Folk signs for January 10: what can and cannot be done

In Russia, folk signs have played an important role since ancient times. They helped predict the weather, plan household chores, and form an idea of the future. Every day of the national calendar was filled with rituals and superstitions. Izvestia tells about traditions and omens on January 10, as well as about the church holidays that are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for January 10, 2026

According to the national calendar, January 10 is Household Day, also known as Christmas Meat Eater. This holiday fell during the period of the Yuletide festivities after Christmas and symbolized a return to working days, but with a mandatory family feast. The ancestors gathered at the same table, and all household chores and preparations for the holiday were divided equally among the household.

The main tradition was to honor the older family members, the founders of the clan. Their relatives gave them warm clothes, such as socks and felt boots. A variety of meat dishes were served on the tables and a common good family wish was always made. It was believed that this strengthens family ties and attracts well-being for the whole year.

Other signs of the day on January 10th:

• Sparrows are chirping loudly — it's going to get warmer soon;
• the dog is lying in the snow and does not climb into the booth — there will be a snowstorm;
• The cat curled up into a ball, ready for the frosts;
• large snowflakes are slowly falling — warming is expected;
• frost on the trees and windless weather — for a successful and fruitful year;
• damp salt — to bad weather.

What not to do on January 10th

There were strict prohibitions on this day: it was strictly forbidden to swear, get angry and quarrel with loved ones, as conflicts could ruin family relations.

What else can not be done on January 10:

• Spending the day alone, feeling sad leads to longing;
• leaving windows and doors open leads to the expulsion of happiness from the house.;
• Going anywhere can lead to trouble for those who are away from home.
• borrowing and lending money leads to financial problems.

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What is the church holiday on January 10th?

On January 10, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Holy Martyr Nicodemus, Bishop of Belgorod (Alexander Mikhailovich Kononov, 1871-1919). He was born into a priest's family in the Arkhangelsk province and was educated at the Arkhangelsk Seminary and the St. Petersburg Theological Academy. In 1896, he became a monk with the name Nicodemus and held senior positions in the theological educational institutions of St. Petersburg.

In the 1900s, Nicodemus was rector of the Kaluga and Olonets seminaries, engaged in the compilation of akathists to saints and spiritual literature, researched the history of the elders and glorified the ascetics of faith. In 1911, he was ordained bishop and in 1913 became Bishop of Belgorod, actively engaged in organizational and educational activities.

During the Civil War, Bishop Nicodemus was arrested by the Red Commissars for preaching against violence and was soon secretly shot. His remains were later reburied in the Holy Trinity Monastery next to the shrine of St. Joasaph of Belgorod. Saint Nicodemus is revered as an example of spiritual fortitude and fidelity to the Orthodox faith.

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Prayers on January 10th

On this day, the church honors the memory of the Holy Martyr Nicodemus (Kononov), Bishop of Belgorod. He is known as a zealot of Orthodoxy and a defender of believers, who helped people spiritually and physically. The troparion and kontakion to the saint emphasize his feat and request for intercession.

Kontakion to the Holy Martyr Nicodemus (Kononov), Bishop of Belgorod, glas 8.

"You who have been chosen as the lamp of the land of Belogradsk, who have accepted the sufferings and death of Christ for the sake of Him, and thus have found indestructible grace, help us through your intercession in the establishment of Orthodoxy, so that with faith we may call you: Hail, Holy Martyr Nicodemus, archpastor and fervent prayerful!"

Prayer to the Holy Martyr Nicodemus (Kononov), Bishop of Belgorod.

"O holy head, to the long-suffering Saint Nicodemus, according to the glory of God, you have become a universal saint again, and you have accepted a worthy part of it. Meanwhile, mercifully looking down upon us from the height of heaven, beseech the All-merciful Christ our God to grant us all that we need for salvation, peace and prosperity to the Churches, ask reverence and fear of God from the clergy, our merciful intercessor, monks in prayer, piety to the people and strong standing in faith, nursing a baby, chastity to the young, from pernicious vices and Deliver us from open and hidden passions, grant us a pure heart and true repentance to all who pray to you. Visit those who sit in prisons, preserve those who travel, encourage those who are despondent and desperate, protect and deliver us from all enemies visible and invisible, protect us from aerial ordeals and at the Last Judgment of God, so that we may all glorify God the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Tri-hypostatic Power, the One Kingdom and Dominion, and you, our zealous prayer book, to the Holy Martyr Nicodemus the Glorious. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia told what they were praying to St. Nikon of Pechersk.

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