People's signs for November 9: what not to do on the Sabbath day

November 9, 2026 in the national calendar celebrates the Prayer for Paraskeva, or the Sabbath day. This date is associated with the memory of the Great Martyr Paraskeva Friday, which the Orthodox Church honors on November 10. Our ancestors believed that a sincere promise given on the eve of the holiday and necessarily fulfilled, can help to cope with difficulties and bring closer the fulfillment of the cherished desire.

This day was associated with special customs, weather observations and prohibitions. People tried to finish important things, not to break promises and pay more attention to their words.

According to natural phenomena on this day, they tried to determine when frosts will come and what the coming winter will be like.

The main tradition of the Prophet on Paraskeva was to make important promises to himself or others. Such promises were called vows. A person could promise to do a certain job, help those in need, or give up a bad habit. It was believed that the main thing is not just to give the word, but to keep it.

There was also an unusual custom: women could weave a special canvas for an icon in one night. The work was done in silence, focusing on the promise.

Also, the day tried to dedicate to household chores, completion of work and preparation for winter.

With Zarok on Paraskeva, several popular prohibitions were associated. According to ancient beliefs, on this day it was not recommended:

On November 9, the Orthodox Church remembers the Monk Nestor the Chronicler, a monk of the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery, who lived in the XI-XII centuries. He is considered one of the first Russian historians. Church tradition connects his name with the creation of the “Tale of Bygone Years” – one of the most important ancient chronicles.

Also on this day honor the memory of the martyr Nestor of Thessaloniki and other saints. The next day, November 10, Orthodox believers celebrate the memory of the Great Martyr Paraskeva Friday.