Folk signs for November 10: what can and cannot be done
In Russia, omens were given special importance. They were used to determine when to sow and harvest, when to have weddings and do household chores. The national calendar was full of traditions and rituals. Izvestia tells about the signs for November 10 and shares the advice of astrologers for the day.
Folk signs for November 10, 2025
In Russia, on November 10, Paraskeva Linyanitsa Day, or Friday, was celebrated. The holiday was considered exclusively female, so the "culprits of the celebration" were freed from hard work. It was only allowed to knead and ruffle the flax to prepare it for the creation of the fabric. Unmarried girls arranged "linen screenings", showing the results of their work to potential suitors and their mothers in order to establish themselves as future housewives.
In the popular consciousness, the Paraskeva Friday holiday is intertwined with the cult of the pagan goddess Makoshi, the goddess of fertility, the patroness of women and children. A special ceremony was performed in her honor: fabrics, threads, linen tow and sheep's wool were thrown into the well, hoping in this way to gain luck and prosperity for the coming year.
At Paraskeva, the ancestors paid attention to various weather signs. So, if the snow had already fallen, but there were leaves on the cherry, they understood that they could not expect frosts in the near future.
Other signs of the day:
- hoarfrost on the trees — for an early cold snap;
- morning fog leads to warming;
- the moon is in a foggy haze — the weather will turn bad;
- heavy snowfall — by early spring;
- There is no wind at night — it will be cold in the next few days.
What not to do on November 10th
On Paraskeva Friday, the ancestors observed a number of strict prohibitions in order not to incur setbacks and illnesses. On the holiday, women avoided quarrels, did not raise their voices at children and relatives, so as not to disrupt harmony in the family.
What else can not be done on November 10:
- doing needlework (sewing, embroidery, spinning) leads to diseases and vision problems;
- Laughing at other people's failures is a way to "take away" other people's troubles and misfortunes.;
- washing your hair leads to memory loss;
- bathing children — they may get sick;
- changing bed linen leads to family quarrels;
- to lend money to pregnant women is the way to "give away" the happy fate of the unborn child.;
- starting new businesses will not bring the desired result.
What is the church holiday on November 10th?
On November 10, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Great Martyr Paraskeva Friday, who lived in the third century. Orphaned at an early age, she took a vow of virginity and devoted herself to spreading the Christian faith. During the persecution of Emperor Diocletian, the saint was captured and suffered severe torture, but the Lord miraculously healed her wounds. Eventually, her head was cut off. Many believers received healing from the relics of the Great Martyr. In Russia, Saint Paraskeva has always enjoyed special love, being considered a healer of mental and physical ailments, as well as a guardian of family well-being.
Also on November 10, believers remember St. Dimitri of Rostov (in the world Daniel Tuptalo), one of the most revered Russian saints and spiritual writers. He was born in 1651 and from a young age devoted himself to the service of God. The main work of his life was the compilation of the Chetyamines, a multi-volume collection of the lives of saints for the whole year. This job required 20 years of hard work from him. As Metropolitan of Rostov, he zealously cared about educating his flock and fighting the schism that began after Patriarch Nikon's church reforms. The saint died in 1709, leaving behind no possessions except books and manuscripts. He was canonized in 1757.
Prayers for November 10th
Orthodox believers pray to the Great Martyr Paraskeva Friday on November 10. She is asked for healing from ailments, finding family happiness, having children, and for help in trade and agriculture. Saint Demetrius of Rostov is also worshipped on this day. They ask him for a peaceful life, protection from enemies, strengthening of faith and guidance of the lost.
Prayer to the Great Martyr Paraskeva Friday
"O holy and most blessed Martyr of Christ, Paraskevo, virgin beauty, praise of the martyrs, purity of image, magnanimous mirror, wise wonder, guardian of the Christian faith, accuser of idols, champion of the Divine Gospel, zealot of the commandments of the Lord, who was vouchsafed to come to the abode of eternal peace and in the palace of your Bridegroom, Christ God, joyfully rejoicing, with the pure crown of virginity And decorated with martyrdom! We beseech you, holy martyr, to be sorrowful for us to Christ God, Whose most blessed sight always rejoices; pray to the All-merciful One, whose word opens the eyes of the blind, that He may deliver us from the sickness of our eyes, both bodily and spiritual; lighten with your holy prayers the dark darkness that has come from our sins, ask the Father for Light, the light of spiritual grace and with our bodily eyes; enlighten us, darkened by sins, with the light of God's grace, so that, for the sake of your holy prayers, sweet sight may be given to the impure. Oh, great saint of God! Oh, the bravest maiden! Oh, the mighty martyr Saint Paraskevo! Through your holy prayers, help us sinners, intercede and pray for the wretched and very negligent sinners, hasten to help us, for we are very weak. Pray to the Lord, O pure virgin, pray to the Merciful, holy martyr, pray to thy Bridegroom, O immaculate bride of Christ, that through thy prayers thou mayest help us, and, having abounded in the darkness of sin, in the light of true faith and Divine deeds, let us enter into the eternal light of the never-ending day, into the city of eternal joy, in which thou now shinest brightly with glory and endless joy, We glorify and hymn with all the Heavenly Powers the Trisagination of the One Deity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."
Prayer to St. Demetrius of Rostov
"O all-blessed Saint Demetrius, great servant of Christ, Chrysostom of Russia, hear us sinners who pray to you, and bring our prayer to the Merciful and Loving God, to Whom you are now in the joy of saints and with the countenance of an Angel! Beseech His goodness, that He may not condemn us according to our iniquities, but may He deal with us according to His mercy. Ask for a peaceful and serene life from Christ and our God, mental and physical health, fertility of the earth, and all abundance and prosperity in everything, and may we not turn the good things bestowed upon us by the Generous God to evil, but to His glory and to the glorification of your intercession. Grant us God-pleasing passage through the field of temporal life; deliver us from the ordeals of the air and guide us on the path leading to the villages of the righteous, where they celebrate the unceasing voice, seeing the ineffable goodness of God's face. But preserve the Holy Church from schisms and heresies, strengthen the faithful, convert the erring, and grant to all those who are worthy of God's salvation and glory; preserve your Fatherland from your enemies in vain, but overcome the weapons of the Crusading army; and grant us all your archpastoral and holy blessing, so that we may overshadow it, get rid of the machinations of the evil one, and avoid from all troubles and misfortunes. Hear our supplication, Father Demetrius, and pray unceasingly for us to the Almighty God, Who is glorified and worshipped in Three Hypostases, to whom befits all glory, honor, and power forever and ever. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs and traditions of the national holiday of Zarok on Paraskeva.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
