Folk signs for November 4: what can and cannot be done

In Russia, signs and beliefs were given special importance. They were used to judge the changing seasons, the time of the beginning and completion of various works, and even the future. The national calendar was full of rituals and traditions. Izvestia tells about the signs for November 4 and the church holidays that fall on this date.

Folk signs for November 4, 2025

On November 4, Russia celebrated the day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, one of the most revered shrines among the people. Many couples aspired to get married or engaged on this particular holiday, because, according to beliefs, "Whoever marries Kazan will be happy."

Another important tradition was the festive feast. The household and guests gathered at a table filled with pies, pancakes and other treats. If the head of the family returned from work, he was always greeted with a hearty meal. Also on this day, the housewives aired the cellars and fumigated them with dried juniper smoke, believing that this would help preserve all winter supplies.

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According to the weather on the day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, they tried to determine what the upcoming winter would be like. If it rained on a holiday, they understood that frosts were just around the corner.

Other signs of the day:

• A clear day leads to a cold snap;
• fog in the morning leads to a thaw;
• dry weather leads to crop failure next year;
• The rooster crowed in the evening — the weather will change soon.

What not to do on November 3rd

In order not to get themselves and their family into trouble, on the day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, the ancestors strictly observed a number of prohibitions concerning both behavior and household matters. During the holiday, they tried not to give in to negative emotions, so as not to bring discord into family relations.

What else can't be done on November 3rd

• to envy and wish harm to others — bad thoughts can turn against the most envious;
• to do hard work and needlework is better to devote the day to prayer and communication with loved ones.;
• Going on a long journey can take a long time.;
• to refuse hospitality leads to poverty.

What is the church holiday on November 4th?

On November 4, the Orthodox Church celebrates the day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, one of the most beloved and revered shrines in Russia.

The history of acquiring the image dates back to 1579, when a terrible fire destroyed a significant part of Kazan. Among the victims was Daniel Onuchin, a Sagittarius. His nine-year-old daughter Matrona saw the Virgin Mary three times in a dream, pointing out the place where the miraculous icon was hidden under a layer of earth. After the girl's insistent requests, her mother took her to the bishop, and the image of the Mother of God was indeed found in the indicated place.

Kazan Icon of the Mother of God: what is prayed to the shrine, what is asked of the Mother of God

The icon was solemnly transferred to the temple, and the first miraculous healings took place along the way. Tsar Ivan the Terrible, having learned about the miracle, ordered the construction of the Kazan Bogoroditsky Monastery on the site of the discovery, the first nuns of which were Matrona and her mother.

The Kazan icon played a special role in the Time of Troubles. In 1612, the list of this shrine was accompanied by the people's militia led by Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky. It is believed that thanks to her intercession, Moscow was liberated from the Polish invaders.

Prayers for November 4th

Orthodox believers pray in front of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God on November 4. As in front of other images of the Virgin, you can ask for help and comfort in any situation, as well as for the healing of diseases, the establishment of harmony in the family, a happy marriage and the birth of children.

Prayer in front of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

"Oh, Most Holy Lady, Theotokos! With fear, faith, and love before Your venerable icon, we beseech You: do not turn Your face away from those who run to You, and beseech, O Merciful Mother, Your Son and our God, the Lord Jesus Christ, that He may preserve our peaceful country, and that He may keep His holy Church steadfast from unbelief, heresy, and schism. It will save you. Are there no imams of other help, no imams of other hope, except for You, Most Pure Virgin: You are the all-powerful Christian Helper and Intercessor. Deliver all those who pray to You with faith from sinful falls, from the slander of evil men, from all temptations, sorrows, diseases, troubles, and sudden death; grant us a spirit of contrition, humility of heart, purity of mind, correction of sinful lives, and remission of sins, so that we may all, gratefully, sing praises of Your greatness and mercy, Above us, on earth, let us be worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom, and there, with all the saints, we will glorify the most honorable and magnificent name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen to that."

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