Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Day of St. Anthony (Antonovden) beliefs and rituals

Photo: library

St. Anthony was born in Egypt around 251 AD and died at the age of 105 on 17 January, celebrated as his patron saint’s day.

St. Anthony is considered to be the first monk to have lived a life in complete solitude, far from any earthly temptation and sin. He helped people with spiritual guidance and also with his gift as a healer. St. Anthony left behind dozens of followers and disciples.

In popular tradition, 17 January is called Antonovden (St. Anthony’s day), celebrated by all people named Anton, Antonia, Andon, Antoaneta and also Doncho, Donka and their derivatives. In Bulgarian tradition, the rituals on this day are connected with the belief that the saint, together with his twin brother (St. Athanasius, celebrated on 18 January) has the gift of curing disease.

Find out more HERE.

Compiled by Albena Bezovska



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Happy 89th, Radio Bulgaria!

On February 16, Radio Bulgaria celebrates its 89th anniversary . Throughout these years, our multilingual media has been not only a channel of information, but also an invaluable link with our audience around the world. Today, Radio Bulgaria offers rich..

published on 2/16/25 7:35 AM

On 27 January the world remembers the victims of the Holocaust

10 March is the Bulgarian Day of Rescue of Bulgarian Jews, Holocaust Victims and Crimes against Humanity With commemorative events in Sofia and in Russe with the participation of officials from Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry, public administration,..

updated on 1/27/25 11:17 AM

BNR at 90 - a story of pride and no prejudice!

On 25 January 1935, Tsar Boris III signed the decree establishing the Bulgarian National Radio. The document, which officially marked the beginning of "Radio Sofia", as the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) was then called, made radio broadcasting in Bulgaria..

updated on 1/25/25 3:26 PM