A special church holiday on November 8 is St. Dmitry's Day: history, traditions, omens

Every year on November 8, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica— one of the most revered saints in Russia. In 2025, the celebration falls on a Saturday. In the national calendar, it is called Dmitriev Day. Read about the history, traditions and signs of the holiday in the Izvestia article.

What is the church holiday on November 8 — St. Demetrius of Thessalonica Memorial Day?

The Great Martyr Demetrius was born into a family of secret Christians in the second half of the third century. His parents baptized him and raised him in the Christian faith. After the death of his father, who held the post of Roman proconsul, Emperor Maximian Galerius appointed Demetrius ruler of the Thessalonian region.

The main responsibility of the new proconsul was to protect the territory from external enemies, but the emperor also demanded the persecution of Christians. Instead of following these instructions, the saint began to eradicate pagan customs and convert local residents to the Christian faith.

Soon, the emperor was informed about Demetrius' Christian faith. Returning from a military campaign against the Sarmatians, Maximian stopped in Thessalonica and ordered the proconsul to be thrown into prison. The saint, anticipating his imminent death, devoted himself to prayer and fasting, and distributed his possessions to the poor.

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After the arrest of Demetrius, the emperor staged gladiatorial fights in Thessalonica. The followers of Christ were chased throughout the city and thrown into the arena, where they were easily killed by more experienced and stronger warriors. Most of the believers fell at the hands of the gladiator Leah.

Seeing the suffering of the people, the young Christian Nestor decided to kill Leah. He visited the former proconsul in custody and received a blessing for the fight. Strengthened by God, Nestor won, but instead of a well-deserved reward, he received a death sentence. Soon after, Demetrius was executed.

The saint's body was thrown to wild animals, but caring Christians secretly buried his remains. During the reign of Constantine the Great (324-337), a temple was built over the saint's grave in his honor, and 100 years later the incorruptible relics of the great martyr were found.

Church traditions of St. Dmitry's Day on November 8th

On the feast day, the Akathist to St. Demetrius of Thessalonica is read in Orthodox churches. Believers place candles in front of the icon of the saint, pray to him for the health of their loved ones, help in difficult situations and guidance on the right path. Dimitri of Thessalonica is also considered the patron saint of military personnel. Therefore, they also pray to him for the relief of the hardships of military service and for the safety of loved ones in the war zone.

St. Dmitriev's Day is associated with one of the church—wide memorial days - St. Dimitri's Parents' Saturday. It is celebrated on the Saturday preceding the holiday. In 2025, St. Dimitri's Parents' Saturday fell on November 1.

According to church tradition, the establishment of this memorial day is associated with Prince Dmitry Donskoy, who asked for a memorial service for the soldiers who fell in the Battle of Kulikovo. However, documentary evidence of the Demetrius Sabbath appears only since the 15th century. On this day, believers pray not only for their loved ones, but also for all deceased Christians.

Prayer to the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica

"Holy and glorious Great Martyr of Christ, Demetrius, the speedy helper and warm intercessor of those who flow to you with faith! Standing boldly before the Heavenly King, ask Him for forgiveness of our sins and that we may be delivered from the ever-destructive plague, cowardice, flood, fire, sword and eternal punishment. Pray to His goodness to protect this city, this monastery, and every Christian country. Intercede with the King of Kings for victory and victory over the enemies of Orthodox Christians, and for the entire Orthodox empire for peace, silence, firmness in faith, and prosperity in piety; but to us, who honor your honorable memory, ask for gracious strengthening for good deeds, so that through your prayers we may be worthy to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven for eternal glorification. He is with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Amen to that."

Folk traditions of Dmitriev's Day on November 8th

In the national calendar, St. Dmitry's Day symbolized the end of the autumn period and the transition to winter. On the holiday, payments on debts were traditionally made and contracts were concluded with seasonal workers for the next year.

In addition, the period of harvesting food for the winter began with Dmitriev's day. The housewives were engaged in salting cabbage, soaking apples and canning other vegetables and fruits. Some of the prepared supplies were necessarily distributed to those in need.

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A lighted candle was considered an important symbol of the holiday. It was placed in front of the icons in every house, believing that St. Demetrius, in the form of a rider on a white horse, visits the homes of Christians and leaves a blessing where the fire is burning.

After November 8, the autumn wedding period ended in Russia. The people said: "Before Dmitr, the girl is cunning, and after Dmitr she is even more cunning (since she got married)." This day was considered the last suitable day for matchmaking before the Christmas Fast, which began on November 15th.

What not to do on St. Dmitry's Day on November 8th

The Orthodox Church does not set any special prohibitions on St. Dmitry's Day, however, there were certain restrictions in the folk tradition. For example, you should not do needlework on a holiday — according to beliefs, this way you can "sew up" your fate.

What else can't be done on November 8th:

• to discuss the wedding — it may not take place;
• Visiting the cemetery after sunset is popularly believed to be the time when the souls of the dead appear there.;
• not wearing clothes according to the weather leads to diseases;
• quarreling with your loved ones will make it difficult to reconcile.

• Folk signs for November 8th

On St. Dmitry's Day, the ancestors carefully watched the weather signs in order to predict what winter would be like. If it started snowing on a holiday, they prepared, realizing that the coming season would be long and frosty. There were other signs, too:

• A bright red sunset leads to a strong wind;
• warm weather — winter will have little snow;
• the cat hides its muzzle and sleeps a lot — frosts will come soon;
• thin ice on reservoirs — the cold weather will come late.

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