October 14, 2026 - signs, traditions, what can and cannot be done

In 2026, the Cover falls on Wednesday. This is an ordinary working day, but the fast is canceled - even if the holiday falls on Wednesday or Friday, fish is allowed.

What is the feast of the Intercession and why it is so loved

The history of the holiday is connected with the event of the X century in Constantinople. During the siege of the city, St. Andrew Yurodivyi saw in the Vlakherna church how the Virgin removed a veil from her head and spread it over the worshipers, protecting them from disaster. Soon the enemies retreated.

In Russia, Pokrov was especially loved from the XII century, under Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky. In honor of the holiday, the Church of the Intercession on the Nerli and the Pokrovsky Cathedral on Red Square were built.

Main signs for October 14, 2026

The weather predicted what winter would be like:

What can be done on the cover

Visit the temple. The main thing in the holiday is prayer. On the night of October 13-14, an all-night vigil is celebrated, in the morning - Liturgy.

Unmarried girls - to light a candle and ask for a good groom. The wedding season began with Pokrov. The girls prayed, “Cover the earth with a snowball and me with a wife.”.

Gather family at the table. The hostess baked pancakes, pies and treated relatives and neighbors. That day was a day of great prosperity.

Insulate the house for winter. Traditionally, preparations for the cold were completed for Pokrov: huts were repaired, cattle were transferred to winter feed.

Pleasure the house. It was considered a good omen to hide a saucer with milk behind the stove.

What not to do on October 14th

Fighting and swearing. The conflict on this day could be “entrenched” for the whole year.

Housework. Cleaning, washing, sewing were considered undesirable - you can "blow" happiness out of the house.

To lend money. It was believed that the borrowed on the Intercession will go without repayment, and a year will pass in poverty.

Cut your hair and nails. It was believed that you could “short” your life.

Brag about success and income. You could have jinxed yourself.

Prayer for the Cover

On the feast of the Intercession in the temples, a prayer is read before the icon “The Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God.” The full text is in any Orthodox prayer book.

If you want to pray at home, you can read the tropar (voice 4): “Today we celebrate the good faith of people brightly, overshadowing Your, Bogomati, coming...” and Kondak (voice 3): “The Virgin is coming to church today, and from the face of the saints invisibly prays to God for us...”.

Unmarried girls on Pokrov traditionally prayed in their own words - asked for a good groom and a happy family life. This tradition has survived to this day.

Name day on October 14

Angel Day is celebrated: Alexander, Alexei, George, Gregory, Yegor, Ivan, Mikhail, Nikolai, Peter, Roman, Savva, Jan, Vera.