Folk signs for November 19th: what can and cannot be done

In Russia, signs and beliefs were given special importance. They were used to determine when to start and end the agricultural season, when to have weddings, put the house in order, and hit the road. The national calendar was full of rituals and superstitions. Izvestia tells about the signs for November 19th and the church holidays that fall on this date.

Folk signs for November 19, 2025

In Russia, on November 19, the day of Pavel Ledostav was celebrated, since in many regions by that time rivers and lakes were frozen, which marked the end of autumn. The ancestors believed that from this day on, winter comes into its full rights, and therefore all preparatory work (warming houses, harvesting firewood, etc.) must be completed.

With the onset of Winter Break, a new season opened for anglers and hunters. The men began to prepare gear for ice fishing, checked and repaired the nets. Before going out on the ice for the first time, in order to appease the water man and ensure a good catch, an offering was thrown into the hole — pieces of bread, sweets or coins.

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On November 19th, the ancestors paid attention to various omens, hoping to learn more about the future harvest and the upcoming winter. The main "predictor" was ice — if it stood up in mounds, they knew that a lot of bread would be born next year. If the surface of the ice remained smooth, it was understood that a crop failure was coming.

Other signs of the day:

• heavy snowfall — for a snowy and long winter;
• windless weather leads to severe frosts.;
• frost on the trees — for frosty, clear weather;
• Birds are flying low — it's going to snow soon;
• geese swim in the polynya — a thaw is approaching.

What not to do on November 19th

In order not to incur setbacks, illnesses and financial losses on themselves and their family, on the day of Paul the Ice Age, the ancestors adhered to a number of prohibitions. So, one should not wear dirty or old clothes on a holiday, otherwise, according to beliefs, one could lose one's wealth.

What else can't be done on November 19th

• breaking ice on reservoirs can anger a water person and lead to crop failure.;
• to lend or borrow money — financial losses will last until spring;
• washing and drying clothes on the street leads to illnesses in the family;
• to make deals and make large purchases — any financial endeavor can turn into losses;
• Breaking promises leads to life difficulties;
• Eating meat can be harmful to your health.;
• to quarrel and argue — any evil word said on that day can come back in double size.

Church holiday on November 19th

On November 19, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Paul the Confessor, who lived in the fourth century. In 340, at the height of the struggle against the Arian heresy, he was elected Patriarch of Constantinople. Despite the love of his flock, he was expelled from the capital three times by order of the heretic emperor Constantius. After the death of Emperor Constantine, the defender of the Orthodox, the saint was exiled to the Armenian city of Kukuz, where in 350 he suffered a martyr's death — the Arians strangled him with an omophorion during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. In 381, during the reign of Emperor Theodosius the Great, his holy relics were solemnly transferred to Constantinople.

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Also on November 19, believers remember St. Barlaam of Khutyn, who lived in the XII century. He was the son of a noble Novgorodian, and chose the path of monasticism, retiring to the Lisichy Monastery. Later, he settled on a hill in the Hutyn tract near Novgorod. In complete solitude, he spent his life in prayer and hard work, chopping down forests and cultivating the land with his own hands. Over time, the disciples gathered around him, and a monastery was founded with a temple in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The Lord endowed the monk with the gift of miracle-working and perspicacity. Before his blessed death in 1192, he handed over the management of the monastery to his friend, Monk Anthony, bequeathing the brethren to preserve the Orthodox faith and humility.

Prayer for November 19th

Orthodox believers pray to St. Paul the Confessor on November 19. He is asked for spiritual fortitude, protection from natural disasters and misfortunes, maintaining peace in the family, and good luck in hunting or fishing. Also on this day, they pray to St. Barlaam of Khutyn. They turn to him for healing from ailments, help in difficult life situations and guidance on the right path.

Prayer to the Holy Martyr Paul the Confessor

"O most honorable and sacred head and full of the grace of the Holy Spirit, dwelling of the Savior with the Father, great bishop, our warm intercessor, to Saint Paul, standing at the Throne of all Kings and enjoying the light of the consubstantial Trinity and cherubic angels, proclaiming the trisagion hymn, and having great and unexplored boldness towards the all-merciful Master, pray for the salvation of the flock of Christ by the people Confirm the well-being of the holy churches: bishops, adorn the monks with the splendor of holiness, strengthen the monks with the asceticism of the good current, preserve the reigning city and all cities and countries with goodness, and keep the holy immaculate faith, pacify the whole world through your intercession, deliver us from gladness and destruction, and preserve us from the attacks of foreigners, comfort the old, guide the young, Be wise to the insane, have mercy on widows, intercede for orphans, raise up infants, bring back captives, free those who are weak and pray to you from all adversity and trouble through your intercession: pray for us to the All-merciful and Loving Christ our God, that on the day of His Terrible Coming He may deliver us from our suffering, and grant us the joys of the saints with all the saints in forever and ever. Amen to that."

Prayer to St. Barlaam of Khutyn

"O our Venerable and God-bearing Father Barlaam! Hear us as we pray to you, and be our helper in our sorrows, and deliver us from the misfortunes that beset us for the multitude of our sins; beseech, O God of Christ, the All-good God, to grant us the forgiveness of all from our youth to the present day and hour, in deed, word, thought, and all feelings of the sins we have committed, intercede for us O unselected entrance into the heavenly Kingdom, may we glorify the All-Holy Trinity, unceasingly glorified by Angels, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and your merciful intercession forever and ever. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs of the Jonah Day national holiday.