Folk signs for January 30th: what can and cannot be done
In Russia, signs and beliefs were given special importance. They were used to determine when to sow and harvest, when to prepare for winter, get married and go on a trip. Every day of the national calendar was full of rituals and superstitions. Izvestia tells about the signs for January 30 and the church holidays that fall on this date.
National omens for January 30, 2026
In the national calendar, January 30 is called Anton Perezimnik or Antonina-half. It was believed that this date was a kind of milestone, meaning that half the way to spring had already been passed, as the proverb says: "Antonina has come — half of winter." However, the warm weather on this day was not trusted, expecting that winter would still show its character.
The main ritual of the day was baking oatmeal balls, symbolizing the sun. They were served to all family members, neighbors, and even casual travelers, believing that it helps bring spring closer and brings happiness and health to the house. Some of the pastries were necessarily taken to the church for consecration.
Since Anton Perezimnik followed the Day of the Sorcerers (January 28), it was also considered a time of increased activity of the dark forces. A ceremony was held to protect the house.: whoever got up first in the morning had to go out on the porch, walk heels first to the nearest intersection, and then trace the tracks in the snow with a sharp sickle. In this way, the ancestors hoped to cut off the otherworldly guests from the way to the house.
Anton was closely watched for various signs, hoping to find out what the harvest would be like. A special role in this was assigned to the Moon — if it was bright, the year promised to be hungry, and if it was hidden behind clouds, a rich harvest was expected.
Other signs of the day
- a moon with round, sloping horns — for clear and frosty weather;
- Cloudy day — a snowstorm is about to start;
- snowfall — winter will drag on;
- the trees are covered with frost — for sunny days;
- squirrels hide in hollows, and chickadees chirp loudly — for a cold snap soon.
What not to do on January 30th
On Anton Perezimnik's day, there were a number of strict prohibitions designed to protect against dark forces and failures. On the holiday, they tried not to utter offensive words, not to swear or swear — it was believed that negativity could return to a person in the form of diseases.
What else can't be done on January 30th
- Being lazy and procrastinating can lead to losing luck for the whole coming year.;
- bragging about success and prosperity is a risk of "scaring off" well—being.;
- sewing, knitting and weaving — you can "sew" troubles and adversities to yourself;
- cooking pea dishes leads to diseases;
- men should leave the house for a long time — they believed that in the absence of the owner, evil spirits could enter the dwelling.;
- Talking to strangers and accepting gifts from them can be damaging.
What is the church holiday on January 30th?
On January 30, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Anthony the Great, who lived in the III–IV centuries. He was born into a rich and noble family, but was raised in the spirit of Christian piety. At the age of 18, having heard the evangelical call in the temple to leave everything and follow Christ, the saint distributed his inheritance to the poor and retired to the desert. For many years, Anthony struggled with hunger, thirst and numerous temptations, pacifying his mind and body with prayer. After 20 years, the fame of the hermit began to spread, monks seeking spiritual guidance gathered around him, and several new monasteries appeared in the desert.
Seeking solitude, Anthony went deep into the desert to the Red Sea. According to legend, in old age, the saint began to succumb to the proud thoughts that he was the oldest and wisest hermit. Then the Lord sent him to another ascetic, St. Paul of Thebes, who had settled in the desert long before Anthony. Meeting with him helped the saint to humble his pride. Soon after, Paul died, and Anthony buried him with honors. According to legend, two lions helped dig the grave. The monk himself died around the year 356 at the age of 106.
Also on January 30, believers remember St. Anthony of Dymsky. He was born in Novgorod around 1157. The saint took vows at the Khutyn monastery, and after the death of St. Barlaam in 1192, he became its abbot. Striving for solitary exploits, Anthony secretly left the monastery and settled on the shores of Lake Dymsky near Tikhvin. For greater mortification of the flesh, the monk constantly wore a heavy iron hat on his head. Over time, the brethren gathered around him and a monastery with a church in the name of Anthony the Great was founded. The saint died on June 24, 1224, and his incorruptible relics were found in 1330.
Prayers for January 30th
Orthodox believers pray to St. Anthony the Great and St. Anthony of Dyma on January 30. They are asked for protection from evil, help in difficult situations, healing from ailments, guidance for the lost, and the gift of humility.
Prayer to St. Anthony the Great
"Oh, our venerable and God-bearing Father Anthony! We believe that you, standing before the throne of the Most Holy Trinity, have great boldness in your prayers to the All-merciful Lord God, Who always listens to you, His faithful servant and saint. For this reason, we humbly bow down to you, O holy one of God: do not be silent, but pray for us to the Lord God, who is worshipped and glorified in the Trinity, so that, having mercifully looked upon us, He may not allow us to perish in our sins, but may he raise up the fallen, may He give correction to our evil and wretched lives, rapturing us from future falls. And may God forgive us all who have sinned in thought, word, and deed, from birth to this hour. O ascetic of virtue, weigh the infirmity and sorrow of the present times, and pray to Christ God that His ineffable mercy may not forsake us, but that He may protect us from worldly temptations, from diabolical snares, and from carnal lusts, that we may receive from Him all that is necessary for our temporal life, deliverance from troubles and misfortunes, and unflagging patience to the end. Grant us, in peace and repentance, to end our life and pass from earth to heaven unchallenged, and to be delivered from ordeals, demons, and eternal torments, and to be worthy of the Kingdom of heaven with you and with all the saints who have pleased our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom befits all glory, honor, and worship, with Beginningless By His Father, and with His Most Holy, Good, and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."
Prayer to St. Anthony of Dyma
"O good shepherd, our teacher and mentor, and the head of the holy monastery of the Smoke, Reverend Father Anthony! We pray to you fervently. As you have boldness towards the Lord Christ and His Most Pure Mother, be an intercessor and a warm prayer book for us unworthy ones who flow to you with faith, protecting us from all troubles and misfortunes, so that through your prayers and intercession we may remain unharmed from our enemies, visible and invisible. Pray to His mercy to save us from our sins, which are the message of fate. Pray for His goodness, that He may graciously grant us and the whole world what we need. Pray to Him Who gives peace to all: grant peace to the Churches, gathering those who have been lavished into one, preserve our country in peace and quiet, and grant good and serene days everywhere to everyone who is faithful at home and on the way, to pacify our lives, and have mercy on us who come here and for the blessed wine of our departed father and brothers, and the whole world, And to save our souls, that we may glorify, praise, sing, and magnify the most honorable and magnificent name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia told about the signs of the national holiday Peter the Half-feed.
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