Folk signs for December 6: 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 Saturday, December 6, and which church holidays are celebrated on this day.
Folk signs for December 6, 2025
In Russia, Mitrofan's Day was celebrated on December 6. The main tradition of the holiday was mass sledding. The first trip through the newly fallen snow turned into a general celebration. The youth organized the harness, and the elders observed the quality of the rolled track, which was used to judge the suitability of the roads.
On the table that day, the main treat was lean pies with various fillings, which were served with boiled eggs or kvass. Special importance was attached to hospitality: anyone who entered the house was supposed to be treated. It was believed that such generosity would ensure the family's well-being for the coming year. They also tried to do good on this day. The people believed that any good deed would come back to a person a hundredfold.
Special attention on Mitrofanov's day was paid to weather signs. These observations helped people make forecasts and plan household chores for the long winter months. For example, clear and frosty weather promised a snowy and moderately cold winter. And if the day was warm, it predicted a mild and short winter.
Other signs of the day:
- clear sun — for a thaw in December;
- strong north wind leads to severe cold weather;
- Westerly wind — heavy snowfall;
- East wind — for a long winter without snowstorms;
- the branches were covered with frost, leading to a sharp cold snap;
- The sparrows are chirping loudly and in unison — for snowfall soon;
- Sleet on December 6 leads to rains in early summer.
What not to do on December 6th
Mitrofan's day was considered a time of silence, peace and inner concentration. Our ancestors believed that violating these rules could bring misfortune, scare away good luck, or disrupt family harmony. On a holiday, it was strictly forbidden to loudly clarify relations, quarrel or swear, as negative emotions on this day could settle in the house for a long time and lead to discord.
What else can not be done on December 6:
- Making loud noises and having fun can scare away good luck and attract evil spirits.;
- Being jealous of other people's successes means your own business won't work out.;
- putting on new or uncomfortable shoes leads to life troubles;
- borrow money — it may not come back and lead to financial problems;
- Going unkempt is believed to make fate as confusing as hair.;
- to go on a long journey — unforeseen circumstances may occur on the way.
What is the church holiday on December 6th?
On December 6, the Orthodox Church commemorates two great saints whose lives and exploits had a huge impact on the history of Russia and Russian Orthodoxy. These are St. Mitrofan, Bishop of Voronezh, and the Venerable Prince Alexander Nevsky. Their veneration combines the ideas of firm faith, wise governance and sacrificial service to the Fatherland.
Saint Mitrofan (in the world, Michael) was born in 1623 into a pious family. His activity took place during the era of Peter the Great's transformations. He actively supported the initiatives of the young tsar Peter I, especially in the creation of a regular fleet in Voronezh, donating personal funds for this.
The saint fearlessly defended the purity of Orthodoxy. There is a known case when he refused to enter the royal palace, decorated with pagan statues. This act earned the respect of Peter the Great and he removed the statues. Saint Mitrofan died in 1703, and the church canonized him in 1832.
The Venerable Prince Alexander Nevsky was born around 1220 in Pereslavl-Zalessky. From a young age, he had to take on the heavy responsibility of protecting Russian lands during the invasion of the Mongol-Tatars and Western aggression. In 1240, he completely defeated the Swedish army on the Neva River, for which he received his nickname. Two years later, he won a historic victory on Lake Peipsi over the knights of the Livonian Order, stopping their advance to the east.
The prince's political wisdom was also evident in his relations with the Golden Horde. He chose the path of diplomacy, having managed to achieve important benefits for the Russian land and, most importantly, to preserve the autonomy of the Orthodox Church. This policy saved Russia from ruin and allowed it to accumulate forces for liberation from the Tatar-Mongol yoke. The prince died while returning from another trip to the Horde, and was canonized in 1547.
Prayers on December 6th
They pray to St. Mitrofan for help in everyday needs, deliverance from troubles and diseases. He is also revered as the patron saint of sailors and the Navy. They pray to St. Alexander Nevsky, the patron saint of diplomats, military and civil servants, for assistance in business, wisdom in governance, and the preservation of peace and the might of the Fatherland.
Prayer to St. Mitrofan
"Oh, all-laudable to the Holy Hierarch of Christ and the wonderworker Mitrofan! Accept this little supplication from us sinners who seek refuge in you, and through your warm intercession implore our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, that He may mercifully look upon us and grant us forgiveness for our sins, both voluntary and involuntary, and by His great mercy deliver us from troubles, sorrows, sorrows, and illnesses of mind and body. May He grant us the fruitfulness of the earth, and all that is necessary for the benefit of our present life; may He grant us to end this temporary life in repentance, and may He make us worthy, sinners and unworthy, of His heavenly Kingdom, together with all the saints, to glorify His infinite mercy, with His beginningless Father, and His Holy and Life-giving In spirit, forever and ever. Amen to that."
Prayer to Alexander Nevsky
"O speedy helper of all those who fervently seek you, and our warm intercessor before the Lord, the Holy and faithful Princess Alexandra! Look mercifully upon us, <...> those who now flow to the shrine of your relics and cry out to you from the depths of our hearts: You were a zealot and defender of the Orthodox faith in your life, and you steadfastly confirmed us in it through your warm prayers. You have carefully carried out the great ministry entrusted to you, and through your help guide us to remain where we are called to be. Having defeated the regiments of your enemies, you drove them away from the borders of Russia, and overthrow all visible and invisible enemies who are fighting against us. You, having left the corruptible crown of the earthly kingdom,.. Intercede with us also, we humbly beseech you, to lead a quiet and serene life and to lead us steadily towards the eternal Kingdom through your intercession. As we stand before the Holy See of God with all the saints, we pray for all Orthodox Christians, may the Lord God, by His grace, preserve them in peace, health, and prosperity, and all prosperity, in the coming summer, and may we ever glorify and bless God, in the Holy Trinity, the glorified Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever and ever. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia told what they pray to St. John Chrysostom.
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