Matveev Day, November 29: winter omens and traditions

      November 29, 2025 — this is the day when Orthodox believers honor the memory of one of the twelve apostles, and in the folk calendar the time of winter winds and friendly gatherings begins. This day is filled with wise omens that help look into the future and prepare for the harsh winter.

      In Rus’ many traditions were connected with the day of the Apostle Matthew, marking the final arrival of winter. Hospitality and socializing: The main tradition of the day was visiting relatives and neighbors. It was believed that whoever did not spend this day in company risked spending the whole year in loneliness. People used to say: “Matthew is unlucky if he did not treat guests” and “Matthew is unlucky if the house is without people.” Communal meals, even if Lenten, strengthened family and neighborly bonds. Handicrafts and calm activities: Women gathered together in a spacious izba for spinning, sewing and embroidery. Between tasks they sang folk songs. Men repaired tools and did house repairs. Youth rituals and divination: In the evening young people held “egg fights” — contests to see whose boiled egg was tougher. Maidens divined about their future husbands by dripping melted wax from a church candle into a bowl of clean water and interpreting the shapes that formed. Appeasing the elements: Another name for the day is “Vetruduy” (Wind-Blower). The wind was imagined as a mighty old man, and to placate him peasants took bread or grain out to the field, appeasing the element.

      Several important folk prohibitions are associated with the day of the Apostle Matthew. Spending the day alone and quarrelling. This could “seal” loneliness for the whole year, and quarrels and disputes begun on this day threatened to turn into prolonged conflicts. Boasting of wealth and counting small change. Bragging about financial success could, according to beliefs, bring the evil eye and losses. Counting small coins promised financial troubles and hardship. Doing heavy labor and taking out the trash after sunset. Physical overexertion drained life energy, and carrying out the trash in the evening symbolized taking luck out of the house. Wearing red clothing and sitting on the table. Scarlet on this day symbolized danger and could deprive one of luck in love. Sitting on the table was considered an action that attracted difficulties and want into life.

      Weather signs If on this day there was a thaw, snow was melting and water dripped from the roofs, it foretold a mild, “wet” winter with frequent warm spells. Rain promised a warm and humid winter. Strong wind on Matthew’s day predicted windy weather with blizzards until St. Nicholas the Winter (December 19). Bitter frost and dry snow that creaked underfoot indicated a long and cold winter. A cloudless sky foretold an imminent cold snap, while low heavy clouds — an intensification of frosts. A pale moon in the night sky promised worsening weather in the coming days.

      In addition to traditional observances, November 29 is marked by several curious unofficial dates. International Jaguar Day — a holiday intended to remind people of the need to preserve one of the most beautiful and vulnerable big cats on the planet, listed in the Red Book. Day of the letter Yo (Ё) — a Russian holiday dedicated to the youngest letter of the Russian alphabet, the official introduction of which is associated with Princess Ekaterina Dashkova and dated November 29, 1783. Day of the Thrill-Seeker — a date for everyone who is passionate about extreme sports, travel and cannot imagine life without new impressions and an adrenaline rush. Bridges Day — an unofficial holiday dedicated to engineering thought and architecture, on which it is customary to remember the greatest bridges of the world and their creators.

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