November 28 is a special holiday — Guryev Day: history, traditions, omens

Every year on November 28, Orthodox believers remember three Christian martyrs — Gury, Samon and Aviva, who suffered for their faith in the first centuries of Christianity. In the national calendar, this date is known as Guriev day, Gury is Frosty and is considered the border when winter finally comes into its own. In 2025, the holiday falls on a Friday. Read about its history, spiritual significance, folk traditions, prohibitions and omens in the Izvestia material.

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In the fourth century, during the persecution of Christians under the emperors Diocletian and Maximian, two friends lived in the Syrian city of Edessa — Gury and Samon. They were distinguished by piety and wisdom and, despite the risk of being persecuted by the authorities, openly professed faith in Jesus.

As a result, Gury and Samon were arrested for refusing to sacrifice to pagan gods. They were interrogated for a long time, convinced to renounce Christ, and tortured. But even physical suffering did not force the martyrs to sacrifice their faith, for which both were eventually executed.

A few years later, under the last pagan emperor Licinius, Deacon Aviv, a young clergyman who zealously preached the true faith and denounced paganism, was martyred in the same place. The authorities organized a search for him, but he came to the executioners himself so as not to endanger other Christians.

During the interrogation, he openly confessed his faith in the Savior and was sentenced to death at the stake. The saint voluntarily entered the fire and prayerfully surrendered his soul to God. Later, while examining the ashes, the martyr's mother and his relatives found his body unharmed. Aviv was buried next to Gury and Samon.

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After the death of the saints, numerous cases of miraculous help to those who turned to them with trust and prayer began to be associated with their names. One of the most famous legends is about a Goth warrior sent to serve in Edessa. There he married a pious girl, Euphemia, and at the tomb of the martyrs Gury, Samon, and Aviva, he vowed to her mother, Sophia, not to harm her, not to humiliate her, and to treat her with respect and love.

After completing his service, the soldier took his wife to his homeland, where it soon became clear that he was already married. Euphemia actually found herself in the position of a slave, being subjected to constant humiliation and mistreatment. When her child was born, Gotha's legitimate wife, overcome with jealousy, poisoned the baby.

Left without protection, Euphemia prayed to Gury, Samon and Aviv, the witnesses of the broken oath. According to church tradition, through their intercession, the Lord miraculously freed her from suffering and transported her back to Edessa, where she met her mother again.

Some time later, the same soldier was again sent to serve in this city. Sofia publicly told about his deception and atrocities, the story became known to all the townspeople. By order of the local authorities, the perjurer was sentenced to death.

Traditions of the national holiday Guryev day on November 28

In the national calendar, November 28 had several names at once — Guriy, Guryan, Guryev day. They spoke figuratively about the date: "Gury came on a piebald mare." This is how the peasants described the late autumn mudslide, when the roads become muddy, the ruts become clogged with mud, and some of the paths become almost impassable. In Russia, it was believed that from this date, winter "gets off the horse," gets on its feet, "forges gray frosts," pours snow from the right sleeve, and frost from the left.

From Guriev's day began the strict Christmas, or Philippian fast — forty days of preparation for the feast of the Nativity of Christ. The peasants refused to eat fast food, meat dishes faded into the background, lean cabbage soup, porridges, pickles and sauerkraut were put on the table. The housewives prepared supplies in advance, sorted through dried mushrooms, and took out vegetables from the cellars, assessing whether they would last until spring.

We tried to make the first lenten meal calm and collected. We didn't overeat, we didn't have long feasts. It was more important to set the right mood for the entire period before Christmas — less fuss and frills, more thoughtfulness, gratitude, prayers and inner concentration.

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On the holiday, the peasants tried to streamline their lives. Special attention was paid to the house and the stove. In the morning, we checked how it was heated, whether the firewood was dry enough, and whether the hut kept the heat well. It was believed that Guryev day was the last deadline for serious repairs — to patch up the roof, strengthen the door, and close the cracks.

Horses were also given special attention during the holiday. By November 28, these animals had become the main helpers in seasonal care — they carried firewood, hay, and feed. They were especially taken care of, cleaned, changed the bedding, and examined the harness. A well-fed and well-groomed horse was considered a guarantee that there would be no disruptions in transportation in winter and the farm would withstand the load.

Since Gury, Samon, and Aviv were revered as protectors of the family, the ancestors used this day for reconciliation. The couple tried not to raise hot topics. If there was already a conflict between loved ones, they tried to smooth it out so as not to enter winter with a heavy heart.

What not to do on Guryev Day on November 28th

Like many dates on the national calendar, Guryev Day was surrounded by a system of prohibitions and warnings, the violation of which promised a lot of trouble. So, on a holiday it was not necessary to arrange noisy feasts with an abundance of alcohol. The beginning of the Nativity fast was not combined with boisterous merriment, and excessive libations were interpreted as disrespect for the holy day.

What else you can't do on November 28th:

• quarreling with your spouse — the whole winter will be spent in arguments and insults;
• Insulting people in difficult situations, especially widows, divorced women, and single mothers, is a direct disrespect for the saints.;
• delay in solving family problems — conversations postponed for later and understatement can "freeze in the cold" and turn into a chronic disorder;
• to start large transactions and litigation — such cases will be difficult and may result in financial losses or prolonged conflicts.;
• complaining excessively about life and health — such complaints "attract" new challenges.

Folk signs for November 28

Nature observations on Guriev Day occupied an important place in the village calendar. This was how the peasants could judge what the coming winter would be like.:

• the snow has fallen smoothly and does not melt — for a stable, snowy winter, and if it turns into slush, frequent thaws are expected.;
• strong wind and snowstorm on Guryev day — windy and changeable weather until the middle of winter;
• A clear starry sky in the evening leads to strong but dry frosts.;
• Crows and jackdaws walk on the ground and scream loudly near the yard — to the imminent precipitation and increased wind;
• The smoke from the chimney stretches in an even column upward — towards the cold, creeping along the ground — towards the mild, humid weather.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the traditions and prohibitions of the special national holiday of St. John Chrysostom.