Folk signs for November 11: what can and cannot be done
In Russia, signs and beliefs were given special importance. With their help, people determined when the cold weather would come, when to make preparations, go out into the field, harvest crops and play weddings. The national calendar was full of traditions and rituals. Izvestia tells about the signs for November 11 and the church holidays that fall on this date.
Folk signs on November 11, 2025
In Russia, November 11 was dedicated to caring for livestock and ending the grazing season. In the national calendar, this date is known as the day of Avramiy Ovchar and Anastasia Ovechnitsa, or Shepherd's Day. On this day, the owners paid off the shepherds for their summer work, and also thanked them with treats and gifts. It was believed that the more generous and fun the holiday was, the healthier the cattle would be next year.
In the northern regions of the country, the sheep shearing season began on Avramia and Anastasia. During the procedure, a bundle of wool was placed in the scissors as an offering to the goddess Makoshi to attract good luck and fertility. In the southern regions, on the contrary, the haircut season was coming to an end.
On November 11, the ancestors paid attention to various weather signs. So, if the pets were not active during the day and mostly slept, they understood that the winter would be frosty.
Other signs of the day:
- Crows often caw — for rain;
- wolves go out to the fields — to misfortune;
- Clouds are moving slowly — towards frost;
- bright stars in the sky — for good weather;
- the sun's rays pierce the clouds — for warmer days.
What not to do on November 11th
In order not to bring trouble to their home and household, on the day of Avramiy Ovchar and Anastasia Ovechnitsa, the ancestors observed a number of strict prohibitions. Women should not walk with their necks open on a holiday. Instead, it was recommended to wear coral beads to attract good luck in love and everyday life.
What else can't be done on November 11th
- staying alone leads to conflicts with loved ones or other misfortunes.;
- Leaving children alone was believed to frighten them on this day.;
- Wearing sheep's wool clothes can attract trouble.;
- bringing strangers into the house — evil people or evil spirits may be hiding under the guise of guests.;
- arguing with loved ones can drag on for a long time, and it will be very difficult to reconcile.;
- it will be difficult for unmarried girls to set the table — it will be difficult to meet a betrothed;
- doing laundry — water can "wash away" family happiness along with dirt.
What is the church holiday on November 11th?
On November 11, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Venerable Martyr Anastasia of Rome, who lived in III. She was orphaned at an early age and was raised in a monastery near Rome, where she took vows. Her beauty attracted many, but the girl did not want to get married, as she decided to devote herself to God. During the persecution under Emperor Decius, a young nun was forcibly taken away from the monastery and demanded to renounce Christ. Anastasia refused and suffered severe tortures for her faith. After all the torments, the saint was beheaded. Along with her, a soldier named Cyril was executed, who took pity on the dying woman and gave her water — he was mistaken for a secret Christian.
Also on November 11, believers remember St. Avramius of Rostov, who lived in the XI century. The saint chose the path of serving God from a young age. Having settled in Rostov on the shore of Lake Nero, he began to actively preach among the local pagans, enduring ridicule and beatings.
According to legend, next to the cell of Avramiy there was a temple with an idol of the god Veles, who inspired fear in the locals. One day, the Apostle John the Theologian appeared to the saint and gave him a staff topped with a cross. With this rod, Abramius crushed the idol. On the site of the temple, he founded the Epiphany monastery and a temple in honor of the Apostle John, becoming an active educator of the Rostov land. He baptized many pagans, taught children with love, and was an example of humility and diligence for the brethren. The monk died in old age, and his holy relics were found incorruptible during the reign of Grand Duke Vsevolod (1176-1212).
Prayers for November 11th
Orthodox believers pray to St. Anastasia of Rome on November 11. She is asked for strengthening in faith, guidance on the right path and help in a difficult situation. Also on this day, they pray to St. Avramius of Rostov. They turn to him for protection from dark forces and support in the fight against harmful passions.
Prayer to the Holy Martyr Anastasia of Rome
"Praise the virgins and glory to the martyrs, Venerable Anastasia! We fall down to you in the tenderness of our hearts, and we pray for your intercession with the Lord for us. If we do not share your purity with jealousy and fearless confession, then we have attracted the wrath of God with many sins and cruel falls and apostasy, but we do not want to die in our sins and, looking at your heroic deeds, we fight against the overcoming of our passions. But this is the leading thing, for apart from gracious help we can do nothing good, so we ask the Lord to grant you. For, O most glorious Holy Martyr, you have acquired great boldness towards your Master, for you have glorified Him in your pure soul and in your body through suffering, for you have despised all the seductions and reproaches of the tormentor, but having endured the uprooting of teeth and nails, and the cutting off of breasts and hands and feet, you have boldly cried out: "Christ is my riches and praise." Grant us spiritual gifts from our riches and our poverty, and keep our lives from immeasurable transgressions, grant us peace and serenity, protect us from need and despondency through your intercession, guide us to one another in obedience and brotherly love, and always lift up the eyes of our hearts to the Lord, that we may ever glorify the Father and the Son and The Holy Spirit's power, and your warm intercession forever and ever. Amen to that."
Prayer to St. Avramius of Rostov
"Oh, our Reverend Father Abraham! Do not forget us, but always remember us in your holy, God-pleasing prayers to God. Remember thy flock, which thou thyself didst shepherd, and do not forget to visit thy children, and pray for us, holy Father, for having boldness to the Lord, we do not think that thou art dead, even though thou hast passed away from us, our good shepherd! Behold, thy holy relics are before our eyes: but thy holy soul, with angelic bodiless faces, cometh to the Throne of all the King, rejoicing worthily. Grant us therefore time to repent, that we may pass from earth to heaven unhindered, and be delivered from eternal torment, and inherit the heavenly kingdom with all the righteous who have been pleasing our Lord Jesus Christ from time immemorial. He deserves all glory, honor, and worship with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs of the Paraskeva Linyanitsa national holiday.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
