January is the first month of the year and the second month of winter. It is often referred to as the “aphalin” (En. Navel) or the “karkia tou shimona” (heart of winter), as it lies at the centre of the winter season. January is named after the Roman God Janus, who is associated with beginnings, gateways and doorways. In Greek, it is called Ianouarios, but is also known as Gennaris, derived from the verb “genno” (to give birth), as it’s the month when goats and sheep give birth. January has also been given many other nicknames, such as Gatominas (the Cat month) as cats begin to mate, or Kalandaris (the Caroler) from the New Year’s and Epiphany carols and Kladeftis (the Pruner), referring to winter agricultural tasks.

January is known for its unstable weather, notable for its cold and sometimes snowy conditions, but also for the sunny Halcyon days. The couplet “Whoever believed the words of politics and the sun of January has never been happy” (Gr. “Ta logia tis polititzis tzi’ o nilios tou Gennari, opoios tzi an ta pistepse pote tou en echari”) reflects the prevalent weather conditions on the island during this month.

January is rich in proverbs and sayings that reflect its characteristics. The nights are darker and when the sky is clear, the moon shines brightly. “The January moon shines like a pearl” (Gr. “Tou Gennari to feggari, moiazei san margaritari”) or “The January moon is bright as the sun during the day” (Gr. “Tou Gennari to feggari, para ora mera moiazei”). In January, the nights are longer. “I wish the days of May were as long as the nights of January” (Gr. Na tan oi meres tou Magiou oi nyhtes tou Gennari”). It is also said that from mid-January, the cold weather starts to ease.

“From Saint Anthony’s day and onwards, let your dress flow freely in the air” (Gr. “Ap t’ Ai Antoniou ke pera, dos’ tou foustaniou sou aera”).

The highlights of this months are the traditional customs taking place on New Years’ Day and Epiphany. Women bake an assortment of koulouria and the famous Vasilopitta to celebrate the New Year.

Families gather around the fireplace and toss olive leaves into the flames, asking Saint Basil to reveal who loves them. On the eve of Epiphany, priests visit homes and sprinkle them with holy water (Gr. kalantisma) to ward off the kallikantzaroi (Cyprus goblins). On Epiphany Day, women prepare loukoumades (honey balls), which they throw on the roofs along with sausages to further deter the kallikantzaroi. Epiphany is marked by the casting of the Holy Cross into the sea. On this day, children also receive pouloustrina (a small amount of money).

In January, agricultural activities are limited because the unstable weather doesn’t permit outdoor work. However, on this month the sowing of wheat and barley is completed and the first plowing of the fields, known as “niasma”, begins. As the saying goes “In January, it’s time for pruning, don’t worry about the moon” (Gr. “Gennari mina kladeve, feggari min gireveis”), in January also starts the vine pruning.

Lastly, January is filled with name days, including Saint Basil’s Day on the 1^st, John the Baptist’s Day on the 7^th, Saint Anthony’s Day on the 17^th, Saint Athanasius’ Day on the 18^th, Saint Gregory’s Day on the 25^th, the Feast of the Three Hierarchs (Basil the Great, Gregory Nazianzen and John Chrysostom) on the 30^th and many more.