January 30 - Anton Perezimnik: history, traditions and omens of the folk holiday

Every year on January 30, Orthodox believers honor the memory of St. Anthony the Great, who is considered one of the founders of monastic hermitage. In the folk calendar, the holiday is called Anton the Perezimnik. In 2025 it falls on Thursday. About the history and traditions of this date read in the material "Izvestia".

Anton Perezimnik - 2025: the history of the holiday

Rev. Anthony the Great was born in 251 in Egypt in a family of noble and rich Christians, who from early childhood brought him up in the faith. When the young man was 20 years old, his parents passed away. He had to become the eldest in the family, to take responsibility for the household and care for his younger sister.

The hagiography says that during a service in the temple, Anthony heard the words from the Gospel spoken by the Savior to a rich young man: "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor." The future saint considered this a sign from above and decided to follow Christ's instruction: he sold his property, gave the money to the poor, provided his sister with a dowry, and gave her to the care of pious women. He himself went into seclusion to devote his life to the service of God.

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We tell about traditions and folk omens on this holiday

According to legend, Anthony imprisoned himself in an abandoned tomb, where he spent 15 years. During this period he fought numerous temptations and fears, strengthening his faith through prayer and renunciation of worldly desires. Later he moved to the Thebaid Desert, where he met Paul the Hermit, who had also withdrawn from the world in the name of faith.

Christians, inspired by his example, began to gather around the Monk. Anthony decided to found a monastery, becoming a spiritual "guide" for other hermits. He lived about 105 years, more than 70 of which were spent in seclusion.

The saint's precepts became the basis for many monastic monasteries. His teachings about living a life of humility, prayer and spiritual struggle continue to inspire Christians to this day.

Traditions and customs of Anton Perezimnik: what you can and cannot do on January 30

January 30 in Russia was considered the time when half of winter was left behind, for this reason the holiday was named Anton Perezimnik. Despite the fact that the dark half of the year was waning, and the daylight hours were increasing, the ancestors believed that this was a period of rampant evil, not wanting to give the reins to the Sun. Also in folk tradition, the day symbolized the human struggle with harsh winter conditions, because at this time there were the strongest frosts. Therefore, many traditions and prohibitions were associated with the holiday.

So, in order not to let the evil force into the house and keep away from spoilage, it was necessary to draw a line with a sharp sickle across the road leading to the house. And in order to deceive evil spirits, the first person to leave the house should go from the porch with his back, heeling forward, as if the owner had already returned to the house.

On Anton the peasants began to prepare for spring and field work, checked tools, sowed seeds for seedlings, held rituals related to farming. It was believed that on this day it was necessary to "winterize" - to complete all important household chores, so that in the spring in everything accompanied by good luck. That's why our ancestors worked hard on Anton: washing, cleaning, washing, repairing, revision of supplies.

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The folk-Christian event is celebrated annually on January 14

Women on this day prepared special "amulets" baked goods - toloknye kolobki, symbolizing the sun. For this purpose they mixed tolokno in flour and baked small ruddy buns. There was a belief that such a dish could bring health and good luck.

But cooking dishes from legumes on Anton was forbidden, so as not to bring on the household sickness. Also women were forbidden to knit on the holiday. Among other prohibitions were swearing, quarrels and bragging, as "bad" behavior could attract the attention of dark forces.

Folk omens on Anton Perezimnik January 30

In Russia on Anton Perezimnik prepared for the onset of warmer days, but remembered that the frost will not soon recede. People even had proverbs: "Perezimnik will hope, will warm up, and then will deceive - everything will be pulled down by frost", "Anton is cunning from all sides".

On this day they observed the nature, making forecasts for warming and future harvest. It was believed that the thaw on January 30 promises an early arrival of spring, and also predicts that there will be a lot of fish in the reservoirs during the year. And clouds on the night of Anton promise a rich harvest of grain.

Earlier "Izvestia" told about the history, traditions and omens of Gregory the Summoner.