Nicodemus day 13 November: what can not be done to avoid causing trouble

November 13, 2026 on the national calendar is celebrated Nicodemus day. The Orthodox Church remembers the Monks Spiridon and Nicodemus, the prosphorics of the Pechersks. This date is associated with many popular beliefs, prohibitions and omens by which our ancestors tried to predict the weather and protect the house from trouble.

History and traditions of Nicodemus day

The Monks Spiridon and Nicodemus lived in the Kiev-Pechersk monastery. Spyridon came to the monastery in adulthood, unable to read or write. However, he later memorized the Psalter and read it daily, combining prayers with monastery work.

With the blessing of the abbot Pimen, Spyridon was engaged in baking prosphorus, a special bread used during divine services. His assistant was Nicodemus, with whom he worked for 30 years.

According to church legend, one day during the fire started a fire. Spiridon covered it with his robe, and carried water for extinguishment in the sleeves of his clothes. The fabric did not catch fire and the water did not spill.

In folk tradition, saints were revered as protectors of the dwelling from fire. They prayed for the welfare of the family and for help in their work.

In Russia, November 13 was also called the Autumn Wires. By this time, the main field work was completed, poultry was transferred to insulated rooms, and fishermen were preparing for winter fishing.

What to do on November 13th

On Nicodemus day it was customary to engage in household and household chores. Special attention was paid to the preparation of the house for the cold.

The faithful visited the temple and prayed to St. Spyridon and Nicodemus, asking for protection from fires and other disasters.

Women traditionally walked around the house with a lighted candle. It was believed that this ritual helps to protect the family from trouble.

It was also a good day for fishermen. According to legend, a successful first catch promised prosperity. Part of the money from the sale of the first fish was given to church candles.

What not to do on Nicodemus Day

According to popular belief, on November 13, there were several prohibitions, the violation of which allegedly could lead to trouble.

All of these restrictions apply exclusively to popular superstitions and have no scientific evidence.

Folk signs about the weather on November 13

Special attention in Nicodemus day was paid to natural phenomena. They tried to determine what the coming winter will look like.

If the sun warmed at noon, a strong wind was expected in the next three days.

The warm weather throughout the day foreshadowed a mild and snowy winter. The absence of frost indicated that a serious cold snap would not come soon.

A large amount of dirt on the roads was also considered a sign of a mild winter.

The singing of birds was associated with the approach of the winter season, and if snowmen began to sing on the trees, they were preparing for the imminent cold.

What Dreams Mean on the Night of November 13

People believed that dreams on the night of Nicodemus day can be prophetic and come true within two weeks.

For this reason, they tried not to tell anyone before the expiration of the specified period.

A fish in a dream was considered a harbinger of replenishment in the family, and a lost button was a warning of possible trouble.

When interpreting dreams, emotions were given special importance. Joy or anxiety experienced in a dream could suggest the nature of future events.

Who celebrates the name day on November 13

On this day, the name day is celebrated by Alexander, Vsevolod, John, Leonid, Mavra, Nicodemus, Sergius and Spiridon.

According to popular beliefs, people born on November 13 are distinguished by observation, analytical thinking and a developed sense of justice. They are also credited with independence in judgment, discernment and a tendency to rely on their own intuition.