On January 28, Orthodox Christians commemorate Saint Paul of Thebes, who lived in the 4th century. In the folk calendar, this day is known as Pavlov Day or the Day of Wizards. It was believed that this time was dangerous, so people tried not to leave their homes. To protect themselves from wizards, they propped their doors from the inside with aspen stakes.
On January 28, Orthodox Christians honor Saint Paul of Thebes, also known as Paul the Hermit or Paul of Egypt. He is considered the first monk in the Orthodox tradition.
Paul's life was full of trials. Losing his parents at an early age, he was raised by a relative. Seeking to seize the boy's inheritance, the relative informed the pagans that the child had been baptized.
At the age of 12, the teenager was imprisoned, but he managed to escape. After long wanderings, Paul found refuge in the desert, where he settled in a cave. The hermit fed on dates brought to him by sparrows. His clothing was made of palm leaves. Paul prayed constantly, which helped him overcome all difficulties.
According to tradition, the saint lived to be 113 years old. Shortly before his death, he was visited by Anthony the Great, who, according to him, was guided to the hermit by Christ himself. Anthony the Great buried Paul, who died while praying.
After his death in the desert, where he spent most of his life, many monasteries arose. People sought this holy place, where it was easy for them to breathe.
Photo: Nikita Chudin. UG.RU
Folk Calendar: Pavlov Day and the Day of Wizards
In folk tradition, the holiday dedicated to Saint Paul of Thebes was called Pavlov Day or the Day of Wizards. There was a belief that on January 28 (January 15 according to the old calendar), wizards and witches passed on their abilities to create mischief and trouble to young people.
To understand whether they could cast a spell, young wizards and witches tried to infiltrate people's homes. They waited for people on the roads, trying to lure them into the forest, waited by wells and on the outskirts.
Therefore, on Pavlov Day, our ancestors tried to leave their homes as little as possible, and after sunset, they completely locked their doors, propping them from the inside with aspen stakes.
What to Do on Pavlov Day
Our ancestors began the morning with prayer. First at home, then in church. Addressing Saint Paul, who spent his entire life in solitude with God, they asked him to strengthen their faith in the Almighty, take care of their families, and heal them from illnesses. They knew that Saint Paul protected against curses, temptations, and the evil eye, and they asked for this.
In the morning, before going to church, women baked loaves of bread, which were then blessed in the temple. Upon returning home, each family member was given a piece of bread, believing it would protect them from misfortunes and diseases.
On Pavlov Day, which was mostly spent at home, people engaged in regular chores: cleaning, washing, and cooking. Men took care of the livestock, checking if the cows, horses, pigs, sheep, and other animals were fed. They also made sure it was not cold in the henhouse, as strong frosts often occurred at this time of year.
Before leaving the house on Pavlov Day, it was customary to knock on wood three times and spit over the left shoulder. The same ritual was repeated upon returning.
While doing household chores, women did not forget about the household spirit. It was believed that on Pavlov Day, he should be treated to something particularly tasty, so a plate of food was placed in a secluded spot.
Despite the activity of wizards, Pavlov Day was considered a favorable time for weddings. Our ancestors believed that a marriage contracted on Pavlov Day would be long, happy, and strong.
Day of Wizards: Folk Signs
Pavlov Day foretells what weather is expected in the coming days. If the stars shine brightly in the sky, it promises frost. Dull stars predict a thaw.
If clouds gather from the north during the day, it indicates a drop in temperature. If from the south, it indicates warming.
If tits start to make noise, it predicts a snowstorm and frost. If crows are cawing, it indicates a sudden change in weather.
Windy weather on Pavlov Day promises a cold and rainy year, while clear weather promises a dry and hot summer.
On the Day of Wizards, our ancestors closely watched cats, which are known to sense ill-intentioned people. It was believed that if a cat began to hiss at a person entering the house, it was not accidental — perhaps a witch or wizard had entered the dwelling.
Pavlov Day: What Not to Do
Despite the ominous undertone of the Day of Wizards, there are many prohibitions on this day, as in other holidays. The main ones concern fears of curses and the evil eye. On Pavlov Day, it is forbidden to:
Stay alone for a long time. Lonely people are less protected from external dangers and can become easy prey for wizards and magicians, who, by “casting a spell” on them, have inflicted a curse.
Leave the house hungry — it leads to illness.
Wear unkempt clothing. It is believed that such things attract negativity more easily.
Quarrel with loved ones. Even minor conflicts that arise on Pavlov Day can escalate into a storm that sweeps everything in its path, leaving no hope for reconciliation.
Be rude to acquaintances and strangers. This can lead to health problems.
Pregnant women should not leave the house. Negative people can harm the child.
Old people said: Pavlov Day requires caution. To avoid becoming a victim of wizards, one should not accept gifts from strangers or acquaintances during this time. It is forbidden to pick up objects or money lying on the street, especially those thrown at intersections. It is possible that they ended up there not by chance.
