The Orthodox Church in Bulgaria honours January 17 St. Anthony. Photo by www.plovdivcityguide.com
The Orthodox Church in Bulgaria celebrates January 17 St. Anthony's Day (Antonovden) to protect people from illnesses. It is also the holiday of all who bear the name of Saint Anthony.
On this day women do not spin, knit and cook beans, corn and lentil, because they might make the diseases angry.
Legend has it that the twin brothers Anthony and Atanas were blacksmiths and were the first to invent the blacksmith's tongs. Anthony's Day is celebrated as a holiday of the blacksmiths, ironmongers, cutters and shoeing smiths.
People named after the saint Anthony (meaning "priceless" in Latin) - Antonia, Andon, Dona, Donka - celebrate their name day today.