April 24 — Antip Vodogon: history, traditions and signs of a national holiday
Every year on April 24, Orthodox believers honor the memory of the Holy Martyr Antipas, a disciple of John the Theologian, bishop of the Church of Pergamon. In the national calendar, the holiday is called Antip Vodogon, since it accounts for the peak of the flood. In 2025, this day falls on Thursday. Read about its history, traditions and signs in the Izvestia article.
Antip Vodogon – 2025: the history of the holiday
The Hieromartyr Antipas, who lived in the 1st century, was a disciple of the Apostle John the Theologian and led the Christian community of Pergamon, one of the largest cities in Asia Minor, famous for its library, scientific schools and advanced medicine. During the reign of Emperor Nero, during which Christianity was severely persecuted, he became bishop of the Church of Pergamon. According to legend, the Lord himself chose him for this ministry, endowing him with spiritual strength and blessed gifts to fight paganism.
Pergamon was one of the cultural centers of the ancient world. The famous altar of Zeus was located here, theaters, temples and medical institutions operated. However, along with this, there was a strict pagan cult, accompanied by sacrifices and idol worship.
St. Antipas' sermon violated the usual order. He openly denounced the pagan religion, bringing many townspeople to Christ. As a result, the temples of Pergamon began to empty. This caused a sharp discontent among the priests, who saw the bishop as a threat to their power. Accused of undermining religious principles, Saint Antipas was captured and thrown into a red—hot copper ox, a pagan sacrificial instrument. But even in the agony of death, he continued to pray, showing perseverance and faith.
After his death, Christians honorably buried the body of the saint, from whose relics, according to legend, fragrant, healing myrrh began to flow. Since then, the Holy Martyr Antipas has been revered as an intercessor and healer, especially as an early helper in dental diseases. His image is an example of Christian fortitude in the face of persecution and evidence of spiritual strength.
Traditions of the national holiday celebrated on April 24th
In the folk tradition, the holiday was named Antip Vodogon for a reason: during this period in Russia, the peak of the spring flood occurred. Meltwater filled the river banks and often threatened peasant farms.
Despite the danger of flooding, the people perceived this as a good sign, foreshadowing a bountiful harvest. The ancestors believed that Saint Antipas freed the rivers from ice, and they said: "Antipas dissolved the water," "There would be water, but bread would be born." If the reservoirs remained confined by this date, it promised an infertile year.
On the morning of April 24, the ancestors tried to visit the church to pray to the saint. They turned to him for help in healing fever, headaches, vision and hearing problems, but most often for toothache.
According to popular beliefs, to get rid of the torment, it was necessary to attach a silver coin to a sore tooth, then make a hole in it, thread it and hang it on the icon of St. Antipas.
What can and cannot be done on the Antip Vodogon holiday
The feast of Antipas Vodogon was considered unfavorable for some field work. On this day, they tried not to even pick up the seeds, as the plants would not take root. The peasants also tried not to go into the forest. It was believed that it was at this time that bears woke up, hungry and dangerous after hibernation.
The housewives arranged a general cleaning on the holiday, cleaning the corners and floors of the house from accumulated dirt. This activity was perceived as a ritual that attracted prosperity and family well-being. However, cleaning had its limitations. For example, villagers avoided washing windows, believing that evil spirits could look into the house through clean glass and bring trouble.
There were other prohibitions. For example, they tried not to wash children's clothes on Antipu — there was an opinion that, together with soapy water, you can "wash off" a child's health. They also did not take up needlework, believing that such products would quickly become unusable.
Quarrels, conflicts, and revenge were prohibited on Antipas Vodogona. Any evil deed, according to beliefs, returned to the performer with a vengeance.
Pregnant women were not trusted to count money during the holiday. It was believed that this could provoke unforeseen expenses and damage the family budget.
On the feast day of Saint Antipas, it was necessary to repent of sins. The people believed that repentance opens the way to good luck and well-being for the whole year.
Folk signs on Antipas Vodogona
On April 24, the ancestors observed nature, drawing conclusions about what the coming summer would be like. If the sky turned red at sunrise in the morning, windy weather was expected. The rain that day promised an abundance of mushrooms. A budding willow meant that the frosts would not return. And if the frost persisted, it promised a rich harvest of grapes.
Earlier, Izvestia told when and how the Vadim Klyuchnik national holiday is celebrated in Russia.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
