Folk signs for December 19th: 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, December 19th, and which church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for December 19, 2025

In Russia, on December 19, St. Nicholas of Winter was celebrated. In the Slavic tradition, he completed a three-day festive cycle, which also included Varvarin and Savvin days, and opened a series of winter Yuletide. Large tables were set on the streets of the villages, arranging the so-called nikolschina, or communal fraternity.

It was the main ceremony of the day. Disputes were resolved at the common table, community affairs and plans for the coming year were discussed. The poor and wanderers were invited to the Nikolschina, as it was considered a great sin to refuse mercy on a holiday. The winter matchmaking period traditionally opened with St. Nicholas. Our ancestors believed that a marriage negotiated for Nikola would be strong and happy.

Special importance was attached to weather signs. They were used to make forecasts for the long winter and the future harvest. If the roads were thoroughly covered with snow by that day, then they expected a long, snowy winter and a lot of grass in the spring. In the old days they used to say: "As much snow falls on Nikola, so much grass will be in the spring."

Other signs of the day:

• smoke from the chimney is coming in a column — to the frosts;
• icy roads — frosts will continue;
• The sparrows are chirping together for the snowfall.;
• A thaw has set in — the rest of the winter will be warm;
• It was a clear day — next year will be fruitful.

What not to do on December 19th

On St. Nicholas Day, as on other national holidays, there were strict prohibitions, the violation of which, according to beliefs, could lead to troubles and misfortunes. For example, it was believed that anyone who was sad or quarreling on that day could bring down severe frosts on everyone. It was also forbidden to engage in physical labor, sewing or cleaning, as this could take away the luck of the whole family.

What can and cannot be done on St. Nicholas Day

What else can't be done on December 19th:

• To refuse a request for help is to attract need into your home.;
• Spending a day alone can lead to problems in your personal life;
• borrowing money or borrowing leads to financial difficulties;
• to commit bad deeds and plan evil — heavenly punishment will overtake.

What is the church holiday on December 19th?

On December 19 (December 6, Old Style), the Orthodox Church commemorates one of the most revered saints, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. This day is set in memory of his blessed death, which, according to church tradition, occurred around the years 345-351. However, for believers, this is not a day of mourning, but a holiday dedicated to the triumph of the spirit and the passage of the saint into eternal life.

Saint Nicholas was born in the 3rd century in the Greek colony of Patara into a pious family. Since childhood, he showed rare zeal in faith, spending whole days in the temple. After becoming a priest and later bishop of the city of Mira, he became famous as a zealous defender of Christianity, a miracle worker and a great benefactor. His most famous miracles are taming the storm to save drowning sailors and helping a poor widower, to whom the saint secretly planted three bags of gold to save his daughters from dishonor.

On St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Memorial Day, the first stage of the Nativity Fast traditionally ends (it began on November 28), which serves as preparation for the great two—hundredth feast - the Nativity of Christ. For Christians, this is a time of spiritual purification, intense prayer and abstinence. Despite strict restrictions, indulgences are allowed on the holiday: fish and a little wine are allowed in food.

Throughout lent, it is important not to forget to read the basic prayers: before eating ("Our Father who art in heaven!"), after eating ("Thank You, O Christ God") and evening prayer ("Eternal and Merciful God").

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Prayers on December 19th

Saint Nicholas is approached with a variety of requests. He is considered a speedy helper and intercessor for all who are in trouble. Travelers and sailors pray to Him for a successful journey, parents for the health and well—being of their children, and the wrongfully offended for the protection and restoration of justice. They also turn to him with prayers for family peace, a successful marriage, help in business and healing from diseases. Traditionally, believers on this day tend to visit the temple to pray at the festive liturgy and venerate the icon of the saint.

Prayers to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

The first prayer

"O All-holy Nicholas, a most excellent servant of the Lord, our warm intercessor, and a speedy helper everywhere in sorrow! Help me, a sinner and despondent, in this present life, beseech the Lord God to grant me the remission of all my sins, which have sinned since my youth, in all my life, in deed, word, thought, and all my feelings; and in the exodus of my soul, help the wretched one, beseech the Lord God, the Creator of all creatures, to deliver me May I always glorify the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and your merciful intercession, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

The second prayer

"O all-good Father Nicholas, to the pastor and teacher of all who flow to your intercession by faith and call upon you with warm prayer! Strive quickly and deliver the flock of Christ from the wolves that destroy it; and protect every Christian country and preserve it with your holy prayers, from worldly rebellion, cowardice, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare, from famine, flood, fire and futile death; and for you have had mercy on three men sitting in prison and have delivered their king So have mercy on me, in mind, word, and deed, while I am in the darkness of my sins, and deliver me from God's wrath and eternal punishment, for through your intercession and help. By His mercy and grace, Christ God will grant me to live a quiet and sinless life in this place and will deliver me from this position, and will make me worthy to share it with all the saints. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia told us what they pray to St. Sava the Consecrated.

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