Folk signs for November 16: 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, November 16, and which church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for November 16, 2025

In Russia, on November 16, Anna Kholodnaya, or Anna Zimnyaya, was celebrated. In the old days, it was customary to eat berries on this day: cranberries, lingonberries and cloudberries. They were eaten fresh and a variety of dishes were prepared from them — jelly, pie fillings and muffins.

Frozen milk was especially popular, which was ground with a sharp knife, sprinkled with granulated sugar and served as a cold dessert, often along with ruddy pancakes. At this time, the girls began to gather for gatherings, where they were engaged in spinning flax and weaving, preparing a dowry and whiling away the long winter evenings with needlework.

Folk signs for Anna the Cold helped predict what the winter and the future harvest would be like. If there was heavy snow on the holiday, it promised a mild, warm winter. If the day was clear and frosty, and there were many stars in the sky at night, this foreshadowed a good harvest of winter crops next year.

Other signs of the day:

• a warm wind blew, leading to cloudy weather in the coming days;
• morning frost leads to cold weather and severe frosts;
• the puddles are covered with ice — the winter will be long and harsh;
• a hare-hare ran near the house — to the imminent frosts;
• heavy snowfall — for winter without severe frosts;
• a snowless day leads to a lean year.

What not to do on November 16

There were a number of strict prohibitions against Anna Kholodnaya. Our ancestors believed that breaking these rules could bring a lot of trouble. Quarrels between spouses were especially feared, as it was believed that any disagreement could lead to serious discord. There was also a belief that on this day, healers and sorcerers have special powers, so they were often asked for help.

St. Abraham of Rostov Memorial Day: important folk signs and prohibitions

What else can not be done on November 16:

• Cleaning and heavy household chores were supposed to be devoted to quiet, household chores and needlework.;
• pregnant women working — to the restless disposition of the child;
• skimping and refusing help leads to financial problems;
• to carry negative emotions to others — to failures in business;
• throwing away bread and leftovers was considered a great sin and promised starvation.

What is the church holiday on November 16?

On November 16, the Orthodox Church commemorates several saints, among whom St. Anna Vsevolodovna occupies a special place. She was the daughter of Prince Vsevolod Yaroslavich of Kiev and the Greek princess, daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine IX Monomakh.

Anna aspired to serve God from her youth and refused marriage. At her request, her father built the St. Andrew's Convent in Kiev, where the princess took monastic vows and became its first abbess. She played a significant role in the religious and cultural life of Kievan Rus. One of the most significant deeds of St. Anna was the foundation of the first girls' school in Russia at St. Andrew's Monastery.

This day also commemorates the holy Martyrs Akepsim, Joseph and Aifal, who were martyred for their faith in the fourth century in Persia. During the persecution of Christians under Tsar Sapor II, Bishop Akepsim, already an eighty-year-old man, was captured for his sermon. Presbyter Joseph and Deacon Aifal were arrested with him. After years of imprisonment and severe torture, they were executed.

Orthodox holidays in December 2025: the full Church calendar

Prayers on November 16

Venerable Anna Vsevolodovna is traditionally prayed for strengthening her faith, for help in her studies and education, as well as for intercession for orphans and those in need. The Holy Martyrs Akepsim, Joseph, and Aifal are prayed to in moments of fading faith, doubts, and trials, asking for spiritual strength to endure all the hardships of life with dignity.

Prayer to Anna Vsevolodovna

"Oh, holy Anno! Having labored with good deeds on earth, you have received in heaven the crown of righteousness, which the Lord has prepared for all who love Him. All the more we rejoice at the glorious end of your residence and honor your holy memory. But you, come to the Throne of God, accept our supplications and bring them to the all-merciful God, that He may forgive us every sin and help us against the wiles of the devil, so that, having been delivered from sorrows, diseases, troubles and misfortunes, and all evil, we may live piously and righteously in our present age and be worthy of your intercession, even if we are unworthy. May you see the good in the land of the living, glorifying God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

Prayer to Akepsim, Joseph and Aifal

Troparion, glas 4

"Thy martyrs, O Lord, have received incorruptible crowns from Thee, our God, in their sufferings: for Thou hast possessed thy fortress, and hast overthrown the tormentors, and crushed the demons of feeble insolence. Through those prayers, save our souls."

Kontakion, glas 2

"Divine, wise one, thou didst keep the mystery immaculately, and the sacrifice was pleasant, Blessed of God: for thou didst drink the cup of Christ gloriously, O holy One, with thy sufferers, praying unceasingly for us all."

Earlier, Izvestia told about what they pray to St. John Chrysostom.

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