Folk signs for November 28: 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 Friday, November 28, and which church holidays are celebrated on this day.
Folk signs for November 28, 2025
In Russia, Guriev Day was celebrated on November 28. This date was associated with the late autumn mudslide, when the roads were muddy from rain and sleet, becoming similar to the piebald color of a horse. People used to say, "Gury came on a piebald mare." From that day on, winter, according to legend, finally came into its own, scattering snow and frost around.
In the old days, it was believed that Guryev Day was the last deadline for serious home repairs before the onset of cold weather. Great attention was also paid to the care of livestock, especially horses — they were abundantly fed, cleaned and watered, believing that this would bring good luck to the owner. Even on the holiday, it was customary to go to the sauna so that the "good steam" would strengthen health, and devote the day to works of charity: people helped those in need, distributed warm clothes and visited lonely neighbors.
Observing natural phenomena, our ancestors made forecasts for the winter weather and the future harvest. According to folk signs, the snow that fell on this day will remain until spring and will serve as a good protection for winter crops. The clear and sunny weather on November 28, on the contrary, foreshadowed an early thaw and rapid snowfall.
Other signs of the day:
- hoarfrost on the trees — for a rich harvest next year;
- windless weather — winter will be warm and mild;
- scarlet morning dawns — for an imminent snowstorm and snowfall;
- Crows and jackdaws are walking and shouting loudly — to increase the wind;
- the horses are neighing loudly — for a mild and non-harsh winter.
What not to do on November 28th
On Guryev Day, as well as on many other significant dates of the national calendar, there were a number of strict prohibitions. Our ancestors believed that violating these rules could bring trouble, illness, and discord upon a person and their family. They were especially afraid of quarrels and manifestations of negative emotions, as the day was considered a time of mercy and reconciliation. You also shouldn't complain about your fate, so as not to accidentally invite new troubles.
What else can't be done on November 28th:
- quarreling and swearing, especially for spouses, leads to a long quarrel and the destruction of family relations.;
- To show greed and refuse help was to deprive a person of God's mercy.;
- swearing, gossiping, and lying—evil spirits could bring what they said to life.;
- washing husband and wife's clothes together leads to disagreements and quarrels in the family;
- to pour out dirty water after cleaning — you can "wash" luck and well-being from the house.;
- arrange noisy celebrations and overeat — on this day, the Christmas fast begins.
What is the church holiday on November 28th?
On November 28, the Orthodox Church commemorates the three holy martyrs who suffered for their faith in the first centuries of Christianity — Guria, Samon and Aviva. They died at different times, but on the same day, so the church tradition combined their names for joint veneration. Confessors lived in the city of Edessa in the III–IV centuries, during the period of severe persecution of Christians under the Roman pagan emperors.
The martyrs Gury and Samon were pious Christians who were arrested for refusing to sacrifice to idols. Despite long interrogations and severe tortures, they did not renounce their faith in Christ. Having shown unprecedented fortitude, both confessors were executed, remaining faithful to Christian ideals. Their feat became an example for future generations of believers.
A few years later, Deacon Aviv died a martyr in the same city. He was a young and zealous preacher who openly denounced pagan errors. The authorities put him on the wanted list, but Aviv, wanting to protect him from the persecution of other Christians, turned himself in to his executioners. At the trial, he fearlessly confessed his faith in the Savior and was sentenced to be burned. According to legend, the fire did not damage his body, and Christians buried the martyr with honors next to the relics of Gury and Samon.
On the same day, November 28, Orthodox Christians begin one of the four multi—day fasts - Christmas. It lasts for 40 days, until Christmas Day on January 7. Therefore, it is sometimes called Lent. Originally, in the first centuries of Christianity, fasting before Christmas lasted about a week. The tradition of 40-day fasting was established in the 12th century and continues today.
Prayers on November 28
Saints Gury, Samon, and Aviv are asked to guide them on the path of righteousness, comfort the suffering and grieving, and protect the Orthodox from adversity, evil people, and diabolical machinations. During the Christmas fast, Christians ask the Lord for strength for spiritual perfection, cleansing the soul from sins and worthy preparation for the bright feast of the Nativity of Christ.
Prayer to Gury, Samon and Aviv
"O holy Martyrs and Confessors of Christ, Guria, Samona and Aviva! We are our intercessors and prayer books before God, in the tenderness of our hearts, gazing upon your most pure image, we humbly beseech you: hear us, your sinful and unworthy servants, who are in trouble, tribulation and adversity, and despising our grave and innumerable transgressions, show us your great mercy, raise us from the depths of sin, enlighten us our mind, soften the evil and cursed heart, stop the envy, enmity and strife that live in us. Overshadow us with the peace, love and fear of God, and beseech the merciful Lord to cover the multitude of our sins with His ineffable mercy. May the Holy Church protect Her from unbelief, heresies and schisms. May He grant our country peace, prosperity, and fertility of the earth; love and harmony to spouses; obedience to children; patience to the offended; patience to those who offend the fear of God; complacency to those who grieve; abstinence to those who rejoice; complacency to those who grieve; abstinence to those who rejoice. May He cover us all with His almighty right hand, and may He deliver us from gladness, destruction, cowardice, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare and futile death. May He protect us with the army of His holy angels, so that, upon our departure from this life, we may be delivered from the machinations of the evil one and his secret aerial ordeals, and appear unconjudged before the Throne of the Lord of Glory, where thousands of holy Angels with all the saints glorify the most holy and magnificent name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages centuries. Amen to that."
Prayers during the Christmas Fast
Morning prayer
"Our Father who art in heaven! May your name shine, Your kingdom come, and Your will be done, both in heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread; and deliver us from our debts, as we also forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thy power and will are for ever and ever. Amen to that."
Prayer after eating
"We thank You, O Christ God, for having nourished us with your earthly blessings; do not deliver us from the kingdom of God, but as You have appeared among the disciples, O Savior, come to us and save us."
Evening Prayer
"Eternal and merciful God, forgive me the sins I have committed by deed, speech, or thought. Grant, O Lord, that my humble soul may be cleansed from all defilement. Grant me, O Lord, a restful sleep at night, so that in the morning I may once again serve Your most holy Name. Deliver me, O Lord, from vanity and dashing thoughts. For there is power and Thy kingdom, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia told what they pray to St. John Chrysostom.
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