Folk signs for April 6: what can and cannot be done

In Russia, signs and beliefs have always been given special importance. They were used to determine when to start field work, what the weather would be like, and what to expect in the coming months. Therefore, every day of the national calendar was full of rituals and superstitions. Izvestia tells about the signs for April 6, as well as about the church holidays that fall on this date.

Folk signs for April 6, 2026

On this day, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Artemy (Artemon), Bishop of Thessalonica. The holiday was popularly called Artemon — deri poloz. The name is related to the weather conditions: by this time, the snow was melting, and the peasants, who had not yet exchanged the sleigh for a cart, risked stripping the runners.

During the holiday, they often cleaned up the yards and lit bonfires. Everything unnecessary was thrown into the fire: broken benches, leaky mattresses and other out-of-use items. Huts were also bypassed with fire to drive away evil spirits. The flame often illuminated the road to the church so that travelers could attend the evening service before the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is celebrated the next day.

On the eve of the great two-hundredth feast, people tried to redo all urgent matters, since any work on the Annunciation was considered a sin. There were also a number of signs that were used to predict the weather. For example, they paid attention to birds: if a finch sang, they expected an early cold snap, and if a lark, then, on the contrary, warming.

Other signs of the day:

• A warm night leads to a friendly spring;
• morning dew — for a good harvest of millet;
• rain — for a light year for cattle;
• If it snows, it will lead to a good buckwheat harvest.;
• frost will strike — to a strong harvest of millet and oats;
• The last snow has melted, and no new snow will fall before winter.;
• a hot day leads to bad weather;
• the water in the river has become cloudy due to bad fishing.

What not to do on April 6th

The holiday was also associated with many superstitions. Since any work is considered a sin at the Annunciation, they tried to complete all urgent matters in advance. It was believed that quarrels and swearing on this day could attract trouble.

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What else can not be done on this day:

• sewing and knitting — knots will interfere with the achievement of goals;
• going to visit or host someone — luck will turn away.;
• make large purchases and lend money — the money will flow through your fingers;
• arrange noisy festivities and consume food of animal origin and alcohol (since the celebration falls on Lent);
• hanging laundry on the street is a failure.

What is the church holiday on April 6th?

On this day, the Orthodox Church celebrates the feast in honor of St. Artemon, Bishop of Seleucia, also known as St. Artemius of Thessalonica. He lived and preached at the dawn of Christianity — in the I–II centuries.

The saint was famous for his piety, and the Apostle Paul himself appointed him the first bishop of the city of Seleucia (the territory of modern Turkey) as the most worthy. Saint Artemon wisely led his flock, gained fame as an advocate for the poor and the persecuted, and died at a ripe old age.

On this day, Orthodox Christians also prepare for the great feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is celebrated the next day. It is customary in churches to consecrate seeds for planting. In the evening, the services in honor of the Annunciation begin. According to popular belief, if a girl stands in the church for the entire night service, she will marry a good, decent man.

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Prayers on April 6th

On the eve of the Annunciation, believers in their prayers focus on the upcoming event — the proclamation by Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary of the mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God. They also ask for spiritual purification and preparation of the heart, for intercession and help in life's trials, for peace and well-being. Saint Artemon of Seleucia is prayed for firmness in faith, for help in guiding him on the right path, and for protection from fear and adversity.

The Canon of the Feast of the Annunciation

Troparion, glas 4

"Today, the world-wide joys of the firstfruits of the feast command: behold, Gabriel comes bearing the gospel to the Virgin, and cries to Her: Hail, Full of grace, the Lord is with You."

Kontakion, glas 8

"You are the beginning of our salvation to all earthly beings, O Virgin Theotokos, for God's servant from heaven has been sent to present Himself to You, great commander Gabriel, and to bring joy to You. That's why we all call You: rejoice, You Unnamed Bride."

Prayer to Artemon of Seleucia

"O most honorable and sacred head and full of the grace of the Holy Spirit, dwelling of the Savior with the Father, great Bishop, our warm intercessor, to Saint Artemy, standing at the Throne of all Kings and enjoying the light of the consubstantial Trinity and cherubic Angels, proclaiming the trisagion hymn, and having great and unexplored boldness towards the all-merciful Master, pray for the salvation of the flock of Christ by the people Confirm the well-being of the holy churches: bishops, adorn the monks with the splendor of holiness, strengthen the monks for the feat of the good current, preserve the reigning city and all cities and countries with goodness, and keep the holy immaculate faith, pacify the whole world through your intercession, deliver us from gladness and destruction, and preserve us from the attacks of foreigners, comfort the old, guide the young, Be wise to be mad, have mercy on widows, intercede for orphans, raise up infants, return captives, free those who are weak and pray to you from all adversity and troubles through your intercession: pray for us to the All-merciful and Loving Christ our God, that on the day of His Terrible Coming He may deliver us from our suffering, and grant us the joys of the saints with all the saints in forever and ever. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia told what they were praying to the Holy Martyr Nikon of Sicily.

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