Folk signs for April 7: 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 7 and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for April 7

In Russia, Annunciation Day was celebrated on April 7. Other names include Winterfell, The Spell of Spring, the Third Meeting of Spring, and Half—Easter. The holiday was associated with the arrival of birds and the final awakening of nature after winter, when the earth woke up and a new life cycle began.

In the villages at this time, "spring was called." The Slavs sang special freckle songs and baked ceremonial cookies in the shape of larks. These figurines were distributed to children, and also used in rituals: they were thrown up, as if releasing them into the sky, saying the words: "Larks, larks, come, bring spring with you." It was believed that the higher the "lark" rises, the faster the heat will come.

In cities, there was a tradition of releasing birds into the wild, which were sold in bazaars the day before. It was believed that it brings well-being and happiness. There was also a belief that, flying up to the sky, a bird becomes an intercessor before God and transmits the prayers of the one who granted her freedom.

Numerous weather observations were also connected with the holiday. According to the signs, what kind of weather is on the Annunciation, it will be like this on Easter. The people used to say: "What an Annunciation is like Easter," "If the day is clear, wait for a warm Easter." The weather on April 7 was also used to judge the future harvest. So, the wind and fog promised a good harvest of grain, and the rain promised a lot of mushrooms and berries.

Other signs of the day:

• An overcast day leads to a lingering spring;
• Snow has fallen — spring will be cold;
• strong wind blows — summer will be changeable;
• the birds arrived early — for the early warmth;
• cranes fly high — to worsen the weather.

What not to do on April 7

Our ancestors tried to spend Annunciation Day in peace and harmony, avoiding quarrels and hard work. It was believed that even nature on this day rests and does not worry. Therefore, they tried to follow the traditions so as not to scare off luck. A special ban was imposed on women's needlework — sewing, knitting and braiding, which is reflected in the saying: "At the Annunciation, the bird does not build nests, the maiden does not weave braids."

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What else can not be done on April 7:

• to work in the garden — so as not to disturb the land;
• plan important meetings — they will go to no avail;
• refusing help leads to a long streak of failures.;
• recalculating money leads to financial losses;
• to lend money leads to losses.

What is the church holiday on April 7?

On April 7, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one of the twelve feasts dedicated to key events of the Gospel. On this day, they remember the appearance of the archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, who announced that she had been chosen to become the mother of the Savior of the world. It is from this event that the fulfillment of the divine plan for the salvation of mankind begins.

Traditionally, solemn divine services are held in churches on the holiday, special prayers and hymns are read. Believers tend to visit the church, confess and receive communion. In normal years, when the Annunciation falls on the days of Great Lent, the church regulations make allowances — the use of fish, vegetable oil and wine is allowed.

In 2026, the Annunciation coincides with Holy Tuesday of Holy Week, a special period before Easter when believers remember the last days of Christ's earthly life. According to the church charter, these days the fast is tightened as much as possible, only lean dishes remain at the heart of the diet.

On the same date, the icon of the Annunciation "Moskovskaya" is venerated — one of the most famous shrines in Moscow, also known as the "Moscow Annunciation". Her story is connected with the legend of the time of Tsar Ivan the Terrible about the miraculous rescue of an innocently convicted governor. According to legend, the Mother of God appeared to the prisoner twice, urging him to ask for mercy. When he decided, an image of the Annunciation appeared on the wall of the tower, which was perceived as a sign from above. After that, the governor was released, and a chapel was erected on the site of the icon's appearance.

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On this day, Orthodox Christians pray to the Mother of God for recovery from illness and family well-being.

Prayers on April 7th

On the day of the Annunciation, believers turn to the Mother of God with special requests. Most often, they pray for peace in the family, the health of loved ones, well-being and protection from harm. They also ask for help in difficult life situations, strengthening faith and peace of mind. Prayers are addressed to the icon of the Annunciation of Moscow for a just resolution of conflicts, getting rid of slander and unfair accusations.

Prayer for the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos

"To You, Most Pure Mother of God, O wretched one, I fall down and pray: see, O Queen, for I continually sin and anger Your Son and my God. And if I repent, I find a lie before God, and I tremble, so that the Lord may not strike me, and I do little things for an hour. Lead this way, O my Lady, Most Holy Theotokos, why do you not have mercy on me, why do you not strengthen me, and why do you not always grant me to do good? Therefore, O Lady, for the imam does not hate my evil deeds, and I love the law of my God with all my thought. But we do not believe, O Most Pure Lady, that I am not lying, that I am doing this, and that I am transgressing. But do not let my will be done, O Most Holy One, for it is not necessary, but may the will of your Son and my God be in me, that He may save me, and admonish me, and grant me the grace of the Holy Spirit, so that from now on I may cease to commit profanities, and so on, that I may live at the command of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, He deserves all glory, honor, worship and greatness with His Beginningless Father and with His Most Holy, Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

Prayer in front of the Icon of the Annunciation "Moskovskaya"

"Accept, O All-merciful, Most Pure Lady, Theotokos, these precious gifts, which are the only ones applied to You by us, Your unworthy servants, chosen from all generations, exalted and revealed to all creatures of heaven and earth. For for thy sake the Lord of hosts was with us, and through thee we knew the Son of God, and were made worthy of His Holy Body and His Most Pure Blood. All the more blessed art thou in all generations, Blessed of God, most serene of Cherubim and most honorable of Seraphim. And now, All-holy Theotokos, do not stop praying for us, unworthy of Your servants, that we may be delivered from every evil counsel and every situation, and that we may be preserved unharmed from every poisonous trick of the devil. But even to the end, through Your prayers, keep us who are not condemned, so that through Your intercession and help you save us, we send up glory, praise, thanksgiving and worship for all in the Trinity to the One God and Creator of all, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the most powerful prayers on Palm Sunday.

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