A special national holiday on November 5 is Yakov Day: history, traditions, omens

On November 5, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of one of the apostles from the seventies, James the Younger, who was popularly called James the Righteous or Studen. This holiday in Russia was an important milestone in the economic cycle, marking the final transition from autumn to winter. In 2025, James Day falls on a Wednesday. Izvestia tells about the customs, signs and prohibitions of this day.

What is the church holiday on November 5th?

James the Younger, or James the Righteous, occupies a special place in the history of early Christianity. The Church honors him as the first bishop of Jerusalem and the author of a number of theological works. He is also known as the "brother of the Lord." The most common version is that James was Jesus' cousin. According to another version, he was the son of Joseph the Betrothed, born before his betrothal to the Virgin Mary.

According to legend, James believed in Christ as Savior after His Resurrection. He became not only an authoritative preacher, but also left behind a significant theological legacy — the Conciliar Epistle, which is included in the canon of the New Testament. His authorship is also attributed to the rite of the Divine Liturgy, which is named after him and is celebrated in Jerusalem on the feast day of the apostle.

James' life ended in martyrdom around 63 AD. By the verdict of the Jewish elders, he was thrown from the wing of the temple, and then stoned for actively preaching the Christian faith.

The Orthodox Church commemorates him twice a year: on November 5 (October 22, Old style) and on the first Sunday after Christmas, as part of the Council of the Seventy Apostles.

Traditions of the national holiday Yakov Day

In the national calendar, the day of the memory of the Apostle James received several names: James the Righteous, James the Studen, and the Guards. The latter name is directly related to one of the main activities of this day — the manufacture and inspection of horse-drawn horses, leather loops for horse harness. Since the field work was completed by the beginning of November, the peasants switched to repairing harnesses and preparing vehicles for the winter season.

Yakov was considered the patron saint of men's crafts and hard work. By his day, they tried to complete the harvesting of firewood for the winter, believing that timely supplies guarantee warmth in the house throughout the cold season.

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Another important tradition was the "feeding" of the land. The remains of the pies left after the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, which was celebrated the day before, were broken and scattered across the fields for birds. It was believed that birds, arriving for a treat, "appease" the earth with their singing, which, in turn, guarantees a rich harvest next year.

Another custom popular in some regions is "Bee Games". Our ancestors staged symbolic games: they treated themselves to honey and imitated the buzzing of bees. According to legend, this peculiar rite provided a lot of honey next year.

What can and cannot be done on Yakov Day

In the old days, Yakov Day was a time of taking stock and measured, calm work. It was recommended to spend it with the family, devoting time to communicating with loved ones and completing current household chores. It was also customary to help those in need on the holiday. Alms given to the poor were perceived as a godly deed, and all efforts promised to return prosperity and good luck.

There were strict prohibitions on Yakov, the violation of which could bring various troubles to the house and family. For example, on this day one should not start new large-scale business or go on long trips, since the day was considered a transitional one between autumn and winter, and therefore unfavorable for any endeavors.

Our ancestors believed that, for example, quarrels and conflicts on November 5 were considered especially dangerous, as they promised protracted strife.

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The main prohibitions on Yakov Day:

• to throw away leftovers — they were supposed to be fed to birds or livestock, otherwise, according to beliefs, one could lose prosperity and well-being.;
• Lending money was considered to be the way financial well—being left the house, which could lead to debt and hardship.;
• to leave windows and doors open at night — the ancestors believed that evil spirits could enter the dwelling through them, bringing with them diseases and troubles.;
• swearing and swearing — conflicts on this day threatened to escalate into a long-term feud between neighbors or family members.

Folk signs for November 5th

Observing natural phenomena on November 5 allowed our ancestors to make a forecast for the coming winter and future harvest. There was often a second, more steady snowfall on Yakov Day. Therefore, special attention was paid to how the snow fell.

If plentiful and not melting, it promised a mild winter and a fertile summer. "If there is enough snow, there will be bread," the people said. If fine snow fell, similar to grits, then winter was expected from Matryona Day, a national holiday celebrated on November 22 (November 9, old style).

Other signs for November 5th:

• thunder is thundering — for a snowless and windy winter with sudden temperature changes;
• cobwebs are spreading on the ground — severe frosts will set in within ten days.;
• a clear sunset with a golden pink hue leads to stable frosty weather;
• frost abundantly covers trees and branches — for prolonged December frosts;
• Crows gather in large flocks and caw loudly — for a snowfall and a blizzard to come soon.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the traditions and signs of Hilarion Day.