Folk signs for December 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 Saturday, December 13, and which church holidays are celebrated on this day.
Folk signs for December 13, 2025
In Russia, St. Andrew's Day, or Andrew the Winter, was celebrated on December 13. The holiday marked the beginning of winter and the preparation for the Nativity of Christ. Since the date fell on Lent, the celebration was calm and homely. Modest lean dishes were served on the table, among which fish occupied a special place.
One of the main events of the day was the rite of initiation of young men into adulthood. In the morning, a special ritual bread, kalita, was baked in the villages and hung on a rope. The guy's task was to get close to the treat and take a bite. The test was not easy, as the gate was "guarded" by older comrades who tried to interfere with the subject.
Those who managed to cope with the task were recognized as "adults", gaining the right to participate in evening gatherings with girls, to woo and take on serious work. Evening was traditionally a time of girlish fortune-telling. The girls baked small buns — "balabushki" — and used them to find out their fate. Another popular method was to throw a boot or felt boot over his shoulder — it was believed that the groom would come from the direction indicated by the toe of the shoe.
It was also believed that the day of St. Andrew the Winter gives many clues about what the winter and the future harvest will be like. The main predictor was the water in an ice hole or well. The calm, calm water foreshadowed a mild and even winter, and the rumble and bubbling promised severe frosts.
Other signs of the day:
- the snow that has fallen does not melt for a long time — the winter will be long and harsh;
- the wind blows from the south — to thaw, from the north — to frosts;
- a clear frosty morning — for a rich harvest next year;
- heat and slush on Andrey — for a lean and difficult summer.
What not to do on December 13th
As with other holidays, St. Andrew's Day had its own set of prohibitions. He was especially strict for women. On this day, any kind of needlework was prohibited — sewing, knitting, embroidery and spinning. There was a belief that a needle could "sew on" illnesses or failures. Any housework, including sweeping the floors, was also prohibited. It was believed that this was the way to "sweep" luck and prosperity out of the house.
What else can not be done on December 13:
- quarreling and swearing, especially for spouses — the conflict that has arisen risks escalating into a long-term strife;
- gossiping and slandering behind your back — all the negativity generated on this day can return to the person.;
- to go on a long journey — there was a fear of encountering evil spirits, which are especially active in winter;
- letting strangers into the house or visiting — an evil spirit could be hiding under the guise of a guest.
What is the church holiday on December 13th?
On December 13, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called. According to church tradition, the saint was born in Galilee, in the city of Bethsaida, and was a simple fisherman, like his brother Simon (the future Apostle Peter). From a young age, he sought spiritual truth and became a disciple of John the Baptist. When John pointed to Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God, Andrew was the first to follow Him, and then brought his brother to Him. For this, he received the name Pervozvanny.
After the Ascension of Christ and the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the apostles cast lots to determine the lands for preaching. Andrey got the areas around the Black Sea and the way up the Dnieper River. Having climbed the hills, the apostle blessed this place and erected a cross, predicting that "the grace of God will shine here." The apostle completed his earthly journey as a martyr in the Greek city of Patras, where he was crucified on an X-shaped cross, called the Andreevsky Cross.
On the same day, they remember another great ascetic, St. Frumenti, who brought Christianity to Ethiopia and is considered its enlightener. Frumenty was originally from Tyre, and in his youth he came to Abyssinia (Ethiopia). Wishing to enlighten the country with the light of Christianity, he went to Alexandria, where Patriarch Athanasius the Great ordained him Bishop of Abyssinia. Upon returning, the saint baptized the king and many of the inhabitants, built temples, and laid the foundation for the local Ethiopian Church, which he ruled until old age.
Prayers on December 13th
St. Andrew the First-Called, as the patron saint of seafarers, prays for safety in travel, especially by water, and good luck in fishing. They also pray to him for the protection of the Fatherland, for the conversion of those close to the faith and for a strong, happy marriage. Prayers are addressed to St. Frumentius for firmness in faith, help in educational work, and peace.
Prayer to St. Andrew the First-Called
"To the first-called Apostle of our God and Savior Jesus Christ, to the supreme follower of the Church, to the all-laudable Andrew, we glorify and magnify your apostolic labors, we sweetly remember your blessed coming to us, we appease your honorable sufferings that you endured for Christ, we kiss your sacred relics, we honor your holy memory and believe that the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives, the Lord lives And thy soul, and with Him, abidest in heaven forever, that thou mayest love us with the love that thou didst love us, when by the Holy Spirit thou didst see our conversion to Christ, and not only love, but also pray to God for us. <...> That through thy prayers he may always listen and accept God will give us everything we need for the salvation of us sinners. <...> Having you as an intercessor and a prayer book for us, we trust that your prayer can do much before our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who deserves all glory, honor, and worship with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen to that."
Prayer to St. Frumentius
Troparion, glas 4
"Reveal to your flock the rule of faith and the image of the teacher's meekness and abstinence. I am the truth of things, and for this you have acquired high humility, rich in poverty, Father, pray to Christ our God that our souls may be saved."
Glory, glas 2
"Divine thunder, spiritual trumpet, of faith to the impostor and the chopper of heresies, to the Holy Trinity, to the great saint, who always stands with the Angels, pray unceasingly for all of us."
Greatness
"We magnify you, holy Father, and honor your holy memory, for you pray to Christ our God for us."
Earlier, Izvestia told what they pray to St. John Chrysostom.
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