A special holiday on November 13 is Spyridon and Nicodemus: history, traditions, omens

Every year on November 13, Orthodox Christians remember St. Nicodemus and St. Spyridon of the Caves. In the national calendar, the date is known as the day of Spyridon and Nicodemus. In 2025, it falls on a Thursday. Read about the history and spiritual meaning of the holiday, rituals and omens in the Izvestia article.

Church holiday on November 13th

On November 13, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of Saints Spyridon and Nicodemus of the Caves, monks of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra who labored in the 12th century. Their life path is inextricably linked with the Anthony Caves, a place of work and spiritual improvement, strict monastic rules and continuous prayer. The ascetics spent more than 30 years baking prosphora— a special liturgical bread, without which worship is impossible.

Saint Spyridon came to the monastery at an advanced age, possessing deep piety and inner concentration. He not only performed obedience in the monastery bakery, but also constantly prayed, sang psalms and gradually learned to read and write. Later, he became famous for the gift of healing and foresight. According to contemporaries, not only monks, but also laypeople went to him for advice, support and spiritual solace. Many left him, having recovered not only physically, but also mentally.

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Saint Nicodemus, his younger colleague in monastic work, shared the same rigor in asceticism and devotion to service. Together they witnessed a miracle that forever cemented for them the image of guardians from disasters. According to legend, during one of the night shifts, a fire broke out in the bakery — the floor caught fire, the flames threatened the shrines.

Then Spyridon covered the fire with a monk's robe, and the flame went out without causing damage. No one was injured, and the monastery bakery continued to operate. This event made the saints figures of special veneration as protectors from fire and destruction.

After their death, their relics were buried in Nearby caves, where they are still a place of pilgrimage. Today, Saints Spyridon and Nicodemus remain symbols of humility, selfless work, and spiritual strength capable of protecting even against natural disasters.

Traditions of the national holiday of Spyridon and Nicodemus on November 13

In the folk tradition, the day of remembrance of the prosphorniks of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra has received many names. Somewhere it was known as Spyridon's day, in other places — as Nicodemus Day, or simply Spyridon and Nicodemus. In the northern regions, the name "Jurassic" was widespread, and in the south the expression "Autumn send-off" was found.

In Russia, on November 13, peasants completed the transition to a winter lifestyle. First of all, attention was paid to chicken coops — the bird was moved to warm, pre-prepared rooms. It was no accident that the people said: "They didn't insulate the chicken coop in Spyridon, and they squandered their wealth."

Poultry houses were insulated with straw and hay, young and old chickens were separated, and those who were weak or could not stand the cold were slaughtered for meat. This day was a kind of boundary between the active farming season and the beginning of winter rest.

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The morning traditionally began with a visit to the temple. The faithful turned to Saints Spyridon and Nicodemus with prayers for protection from troubles, asked for the well-being of the family, and for the health of the children.

A special place in the tradition was occupied by a rich festive table. The housewives cooked chicken dishes, believing that hot homemade food on this day brings prosperity to the house. They cooked rich noodles, baked chicken coops, baked poultry with vegetables, made burgers and roasts. The simple but hearty meal symbolized the completion of hard field work and the upcoming winter regularity.

In the north of Russia, fishermen went fishing on this day, which could last until spring. The departure to the sea was accompanied by a solemn send-off.

What not to do on the feast of Spyridon and Nicodemus

Certain prohibitions based on fear of evil spirits were associated with the day of Spyridon and Nicodemus in popular culture. It was believed that on November 13, there was a particularly high risk of encountering otherworldly forces, so the ancestors avoided communicating with strangers and tried not to let anyone into the house unless absolutely necessary.

What else you can't do on November 13th:

• to lend and borrow money — you can "give away" luck and financial well-being;
• making large purchases, spending money unnecessarily — there is a risk of falling into poverty.;
• to enter into conflicts, to quarrel — any quarrels on this day promise misfortune and crop failure.;
• to break the silence in the house is a sign of disrespect for the saints, the patrons of the hearth.

Folk signs for November 13

On November 13, the peasants carefully observed nature, which traditionally served as a guide for the coming days.:

• bullfinches began to sing — frosts are expected soon;
• Sparrows are actively chirping — the temperature will rise soon.;
• light rain in the morning leads to prolonged dampness and bad weather.

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