Folk signs for November 12: what can and cannot be done

In Russia, folk signs were an important part of the way of life — they helped to navigate the weather and build an economic rhythm. The peasants closely followed the signs of nature: they used them to decide when to take up field work, and when it was better to stay at home and wait out the bad weather. There were no random days in the traditional calendar: each date had its own special meaning, was surrounded by customs that were treated with great reverence. Izvestia tells about the signs for November 12, as well as about the church holidays that are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for November 12th

In Russia, Sinichkin Day, or the feast of Zinovy Sinichnik, was celebrated on November 12. In the national calendar, it marked the transition to winter. On this day, birds were made and fed, their behavior was monitored to predict the weather and future harvest, and caring for birds was considered the key to well-being in the house. Special attention was paid to chickadees — they were considered harbingers of good luck and prosperity.

In some areas, the hunting season began on Sinichkin Day. In the morning, the men went to the forest, hoping to get at least a small game. According to legend, a successful hunt for Zinovy promised good fishing throughout the year, but returning empty-handed was considered a bad omen.

According to the weather signs on November 12, the ancestors tried to determine the nature of the coming winter. So, if the birds stayed closer to their homes, they prepared for severe cold weather.

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Other signs of the day:

• A titmouse whistles loudly — on a clear day;
• the titmouse makes a plaintive squeak — to the frost at night;
• lots of chickadees near the feeders — for snowstorms and snowfalls;
• chickadees peck the bark of trees — for a wet and rainy spring;
• sparrows chirp loudly — for clear weather;
• jackdaws gather in flocks and fly noisily — for a change in the weather;
• Crows huddle against the trunks and hide their heads under their wings — to the cold;
• Crows are sitting on the upper branches — for warming;
• The morning thick fog leads to a thaw;
• frost on the trees in the morning — for clear and frosty days;
• North wind — for a harsh winter;
• south wind leads to frequent thaws.

What not to do on November 12th

A number of superstitions and prohibitions were associated with Sinichkin Day, the main of which concerned harming birds. It was believed that a person who offended tits and other birds could lose their luck and attract quarrels into their home.

What else can't be done on November 12th:

• to borrow and lend money, it will be difficult to return the funds.;
• Lazing around and putting off important things leads to financial difficulties in winter;
• quarreling, gossiping, insulting loved ones can ruin a relationship for a long time.;
• unmarried girls can eat beef and pork — this can deprive them of beauty or bring setbacks in their personal lives.

What church holiday is celebrated on November 12th

On November 12, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Holy Martyr Zinovy, Bishop of Yege, and his sister Zinovy, who lived in the III century. Since childhood, they kept the Christian faith and led a pious life, and when they grew up, they distributed their possessions to the poor. For his purity of heart and mercy, the Lord gave Zinovy the gift of healing, and later the community elected him bishop.

During the persecution under Emperor Diocletian, Zinovy was arrested and demanded to renounce Christ, promising to save his life in return. The saint firmly refused: he did not want to change his faith for temporary salvation. Zinovy was tortured, and his sister Zinovy voluntarily shared suffering with her brother, openly professing her faith. After severe trials, the saints were beheaded. Their burial was secretly performed by Prester Hermogenes.

Also on this day, believers remember the Venerable Martyr Anastasia of Rome, who lived in the third century. From the age of three, she was raised in a monastery, where she later took monastic vows. During the time of Emperor Decius, a girl was captured and severely tortured for refusing to sacrifice to idols. Despite the suffering, Anastasia did not renounce her faith. As a result, she was beheaded with a sword.

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Prayers on November 12th

Believers traditionally turn to the Holy Martyr Zinovy and the Martyr Zinovy with prayers for healing from diseases, strengthening faith and peace of mind, for family peace and reconciliation with loved ones, as well as for consolation in sorrow and help in severe trials. Anastasia of Rome is asked to strengthen her faith, help in difficult trials and intercession for loved ones in need.

Troparion to the Holy Martyr Zinovy and the Martyr Zinovy

"Your martyrs, O Lord, have received incorruptible crowns in their sufferings from You, our God, for You have your fortress; you have overthrown the tormentors, crushed the demons of feeble insolence, and through your prayers save our souls."

Kontakion to the Holy Martyr Zinovy and the Martyr Zinoviya

"Witnesses of truth and preachers of piety, let us honor the two worthily in Inspired hymns, Zinovy, together with the wise Zinovy, who lived and departed and received an incorruptible crown through torment."

Prayer to the Venerable Martyr Anastasia of Rome

"Praise the virgins and glory to the martyrs, Venerable Anastasia! We fall down to you in the tenderness of our hearts, and we pray for your intercession with the Lord for us. If we do not share your purity with jealousy and fearless confession, then we have drawn the wrath of God with many sins and fierce falls and apostasy, but we do not want to die in our sins and, looking at your heroic deeds, we fight against the overcoming of our passions. But this is the leading thing, for apart from gracious help we can do nothing good, so we ask the Lord to grant you. For, O most glorious Holy Martyr, you have acquired great boldness towards your Master, for you have glorified Him in your pure soul and in your body through suffering, for you have despised all the seductions and reproaches of the tormentor, but having endured the uprooting of teeth and nails, and the cutting off of breasts and hands and feet, you have boldly cried out: "Christ is my riches and praise." Grant us spiritual gifts from that riches and our poverty, and keep our lives from immeasurable transgressions, grant us peace and serenity, protect us from need and despondency through your intercession, guide us to one another in obedience and brotherly love, and always lift up the eyes of our hearts to the Lord, that we may ever glorify the Father and the Son. and the Holy Spirit's power, and your warm intercession forever and ever. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the day of Avramiy Ovchar and Anastasia Ovechnitsa, which is also known as the Shepherd's Day.