A special holiday on November 15 is Akindin and Pigasy: history, traditions, omens

Every year on November 15, Orthodox believers remember the holy martyrs Akindin, Pigasy and seven thousand Christians who suffered for their faith. In the national calendar, the date is known as Akindinov Day, or Granary. In 2025, the holiday falls on a Saturday. Read about its spiritual significance, ancient traditions, prohibitions and weather signs in the Izvestia article.

Church holiday on November 15th

The history of this day goes back to the fourth century, during the reign of the Persian king Sapor II, one of the most implacable persecutors of Christianity in the eastern part of the Roman Empire. He was surrounded by two high—ranking courtiers, Akindin and Pigasy. Despite their position at court, they were followers of Jesus, well aware of the deadly danger their faith posed.

However, the secret was soon revealed — envious people informed the king about the "apostates." Akindin and Pigasy appeared before the Court, but even under the threat of severe torture and imminent death, they courageously and with dignity confessed their faith in one God and the Holy Trinity.

The tsar ordered them to be tortured, but during the torture none of the martyrs made a sound. The executioners succeeded each other, but the saints remained steadfast. Even the king himself could not stand what he saw. He lost consciousness and was mistaken for the dead, but at the prayer of Akindin and Pigasy he regained consciousness.

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Interpreting the incident as a manifestation of witchcraft, he ordered the torture to continue. But the flames went out, and the ropes holding the martyrs miraculously disintegrated. When the king asked how this was possible, they told him about the Savior doing great things.

The tsar became blind with rage and began publicly blaspheming the Name of God. Then the saints exclaimed: "May your mouth be silent!" And Sapor was speechless. Distraught, he beat himself, tore his hair, tore off his robe. Saint Akindin took pity on him and restored his ability to speak, but the king again explained this miracle by "magic."

Inspired by the miracles and steadfastness of the martyrs, many witnesses of the events, including the mother of King Sapor and the executioner Affonius, were imbued with faith in Jesus. They openly converted to Christianity, and the heavenly rain that fell in the midst of the execution became for them a symbolic Baptism bestowed from above.

When the number of converts exceeded several thousand, the king, in a panic, ordered everyone to be executed. Akindin and Pigasy were beheaded, and another 7,000 Christians were killed by the guards. The next day, the bodies of the martyrs were burned, but at night Christians secretly came to the place of execution and found them incorruptible. They were reverently buried.

Traditions of the Akindin and Pigasy folk festival on November 15th

November 15 has become firmly established in popular culture as Akindin Day. In the villages, it was also called Granaries, which reflected the main meaning of the holiday — caring for the safety of the harvest and the protection of grain.

On this day, the peasants prayed to Akindin and Pigasy, who were revered as the patrons of barns, sheep houses and granaries, where the main supplies for the winter were stored. The ancestors believed that it was on November 15 that the saints went around the outbuildings, checking the order and cleanliness. Those who have them carefully, who have wisely removed the grain, receive help and patronage. And if they find ruin, they will be punished. Therefore, on this day, the men were in a hurry to put them in order, fix the shelves, and clear the corners of debris.

In the old days, grain was dried in sheeps, making open fires, and the slightest spark could turn into disaster. To save supplies, on November 15, the peasants remembered the house spirits — ovinnik, humennik and rizhnik. Treats were left for them in secluded places — a piece of bread, grits, honey. This was done not out of superstition, but out of respect for the forces that were credited with protecting the farm.

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Akindin's day was also considered a time of purification of the soul. Before sunset, it was necessary to reconcile with those with whom the conflict had occurred, otherwise the year threatened to turn into quarrels and losses.

Women tried to complete household chores, and unmarried girls paid attention to their inner feelings — if the heart suddenly stopped and then began to beat faster, this was considered a harbinger of an imminent wedding.

This day was considered especially favorable for shopping — everything purchased promised to be durable and bring joy. Also, according to beliefs, the wishes made in the Breadbasket had a special power if you say them from the bottom of your heart.

What not to do on the Akindin and Pigasy holiday on November 15th

There were many signs and strict prohibitions associated with Akindin's Day, especially if the date fell on a Tuesday. In this case, the ancestors considered it extremely undesirable to repay debts — the money would then flow through their fingers. The rest of the time, the rules were also strict.:

What else you can't do on November 15th:

• Drinking alcohol and sweets can lead to illness and malaise.;
• Buying cheap things leads to sad events;
• Telling other people's secrets leads to a dark period in life;
• to show aggression or offend others leads to strife and scandals in the family.

Folk signs for November 15th

On Akindin's Day, the peasants noticed weather signs — they helped them make a forecast for the coming months.:

• Snow on November 15 — there will be a big flood in spring;
• mud on the roads — warm weather will last until the beginning of December;
• bullfinches sing — to severe frosts;
• the abundance of jackdaws, chickadees and pigeons in the yard is for a snowfall soon;
• cloudy sky — prolonged warming is coming;
• clouds are floating against the wind — a blizzard is about to break out.

Earlier, Izvestia told about the traditions and signs of the special national holiday Kuzminki autumn.