On April 24, the Orthodox Church commemorates the holy martyr Antipus, who lived in the 1st century. In the folk calendar, this day is known as Antip the Water Carrier. Our ancestors knew that at this time, the water level in the rivers rises, and the peak of the flood begins. In ancient times, during this period, people feared the leshy, who could cause serious harm to people. Washing windows and gardening on this day was strictly prohibited.
On April 24, Orthodox Christians remember the holy martyr Antipus of Pergamum in their prayers. He lived during the reign of Emperor Domitian, who persecuted Christians. Antipus of Pergamum was a disciple of John the Theologian and served as the bishop of the Pergamum church.
According to historical sources, pagans tried to force the bishop to stop mentioning Jesus Christ in his sermons, promising to leave him alone. However, the faithful Christian refused to accept the terms of the idolaters and was martyred in the temple of Artemis. Christians secretly buried him, and several centuries later, a temple was built at his grave.
Folk Calendar: Antip the Water Carrier
The holiday dedicated to Antipus of Pergamum was called “Antip the Water Carrier” by our ancestors. This name is associated with the fact that at this time, the flood reaches its peak, and water overflows, flooding cities and villages.
This period was considered difficult, as peasant households were at risk of flooding. Nevertheless, people found positive aspects even in these inconveniences. They believed that the widespread flooding of water heralded a good harvest. “There would be water, and bread would be born,” they reasoned. “Antip cleans the rivers of ice”; “Antip has released the water,” people said, realizing that by this time, there was almost no ice left.
There were also instances when the rivers did not even think of breaking through on Antip the Water Carrier. This was considered a bad sign, heralding a modest wheat harvest and an inclement summer with negative consequences.
Antip the Water Carrier: What is Allowed
On the day of remembrance of Antipus of Pergamum, people visited the church to pray to the saint and ask for healing from ailments. The saint helps those suffering from blindness, deafness, mental disorders, and headaches. Most often, they turned to him with requests to alleviate toothache.
If one repents of their sins on the day of remembrance of Antipus of Pergamum, it will ensure good fortune for the entire year.
On Antip the Water Carrier, women, referred to as divorcees in the villages, and abandoned girls would go to water bodies to cleanse their souls of sorrow and sadness. It was believed that if they shared their sufferings with the water, it would carry away their worries and help them improve their lives.
In ancient times, large cleanings were conducted in homes on Antipus. Windows were not touched, but all corners were thoroughly cleaned, dust was wiped, and floors were washed. This was done not only for cleanliness but also to attract good fortune and financial well-being, as the elders said.
Antip the Water Carrier: Folk Omens
On the day of Antip the Water Carrier, peasants did not engage in fieldwork. They did not handle seeds, sow anything, or deal with seedlings, as this day was considered unfavorable for such activities. They also did not go into the forest alone, as everyone knew that on Antip the Water Carrier, bears, awakened from winter hibernation, come out of their dens. Hungry animals posed a real threat to people.
According to folk beliefs, if it rains on April 24 (April 11 in the old style), the summer will be mushroom-rich. If frosts persist, it heralds a good harvest of mushrooms.
If one repents of their sins on the day of Antip, the entire year will be successful.
To know what the day will be like, one would look at the sky at sunrise. If it was red, it foretold strong winds throughout the day. If the day was dry, it caused sadness: a good wheat harvest in summer was not predicted.
Antip the Water Carrier: What is Forbidden
There were many prohibitions during the folk holiday. According to one of them, in order not to anger the leshy, it was forbidden to chop wood on Antip the Water Carrier. Peasants knew that if they disregarded this prohibition, the leshy could unleash wild animals that would attack the house and harm the livestock. This could lead to the ruin of the owners. The elders prohibited on Antip the Water Carrier:
Washing windows — this would attract the attention of dark forces that would peek into the house and bring troubles.
Washing children's clothes — the water could take away the health of the children.
Gossiping and speaking ill of others — evil would return in a hundredfold measure.
Counting money — this leads to poverty, but this prohibition only applied to pregnant women.
Scolding children — the guardian angel of the little ones would punish their parents.
On Antip the Water Carrier, there are also prohibitions related to Great Lent. On this day, meat and dairy products are not eaten, and alcoholic beverages are not consumed.
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