Folk signs for February 2: what can and cannot be done
In Russia, signs and beliefs were given special importance. They were used to determine when to sow and harvest, when to prepare for winter, get married and go on a trip. Every day of the national calendar was full of rituals and superstitions. Izvestia tells about the signs for February 2 and the church holidays that fall on this date.
Folk signs for February 2, 2026
In the national calendar, February 2 is called Yefimov Day, Winter Yefimiy or Blizzard Day. The last two names eloquently indicate the unpredictable, often cold and blizzard-like weather of this period. Nevertheless, the day was considered favorable for important family matters.
Weddings were traditionally held in Russia on February 2, as it was one of the last "windows" for the wedding before the onset of Lent. The day was also considered favorable for matchmaking and declarations of love. An important rite was a visit to the bathhouse in order to "wash away" all sorrows from the body and soul and meet spring renewed, without old adversities.
Housewives always baked fresh bread on this day. It was believed that if each family member ate a piece, it would save everyone from diseases throughout the next year. To attract prosperity, the house was thoroughly cleaned — old, unnecessary things were sorted and thrown away. According to legend, this made room for something good.
On Yefimov's day, the ancestors carefully watched for various signs. They believed that the weather on a holiday would be the same on Shrovetide.
Other signs of the day
- a clear day leads to early spring and rainy summer;
- Cloudy — spring will be cold;
- A cat scratches the floor in a snowstorm;
- Losing a mitten or glove can lead to financial difficulties.;
- frost — for night frosts.
What not to do on February 2nd
A number of strict prohibitions were associated with Yefimov's Day, aimed at preserving health, well-being and protection from poverty. On a holiday, no change was picked up from the ground, even if it fell out of your pocket, otherwise, according to legend, you can live the next three years in poverty.
What else can't be done on February 2nd
- arguing with relatives — the instigator of the quarrel may become seriously ill.;
- petting cats leads to financial problems;
- For unmarried girls, crying alone can make life dreary and lonely.;
- Using sharp objects is a risk of injuring yourself or harming others.;
- leaving the house in untidy or old clothes leads to failures;
- to arrange noisy feasts in bad weather — fun and laughter can attract evil spirits into the house.
What is the church holiday on February 2nd?
On February 2, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Euthymius the Great, who lived in the fourth and fifth centuries. He was born into a pious Armenian family. Having lost his father early, the boy was placed in the care of his uncle, who introduced him to Bishop Otrius of the Melitene Church. Seeing the boy's virtue, the bishop appointed him a reader, and then ordained him a presbyter and entrusted him with the leadership of all the city monasteries. But Euthymius sought solitude. At the age of 30, he secretly went to Jerusalem and settled as a hermit in the Faran Lavra, where he earned his living by weaving baskets.
Over time, the brethren gathered around the ascetic. Euthymius became the confessor of the new monastery, instructing the monks in obedience, humility and diligence. He actively fought against heresies, converted and baptized many Arabs, including the military commander Aspevet (baptised Peter), who later became a bishop. The fame of the ascetic wonderworker soon spread so much that Euthymius began to seek solitude again. But the Lord in a vision told him not to drive away those who came to him for salvation. After that, the saint founded a Monastery near Jerusalem, which was consecrated by Patriarch Juvenal in 429. Euthymius the Great was a zealous defender of Orthodoxy, accepted and supported the decisions of the Council of Chalcedon. He died peacefully at the age of 97, predicting his demise.
Also on February 2, believers remember the Venerable Euthymius and Khariton of Syanzhemsky, Russian ascetics of the XV – early XVI century. Euthymius came from the Volokolamsk lands to the Spasokamenny Monastery on Kubensky Lake, and then, striving for silence, settled in a secluded cell among the marshes near the mouth of the Kushta River. Later, at the request of St. Alexander of Kushta, he moved to the river Syanzhemu, where monks and locals began to come to him for spiritual guidance. Subsequently, the saint was joined by his disciple, the Monk Khariton. Euthymius built a church on Syanzhem in honor of the Ascension of the Lord and founded a monastery at it. He became an example to the brethren in prayer, humility, and labor, contenting himself with the scantest food and clothing. The saint died around 1465 and was buried in the church he founded. Khariton Syanzhemsky continued his work.
Prayers for February 2nd
Orthodox believers pray to St. Euthymius the Great, as well as to St. Euthymius and Khariton of Syanzhem. They are asked for healing from illnesses, the gift of children, strengthening in faith and help in life situations.
Prayer to St. Euthymius the Great
"O holy head, Venerable Father, Most Blessed Abbot Euthymius, do not forget your poor to the end, but always remember us in holy and auspicious prayers to God: remember your flock, which you have saved yourself, and do not forget to visit your children. Pray for us, holy Father, for your spiritual children, for you have Boldness to the Heavenly King: do not be silent for us to the Lord, and do not despise us who honor you with faith and love: remember us unworthy at the Throne of the Almighty, and do not stop praying for us to Christ God, for you have been given the grace to pray for us. We don't think you're dead.: For though you have passed away from us in body, but you are still alive after death, do not depart from us in spirit, preserving us from the arrows of the enemy and all the charms of demons and the machinations of the devil, our good shepherd. For even though your relics of cancer are always visible before our eyes, your holy soul, with angelic hosts, fleshless faces, and heavenly powers, stands at the throne of the Almighty, rejoicing worthily, leading you in truth and being alive after death, we fall down and pray to you: pray for us to Almighty God, for For the benefit of our souls, and grant us time for repentance, so that we may safely pass from earth to heaven, and may we be delivered from bitter ordeals, demons of the air, and eternal torment, and may we be heiresses of the heavenly Kingdom with all the righteous who have pleased our Lord Jesus Christ from the beginning.: To Him belongs all glory, honor, and worship, together with His Beginningless Father, and with His All-holy, Good, and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."
Troparion to Euthymius and Khariton of Syanzhemsky
"Having fasted your desolate and silent life, our Venerable Fathers Euthymius and Khariton approached the cross of Christ on the rampart and diligently followed in His footsteps, fighting manfully against the invisible enemy and crushing his machinations, through prayers and tears, and the purity of God. Like the sun, you shine with the luminous rays of your miracles, save us all who call upon you with faith and create your honorable memory, and, having boldness to the Savior, ask for world peace and our souls will be saved."
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs of the Anton Perezimnik national holiday.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
