Folk signs for October 26: 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 Sunday, October 26, and which church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for October 26, 2025

In Russia, on October 26, the feast of Agathon Banny was celebrated. This name is associated with the main tradition of this day, namely bath procedures. On a holiday, our ancestors considered it obligatory to steam in a bath with a birch broom. Such a ritual, according to folk beliefs, added strength and hardened the body.

The baths were carefully cleaned, and then heated well so that steam and smoke would expel all the ailments. Vessels with infusions of medicinal herbs such as chamomile, St. John's wort and linden were placed inside the steam room. Hot steam combined with the aromas of plants was considered a powerful remedy for any ailments. They tried to appease the spirit of the bathhouse. They always left a small gift for him— a piece of bread, a jug of water or a piece of soap.

On Agafon Banny's day, we also closely observed nature and animal behavior in order to understand what the upcoming winter will be like. For example, if crows landed on the lowest branches of trees, it promised a strong wind in the coming days. Another harbinger of cold weather was a cat: if it curled up into a ball, then frosts are coming.

Other signs of the day:

• gray dawn without wind — the day will be clear;
• red clouds at sunset — for rainy weather;
• white frost on the trees — for bad weather;
• Clouds are drifting in from the south — warm days are ahead.;
• The rooster sings ahead of time — the weather will change soon;
• the cat drinks a lot of water — for the harsh winter.

What not to do on October 26th

There were also a number of strict prohibitions on the holiday, which was associated with increased activity of evil spirits. Our ancestors feared that any oversight could bring disaster. They were especially afraid of angering the Bannerman, who could send misfortunes in response, from burns to illnesses. Therefore, it was strictly forbidden to make noise and swear in the bathhouse.

Strong prayers to the Apostle James Alphaeus for family well-being and protection

What else can not be done on October 26:

• to leave the bathhouse backwards so that the Bannerman does not throw a hot coal in his back;
• Leaving dirty water in the bath overnight could have caused illnesses in the household.;
• telling outsiders about their plans — the ancestors believed that evil spirits could eavesdrop on a conversation and interfere with the implementation of their plans.;
• bragging about your successes — luck may turn away;
• borrowing and lending money is believed to lead to debts for the whole year.

What is the church holiday on October 26th?

On October 26, the Orthodox Church commemorates the early Christian martyrs Carp, Papila, Agathodoros and Agathonika. These saints suffered for their faith in Christ during the period of persecution under the Roman Emperor Decius in the 3rd century. Karp, who came from the family of a pagan priest, believed in Christ, was baptized and then became bishop of Thyatira. He ordained Papila as a deacon, who became his faithful companion in preaching the gospel.

When the local governor was informed that Carp and Papila did not participate in pagan rituals, they were captured and subjected to severe torture. Agathodorus, the servant who was beaten with ox veins, was the first to die for professing the Christian faith. After that, Carp and Papila were tied to wild horses and dragged over rocks to the city of Sardis. Despite the terrible wounds, the saints remained alive and only strengthened in their faith.

Papila's sister, Agathonika, voluntarily joined the martyrs. Seeing their suffering, she declared herself a Christian. The martyrdom of the saints ended in Pergamon, where they were beheaded by the sword. Their bodies were secretly buried by the faithful, and the relics were later transferred to Constantinople.

Also, on October 26, a celebration was established in honor of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God. The original of this miraculous icon, according to legend painted by the Evangelist Luke, is kept in the Iveron Monastery on Mount Athos. In Russia, the special veneration of this image began in the 17th century, when the icon's list was solemnly welcomed in Moscow in 1648 — on October 26 (October 13, Old style). Since that time, this date has become the day of celebration of the Iveron Icon in the calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The strongest prayer for the whole of October — these lines work wonders

On October 14, the Orthodox will celebrate the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos

Prayers on October 26

Believers turn in prayers to the martyrs Carp, Papila, Agathodorus and Agathonika with requests for strengthening faith, giving strength to endure life's difficulties and healing from diseases. In front of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, they pray for protection from enemies and all evil, consolation in sorrows, healing of ailments and granting family well-being. This image is also considered the patron saint of travelers.

Prayer to the Holy Martyrs

"Holy Martyrs Karpo, Papilo, Agathodore and Agathonika! Look down from the heavenly palace upon those who require your help and do not reject our petitions; but as our eternal benefactors and intercessors, pray to Christ God, that He who loves mankind and is full of mercy, may preserve us from every cruel situation: from cowardice, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare. May He not condemn us sinners according to our iniquities, and may we not turn the good things bestowed upon us by the all-merciful God to evil, but to the glory of His holy name and to the glorification of your mighty intercession. May the Lord grant us peace of mind through your prayers, abstinence from harmful passions and from all defilement. <...> Praying diligently, holy martyrs, may Christ God establish in His Most Holy Orthodox Church the living spirit of righteous faith and piety; may all its members, pure from superstition and superstition, worship Him in spirit and truth and they diligently take care of the observance of His commandments. May we all live in peace and piety in the present age and attain a blessed eternal life in heaven, through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom befits all glory, honor and power with the father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

Prayer on the feast of the Iveron Icon

"O Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord, Queen of Heaven and earth! Listen to the painful sighing of our souls, and look down from Your holy height upon us who worship Your most pure image with faith and love. Behold, we are immersed in sins and overwhelmed with sorrows, looking at Your image, as You are alive with us, we offer our humble supplications. For the Imams have no other help, no other intercession, no consolation, for You, O Mother of all those who grieve and are burdened! Help us, the weak, assuage our sorrow, guide us on the right path, the erring, heal and save the hopeless, grant us to spend the rest of our lives in peace and silence, grant us a Christian end, and at the Last Judgment of Your Son, appear to us, merciful Intercessor, so that we may always sing, magnify and glorify You, as a good The intercessor of the Christian family, with all those who pleased God. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia told what they pray to St. Theophan the Confessor.