Folk signs for October 28: what can and cannot be done
In Russia, signs and beliefs were given special importance. They were used to determine the weather for the coming days, the time for sowing and harvesting, and even the future. The national calendar was full of beliefs and rituals. Izvestia tells about the signs for October 28 and the church holidays that fall on this date.
Folk signs for October 28, 2025
In Russia, on October 28, Yefimiy the Autumnal was honored. The ancestors believed that evil spirits were activated on the holiday. It was believed that on a holiday, a kikimora could enter the house and sit at the spinning wheel, spoiling not only the results of hard work, but also the atmosphere in the house. To prevent this from happening, they prayed to Saint Euthymius of Thessalonica.
The first thread, spun on October 28, was hidden and stored separately by the women. If someone from the household fell ill in winter, it was tied on the patient's wrist as a talisman.
It was also supposed to be a day of work. All family members from young to old worked. According to legend, evil spirits could destroy everything created in a day if a person was lazy.
Also on October 28, the ancestors followed the weather signs. Observing nature on this day helped our ancestors predict the weather for the coming winter and the future harvest.
- mosquitoes appeared — by the warm winter;
- Snow has fallen — the winter will be cold;
- The crow croaks — towards the thaw;
- The weather is calm, and frosts are coming.;
- sunny and clear — for a frosty winter;
- the cat drinks a lot — it's bad weather.
What not to do on October 28th
As with many other national holidays, certain prohibitions were associated with the day of Efimiy Autumnal, which regulated the way of life and behavior of people. They did not wash or hang clothes on the holiday, as they believed that this could "bring" misfortune to the family.
What else can't be done on October 28th
- Leaving a child unattended can lead to an "evil eye";
- getting angry and swearing — negative emotions and swear words can come back to a person like a boomerang;
- to lend money — along with the money, financial stability will leave the house.;
- to weave braids — fate can "get confused";
- Fix old things — they won't last long;
- going to the well for water leads to diseases.
Church holidays on October 28
On October 28, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Euthymius the New, of Thessalonica, who lived in the 11th century. He was born into a pious family in Ancyra of Galatia. The future saint completed military service and, at his mother's insistence, got married, but soon realized that worldly life was not suitable for him. He secretly left home and took monastic vows.
For 15 years, Euthymius labored in a monastery on Mount Olympus, and then lived on a pillar near Thessalonica, instructing people. In 863, the saint founded two monasteries, which he managed with the rank of deacon. According to legend, the daughter and wife of the monk took monastic vows in one of them.
Also on October 28, believers remember St. Athanasius Sakharov (in the world Sergey Grigorievich Sakharov). He was born in 1887 in the city of Vladimir. After graduating from the Vladimir Theological Seminary and then the Moscow Theological Academy, in 1912 he took monastic vows with the name Athanasius. Already in 1921, he was consecrated Bishop of Kovrov, vicar of the Vladimir diocese. During the anti-religious policy of the USSR, he spent more than 30 years in exile, but continued his prayer and liturgical work. He was released in 1955.
Prayers for October 28th
Orthodox believers can pray to St. Euthymius of Thessalonica on October 28. He is asked for help in difficult life situations, strengthening faith and spiritual growth. Saint Athanasius is also worshipped on this day. They turn to him for solace and guidance in their spiritual quest.
Prayer to St. Euthymius the New, of Thessalonica
"O holy head, Venerable Father, Most Blessed Abbot Euthymius, do not forget your poor to the end, but always remember us in holy and auspicious prayers to God: remember your flock, which you have saved yourself, and do not forget to visit your children. Pray for us, holy Father, for your spiritual children, for you have Boldness to the Heavenly King: do not be silent for us to the Lord, and do not despise us who honor you with faith and love: remember us unworthy at the Throne of the Almighty, and do not stop praying for us to Christ God, for you have been given the grace to pray for us. We don't think you're dead.: For though you have passed away from us in body, but you are still alive after death, do not depart from us in spirit, preserving us from the arrows of the enemy and all the charms of demons and the machinations of the devil, our good shepherd. For even though your relics of cancer are always visible before our eyes, your holy soul, with angelic hosts, fleshless faces, and heavenly powers, stands at the throne of the Almighty, rejoicing worthily, leading you in truth and being alive after death, we fall down and pray to you: pray for us to Almighty God, for For the benefit of our souls, and grant us time for repentance, so that we may safely pass from earth to heaven, and may we be delivered from bitter ordeals, demons of the air, and eternal torment, and may we be heiresses of the heavenly Kingdom with all the righteous who have pleased our Lord Jesus Christ from the beginning.: To Him belongs all glory, honor, and worship, together with His Beginningless Father, and with His All-holy, Good, and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."
Prayer to St. Athanasius (Sakharov)
"O long-suffering and gracious Saint Athanasius, confessor of Christ, good shepherd of the Russian Church, zealous of Orthodoxy, preacher of repentance, pillar of prayer, inexhaustible fountain of love, God-inspired flower! You, who were brought up in ancient and holy land, have appeared to God as a chosen vessel, zealously serving Him in word and deed, with warm prayer, unremitting fasting, and unfeigned alms. Russian Russian Church was greatly diligent in the service of God, and you diligently multiplied your talent for song-making, and you decorated the Russian Church with many spiritual songs, especially in glorifying the saints of the Russian land, who, before their death, were vouchsafed to meet the Lord. For the sake of truth, meekness, and truth, it is worthy of you to be anointed a prelate of Vladimir by the grace of the Holy Spirit, who was enlightened and preached Orthodox traditions steadily in the midst of godless persecutors. Even though you have been in prison, exile, and bitter labor for thirty years, you have endured sweet reproaches, bitterness, and wounds for Christ, for you have been receptive to holy confession, you have boldly denounced blasphemous and disembodied enemies, and you have shamed your flock, teaching your deeds more than words, for it is fitting for God to obey more than man. Having been vouchsafed to stand before the Heavenly Throne for the sake of the exiled, pray to our All-good God that He may establish the Russian Church, whose pastors are unshakable in the truths of faith, from heresies and schisms, that her children may remain firm in the profession of holy Orthodoxy, enduring all the adversities of time, glorifying with one heart and one mouth the wondrous God in Their saints, Of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia told about folk signs on the Paraskeva Gryaznukha holiday.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
