Folk signs for November 3: what can and cannot be done

In Russia, signs and beliefs were given special importance. They were used to judge all important areas of life, including farming, housework, weddings, and honoring the dead. The national calendar was full of rituals and rituals. Izvestia tells about the signs for November 3 and the church holidays that fall on this date.

Folk signs for November 3, 2025

In Russia, Hilarion Day was celebrated on November 3. It was popularly perceived as the "gates of winter" — often at this time the first steady snow fell, and the ground was frozen. The holiday was shrouded in mystical beliefs, as it was believed that evil spirits began to walk the streets.

The women devoted themselves to needlework — spinning, knitting, sewing, as well as cooking hearty meals and tidying up their homes. Special importance was attached to bread: his crumbs were scattered at the crossroads for birds, believing that the souls of the deceased could be treated in their form. On this day, it was also customary to pray for those who died a sudden or violent death.

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On Hilarion Day, the ancestors closely followed the weather signs, hoping to find out what the weather would be like in the last month of autumn. If the snow fell on the wet ground and did not melt, it was understood that spring would be early. And a dense snow cover on dry land promised a good wheat harvest next year.

Other signs of the day:

• big snowdrifts — winter will be short-lived;
• A clear evening and a red sunset lead to severe morning frosts.;
• South-easterly wind leads to warming and precipitation.

What not to do on November 3rd

On St. Hilarion's Day, there were a number of strict prohibitions designed to protect a person and his family from harm. No guests were accepted on the holiday, and even more so, strangers were not allowed into the house, fearing that they might turn out to be demons in human form.

What else can't be done on November 3rd

• Pick up objects from the ground — you can pick up other people's illnesses and misfortunes.;
• Going on the road leads to troubles and dangers along the way;
• complaining about fate — negative words can "attract" sadness and discord into the house;
• Telling them about your plans won't come true.;
• to refuse alms to those who ask for it leads to poverty;
• quarreling with the household — it will be difficult to reconcile.;
• Going hunting can end badly for a hunter.

What is the church holiday on November 3rd?

On November 3, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Hilarion the Great, who lived in the third century. He is considered one of the founders of monasticism in Palestine. While studying in Alexandria, the saint became acquainted with Christianity and was baptized. Striving for an ascetic life, he became a disciple of St. Anthony the Great.

After the death of his parents, Hilarion distributed all his inheritance to the poor and retired to the desert, where he spent many years in strict fasting, prayer and struggle with demonic temptations. The Lord gave him the power to cast out unclean spirits and heal diseases, which the saint used, never charging for help. Over time, his disciples gathered around him, and with his blessing, monasteries began to arise in Palestine. He spent the last years of his life in Cyprus, where he died.

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Also on November 3, believers remember St. Hilarion, Bishop of Meglinsky, who lived in the XII century. At the age of 18, he left worldly life and took monastic vows. The saint became famous for his meek disposition, humility, mercy to those in need, and fervent prayer. Around 1134, for his virtuous life, he was appointed bishop of Meglin. In this field, he worked hard, eradicating heresies among his flock and affirming the Orthodox faith. The saint died in 1164. In 1206, his holy relics were transferred to the city of Tarnovo, where they became famous for many miracles.

Prayers for November 3rd

Orthodox believers pray to St. Hilarion the Great on November 3. He is asked for healing from illnesses, help in dealing with fears, and support in spiritual growth. They also pray to St. Hilarion of Meglin on November 3. They turn to him for help in healing ailments and resolving difficult financial situations.

Prayer to St. Hilarion the Great

"O holy head, Venerable Father, Most Blessed Abbot Hilarion, 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."

Troparion to St. Hilarion of Meglin

"Having performed a miracle of notification, you have glorified the virtues of God, you have saved the faces of monastics, you have cleansed the episcopal seat, you have not hesitated about heretical attacks, you have raised up churches of Christ, Venerable Hilarion, you have died as if asleep, but your body is intact and incorruptible, and you give healing to those who suffer from various ailments, and you drive away demons For this reason we pray to you: pray for our souls to be saved."

Kontakion to St. Hilarion of Meglin

"For thou art light-bearing, bishop, in thy memory, destroy the darkness of despondency and the light of the multitude of heavenly gifts, summoning all to joy, for from God, Hilarion, thou hast found grace and the monks were thy degree."

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs of the national holiday Artemyev Day.