Folk signs for April 19: 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 April 19th and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for April 19th

In the national calendar, April 19 is a day dedicated to two saints: Saint Eutychius and the Martyr Jeremiah. However, peasant ingenuity changed the church names in its own way, giving rise to the nicknames Quiet and Proletary. The name was born from the main sign of this day, on which the life of a farmer literally depended. People said: "It's a quiet day on Eutychia, for the spring harvest," but if the wind blows, "the ear will be knocked down, you won't be able to harvest the grain."

According to the old style, the date fell on April 6, the very beginning of field work. The peasants were already preparing for sowing, and the weather on this day served as a kind of barometer for the coming months. Our ancestors believed that if the sky does not frown on this day and the tree branches do not bend, you can safely count on a rich harvest of bread and peas. Hence the affectionate address to the saint: Eutychius the Quiet, "quiet waters."

In the old days, this day was filled with chores and special rituals associated with the awakening of nature. It was believed that it was at this time that apple trees began to bloom. To appease the tree and get a rich harvest of fruits, the housewives worshiped the apple tree and propped up its heavy branches so that they would not break under the weight of future apples. Soaked apples were always served on the table and pies with apple and pea fillings were baked.

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Special attention was also paid to wild birds. If the ducks that returned from the south were well-fed and fat, it promised a long and cold spring. Our ancestors believed that ducks sense the weather better than any barometer. Spiders were also observed: if arthropods are curled up in a corner of the web, frosts will break out at night, and if they are actively flying through the air, it will be a hot summer.

Other signs of the day:

• the day is calm, windless and clear, leading to an excellent harvest of spring crops and vegetables;
• There was a strong wind, leading to a rainy summer and a poor harvest.;
• Morning fog is spreading over the ground, and the weather will be dry and warm until the end of April.;
• Wild ducks build their nests far from water bodies — in case of cloudy summers and floods.;
• spiders are weaving large nets — for a quick steady warmth;
• if there is a starry night on Eutychia, but without wind, it will lead to a good harvest of peas.

What not to do on April 19th

On April 19, the day of Eutychius the Quiet and Yerema the Proletarian, there were strict prohibitions. Violating them was considered a big mistake, because it could not only deprive the harvest, but also bring misfortune to personal life. They were especially afraid of offending the apple tree: it was strictly forbidden to cut branches from it. Superstition held that such an act could lead to "love loss"—separation or loneliness.

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

• holding a grudge against loved ones and swearing — a quarrel on this day can lead to a prolonged illness.;
• girls should wear dark or old clothes in order not to be left without a groom until next year.;
• leaving the house untidy until the evening — together with the garbage, you can sweep away good luck.;
• washing and pouring dirty water outside after sunset leads to financial losses.

What is the church holiday on April 19th?

On April 19 (April 6, Old Style), the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Eutychius, Archbishop of Constantinople, who lived in the sixth century. However, in 2026, this day coincides with the great passing holiday — Antipascha, or St. Thomas Sunday. Therefore, the main celebration is precisely Antipaskha, popularly called Krasnaya Gorka.

Antipascha is a Christian holiday celebrated in historic churches the week after Easter in honor of St. Thomas the Apostle. Many people are afraid of the prefix "anti", thinking that it means "against". However, this word is translated from Greek as "instead of Easter." It is like a second, renewed celebration of the Resurrection of Christ, his "giving."

On this day, they remember the gospel story about the Apostle Thomas, who was not present at the first appearance of the Teacher to the disciples. Doubting, Thomas declared, "Unless I see the nail wounds on His hands and put my finger in the nail wounds, I will not believe." On the eighth day, Christ appeared again and invited Thomas to put his fingers into his wounds, after which the apostle exclaimed: "My Lord and my God!"

Solemn services are held in churches in honor of Antipascha. The Liturgy ends Easter week by reminding the faithful that the Savior has risen for all, both for those who have seen miracles with their own eyes and for those who believe with their hearts.

Saint Eutychius lived during the reign of Emperor Justinian. He became famous as a zealous fighter against heresies. One day, the emperor himself succumbed to the false teachings of the "incorruptible evildoers," who claimed that the body of Christ was incorruptible and did not suffer until the Resurrection. Saint Eutyches courageously exposed this error at the Fifth Ecumenical Council, for which he fell out of favor. By order of the ruler, they tore off his patriarchal vestments and sent him into exile to the Amasi monastery for a long 12 years.

In exile, the saint became famous for numerous miracles and healings. He exorcised demons from the possessed, healed lepers, and even saved starving residents during the Persian raid by distributing grain from the monastery granaries, which were not depleted by his prayers. He returned to the pulpit only in old age, and peacefully departed to the Lord in 582.

The main prohibitions on Krasnaya Gorka are named so as not to bring trouble.

Prayers on April 19th

On Antipascha, Orthodox Christians pray for the strengthening of faith, thanksgiving for the Resurrection of Christ and the week they have lived, as well as for love, mercy and enlightenment of the mind. The faithful turn to Saint Eutychius with prayers for strengthening faith, healing mental and physical ailments, as well as for the gift of humility in difficult life circumstances.

Prayer on Fomino Sunday

Troparion, glas 1

"I am sealed with stones from the Jews, and I am a warrior who guards Your Most pure Body. You are risen on the third day, O Savior, and grant life to the world. For this reason, for the sake of the heavenly power, I cry out to You, O Giver of Life: glory to Your resurrection, O Christ, glory to Your kingdom, glory to Your vision, O only Lover of mankind."

Kontakion, glas 5

"With a curious right hand, Thy life-giving side Thomas was tested, O Christ God; for thou didst enter into a closed door, and with the rest of the apostles we cried out to thee: Thou art the Lord and my God."

Prayer to Eutychius of Constantinople

Troparion, glas 4

"The rule of faith and the image of the teacher's meekness and abstinence reveal to your flock the truth of things, for which you have acquired high humility and rich poverty. Father Eutyches, pray to Christ God for our souls to be saved."

Kontakion, glas 8

"May Eutychia, who is truly divine, sing, O people, with love, as she prays to the Lord for all of us, a great shepherd and minister, a wise teacher, and a banisher of heresies."

Earlier, Izvestia told us what Theodosia of Tyre is praying for.