A special holiday on January 28 is Pavlov Day: history, traditions, omens
Every year on January 28, Orthodox believers remember St. Paul of Thebes, who lived in the fourth century, one of the founders of the monastic feat. In the national calendar, this date is known as Pavlov Day, or Sorcerers' Day. In 2026, it falls on Wednesday. Read about the history of the holiday, its traditions and signs in the Izvestia article.
What is the church holiday on January 28th?
St. Paul of Thebes was born in the 3rd century in Egypt, in the Thebaid region, into a wealthy family. He was orphaned at an early age and, after the death of his parents, found himself under the care of a relative who took care primarily of his inheritance.
During the brutal persecution of Christians under Emperor Decius, when denunciation could cost a man his life, the selfish guardian decided to get rid of the boy, telling the authorities that he had been baptized. Upon learning of this, twelve-year-old Pavel fled the city and took refuge in the desert.
The future ascetic ended his long wanderings in a cave at the foot of the mountain. Here he decided to spend the rest of his days in seclusion. According to church tradition, Pavel spent 91 years there, reading prayers day and night, eating dates and a small amount of bread that a raven brought him. Palm leaves served as his clothes.
Nobody knew about Pavel for many years. Only shortly before his death did the Lord tell about him to another great hermit, Anthony the Great, at the very moment when he doubted that anyone could surpass him in asceticism.
Then Anthony heard a voice from above, telling him that in the depths of the desert there lived a man who had become a hermit before him and led a more ascetic lifestyle. Following the call, he found Paul's cave. The elders met as old acquaintances, called each other by name, hugged and talked for a long time about faith and the monastic path. As a sign of God's special providence, during their conversation, the raven brought a whole loaf, not half as usual.
Paul informed Anthony in advance of his imminent death and asked him to arrange a funeral. He died on his knees while praying. Church sources report that Anthony saw the soul of the righteous being escorted to heaven by angels.
While digging a grave in the rocky soil, two lions came to Anthony's aid, according to legend, and tore the earth with their claws. After the burial, the hermit took Paul's palm—leaf robe with him and wore it as the greatest shrine twice a year - on Easter and Pentecost.
St. Paul of Thebes did not create monastic statutes or found monasteries, but his way of life (complete solitude, continuous prayer, and renunciation of material possessions) became a standard for subsequent generations of monks. The desert where the hermit lived was later covered with monasteries. People sought to pray in places where, in their opinion, God's presence was especially felt.
Traditions of the national holiday Pavlov Day on January 28
In the folk tradition, Pavlov's Day was considered a kind of boundary between light and darkness. "Pavel added a day," the peasants said, emphasizing that after the holiday the daylight hours become noticeably longer. Nevertheless, the ancestors considered this period to be dangerous, as the dark forces, sorcerers and witches did not want to give up their positions so easily, showing special activity, so special care should be taken. Hence the other name of the holiday — Sorcerers' Day.
From early in the morning, the housewives kneaded "coastal" wheat loaves or "sunny" pies, often rounded in shape, with a simple but satisfying filling. While the bread was coming, prayers were read to St. Paul, asking him to strengthen his faith, protect him from temptations, diseases, the evil eye and the "evil eye" on his family and home. Then the whole family went to the temple and blessed the pastries. Upon returning, the loaf was cut into pieces and given to each household member a small piece as a symbol of common protection and family unity.
According to legend, on Sorcerers' Day, "dark teachers" passed on their knowledge to students who had to "pass the exam" — to test their skills in public. According to beliefs, they were waiting for potential victims at roads, wells, on the outskirts of villages. Young girls, boys, and pregnant women were considered particularly vulnerable, so they were advised not to leave their homes if possible.
The fear of evil spirits also gave rise to special ways of protection, which were preserved for a long time in rural life. So, before going outside, they knocked three times on a wooden jamb and symbolically spat three times over their left shoulder. The same action was repeated, returning, as if "washing off" a possible evil eye. In the houses, after sunset, all the doors were carefully closed, and they were propped up with aspen stakes from the inside. The ancestors believed that aspen "keeps" evil spirits at a distance.
They also tried to appease the brownie, the keeper of the hearth in popular representations. It was believed that the spirit was especially susceptible to the mood of the hosts. If there was noise and quarrels in the house, he could "take revenge" with some breakdowns and disappearances. Therefore, on Pavlov's day, they left him a treat — a plate of porridge, a piece of pie or a cup of kvass in a secluded corner, sometimes by the stove, quietly asking him to protect his home, cattle and children.
Despite the "witchcraft" reputation, January 28 was considered a favorable date for weddings and weddings. In the peasant consciousness, the memory of the holy ascetic, who went through trials but remained faithful to God, was combined with the idea of a strong family union. It was believed that a marriage concluded on St. Paul's Day would be durable and resistant to external trials.
What not to do on the feast of St. Paul's Day on January 28
In the popular consciousness, the Day of the Sorcerers was one of the most "dangerous" periods. It was associated with a number of prohibitions, the violation of which, as the ancestors believed, could provoke the evil eye, damage or other negative magical effects. So, on January 28, you shouldn't have been alone for long. According to beliefs, in solitude, it is easier for a person to become a target of witchcraft. Therefore, in Russia, they tried to spend the holiday with their family, doing their usual household chores.
What else you can't do on January 28th:
- leaving the house hungry — an empty stomach can be "filled" with ailments, illnesses and failures.;
- Wearing torn or dirty clothes attracts negativity and bad thoughts.;
- quarreling with loved ones will make it difficult to reconcile.;
- Being rude to friends and strangers can lead to health problems and business troubles.;
- pregnant women should leave home for a long time — unkind people can jinx not only the expectant mother, but also the child.;
- accepting gifts from strangers, picking up money and objects from the ground, especially at intersections and doorsteps — you can take damage, illness or other people's troubles with them.;
- There is no need to go to the forest — evil spirits are especially active there on this day.;
- bragging about plans and talking loudly about future successes can scare off luck.
Folk signs for January 28
On St. Paul's Day, the peasants observed nature, trying to predict what the rest of winter, spring, and even summer would be like.:
- A bright starry sky at night leads to severe frosts and a good harvest.;
- dim stars, dense clouds — lead to a thaw;
- strong wind — for a wet, rainy year;
- snowfall on Pavlov Day — winter will drag on;
- A clear, windless, sunny day leads to early spring and dry summer.;
- chickadees are screaming loudly near houses — to an imminent blizzard and cold snap;
- sparrows hide under roofs and in cracks of barns — to increase frosts;
- Crows are cawing loudly and flying low, leading to a thaw or a sudden change in the weather.
On Pavlov's Day, they watched how much longer the day had become. According to the signs, if the increase was noticeable, it meant that the harsh part of winter was behind us.
Also on Sorcerers' Day, special attention was paid to the behavior of cats. Calmness was considered a sign of well—being, and a sudden hissing at an incoming person was an alarm signal, meaning that an unkind guest had entered the house. They tried to send such a visitor away as soon as possible, after which they read a prayer and sprinkled the house with holy water.
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs and strict prohibitions of the special holiday Nina's Day.
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