Folk signs for November 26: what can and cannot be done
In Russia, signs and beliefs were given special importance. They were used to determine the weather for the coming days and months, the ideal time for harvesting, weddings or traveling. The national calendar was full of rituals and superstitions. Izvestia tells about the signs for November 26 and the church holidays that fall on this date.
Folk signs for November 26, 2025
In Russia, St. John Chrysostom Day, also known as the Autumn Chill, was celebrated on November 26. The holiday marked the final transition of power to winter. The field work was completely completed, and life was centered in the warmth of the hearth. The days became short and the evenings long, which encouraged family time, needlework, and quiet conversations.
The main tradition at St. John's was the making of dumplings. Several generations of the same family gathered for this activity, and the elders taught the youth the intricacies of the craft. It was believed that the friendlier and more fun the work was, the more successful the next year would be. Some of the dumplings went straight to the table, and some were frozen in reserve for the future. After dark, no one left the house unless absolutely necessary. It was believed that Zyuzya, the mythical spirit of winter, personifying fierce cold and blizzard, roamed around at this time. The children were instructed to be quiet so as not to attract his attention.
At St. John's, the ancestors carefully watched the weather signs, hoping to find out what the winter would be like. If the coals in the stove were smoldering especially brightly, they understood that frosts were coming soon.
Other signs of the day:
- bright stars at night — to severe and prolonged cold weather;
- Hares are running to their homes — it's going to get colder soon;
- Crows are cawing loudly for the thaw;
- snow in large flakes leads to warming;
- fine snow leads to frosts.
What not to do on November 26th
St. John Chrysostom's Day imposed special restrictions on speech and behavior. The people said: "The word for Chrysostom is like an arrow. If it crashes, you won't catch it." This meant that any spoken word had a special power, so quarrels, gossip, and empty conversations should be avoided.
What else can't be done on November 26th:
- quarreling and raising your voice can lead to protracted family conflicts.;
- offending children and the elderly — the harm done will return to the offender in double size;
- gossiping and discussing absentees — malicious words can turn into slander against the gossip himself;
- to start lawsuits — they can drag on and lead to losses;
- to arrange noisy feasts leads to failures;
- to change plans abruptly — your plans will fail;
- drying wet clothes in the house leads to diseases.
What is the church holiday on November 26th?
On November 26, the Orthodox Church commemorates St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, one of the three Ecumenical hierarchs and teachers. He was born in Antioch around the year 347 and received a brilliant education. After his mother's death, John took monastic vows and retired to the desert. There he spent four years fasting and praying, and also wrote his first spiritual works.
Poor health forced the saint to return to Antioch, where he was ordained deacon in 381. Five years later, John became a presbyter, and he was entrusted with the task of delivering sermons. It was then that his gift of eloquence was fully revealed. His fiery, deep and accessible speeches, for which the flock named him Chrysostom, gathered many people and shook the hearts of listeners.
After becoming Archbishop of Constantinople, John zealously set about correcting local morals: he denounced the luxury and hypocrisy of the nobility, demanded modesty and honesty from the clergy, and spent church funds on helping the poor and building hospitals. His straightforward and principled stance provoked the wrath of the imperial court. On false charges, the saint was arrested and sent into exile. Subsequently, he was returned and exiled several times, but John steadfastly endured any ordeal. He died in 407, never returning to his homeland.
Prayer for November 26th
Orthodox believers pray to St. John Chrysostom on November 26. He is asked for help in learning and mastering new skills, strengthening faith and giving strength to fight sinful tendencies. People suffering from serious illnesses and wishing to restore peace in the family also turn to the saint.
Prayer to St. John Chrysostom
"Oh, to St. John Chrysostom the Great! You have accepted many and various gifts from the Lord, and, as a good and faithful servant, you have multiplied all the talents given to you in a good way, for this you have truly been a universal teacher, for every age and every rank learns from you. But we sinners (names), according to one thing, each having his own gift, the unity of the spirit in the union of peace, are not imams, but we are vain, irritating each other, envying each other; therefore, for the sake of our gift, our divided ones do not appear to us in peace and salvation, but in enmity and condemnation. In the same way, we fall down to you, holy one of God, overwhelmed by strife, and in contrition of heart we ask: through your prayers, drive out from our hearts all the malice, ill-will, pride and envy that divide us, so that we may remain in one body of the church, undisturbed, so that, according to your prayerful word, we may love one another and with one mind experience the Father and Of the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity Consubstantial and Indivisible, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs and traditions of the Ivan the Merciful national holiday.
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