Folk signs for December 18: what can and cannot be done

In Russia, signs and beliefs were given special importance. They were used to determine when to take on certain household chores, when to prepare for winter, get married and go on a trip. Every day of the national calendar was full of rituals and superstitions. Izvestia tells about the signs for December 18 and the church holidays that fall on this date.

Folk signs for December 18, 2025

In Russia, Savva Day was celebrated on December 18. It was part of the festive cycle of preparation for St. Nicholas Day, which opened St. Barbara's Day. The people said: "Varvara is paving, Savva is sharpening the nails, and Nikola is nailing," which indicated a gradual increase in frosts.

On the holiday, the ancestors tried to stay at home. The men repaired the harnesses and tools, taking special care of the horses, on which the winter road depended. The owner was strictly forbidden to offend the horses, so as not to cause trouble. The women devoted the day to household chores, cooking and needlework. Lean porridges of millet and oats, symbolizing prosperity, were served on the table. Savva's day was also considered favorable for matchmaking — the consent received on December 18 promised a strong and happy marriage.

The Memory of Savva the Consecrated: what kind of holiday is this and how is it celebrated

Venerable Sava the Sanctified is revered as the guardian of the monastic tradition and a spiritual mentor to whom prayers are addressed for peace and perseverance.

Also, on December 18, we paid attention to the weather signs. If the firewood in the stove burned brightly and crackled loudly, it was understood that the frosts would soon intensify.

Other signs of the day

• smoke from the chimney spreads across the ground — to snowfall and warming;
• A frosty sunny day leads to a warm and snowy winter;
• bullfinches began to sing — to heavy snowfall and blizzard;
• silence in the forest leads to a cold snap;
• strong wind — for a cold and windy summer.

What not to do on December 18

Savva's day was associated with a number of prohibitions designed to protect people from misfortune in the harsh winter. They were especially afraid to leave the house after dark, believing that at that time "evil spirits are walking".

What else can not be done on December 18

• Starting new important things is bound to fail.;
• going to visit and receiving guests — bad energy can enter the house.;
• quarreling, swearing, and swearing can lead to trouble, especially when traveling.;
• to stay alone and indulge in despondency — bad thoughts can materialize.;
• lying and making impossible promises can lead to serious trouble in the future.

What is the church holiday on December 18?

On December 18, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Sava the Consecrated. He was born in Cappadocia in the 5th century and aspired to monastic life from childhood, despite the persuasions of his parents to return to the world. At the age of 17, he took monastic vows and eventually became so successful in his ascetic life that he was awarded the gift of miracle-working. The saint spent ten years in the monastery of Flaviana, and then left for Jerusalem and became a novice at the monastery of Abba Theoktistos. After his death, Savva went into seclusion for many years. Subsequently, he founded the Great Lavra near Jerusalem, as well as several other monasteries. He also drafted the first charter of church services, known as the Jerusalem Charter. The holy elder died in 532.

Also on December 18, believers remember St. Gury, the first archbishop of Kazan, who lived in the XVI century. In his youth, he served Prince Ivan Penkov. His success aroused the envy of other servants, and they accused the saint of having a criminal relationship with the princess. After that, Gury spent two years in prison. Miraculously freed, he became a monk at the Joseph-Volokolamsk Monastery, where he later became abbot.

The most powerful prayer to Saint Barbara: text and meaning

In 1555, after the capture of Kazan by Tsar Ivan the Terrible, the saint was consecrated the first archbishop of the newly established Kazan diocese. He set about educating the region with zeal.: He built churches and monasteries, opened schools for children of all nations, and by his personal example and meekness converted many local residents to the Christian faith. During his lifetime, the stone Annunciation Cathedral in Kazan was erected. The saint died in 1563, and his holy relics, found incorruptible, are revered as the great shrine of the Kazan land.

Prayers for December 18

Orthodox believers pray to St. Sava the Consecrated on December 18. He is asked for spiritual wisdom, strengthening of faith and blessing for monastic life. Saint Gury is also worshipped on this day. They ask him to find family happiness, restore peace between relatives, and protect them from troubles and illnesses.

Prayer to St. Sava the Sanctified

"O most faithful and all-laudable servant of God, Venerable Father Savva! Today (in your holy temple), as we stand reverently before your holy icon and joyfully celebrate your most holy memory, we bless you as our intercessor. As we honor your great boldness before the Lord, we humbly beseech you, Most blissfully accept from us this song of praise, which is offered to you out of love and zeal. And, because you have great boldness towards the Lord, strive through your God-pleasing intercession to ask the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, that He may show great and rich mercy upon us sinners, that He may give us a spirit of righteous faith, a spirit of knowledge and love, a spirit of peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, that He may deliver us from troubles and adversities, May everything useful for the salvation of our souls descend. May peace, silence, serenity, zeal for the fulfillment of His commandments, abundance of earthly fruits be sent down to all Orthodox Christians; may He deliver the whole Russian country from gladness, cowardice, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare, deadly plagues and from all evil. Oh, God's mercy! Do not despise our supplications, but hear us who pray to you, and under the shelter of your intercession keep us (and this monastery) safe from enemies visible and invisible, so that we may be worthy to end our lives in repentance and receive eternal goodness in the kingdom of Christ our God, where we praise with you and all the saints the venerated name of the Most Holy Trinity, the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen to that."

Prayer to St. Gury, Archbishop of Kazan

"To Saint Father Gurie, as we stand before the sacred shrine of your healing relics, we beseech you to be our intercessor, intercessor and patron always and everywhere. Intercede for peace, silence, prosperity, health, and salvation for your flock. Be our constant intercessor from all enemies, visible and invisible: protect us from finding all troubles, misfortunes and sorrows, especially from the temptations of the dark enemy. To those who come and pray, ask the Lord God for everything they ask of Him in their needs and sorrows, so that we may all glorify with you the all-holy name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs of the national holiday Barbarian Day.