Folk signs for October 29: what can and cannot be done
For centuries in Russia, human life has been inextricably linked with natural cycles. Observing the world around them, the ancestors formed a set of rules and customs that helped them determine the time for agricultural work, predict the weather and protect their home from harm. The national calendar was full of traditions, rituals and prohibitions. Izvestia tells about the signs for October 29 and the church holidays that fall on this date.
Folk signs for October 29, 2025
In Russia, on October 29, Longinus the Centurion was honored, who was revered as a healer of eye diseases and a guardian from evil spirits. From that day on, the daylight hours became noticeably shorter, so the peasants began to prepare for the long winter. It was believed that at dusk, all kinds of evil spirits were activated, and in order to protect themselves and their homes, people performed special rituals and closely followed the signs.
The wind was given special importance on this day. He was called the "goalkeeper" — he was believed to be able to blow out all the bad things and diseases from the house, but he could also cause misfortune if he was "angered". They also treated the sun with respect at Longinus. It was believed that if October 29 is clear, it is necessary to take winter clothes outside so that they are saturated with solar energy.
Omens for October 29
- hoarfrost on trees leads to warming;
- clouds in the sky are rare — for clear and frosty weather;
- the night sky is clear and starry — for good weather in the morning;
- snow has fallen — winter will be snowy;
- the wind is changeable — towards winter with frequent thaws;
- A cloudy and pale moon leads to frost;
- the goose stands on one leg — it's going to get cold soon.
What not to do on October 29th
A number of strict prohibitions were associated with the day of Longinus the Centurion, which was considered the "gate of autumn", designed to protect people from all kinds of misfortunes. Violation of these rules, according to beliefs, could lead to illness, poverty and family discord. So, on a holiday, doors, windows and gates were not left open to keep evil spirits out of the house.
What else can't be done on October 29th
- Staying in the house all day means that those who do not go out into the sun will deprive themselves of its healing light and the protection of St. Longinus.;
- doing things that require visual strain can "ruin your eyes";
- shouting and swearing, especially at relatives — a word spoken in anger on this day has a special destructive power and can lead to trouble.;
- to indulge in despondency and complain about fate leads to prolonged failures.;
- Lending money and borrowing things can take luck and financial well—being out of the house with them.
What is the church holiday on October 29th?
On October 29, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the martyr Longinus the Centurion. He was a centurion (centurion) who stood guard at the very foot of the Cross during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. According to legend, he was the warrior who pierced the ribs of the Son of God with a spear, and blood and water flowed from the wound. The Savior's blood got on Longinus' eyes, and he was immediately healed of cataracts. After that, the centurion believed in God and declared himself a Christian. He left military service, was baptized by the apostles, and went to preach the gospel in his hometown of Cappadocia. For his faith, he was executed by order of Pontius Pilate.
Also on October 29, believers remember St. John of Tobolsk (John Maximovich in the world), who lived in the XVII-XVIII centuries. After graduating from the Kyiv Mohyla College, he took monastic vows at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. In 1697, he was consecrated bishop of Chernigov and founded Russia's first theological seminary with a printing press. In 1711, he became Metropolitan of Tobolsk and continued his educational activities in Siberia, converting thousands of pagans to Christianity. The saint died on June 10, 1715, during prayer.
Many miraculous healings took place from the relics of St. John. This prompted the church leadership to conduct an examination. In 1916, according to the report of the Holy Synod, he was canonized, and his incorruptible remains were recognized as holy relics. Today they are kept in the Tobolsk Cathedral.
Prayers for October 29th
Orthodox believers pray to Longinus the Centurion on October 29. He is asked for healing from diseases, especially those related to vision, as well as protection from evil and strengthening faith. You can also pray to St. John of Tobolsk on this day. They turn to him for comfort in a moment of grief, reconciliation of warring parties and help in difficult situations.
Prayer to the Martyr Longinus the Centurion
"Oh, holy servant of God, Martyr Longinus! Having labored with a good deed on earth, you have perceived in heaven the crown of righteousness, which the Lord has prepared for all who love Him. Looking at your holy image, we rejoice at the glorious end of your residence and honor your holy memory. But you, standing before the Throne of God, accept our supplications and offer them to the All-merciful God, that He may forgive us every sin and help us against the wiles of the devil, so that, having been delivered from sorrows, diseases, troubles and misfortunes, and all evil, we may live piously and righteously in our present age and be worthy of your intercession, even if we are unworthy. May you see the good in the lands of the living, glorifying God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen to that."
Prayer to St. John of Tobolsk (Maximovich)
"O Saint John of Christ, stand before the Throne of God with the saints! You are our loving father and our warm prayer book. Pray to the Lord God, may He give us what we need.: May consolation be given to the sorrowful, health to the weak, may He guide and turn those who have erred to the path of repentance, pacify strife and strife, and may people turn Christ's ignorance to the path of salvation, and unite us all by unity of spirit and love in His One Holy Church, may He preserve us from gladness, hail, cowardice, flood, fire, sword, and internecine warfare And may He grant us to live a peaceful life in vain, and to keep our Orthodox faith intact, especially from the temptations that beset us in this life. O holy servant of Christ, most reverend to the archpastor, our vigilant prayer book! Having devoted everything to God from your youth, you have acquired an equal-angelic life, filled with spiritual joy, who have illuminated the brightness of your face and comforted the hearts of the faithful, truly a hot and shining lamp, having lived a holy life, you have been granted the gift of epiphany from the Lord, foretold the time of your demise, praying before the image of the Most Pure Theotokos, kneeling down; now ask May our Patroness be our Protector in this difficult life and in the hour of our death, may she beseech the All-good Lord to be worthy to appear before His Throne in the person of those who have pleased Him and to praise in the Trinity the glorified God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs of the national holiday Yefimiy Autumnal.
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