Folk signs for October 27: 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 Monday, October 27, and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for October 27, 2025

In Russia, on October 27, the feast of Paraskeva Gryaznukha was celebrated.

In the national calendar of the Slavs, Paraskeva Gryaznukha Day is celebrated on October 27. This name is related to the weather conditions at the end of October. Frequent rains and sleet turned roads into impassable mud, which greatly complicated movement for both people and animals. The people talked about it.: "Dirty clothes don't get dry."

However, the holiday was associated not only with the autumn mudslide, but also with the beginning of winter women's work. In the old days, this day was traditionally dedicated to the preparation of flax. The women gathered together for the laborious process of fluttering and wrinkling linen fibers. The collaboration was accompanied by songs and conversations, turning into a kind of ritual. Hence came another name for the celebration — the Linen Shirt or the Trepalnitsa.

Weather signs were given great importance. Observations of nature on Paraskeva Gryaznukha made it possible to predict what the winter and future harvest would be like. For example, it was believed that if the footprint of a horse's hoof is immediately filled with water, then no more than a month remains until stable frosts. And the abundance of dirt on the roads foreshadowed a rainy spring.

Other signs of the day:

• Crows are cawing loudly — there will be a thaw;
• bright stars at night — for early frosts;
• frost in the morning is a harbinger of a good harvest of oats;
• It's raining — for a rich wheat harvest;
• a dry day with wind — next year will be lean.

What not to do on October 27

There were a number of strict prohibitions on the holiday, the violation of which, according to the ancestors, could cause trouble and misfortune. Special restrictions were imposed on needlework. Spinning and sewing were strictly forbidden on this day. There was a belief that on this date Saint Paraskeva descended to earth and, walking nearby, could be pricked by needles and spindles of those who disobeyed the ban.

Autumn folk signs and Orthodox traditions for the day of the Apostle James Alfeyev

What else can not be done on October 27:

• do laundry and cleaning — you can "wash" happiness and well-being from home;
• washing and cutting your hair led to illnesses, and the "bath day" was traditionally held the day before.;
• laughing out loud and having fun promised future tears and discord in the family.;
• to start new businesses — it was believed that they would not succeed;
• Going on a long journey is a high risk of encountering trouble;
• to refuse help and alms is considered a great sin on a holiday.

What is the church holiday on October 27th?

On October 27, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Paraskeva of Serbia, who lived in the 11th century. She was born into a pious family in the city of Epivate, located on the shores of the Marmara Sea. After the death of her parents, the girl distributed her possessions to those in need and went to Constantinople. In the capital of the Byzantine Empire, she took monastic vows, fully devoting herself to the service of God.

Striving for spiritual perfection, St. Paraskeva made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to venerate Christian shrines. After that, she retired to a life of asceticism in the desert Jordan Valley, where she spent many years in prayer and fasting. Two years before her death, she was inspired from above to return to her homeland, where she went to the Lord. Her sanctity was confirmed by the miraculous finding of incorruptible relics, which became famous for numerous healings.

Also on this day, the appearance of the Yakhrom Icon of the Mother of God, especially revered in the Vladimir-Suzdal land, is remembered. The shrine was found by St. Cosmas, the future founder of the Holy Dormition Monastery. According to church tradition, he accompanied a sick elder and during a rest in the forest he saw a shining image of the Virgin on a tree. When Kosma brought the icon to the elder, he was immediately healed.

This event took place in 1482 on the banks of the Yakhroma River near Vladimir on October 27 (October 14, Old style). According to its name, the icon got its name — Yakhromskaya. Later, a temple was founded next to this place in honor of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, where the miraculous icon was placed. Over the years, a monastic community has developed around the temple, which has grown into the Kosmin Assumption Monastery, which has become a place of pilgrimage for Orthodox Christians.

The strongest prayer for the whole of October — these lines work wonders

On October 14, the Orthodox will celebrate the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos

Prayers on October 27

Paraskeva of Serbia is considered the patroness of women and the family. She is approached with various requests, for example, for healing from ailments and family well-being. In the villages of Paraskva, they prayed for the deliverance of livestock from ailments, especially dairy cows. And the unmarried girls asked to send them a good groom. They pray to the Yakhrom Icon of the Mother of God for healing from bodily and mental illnesses, help in despair and resolution of difficult life situations.

Prayer to Paraskeva of Serbia

"O beautiful bride of Christ, pure dove, sweetened by the Holy Spirit, virgin praise and fruitful companion of the angels, who planted a mental paradise on earth through your virtues, Venerable Mother Paraskevo! We bless you, the beauty of the Serbian people and our intercessor and guardian. <...> You, as a brave commander, with the fortress given to you by the King of forces, turned back the faces of the enemies of your country with fear, and protect our Russian country by the power of your prayers from all the lies of visible and invisible enemies. Pray to God for us, O Venerable Mother, that He may not rebuke us with His fury, nor punish us with His wrath for our many sins, but may He protect us with His mercy and grant us time for repentance and correction. O Venerable Paraskevo, to all who have gathered in this church and lovingly honor your holy memory, grant through your intercession <...> that we may attain the Kingdom of Heaven in the future through your warm prayers and intercession to our Lord Jesus Christ. To Him belongs all glory, honor, and worship, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

Prayer on the feast of the Yakhrom Icon

"O my Most Holy Lady, Theotokos, by Thy holy and all-powerful supplications, drive away from me, Thy humble and wretched servant, despondency, forgetfulness, folly, negligence, and all filthy, evil, and blasphemous thoughts from my wretched heart and from my darkened mind; and extinguish the flame of my passions, for I am poor and wretched. And deliver me from many fierce memories and enterprises, and free me from all evil actions. For you are blessed from all generations, and Your most honorable name is glorified forever and ever. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia told what they pray to St. Theophan the Confessor.