Folk signs for November 13: what can and cannot be done

In Russia, omens have been given special importance since ancient times. They were used to judge the weather, when to sow and harvest, and what to expect in the future. Therefore, every day of the national calendar was full of rituals and superstitions. Izvestia tells about the popular signs of Thursday, November 13, and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for November 13, 2025

In Russia, the feast of Spyridon and Nicodemus, also known as the Autumn Send-off, was celebrated on November 13. By this date, the peasants had completed all the basic preparations for winter. The main concern was the arrangement of household life and putting in order outbuildings to survive the cold with minimal losses. Special attention was paid to chicken coops, as the well-being of the family in the cold months directly depended on their insulation.

The chickens were transferred to specially prepared winter shelters, leaving only the strongest and healthiest laying hens for wintering. Weak and sick poultry were slaughtered, and various dishes were prepared from the meat, the main of which was kurnik, a traditional pie with chicken filling. In addition, Spyridon's Day was considered a holiday of hunters and fishermen. It was usually at this time that they went out on their first rabbit hunt. Successful mining was perceived as a good sign, promising good luck in fishing for the next year.

Folk signs related to the weather on this day were especially important for planning winter work. If a strong wind blew on November 13, it foreshadowed a prolonged cold snap and a harsh winter. Bright, twinkling stars in the night sky, on the contrary, promised a snowy winter, but without severe frosts, which was a favorable sign for winter crops.

Other signs of the day:

• strong wind leads to prolonged cold weather;
• It's snowing in large flakes — the winter will be warm;
• fog in the morning — warming in a week;
• Sparrows are chirping loudly — the weather will be warm.;
• bullfinches began to sing — for the imminent onset of winter;
• the bear made a den on a hill — by high water in the spring.

What not to do on November 13th

The day of Spyridon and Nicodemus was considered a time when the boundary between the worlds thinned, and evil spirits could be particularly active. To protect ourselves from possible troubles, our ancestors strictly observed a number of prohibitions. They were afraid, for example, of conflicts with strangers who might turn out to be sorcerers. Special attention was paid to the protection of the house. For this, they used amulets, and also did not let outsiders outside the threshold.

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What else can't be done on November 13th:

• getting up early leads to illness and loss of strength;
• quarreling with the household leads to a family breakdown for the whole year;
• leaving empty dishes on the table leads to need and emptiness in the house;
• raising the money you find leads to financial losses;
• Picking up a loose button can expose you to the evil eye.;
• to take out the trash after sunset — happiness and well-being will leave the house.

What is the church holiday on November 13th?

On November 13, the Orthodox Church commemorates St. Nicodemus and St. Spyridon of the Caves, who lived in the 12th century. The saints labored in the Kiev Caves Lavra, spending more than 30 years in prayer and labors in the Anthony Caves. They performed a special duty — the preparation of prosphora. This is the name of the liturgical bread, the preparation of which requires not only labor, but also great piety and purity of heart.

Saint Spyridon came to the monastery at an advanced age. According to legend, while fulfilling his obedience in the bakery, he incessantly read prayers, and in his spare time he studied literacy in order to read the Holy Scriptures. Over time, he was granted the gifts of clairvoyance and healing from diseases.

His companion Spyridon, who shared with him all the hardships of monastic life, became famous as a miracle worker. One day, a fire broke out in the bakery. The flames began to spread rapidly through the room, threatening other buildings. With a prayer on his lips, Spyridon covered the fire with his mantle, and the flame miraculously died out. None of the brethren were injured, which was perceived as a clear evidence of God's intercession.

On the same day, the church honors the memory of the early Christian martyr Epimachus the New (Alexandrian), who lived in the III century. The saint was originally from Egypt and spent a long time as a hermit on Mount Pelusium in fasting and prayer. During the persecution of Christians in Alexandria, he left his solitude and came to the city, publicly speaking out against idolatry. Epimakh was captured and, after much torture, put to death.

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Prayers on November 13th

Reverends Spyridon and Nicodemus are addressed with prayers for the protection of the house from fire and natural disasters, as well as for help in any good deed that requires diligence and patience. They pray to the Martyr Epimachus for the gift of perseverance in the face of adversity and the strengthening of faith, especially during periods of life's trials and persecution.

Prayer to Spyridon of the Caves

"O holy head, Venerable Father, Most Blessed Abbot Spyridon, do not forget your poor ones to the end, but always remember us in your holy and auspicious prayers to God. Remember thy flock, which thou hast saved, and do not forget to visit thy children. Pray for us, holy Father, for your spiritual children, for you have boldness to the Heavenly King, do not be silent for us to the Lord, and do not despise us who honor you with faith and love. Remember us who are unworthy at the Throne of the Almighty, and do not stop praying for us to Christ God. <...> Do not depart from us in spirit, keeping us from the arrows of the enemy and all the charms of demons and the machinations of the devil, our good shepherd. <...> Pray for us to Almighty God, for the benefit of our souls, and ask us time for repentance, so that we may pass from earth to heaven unchallenged, and may we be delivered from bitter ordeals, demons of the air, and eternal torment, and may we be heiresses of the heavenly kingdom with all the righteous who have pleased our Lord Jesus Christ from time immemorial, and to Him belongs all glory, honor, and worship, with His Beginningless Father and with His Most Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

Prayer to Epimachus of Alexandria

Troparion, glas 4

"O Lord, thy martyr, Epimachus, in his suffering I have received an incorruptible crown from Thee, our God: for thou hast thy strength, overthrow the tormentors, and crush the demons of feeble insolence. Save our souls through your prayers."

Kontakion, glas 4

"You have suffered many wounds and received a crown from Christ God, and pray for us, Blessed Epimasha, who faithfully commemorate your memory, so that our souls may be saved."

Earlier, Izvestia told what Saints Zinovy and Zinovy of Yege pray for.

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