A special holiday on November 23rd is Rodion and Erast: history, traditions, omens

Every year on November 23, Orthodox believers remember the six apostles from the seventy, including Erast and Rodion, disciples and companions of the Apostle Paul. In the national calendar, the holiday is called Rodion and Erast, or Rodionov Day. In 2025, it falls on a Sunday. Read about its history, traditions, strict prohibitions and omens in the Izvestia article.

What is the church holiday on November 23rd?

On November 23, the Church honors the memory of the six apostles from the seventy: Erastus, Rodion, Olympus, Sosipater, Quartus and Tertia. A special place among them is occupied by Erast and Rodion, disciples of the Apostle Paul, who accompanied him on his travels. In the minds of believers, the saints have become models of faithfulness, calm service, and perseverance in trials.

Erastes is mentioned in Paul's Epistle to the Romans as one of his closest associates. It is known that he came from a noble family, and was a treasurer in Greek Corinth when the apostle came to the city to preach.

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Paul's words shocked Erast, he believed in Christ and decided to accompany the apostle on his travels. Later, he preached in Macedonia, was a deacon in the Jerusalem Church, and bishop in the city of Panead. According to legend, he worked hard to convert pagans to Christianity.

Rodion (Herodion) in the Epistle to the Romans is called not only a companion, but also a relative of Paul. According to church sources, he was bishop of Patras, and also accompanied the apostle to Rome, where he was executed. On the day of Paul's crucifixion, Rodion was also beheaded along with other disciples.

Traditions of the national holiday Rodion and Erast on November 23

In folk tradition, the holiday was called Rodion and Erast, Rodionov Day, and Rodion Icebreaker, and was considered the boundary between the seasons when "autumn gives the keys to winter." It was by November 23 that a strong crust of ice appeared on rivers and ponds, roads sagged, became heavy, and daylight hours noticeably decreased. "From now on, wait for a strong fast," the ancestors said.

In the morning, believers went to churches, prayed to Erast and Rodion for the health of the household, a peaceful winter and the well-being of the house. For many, this was the last trip to the church before the steady snowfall, when the roads became difficult.

In everyday life, we tried to spend the day calmly. The national calendar advised on November 23 not to leave the house unnecessarily, especially in bad weather. The main chores — procurement, repairs, transportation of heavy goods — had to be completed by the holiday. Rodionov's Day was perceived in the villages as a kind of check whether everything was in order with supplies, warm clothes and household in general.

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On a holiday in Russia, it was customary to heat the stove, gather as a family, without noisy guests and feasts, engage in quiet work, and discuss household plans. The women were busy with the children, taking stock of the autumn. The men looked after the yard and the cattle.

What not to do on the Rodion and Erast holiday on November 23

According to beliefs, Rodionov's day required caution and inner concentration. There were a number of prohibitions associated with it, the violation of which could provoke trouble. Clothes were given special importance on the holiday. In some regions, it was forbidden to wear badly worn, torn or excessively gloomy clothes. It was believed that this way you could scare away luck and meet winter in need. On the contrary, neat or new wardrobe items were welcomed.

What else you can't do on November 23rd:

• take a bath, especially in the evening — long water treatments can cause trouble.;
• leaving the house unnecessarily — slippery roads and unstable ice can become sources of injury and misfortune.;
• quarreling and offending relatives — conflicts with loved ones portend illnesses and family disagreements throughout the winter;
• Borrowing and lending money can lead to a series of financial difficulties.;
• Going on a long journey means there is a risk of getting lost, getting into bad weather, or being delayed on the road.;
• to give and accept generous gifts — they can take away good luck.

Folk signs for November 23rd

On November 23rd, on Rodionov Day, the ancestors observed nature, especially the behavior of birds, in order to make a forecast of what winter would be like and how to make economic plans.:

• sparrows are chirping loudly, actively flying near houses — a short thaw is expected.;
• birds hide in the bushes, sit quietly and low — in case of a snowfall, blizzard or strong wind.;
• the roads have become muddy, sticky and dirty — the winter will be harsh, prolonged, with temperature fluctuations;
• frost on trees and roofs in the morning — for frosty and clear days;
• the snow fell evenly in the morning and does not melt — for a long and snowy winter.

Earlier, Izvestia told about the traditions and signs of the special national holiday Matryona Zimnyaya.

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