, the Wonderworker of Vyatka. Although they lived in different eras and in different lands, their destinies are united by an unlimited desire to serve God, and their lives serve as a model of sincere repentance and spiritual asceticism for believers.
Saint Pelagia lived in Antioch in the 5th century. She was a dancer and led a frivolous lifestyle, conquering rich men with her beauty. In her hometown, she was nicknamed Margarita, which means "pearl". The turning point in her life was the sermon of the holy Bishop Nonna of Iliopolis, which shook her to the depths of her soul. Realizing the depth of her fall, Pelagia was baptized, distributed her possessions to the poor, and set off for Jerusalem.
There, under the guise of a young man, Pelagia took vows at the monastery on the Mount of Olives. Shut up in a cell, she led an extremely austere ascetic life, spending her days in fasting and prayer. Her feat remained a mystery until her death, which occurred around 457. It was only at the funeral that the brethren discovered that the deceased monk was a woman. The relics of Saint Pelagia are still revered in Jerusalem. She herself is a vivid example of life change through repentance.
Trifon Vyatsky (in the world Trofim Podvizaev) was born in the 16th century in Arkhangelsk province. He is one of the most revered Russian saints, especially in the Vyatka and Perm lands. Since childhood, the monk was distinguished by his deep faith and desire for monasticism. After taking vows at the Pysk monastery, he devoted himself to serving God and educating pagan peoples. His missionary path lay in the Perm Region, where, with great patience and meekness, he converted the local peoples, the Ostyaks and Voguls, to Christianity.
The main work of St. Trifon's life was the foundation of the Vyatka Dormition (now Trifonov) monastery in the town of Khlynov (modern Kirov), where he became Archimandrite. The saint died in 1612, leaving his spiritual testament to his brethren, in which he called for mutual love, fervent prayer and strict observance of church rules. His legacy is an example of active service that combined personal asceticism with extensive educational and creative activities.
Prayers on October 21st
Venerable Pelagia of Antioch is asked to grant strength for repentance, chastity, and peace of mind. She is often asked to intercede for people who have gone astray and lead an unrighteous lifestyle. They pray to St. Tryphon of Vyatka for protection from visible and invisible enemies, for the gift of a peaceful and quiet life, as well as for the preservation of monasteries, cities and the country from famine, wars and natural disasters.
Prayer of Pelagia of Antioch
"Oh, our holy and wise mother, Venerable Pelagia. You, who loved the Lord Jesus in one hour, have forsaken all earthly things irrevocably, and have striven for great and saving deeds, which you have accomplished many times in the gospel. O ever-memorable one, you have revealed yourself to the monastics with spiritual beauty, you have learned a blameless life well, you have loved the life of Angels on earth and have unceasingly sung in seclusion to Him who, by His great mercy, has strengthened the weakness of women to fight against the insidious enemy of human salvation. For this reason, today, on the day of your blessed memory, we ask you blissfully: pour out your all-powerful prayer for us sinners before the throne of the Holy Trinity for God's mercy to us who still remain in the deplorable vale of the earth, so that through your prayers we may attain life in the villages of the righteous, where you remain with all the saints forever centuries. Amen to that."
Prayer to Tryphon Vyatsky
"O holy head, our Venerable Father Tryphon! O earthly angel and heavenly man, most luminous lamp, illuminate the land of Vyatka with miracles, a wall and a foundation for our city, a strong helper for those in need, a kind guardian of your monastery, a prayerful intercessor for us to God and a warm intercessor for our souls! To you, O servant of God <...> we fall down and pray: deliver us from enemies visible and invisible, who rise up enviously against us and want to devour us with brutal fury, deliver us by your invisible intercession from the confusion and storm and innumerable sorrows of our coming for our sins. <...> Lift up your pious prayer to the Lord. <...> May the Lord consume all violent sedition from our land, and establish serenity, peace and piety in it, may He preserve your holy monastery, our city and all the cities and towns of our country from glade and destruction, from rebellion and disorder, from burning and storms, from enemy attacks and from corrupting winds and from every kind of evil. Have mercy on us through your favorable prayers of Christ our God, that we may be delivered from our sins and the slanders of the enemy, so that through your intercession and help we may live in peace and quiet on earth, and in the future may we be worthy of a portion of the saints of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is worthy of honor and worship, now and in all the eyelids. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia told what they pray to St. Sergius of the Caves.
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