Mikhail Solomenny: Church holiday October 13, 2026, signs, traditions and prohibitions

History of the holiday

Saint Michael was born in Syria in the tenth century. In 988, at the behest of Patriarch Tsaregradsky, he was sent to Kiev to help Prince Vladimir in the baptism of Russia.

According to legend, Michael was a zealous distributor of Christianity: he enlightened the people, overthrew idols, participated in the construction of churches and monasteries. He is credited with the foundation of the Kiev-Zlatoverkho-Mikhailovsky monastery. The saint died in Kiev in 992.

Traditions of Mikhail Solomenny

The name "Straw" is associated with the custom of burning old straw from mattresses and pillows. Married women were engaged in this - it was believed that they protect the family from the evil eye and evil spirits. The oldest in the family threw into the fire lapti to “give way to winter”.

By this day, all agricultural work was completed and they began to prepare the dwelling for the winter: houses were insulated, cracks were heated, furnaces were checked. In some regions, it was customary to bathe children on the doorstep of the house - according to legend, this saved babies from diseases in the winter.

Notes as of October 13, 2026

The first snow on Michael - winter will not come soon.

The cranes are already gone - it will soon get colder.

Squirrels changed the “coat” to winter – autumn and winter will be comfortable.

A month in a foggy haze - the weather will soon deteriorate.

Birch and linden almost flew around - next year will be productive.

What not to do on October 13th

To go to the forest - it was believed that before wintering there raging leopard.

Wearing dirty clothes and shoes is bad luck and illness.

To let strangers into the house - they could jinx.

Accepting gifts, especially from strangers – with them you can take away other people’s troubles.

To quarrel and swear - conflicts on this day could last for a long time.

Start important business and repairs - the case will drag on and bring trouble.

Sleeping on old bed linen is a disease.

Going to visit and inviting you to visit - meetings could end in a quarrel.

People's wisdom

“Burn straw on Michael – call for winter” – they said in Russia. “Mikhail Stralomenny is a transitional day: autumn sees off, winter meets,” the old people added.