Folk signs for October 21: what can and cannot be done
Omens have been helping people navigate their lives for centuries. In Russia, they were used to predict the weather, choose suitable days for work in the field and household chores. There were no random dates in the national calendar — every day had its own signs, rituals and beliefs, which were treated with great attention. Izvestia tells about the signs for October 21 and about the church holidays that are celebrated on this day.
Folk signs for October 21st
In Russia, on October 21, the national holiday Trifon and Pelageya was celebrated, dedicated to preparations for the coming winter. By this time, the autumn warmth was gradually fading, the nights were getting longer, and morning frosts were becoming more frequent. The date was also popularly called Chills, Chills, and Repairs. The names reflected the main concerns of the peasants, who had to prepare their homes, clothes and food supplies for the cold season. There was a saying: "Trifon repairs a fur coat, Pelageya sews mittens."
In the old days, mistresses took fur coats, sheepskin coats, hats and mittens out of chests for Trifon and Pelagia. The clothes were carefully examined, the holes were sewn up, the seams were strengthened and, if necessary, worn parts were replaced. The women were engaged in needlework, knitting warm clothes and preparing new clothes for family members. At the same time, the harvesting of food for the winter continued. In some areas, barrels of pickled cucumbers and cabbage were lowered to the bottom of rivers, where the cold water helped preserve supplies. When the reservoirs were covered with ice, the blanks, if necessary, were taken out through an ice hole.
Numerous weather observations were associated with the holiday. The peasants closely monitored the condition of the sky, the behavior of animals and changes in nature. It was believed that low-flying clouds warn of the approach of frost. If a foggy circle appeared around the sun, clear and dry weather was expected.
Other signs of the day:
- bright stars in the night sky — for good weather;
- dim stars lead to bad weather and precipitation;
- low—flying clouds - for an early cold snap;
- the forest has acquired a gray hue — by frost;
- the leaves on the birches have not yet fallen — by the late snow;
- mice build burrows on the south side — for the harsh winter;
- livestock are worried by the evening, as the weather worsens;
- a woodpecker hammers a tree from the bottom up — for a snowy and cold winter;
- A misty circle appeared around the sun, leading to clear and dry weather.;
- there are noticeable circles around the moon — for a dry summer.
What not to do on October 21
On the holiday of Tryphon and Pelagia, there were certain prohibitions related to ideas about the well-being of the family and protection from trouble. For example, it was not recommended to break tree branches and cut them down unnecessarily, as this, according to legend, could lead to illness and family troubles. They also tried to avoid laziness and idle pastime, fearing that idleness would lead to failures.
What else can not be done on October 21:
- Swearing and swearing can lead to trouble and family conflicts.;
- judging and discussing relatives behind their backs leads to illnesses and discord in the family.;
- to indulge in despondency leads to a series of bad news;
- starting joint business with unfamiliar people leads to deception and serious difficulties.;
- For unmarried girls, dating strangers is a source of disappointment and deception.;
- telling dreams before sunset — a good dream may not come true, but a bad one may turn out to be prophetic.;
- wearing clothes with leaky pockets leads to monetary losses;
- postponing necessary household chores leads to difficulties and failures.
What church holiday is celebrated on October 21
On October 21, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Pelagia of Antioch. She was born in Antioch in Syria in the 5th century. According to the life, before converting to Christianity, she was distinguished by her extraordinary beauty and led a life far from Christian virtues. The woman wore expensive clothes, decorated herself with jewels and enjoyed the attention of numerous admirers, who nicknamed her Margarita, which means "pearl".
One day, a council of bishops from neighboring dioceses was held in Antioch. Among the participants was Bishop Nonne of Iliopolis, known for his strict ascetic life. After hearing his sermon, the girl thought about her soul. She turned to the bishop, confessed her sins, and asked to be baptized. After converting to Christianity, Pelagia gave away her possessions, and she went to Jerusalem. On the Mount of Olives, she settled in a secluded cell under the name of Monk Pelagius. She devoted the rest of her life to fasting, prayer, and penance, passing away around 457.
On the same day, the church commemorates St. Tryphon of Vyatka, who lived in the XVI–XVII centuries. He was born in the village of Malye Nemnyushki in the Arkhangelsk province and aspired to monasticism from his youth. After leaving his parents' home, the future saint went first to Veliky Ustyug, and then to the Perm lands. There he took monastic vows at the Pysk monastery. According to church tradition, during a serious illness, a guardian angel and St. Nicholas appeared to Tryphon, after which he received healing. Subsequently, the monk retired to sparsely populated lands on the Mulyanka River, where he preached Christianity among local residents.
The most important part of Tryphon's ministry was the foundation of monasteries. First, he built the Assumption Monastery on the Chusovaya River, and later founded the Assumption Monastery in the city of Khlynov, present-day Kirov. The monk participated in the organization of monastic life and instructed the brethren. The life also tells of his meeting with the future Patriarch Hermogenes, to whom the saint predicted high service and martyrdom. Trifon Vyatsky died in 1612 and was buried in the Dormition Monastery he founded. In the Orthodox tradition, he is revered as one of the most famous ascetics of the Vyatka land.
Prayers on October 21st
On the day of the saints' remembrance, believers turn to them with prayers for spiritual help and strengthening of faith. St. Pelagia of Antioch is asked to help in sincere repentance, overcoming harmful habits and correcting life mistakes. Reverend Tryphon of Vyatka is asked for support in difficult circumstances, perseverance in the face of trials, and the well-being of loved ones. They pray to both saints for peace of mind, patience and strength for good deeds.
Prayer of Pelagia of Antioch
"Oh, our holy and wise mother, Venerable Pelagia. Having loved the Lord Jesus in one hour, you left all earthly things irrevocably, but you aspired to great and saving feats, which you accomplished evangelically many times. O ever-memorable one, you have revealed yourself to the monastics with spiritual beauty, you have learned a blameless life well, you have loved the life of Angels on earth and have unceasingly sung in seclusion to Him who, by His great mercy, has strengthened the weakness of women to fight against the insidious enemy of human salvation. For this reason, today, on the day of your blessed memory, we ask you blissfully: pour out your all-powerful prayer for us sinners before the throne of the Holy Trinity for God's mercy to us who are still in the deplorable vale of the earth, so that your prayers may bring us to life in the villages of the righteous, where you remain with all the saints forever centuries. Amen to that."
Prayer to Tryphon Vyatsky
"Oh, holy head, our Venerable Father Tryphon! O earthly angel and heavenly man, most luminous lamp, illuminate the land of Vyatka with miracles, a wall and a foundation for our city, a strong helper for those in need, a kind guardian of your monastery, a prayerful intercessor for us to God and a warm intercessor for our souls! O servant of God, I have given you a treasure inexhaustible from the All-good Lord of grace and gifts, to heal the ailments of the body and drive away the passions of the soul, and deliver those who call on your name with faith from all evils. For this reason we run to you and we fall down and pray to you: do not despise us who pray to you and ask for your help, deliver us from enemies visible and invisible, who rise up enviously against us and want to devour us with brutal fury, deliver us by your invisible intercession from the confusion and storms and innumerable sorrows of our coming for our sins. Oh, our most faithful and God-bearing Father Tryphone! Come and help us soon. Lift up your pious prayer to the Lord of powers: may the Lord free the suffering Russian country from the fierce atheists and their power, and may the throne of the Orthodox rulers be raised up; may His faithful servants, who cry out to Him day and night in sorrow and sorrow, may He hear and deliver our lives from destruction, may the Lord consume them from the earth May He preserve your holy monastery, our city, and all the cities and towns of our country from glades and destruction, from rebellion and disorder, from burning and storms, from enemy attacks and from corrupting winds and from all evil. Have mercy on us through your favorable prayers of Christ our God, that we may be delivered from our sins and the slanders of the enemy, so that through your intercession and help we may live in peace and quiet on earth, and in the future may we be worthy of a portion of the saints of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who deserves both honor and worship, now and in all the eyelids. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the folk signs of Yerofeyev's day.
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