Slavic Christmastide is popularly known as a fortnight of fortune telling and magical rituals. This week begins the year according to the Orthodox calendar. It includes the holidays of Christmas, Old New Year, Epiphany.
These days, young people are wondering about their betrothed. Ritual caroling, sowing, mummering, visiting, rituals for well-being and fertility take place. It is believed that these days the presence of spirits among people is especially significant, so the future opens up.
From the end of December, daylight hours began to increase, people associated this with the victory of good over evil. Therefore, on the holy days after Christmas, joy reigned everywhere, unbridled fun, communication, songs and festivities with a hearty meal and sincere conversations.
On holy days, hunting animals and birds is prohibited.
The Nativity of Christ is the second significant holiday of Orthodoxy. It is also noted at the state level. This date according to the Gregorian calendar commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. In Rus', this holiday, in addition to the traditional Christmas tree and the previous fast, acquired special Slavic features and was replenished with rites and rituals:
· Conclusion of contracts. From Christmas to Maslenitsa, new annual contracts were concluded between merchants. During this period, business people sought to take stock and close last year's obligations in order to begin new contractual relationships.
· Burning of the sheaf. Christmas also ended the agricultural year. In the fall, during the harvest, the owner chose the best sheaf and placed it under the icon in the red corner of the home. On Christmas Eve, this gift was burned as a sign of new hope for the future harvest. On Christmas and Holy Days, people looked towards a better future. Everyone tried to wear and buy beautiful clothes, prepare the most delicious and satisfying food, give expensive gifts. Generosity of actions attracted generosity of fate and new hope.
· Nativity scene and Kolyada. From Europe to Russia came the custom of theatrical performances associated with the birth of the infant Christ, the so-called dens. In Russian villages they transformed into processions of mummers and puppet theaters in squares. True, Orthodoxy forbade the use of dolls of the Virgin Mary and Christ; they were replaced with icons.
Kolyada (glorification) is the custom of coming to neighbors with a song glorifying the Nativity of Christ. The costumed artists were rewarded with tasty treats, pies were specially baked and sweets were prepared.
· Christmas Eve. The day before Christmas is called Christmas Eve after the Lenten porridge with honey, nuts and poppy seeds. Before the first star, we ate nothing else that day. The girls were wondering about their betrothed. After dinner on Christmas Eve, according to custom, the owner collected all the remaining food from the table and took it to his pets to share with them the joy of the birth of the Savior.
The Nativity Fast ended with the rise of the first star into the sky, which marked the birth of the baby Jesus. The most hearty food was prepared for this holiday. The dishes consisted of large pieces of meat, fish and poultry baked in the oven. All pastries were also prepared with meat filling. The famous rolls, kulebyaki, pancakes and pies decorated the Christmas table.
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January 19
EPICPANY EVE
Dedicated to the event of the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan. Baptism was performed by John the Baptist. Traditionally, on this day of purification, people purify themselves with water. For Epiphany bathing, blessed fonts and ice holes are usually created. In addition, on this day all water is considered sacred. They drink the water blessed in the church on this day on an empty stomach, and also store it in the Red Corner of the house all year, using it for consecrations and healings. During Epiphany bathing, you need to plunge your head three times, saying the prayer: “In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
On this day you cannot do laundry or work. The Feast of Epiphany is intended for humility and cleansing of mental and physical impurities. Thoughts are directed towards unity, tolerance, mutual assistance, gratitude to God and people, peace of mind and peace.
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February, during the week before Lent
MASLENITSA
Maslenitsa is a farewell to winter and preparation for welcoming spring, Lent and Easter. This week begins with Sunday, called the “meat plot.” This is the last meat day until Easter. Pancakes are baked all week as a symbol of the solar disk. These days people go to visit with their pancakes and greet them with pancakes. In addition to pancakes, they bake gingerbread cookies, brew honey sbitni and beer, and drink liters of tea. The samovar always had to be hot.
Sledding and sleigh rides are a tribute to the fallen snow and winter. Her image in the form of a straw effigy of Maslenitsa is burned in rural and city squares. This week is marked by wild festivities, songs, theatrical performances of cheerful buffoons, and funny fights. Parsley, my love folk doll, makes the audience laugh and entertains. Young people try to show themselves in all their beauty and decoration. These days, when all the people are on the streets, couples are being looked for.
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First Sunday after the full moon after March 21
EASTER
Favorite Christian holiday in honor of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This day is the first after a long fast. In the morning, people greet each other with the special words “Christ is risen!”, and in response: “Truly he is risen!” After the greeting, they kiss three times and exchange Easter eggs.
Housewives paint boiled eggs, bake tall Easter cakes and sweet curd Easter cakes. All holiday food is first blessed in the church. People love to play breaking boiled eggs.
It is customary to send beautiful Easter cards Congratulations.
A favorite Easter game is egg rolling. The games begin on the first day of Easter and last throughout Bright Week. One game could last several hours. Wooden copies of painted eggs are made especially for the game. The egg is rolled down a not steep hill on a board or towel. At the bottom, all participants place their eggs in a semicircle. The goal is to knock down one of these eggs. If you knock it down, then you take the knocked egg and continue the game, if not, then you give way to another and put your egg below.
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First Sunday after Easter
RED HILL
For the Slavs, the Red Hill holiday means the full arrival of spring. At this time, nature begins to bloom, trees and grasses sprout new green shoots. On Krasnaya Gorka, girls perform round dances, young people organize fun and competitions: tug-of-war, funny fights, swing rides. Young people choose hills that have dried out from the spring waters, sing songs, dance and perform rituals spelling spring, and everyone watches the sunrise together. Among the dishes, it is customary to treat yourself to dishes with scrambled eggs.
It is customary to have weddings at this time. A wedding on Krasnaya Gorka is a good omen for newlyweds.
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Before the change in chronology, the holiday coincided with the days summer solstice, the maximum flourishing of nature, the victory of light over darkness. For example, in the Baltic countries this holiday (Ligo) is celebrated according to the old style on June 23-24.
With the emergence of Christianity, this day is also dedicated to John the Baptist. Therefore, according to both traditions, this holiday is dedicated to water.
Preparations begin on July 6, the day of Agrafena the Bathing Suit. Girls and women prepare bath brooms for the whole year. On this day, traditionally, the baths are heated. Young guys pour water on all passers-by and fellow villagers.
In the evening, young people gather in the clearing, start fires, and compete in jumping over the fire. Girls use plantain grass to tell fortunes about their betrothed and send wreaths of wild herbs and flowers down the river.
Wells were traditionally cleaned of silt and dirt. In some villages it was customary to ride on rye. It is considered a good sign to swim either in a bathhouse or in a pond.
According to popular belief, on the day of the summer solstice, water unites with fire. Therefore, fires are lit on the banks of rivers and lakes. Also, according to legend, happiness awaits the one who finds a fern flower, supposedly blooming only on this night.
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July 8
PETER AND FEVRONIA'S DAY
This is popular Orthodox holiday in honor of family, love and loyalty. Named in honor of Prince Peter and his wife Fevronia, a girl from a simple family. Saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom are the patrons of family and marital devotion. It is customary to get engaged on this day.
The symbol of pure love in Russia is the chamomile flower. Therefore, there is a tradition of telling fortunes about your future spouse using a chamomile. Now there is a special medal for the most faithful married couples. On one side there is a chamomile, and on the other there are images of Peter and Fevronia.
According to tradition, on this day the peasants have their first mowing and all the water spirits go to sleep deep into the reservoirs. Therefore, it was allowed to swim without looking back.
On the day of Peter and Fevronia, the weather for the next 40 days is determined. If July 8 is clear, then clear and fine days are ahead.
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The holiday is dedicated to the prophet Elijah. This day is also revered by the Slavs as a holiday of the ancient thunder god Perun.
This is the day of warriors and farmers. By this day, you need to finish making hay and harvesting. In addition, this is the holiday of Perun - this is the beginning of preparing fields for planting winter crops.
Perun is the patron saint of warriors; this is a holiday for the defenders and rulers of the people. On this day, men's competitions in strength, agility and martial arts are held.
In the evening, men drink beer and kvass around the fire; the preferred dishes are beef, lamb and cottage cheese.
Starting from this day, cold air begins to envelop the earth, reservoirs are covered with duckweed, and the first yellow leaves are noticed on birch trees. This day is considered the closing of the swimming season. “Ilya has come, autumn says: Here I am!”
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The beginning of the Assumption Lent opens with the Honey or Poppy Spas. On this day, peasants begin to collect honey. It is customary to first consecrate the sweet delicacy in church. You cannot eat meat and fish during your honey holiday. Traditional dishes: pancakes with honey, poppy seed cakes and mead.
At Poppy Spas, women and girls are forgiven all mistakes if they ask for it. with a pure heart. Often in villages people pour blessed honey into a large vessel, and everyone can dip white bread into it, congratulating each other.
On this day, charitable assistance to poor and starving people is especially welcomed. They are given gifts and treated to baked goods and honey. It is customary to help widows and orphans with housework: cleaning the house, fixing houses, donating utensils and clothes.
From this day the first harvest begins.
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The Feast of First Fruits is associated with the ripening of apples. Since the holiday falls on the Dormition Fast, fruits are the main food these days. Apples are used to bake fragrant pies and make jam. Each housewife should have her own special apple pie recipe with which she should surprise her guests.
Apples are blessed in the church in the morning. When finishing an apple illuminated in a church, it is customary to make a wish.
Our ancestors guessed the weather based on this day. If the weather was dry and warm on Yablochny Spas, it was expected mild winter. But if it rained, you need to prepare for a harsh winter.
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Old Slavic holiday of the approach of autumn. On this holiday, it is customary to celebrate housewarming, the lighting of a new fire, rites of tonsure, funeral of flies and legends about sparrows.
Kindling the fire. On Semenov's day they extinguished all the fire in the house. They left only the flame of the lamp near the icons. From this fire, a new fire was kindled in the morning, which symbolized the beginning of the next cycle of the element of fire. A renewal was taking place, attracting happiness and prosperity to the house.
The tradition of burying flies is an ancient custom that means farewell to summer. Sweeping flies out of the house meant getting rid of quarrels and everyday troubles.
Semyonov's day begins Indian summer. From that day on, they no longer mow the grass. On this day it is not customary to work in the fields, and at night before the onset of cold weather the sparrows that need to survive the snowy winter are counted by spirits.
Semenov's day is also associated with the ancient custom of tonsure. For initiation into men, boys who reached the age of three had a small lock of hair cut off from the top of their heads. The godfather puts the child on the horse and guides him through, holding the horse by the bridle. From this moment on, the child is considered a future warrior and the father of the family; predominantly men are involved in his upbringing.
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This holiday is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It is believed that she covers the ground with snow, like her scarf. On this day, it is customary to feed and treat stray animals and feed birds with bread.
On the Day of the Intercession, it is customary to have fun and smile at everyone you meet. To save children from illness, on this day they are taken outside the threshold and doused with water from a large sieve.
Everyone who comes to the house should be fed delicious pancakes. Women take up needlework: embroider, spin and sew. They sing songs and laugh a lot.
On this holiday, a special Pokrovsky loaf is baked. You need to feed it to your loved ones, friends and neighbors, and save the leftovers and crumbs until Lent.
And, of course, on this day everyone asks the Mother of God for the protection and prosperity of the family.
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The custom of celebrating the New Year in Russia on January 1 appeared simultaneously with the New Year tree on 1799.
New Year became family holiday. The biggest feast is organized on this day. How you celebrate the New Year is how you will live it. Therefore, before celebrating the New Year, you need to forget about your problems, make peace with your loved ones and friends, and ask for forgiveness from everyone who was offended. Pay off all material debts, fulfill everything promised. Throw away unnecessary things and thoughts and promise yourself to become a better person. next year.
New Year's gifts, decorated house and Christmas tree, ice skating, colorful fireworks and fabulous performances, beautiful outfits and Christmas movies, corporate events, children's costume shows and New Year holidays, abundant food, congratulations to all friends and relatives are the most favorite customs Russian people on New Year's holiday.
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Spring-summer holidays and rituals
Winter holidays and rituals
Off-season rituals and customs
Autumn holidays and rituals
Agrafena Bathing Lady (Bather)
1. Memorial Day of the Holy Martyr Agrippina. In the peasant tradition, it is known as Agripina’s bathing suit, since the day of her memory fell on the eve of the holiday of Ivan Kupala and was interpreted as a day of preparation for it.
2. The popular name for herbs collected on the night of Ivan Kupala.
Annunciation
The great twelfth holiday of the Orthodox Church in honor of the Annunciation by the Archangel Gabriel of the Most Pure Virgin Mary of upcoming birth her Jesus Christ. In folk tradition, it is associated with the moment of the spring equinox, when the earth woke up and the period of greatest activity of all living things began.
Holy Thursday services
Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday services are Matins, Liturgy and All-Night Vigil on Thursday of Holy Week, which are permeated by the memory of the events of the day preceding the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Church remembers the Last Supper, at which the rite of the Eucharist was established - communion, Christ's washing of the disciples' feet, the Savior's covenants left to the disciples, his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and the betrayal of Judas.
Lent
From Monday after Maslenitsa week until Easter.
A seven-week period of strict abstinence, repentance and prayer in anticipation of the celebration of Easter. By folk calendar At this time there were ceremonies of invoking spring, preparing and carrying out plowing and sowing.
Palm Sunday
Celebration attribute Palm Sunday, the last one before Easter, when the willow was consecrated in the temple or in the churchyard. Among the people, willow was endowed magical power, the ability to convey health, strength and beauty to a person or animal.
Palm Sunday
Sunday in the sixth week of Lent before Easter.
On this day the Church celebrates the twelfth feast - the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. In Christian churches, palm branches of trees are blessed (for the Orthodox - willow). The holiday is associated with the idea of mercy and philanthropy.
Driving boom/sula
Yegoryev day, Easter week, Ascension.
A ritual that “closed” spring and “opened” summer. It was dedicated to Yegoryev's day, Easter week or Ascension. Included the ritual burial of arrows (sula) by women for protective and reproductive purposes.
Ascension
The fortieth day after Easter (end of May - beginning of June)
The twelfth holiday of the Orthodox Church, the Ascension of the Lord. Celebrated on the fortieth day after Easter, when, according to the Gospel, Jesus ascended to heaven. On this day, according to ancient custom, meals with pancakes, “ladders” and scrambled eggs were held in the fields, marking the end of spring and the beginning of summer
Wiping away the fire
Maundy Thursday
The ritual of making “live” fire by rubbing two pieces of wood against each other in situations of disaster (death of livestock, crop failure, epidemic). As a calendar ritual, it was carried out on Maundy Thursday and Elijah Friday. In home ovens and shrines, the old fire was extinguished and a new one produced by friction was lit.
Gerasim-Grachevnik
According to the church calendar, it is the day of remembrance of St. Gerasim of Lycia (5th century) and St. Gerasim, the first Vologda miracle worker (12th century). This holiday in central Russia coincided with the arrival of rooks - the first sign of spring. On this day, people got rid of kikimora in the house.
Magical actions on the last day of the harvest, signifying the completion of the harvest and the festive meal dedicated to them. The most common ritual was “curling the beard” - the last unharvested ears of grain and ritually magical actions with sickles. The ritual was supposed to ensure the fertile power of the earth.
Dozhinochny sheaf
A sheaf of the last ears of corn harvested in the field is an attribute of the pre-zhin ritual. Cutting the sheaf was accompanied by a number of ritual actions and prohibitions. The sheaf was dressed in women's clothing, used for fortune telling, placed under icons and kept until the Intercession of the Virgin Mary, then fed to livestock to protect them from winter starvation.
Whit Monday
First Monday after Trinity
Celebrated at the beginning of All Saints' Week. Affirms the divine essence of the Holy Spirit and its unity with other hypostases of the Holy Trinity. On this day, the peasants glorified the land - the birthday girl, walked around the fields and “fed the landlady”, giving her part of the meal.
Yegoryev day
Popular name church holiday in honor of the Great Martyr George. The saint's day of remembrance is celebrated twice: winter in December, spring in May. Spring was established by the church on the day when, according to legend, St. George's head was cut off. In the popular imagination, St. George is a snake fighter, a warrior, the owner of the land and the patron of livestock.
Magical actions on the eve or on the day of sowing. The most suitable day for the start of ritual sowing was the day of the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremey the Harnesser). The day of sowing was considered a holiday, accompanied by prayers and festive meals.
Ivanovo herbs
Herbs, flowers, tree branches, roots, the collection of which is included in the ritual complex of the celebration of Ivan Kupala. According to legend, they are distinguished by special witchcraft powers and healing properties. Herbs were collected on the night of Ivan Kupala, dried and used as a remedy for all misfortunes, in maiden fortune telling, and in the treatment of people and livestock.
Games and fun with eggs
Easter week and Fomino Sunday (Red Hill)
Entertainment for rural youth using eggs: rolling eggs from hillocks and wooden trays, knocking them down with a ball, etc. These games go back to ancient agricultural rituals.
Elijah's day
Day of remembrance of the Old Testament prophet Elijah. In the popular imagination, Elijah the Prophet controlled the fertility of the earth, was the ruler of thunderstorms, lightning and rain. On Elijah’s day, the peasants did not work on the land and performed protective rituals to avoid the prophet’s punishment.
During the period from Easter to Trinity
Festive entertainment for children and youth during the period from Easter to Trinity. A large swing was built for festivities during Easter week. Swinging on a swing is an echo of an ancient magical action designed to stimulate the growth of crops.
Clicking/summoning of spring
Depending on local conditions, it takes place on March 1/14 (Evdokia-Plyushchikha), March 4/17 (Gerasim-Grachevnik), March 9/22 (magpies), March 25/April 7 Annunciation, April 23/May 6 (Yegoryev Day) , May 9/22 (Nikolin's day), as well as on certain days of Lent.
The ritual was associated with the first arrival of birds and the beginning of snow melting. It was accompanied by the singing of chants, activities with larks (rye cookies) and cleansing rituals. The main participants in the ceremony were children and girls.
Red hill
First Sunday after Easter
In the Orthodox tradition, the holiday was dedicated to the memory of the appearance of Christ to the Apostle Thomas on the eighth day after the resurrection. Since the times of ancient Rus', among the people it has been a holiday of the beginning of spring - with bonfires, girls' round dances, brides' fairs, and ceremonies of invoking spring. It was considered primarily a girl's holiday.
Baptism and funeral of the cuckoo
During the period from Ascension (fortieth day after Easter) to Trinity (fiftieth day after Easter)
1. Agrarian-magical maiden and women's ritual with a “cuckoo” - this is a grass or rag doll in the form of a female figure, a bird or a decorated tree. The ritual was accompanied by a funeral procession, mourning of the cuckoo, the rites of girls, fortune-telling and a ritual meal.
2. Ritual meal, round dance, youth celebration during the spring period - summer holidays. Usually they were held on Ascension (late May - early June) and on Peter's Day (June 29/July 12).
Kuzma and Demyan
The popular name for the days of remembrance of Saints Cosmas and Damian. It was celebrated three times a year in accordance with the lives of the saints. According to popular beliefs, the holy brothers were considered the patrons of blacksmithing and many women's field and household work, as well as marriage, family and home.
Easter ritual bread with the custom of its consecration, refreshment and distribution to believers on Easter. This custom goes back to pagan times. Breaking the fast after fasting began with eating Easter cake. The remains of the Easter cake were used for fortune-telling about the harvest and offspring of livestock.
Cultivation (sisterhood)
During the period from Easter to Spiritual Day
The custom of establishing a spiritual relationship for a certain time between female representatives who do not have children, with a vow of friendship and mutual assistance. The ritual was accompanied by the curling of birch trees, the exchange of magical things and gifts, and a ritual meal. The ritual was usually performed on Easter, St. John the Theologian's Day, St. Nicholas Day, Ascension and Spiritual Day.
Kupala night
The night before the holiday of Ivan Kupala, the most short night per year. According to popular belief, this is a night of revelry evil spirits, best time for damage to crops and livestock. IN Kupala night They collected witchcraft and medicinal herbs and performed cleansing rituals.
Kupala bonfire
Ritual fire during youth festivities on Midsummer night. It was obligatory to jump individually or in pairs over the fire as a guarantee of health and good luck. The ashes from the fire were credited with a special power, bringing light and warmth, cleansing from all evil.
Ritual cookies in the shape of a ladder. Baked on Ascension (the fortieth day after Easter) and on the day of memory of John Climacus. According to popular beliefs, ladders made the road to heaven easier and symbolized the spiritual ascent of the soul of the righteous to heaven. At the Ascension, they were supposed to help Jesus Christ ascend to heaven on the fortieth day after his resurrection.
The magic of Easter Matins
Magical actions and sentences of parishioners during the Easter service in the church. Fishermen asked for a successful catch, hunters - for luck in the hunt, girls - for a good groom. Such witchcraft in the church was contrary to Christian morality, but was widely practiced in folk life.
Morgossier
During the period from the third week after Easter to Trinity
Young people's holiday married women with children, with joint secret meals in the forest or on the banks of reservoirs. The custom goes back to ancient times and is associated with the worship of the deity of vegetation.
Week of Myrrh-Bearing Women
Third Sunday and fourth week after Easter
The holiday is dedicated to the Myrrh-Bearing Women, the first witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Among the Russians it is known as a “women’s holiday” with women’s festivities and meals, in the south of Russia - with rituals of the cumulation of girls and the funeral of the cuckoo.
Nikita Vodopol
Memorial Day of St. Nikita. One of the dates of the beginning of ice drift, noted by fishermen as the beginning of the fishing season. According to legend, a merman, awakened from hibernation, breaks the ice, torments the fish and demands a treat. The fishermen sacrificed bread, wine and tobacco to the waterman, otherwise there would be no good catch.
Calling out to Yegory
Ritual walk around the courtyards on the eve or on Yegoriev day itself in the Kostroma province. The “callers” sang spell songs, made noise and collected alms from the owners. Yegoryevsk rounds were of a pastoral nature and coincided with the first pasture of livestock, ensuring their protection and well-being.
Flaxdeer
The popular name for the Christian holiday in memory of Saints Constantine and his mother Helen. An important stage in the agricultural calendar, when they finished sowing grain and began to sow flax, hemp, oats and buckwheat, and plant cucumbers. Accompanied by magical rituals in the fields when sowing flax.
Paraskeva
March 20/April 2 (Roman Martyr Paraskeva, who suffered at Neuron), July 26/August 8 (Reverend Martyr Paraskeva, born near Rome in 138), October 14/27 (Reverend Paraskeva of Serbia, famous in the middle of the 11th century), October 28 /November 10 (Great Martyr Paraskeva Friday).
The popular name for the days of remembrance of Saints Paraskevi, of which there are four in the Orthodox tradition. The Eastern Slavs especially revered Paraskeva Pyatnitsa, the patroness of the day of the week of the same name. Girls and women considered her their intercessor: she helped during childbirth, patronized marriage, home, women's activities, especially spinning. Paraskeva healed from mental and physical ailments, patronized land, livestock and water, and was the intercessor of trade.
Celebrated on the first Sunday after the March full moon following the spring equinox (between April 4 and May 7).
Great Twelfth Holiday church calendar- Light Christ's Sunday. Christian Easter commemorates the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, his death on the cross and miraculous resurrection. Includes Easter Matins, religious procession, blessing of eggs and Easter cakes in the church, preparation of cottage cheese Easter, family meal, commemoration of the departed. The ancient custom of children and youth making protective rounds of houses and collecting treats was preserved.
Easter week
First week after Easter
The holiday week after Easter (Bright Week), with daily services, laying of the shroud on the throne, and ringing of bells. The whole week was accompanied by youth festivities, swings, sports games, treats, and the celebration of Christ with family and friends. The second half of Easter week was celebrated especially solemnly.
Easter prayer services
Easter week
The custom of going around the houses of parishioners in a religious procession led by a priest, serving prayers and congratulations. In gratitude, the owners presented the priest with money, food and a handful of grain, after which “all evil spirits leave the house.”
First cattle drive
The first spring drive of livestock to pasture, usually timed to coincide with Yegoryev's Day. It was accompanied by traditional rituals before or at sunrise: walking around three times and ritual feeding of livestock, giving gifts to the shepherd, and prayers.
The first one saved
The popular name for the Orthodox Church holiday dedicated to Jesus Christ the Savior(I will save you). The church organized a solemn removal and veneration of the cross, a religious procession to reservoirs and the blessing of water. On this day there were mass celebrations, bathing of people and livestock, and tribute to water was paid everywhere. Beekeepers blessed honey on this holiday. Folk tradition associated the first rescue with the farewell of summer.
Peter's Day
The great Orthodox holiday in memory of the apostles Peter and Paul, the first preachers of Christian teaching. In the popular worldview, these saints are the keepers of the keys to heaven and hell and control the habitats of the souls of the dead. The holiday was revered among fishermen and shepherds, and was also considered a holiday for youth. Preceded by haymaking and preparation for the harvest.
Funeral of Kostroma
Sunday of All Saints' Week or Spiritual Day
It ends the Trinity-Semitic holidays, hence the rituals of seeing off - the funeral of spring in the image of Kostroma. Kostroma was depicted as a girl or guy in women's clothing. The funeral ceremony was accompanied by fun, swimming, and games.
Transfiguration (Apple Spas)
The great twelfth holiday of the Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ. The popular name of the holiday is associated with the ripening of apples on this day, which parishioners carried to church to bless, after which they were allowed to eat. From this day they began to collect apples, and treated the sick and poor with Spasov apples.
Puberty
Mid-fourth week after Easter
The holiday is halfway through the period of fifty days separating Easter from Trinity. On this day, the Orthodox Church remembers Christ’s instructions about the meaning of the salvation he brought to people. A small blessing of water is performed, after which the water is considered healing. The holiday is predominantly for women.
Seeing off (funeral) of mermaids
Sunday of Mermaid Week
A holiday of symbolic expulsion of mermaids to the fields outside the village away from human habitation. Mermaids were portrayed by mummers in images of frightening wickedness, a stuffed animal in a “woman’s” outfit or in the form of a mummered horse.
Radunitsa
On the tenth day after Easter, less often on the first Sunday after Easter (Fomino Sunday)
All Souls' Day, dedicated to Easter. According to popular beliefs, on this day the dead rise from their graves, break their fast after Lent, and rejoice that children remember them. Genetically, the holiday goes back to the cult of ancestors.
Mermaid Week
1. Demonological character in the mythology of the Eastern Slavs. According to popular beliefs, girls who died before marriage, suicides and unbaptized babies became mermaids. Known mermaids in the form of a young beautiful girl With fish tail or ugly, unkempt evil spirits. In all cases, mermaids were feared and avoided.
2. In some provinces of Russia, witches and sorceresses who fly on a broom were called mermaids.
Mermaid Week
Week before Trinity
According to popular belief, this is the time when mermaids are on earth, when they can come into harmful contact with a person. It was full of cleansing rituals, accompanied by festivities, round dances, mummer games, and meals. During Rusal Week, there was a ban on women's work - spinning, weaving, bleaching canvases. The last day of the mermaid week was called the mermaid or nettle fast.
Spring Summer Autumn
A village-wide holiday with a meal - a fundraiser in the southern and western provinces of Russia. Timed to coincide with patronal and cherished holidays. On these days, ritual actions were performed with a wax candle, which was made from wax collected from all yards. Every year new pieces were stuck on it, over time it could weigh up to five pounds. The candle was kept in turns in families.
Semik (Green Christmastide)
Seventh Thursday after Easter
1. Holiday three days before Trinity. It opened the complex of Trinity festivities, marked the end of spring and the harbinger of summer. With the adoption of Christianity, the pagan Semik was dedicated to the Trinity, but continued the ancient rituals and beliefs.
2. A decorated Trinity birch tree or an anthropomorphic scarecrow, with which young people went around houses in the seventh week.
Popular name church day in memory of the Forty Martyrs - Christians, who, under torture of infidels - pagans, went to their deaths, but did not renounce their faith. This day was given particular significance by its proximity to the spring equinox - one of the key points of the calendar year. According to popular beliefs, on Forty and Forty birds on their wings brought spring. On this day, birds were baked from dough and with them the children called for spring.
Sredokrestie
Wednesday (or Thursday) in the fourth week of Lent.
On this day in the Orthodox Church they worshiped the Honest and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. People called the whole week “Sredokrestnaya”, when the post was “broken” in half. On this day, cookies were baked in the shape of crosses, which were supposed to influence the future harvest, the health of people and livestock, and the successful completion of field work.
Holy Week
The last week of Lent, preceding Easter.
The Church remembers the suffering of Jesus Christ and prescribes especially strict abstinence, repentance and communion for believers. Preparations for Easter began on Monday. There were especially many rituals on Maundy Thursday. At this time, in the spring, the premises were decorated with willow, Easter cakes, Easter cottage cheese and colored eggs were prepared and blessed in the church.
Third Spas
The popular name of the church holiday in honor of the transfer of the Miraculous Image of the Lord Jesus Christ to Constantinople from Edessa in 944. On the third Spas there were fairs where canvases were sold. The harvest and sowing of winter rye were also timed to coincide with it.
On the fiftieth day after Easter
The great twelfth holiday of the Orthodox calendar in memory of the descent of the holy spirit on the apostles, when the Holy Trinity is honored. In Rus', the Trinity is also associated with the name of St. Sergius of Radonezh. In folk tradition, flowering vegetation was glorified on Trinity, birch trees were curled, idols were celebrated, and fortune telling was held for girls.
Trinity (Semitskaya) birch tree
Trinity Week
A felled birch tree, the main attribute of Trinity-Semitic rites. It was cut down, curled and decorated, placed in houses, left in fields. These actions were supposed to influence the future harvest, and give young women offspring.
Trinity Saturday
On the eve of Trinity Sunday
One of the four all-Russian days of remembrance of the dead, when the church remembers all Orthodox Christians who have died since centuries, and parishioners remember their deceased relatives. On this day, they visited and decorated graves with greenery, communicated with the souls of the deceased, and held ritual meals.
Trinity wreath
Trinity Week
A ritual maiden wreath made of fresh greenery and flowers, an attribute of participants in Trinity rites and festivities. They were worn on the head or hung around the neck, and girls used them to guess about their future marriage. Trinity wreaths were kept and used as amulets and medicines.
Carnival celebrations for Maslenitsa
One of the days of the first week of Lent
Individual manifestations of Maslenitsa amusements as regret for the past Maslenitsa. On this day they baked “tuzhenniks” - bread from leftover pancake dough, had fist fights, rode down icy mountains, baked Lenten pancakes, and went around as mummers.
Dormition of the Virgin Mary
The popular name of the great twelfth holiday of the Orthodox Church. Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Ever-Virgin Mary in memory of her ascension. Widely celebrated among the people. It coincided in time with the completion of the grain harvest and was accompanied by many harvest rituals. On this day, farewell to summer was held, fires were lit in the huts for the first time and they had dinner in the light.
Feodor Stratelates
Memorial Day of the Holy Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates. In the Russian tradition, it is known as “well”: if you dig wells on this day, the water in them will be “clean and drunk.” From that day on, the peasants began to weed the weeds and transport manure to the field.
Flor and Laurel
Memorial Day of the Holy Martyrs Florus and Laurus. Among the people, saints were considered patrons of horses; on this day they celebrated the horse holiday; horses were not used for work, they were bathed and fed “to the fullest.” They performed prayers for death and for the offspring of livestock.
Thursday candle
Maundy Thursday
A candle lit in a church on Maundy Thursday of Holy Week ( last week Great Lent) as a sign of the love of believers for the Savior. The fire of this candle was considered holy; they walked around every corner of the house and yard with it, set fire to wood in the stove, and blessed the young.
Maundy Thursday (Maundy Thursday)
Thursday in Holy Week
On this day the Church remembers the Last Supper on the first day of the Passover. It was popularly perceived as a day of spiritual and physical cleansing during the border period between Lent and Easter. On this day they commemorated the dead, strictly abstained from fast food, cleaned houses and yards of garbage and dirt, and washed in the bathhouse.
An attribute of spring-summer agricultural rituals. Occupies a central place in Easter rituals. The Church sees in it a symbol of the Holy Sepulcher, and in the red color of Easter eggs - a symbol of the rebirth of believers “by the blood of Christ.” Painted eggs were exchanged during the celebration of Christ and given to relatives and friends. Easter egg attributed magical power: healing the sick, the ability to put out a fire, find a missing cow, help find treasure
Yegoryev day
November 26 / December 9
The popular name for the church holiday in honor of the Great Martyr George. The saint's day of remembrance is celebrated twice: in December and in May. The winter one was established in honor of the consecration of the Church of St. George in Kyiv in 1051. In the popular imagination, St. George is a snake fighter, a warrior, the owner of the land and the patron of livestock, one of the most revered saints.
Clicking frost
December 24 / January 6 - January 6 / January 19
The ritual of inviting frost to a meal and treating him with ritual food. Usually timed to coincide with the Christmas period (Christmas Eve, Vasilyev's evening, Epiphany Eve). In some provinces of Russia, the ritual was performed on Easter.
Caroling
A magical Christmas ritual that was performed on Christmas Eve, on Christmas morning, on New Year's Day or on the eve of Epiphany. Bands of young people walked around the courtyards, congratulated and praised the owners, demanded and received gifts, and in case of refusal, threats followed, promising great troubles in the family and household.
Christmastide, days of remembrance of the dead
Ritual porridge made from whole grains, berries and honey. It was prepared on the eve of the holidays: Christmas, New Year, Epiphany, days of general remembrance of the dead (parents' days). The ritual significance of kutya is determined by the symbolism of its three constituent ingredients.
Maslenitsa
Starts 56 days before Easter
The oldest truly folk holiday of seeing off winter and welcoming spring. Maslenitsa week fell during the cheese-free week before the start of Lent. “Rampant”, “wide”, “abundant” Maslenitsa is the favorite winter holiday of the Russian people. Each day of Maslenitsa week was distinguished by its traditional rituals and entertainment.
Nikolin's day
December 6/19
Feast of the Orthodox Church in memory of St. Nicholas of Myra (Nicholas the Wonderworker). This saint was perceived in Russia as the patron saint of the Russian people, a peasant saint, a “peasant protector.” It was celebrated twice a year: in December and in May.
Onisim - Shepherd
Memorial Day of one of the seventy apostles, St. Onesimus, who was popularly considered the patron saint of sheep. On this day, there were customs to “call out to the stars” in the sky so that the sheep would lamb well, and expose the seed grain to the frost for a good harvest.
Telling tales
One of the entertainments at Christmas time with family or at youth tea parties after caroling. The process was partly ritual in nature and was intended to have a magical effect on the surrounding world.
On Christmastide, on Maslenitsa
Ritual change in the appearance of people and a special form of play behavior during calendar holidays, especially on Christmastide. They also dressed up for Maslenitsa, Kuzminki, Rusal Week, Semik and Spiritual Day. Since pagan times, mummering has been endowed with special magical powers, but gradually turned into a playful pastime for young people.
December 24/January 6 - January 6/19
One of the oldest and main holidays of the peasant calendar. Marks the transition from the old agricultural year to the new. During the Christmas season, the church celebrates the Nativity of Christ, the New Year (Vasil's Day), and the Epiphany of the Lord.
Yuletide riots
A form of unusual behavior that differs from generally accepted norms. Accepted during Christmas time, but condemned during Everyday life. Yuletide outrages most often occurred on the night of the New Year and on the night of the Epiphany.
Glorification of Christ (Glorification of Christ)
December 25/January 7
Yuletide ritual in honor of the arrival of the Magi on the occasion of the Nativity of Jesus Christ. Children, boys and girls walked around the yards with the Christmas star, glorified Christ, congratulated the owners on the holiday, collected treats and money.
Candlemas of the Lord
The twelfth holiday of the Orthodox calendar. The name is associated with the significant gospel meeting of the Infant Jesus Christ with the righteous Simeon in the Jerusalem Temple. The people interpreted the name as a meeting on this day of winter and summer; many agricultural signs are associated with the holiday.
Svetlana Zubova
prepared by the teacher of the senior group of MBDOU "Rovensky" kindergarten "Rainbow" Zubova S. D.
Target: development of a value-based attitude towards native culture.
Tasks: educational – to form an idea about holidays in Rus'(Protection of the Intercession, Christmas, Maslenitsa, Forty Saints) about the customs and traditions of our people, introduce with Russian traditions holidays, history of appearance;
Developing - develop informative children's interest in the history and traditions of their people, develop children’s speech, improve coherent speech skills;
Educational - to instill love and interest in Russian traditions and customs people, introducing to the origins of spiritual culture.
Progress of the lesson.
Q: Guys, what country do we live in?
D.: in Russia.
Q: What do people who live in Russia call themselves?
D.: Russians, Russians.
V.: Previously, Russia was called Rus', and from this word Rus' began to be called Rus' Russian people. Our ancestors lived a long time ago - who are they?
D.: Great-grandmothers, great-grandfathers.
V.: Russian people lived by their labor: they plowed the land, sewed clothes, hats, knitted scarves, felted felt boots, made jewelry, toys from clay, carved wooden dishes, nesting dolls.
Those who did their job very well were called masters of their craft. They showed their skills at fairs, selling their products. At fairs, masters exchanged experiences.
(I suggest viewing the exhibition folk products.)
V.: Our Russian people loved Russians very much folk tales . What kind of Russians are they? Do you know folk tales?, Guys?
D.: Children name fairy tales they know.
V.: And also our people loved the holidays very much, so they composed songs, ditties, and jokes. Guys, do you love holidays?
V.: Our Russian people have always respected holidays and celebrated they were in a special way - they danced in circles, started games, baked delicious pies and treated all the guests. Today, guys, we will go on a journey with you. national holidays. Let's remember what Russians are like do you know national holidays? I will show you pictures, and you will name holiday.
Russian national holiday Intercession. What is this holiday Intercession? What time of year is this holiday.
D.: They express their versions.
V.: With the onset of cold weather, girls and women put a scarf on their heads. The ground was covered
snow - snow covering, like a blanket. This holiday so called because on this day the first snow always falls, like a white blanket covering the ground. This means that Mother Winter will come soon. IN holiday of the Intercession Russian people arranged are known in people Pokrovsky fairs. There are all sorts of goods there, apparently and invisible. Beautiful scarves, multi-colored shawls have always delighted customers. Look how beautiful the shawls are. And now we will play a game that young people played this year. holiday. The game is called "Oblupa"(Children stand in a circle and close their eyes. The driver brings the child into the circle and covers him with a shawl. Children open their eyes and guess who is hidden under the shawl. Whoever they guessed becomes the driver. The game is repeated 2-3 times)
Q. Our journey continues. (WIND HOWLING, Blizzard) What time of year are we guys in?
Q: What kind of winter clothes do you know? holidays:
D. children's answers.
On this day Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World, was born. The Night Before Christmas
January 6th is considered magical. If you make a wish, it will definitely come true. Only the desire must necessarily be good, because Jesus Christ teaches us kindness and love for all people. These days it is customary to visit parents, as well as godchildren and godparents. People exchange gifts and have conversations at a richly set table. And evenings are usually spent at home, near the nativity scene and a decorated Christmas tree, having pleasant conversations, reading fairy tales to children, telling them about how Christmas is celebrated in other countries, and, of course, drinking hot tea. Christmas folk the festivities are in many ways reminiscent of the fun at Maslenitsa. Only instead of pancakes people are treated to festive gingerbread, and instead of dancing in circles, they sing carols. CAROLS - special songs with wishes for a rich harvest, health, harmony in the family. Few people know these songs now. I suggest you remember a few carols, they will be useful to us in the future.
We sow, we sow, we sow,
Merry Christmas!
Open the chests
Get your heels out!
Open the lids
Give us fifty dollars!
Kolyada! Kolyada!
Serve the pie.
We sow, we sow, we sow,
Happy New Year!
Happiness will be yours!
The harvest is great!
The carolers scattered oats and wheat around the house, wishing for wealth and fertility. And the owners gave gifts and treated the guests.
V.: Well done guys. What time of year is it now? And what spring holidays you know?
D.: children's answers.
V.: That’s right, Maslenitsa. End of winter. The days become long and bright, the sky becomes blue and the sun becomes bright. At this time on Rus' was settling down folk festivals . This one was called holiday - Maslenitsa. Cheerful and riotous, it lasted a whole a week: fairs, street games, performances by mummers, dances, songs. IN people No wonder they called him wide Maslenitsa. Main treat holidays are pancakes, an ancient pagan symbol of the return of sun and warmth to people. The main participant of Maslenitsa is a large straw doll named Maslenitsa. She was dressed in a dress, a scarf was tied around her head, and her feet were shod in bast shoes. The doll was seated on a sleigh and driven up the mountain with songs. The fun continued until the evening, and at the end of all the activities they “said off Maslenitsa” - they burned an effigy depicting Maslenitsa. Maslenitsa, goodbye! Come next year! Maslenitsa, come back! Show up in the new year! Goodbye, Maslenitsa! Goodbye red! It was farewell to Maslenitsa. They made a fire of straw in the field and burned a doll with songs. The ashes were scattered across the fields in order to reap a rich harvest the following year. On Forgiveness Sunday, we went to each other to make peace and asked for forgiveness if we had offended them earlier. They talked: "Please forgive me". “God will forgive you,” they answered. Then they kissed and did not remember the insults. But even if there were no quarrels and insults, it’s all the same talked:"I'm sorry". Even when we met a stranger, we asked him for forgiveness. This is how Maslenitsa ended.
A game "Wattle"
All participants are divided into two teams and lined up in two lines opposite each other.
Participants braid "wattle fence"– hold hands through one, crosswise.
Members of the first team step towards the other team, which is standing still at that time, and They say: “We all congratulate Masha and wish her health!”. They say the second half of the sentence while walking backwards. Then the other team does the same. Then everyone lines up at the back and follows the leader, who tries to walk in such a way that everyone gets confused. As soon as the leader claps his hands, both teams take their places and begin to braid again. "wattle fence".
Usually after this they appear "extra" hands.
Game-entertainment "Stream"
Our great-grandmothers and great-grandfathers knew and loved this game, and it has come down to us almost unchanged. There is no need to be strong, agile or fast. This game is of a different kind - emotional, it creates a mood that is cheerful and cheerful. The rules are simple. The players stand one after another in pairs, usually a boy and a girl, a boy and a girl, join hands and hold them high above their heads. The clasped hands create a long corridor. The player who did not get a pair goes to "source" stream and, passing under clasped hands, looks for a mate. Holding hands, the new couple makes their way to the end of the corridor, and the one whose couple was broken goes to the beginning "stream". And passing under clasped hands, he takes with him the one he likes. So "trickle" moves - the more participants, the more fun the game is, especially fun to play with music.
No one holiday In the old days, young people couldn't do without this game. Here you have a struggle for your beloved, and jealousy, and a test of feelings, and a magical touch on the hand of the chosen one. The game is wonderful, wise and extremely meaningful.
IN: We continue talking about traditions and holidays of the Russian people. Would you like to learn about another old Russian holiday, about the treat that was being prepared this holiday. Please look at the board (image - lark).
What is the name of this bird? (children's answers). But this is not just a bird - it is a memory of fallen soldiers. In March there is Christian folk holiday, dedicated to the lark. March 22 - "Magpies". Why Magpies? (Demonstration illustrations: warriors of the Ancient Rus') . A very, very long time ago, one of the military leaders ordered a detachment of 40 brave warriors to sacrifice one of them to the gods. The warriors refused to do this and then all the warriors were killed. And I always loved my soldiers and defenders people, and people began to believe that 40 warriors of the squad did not die, but turned into larks. On this day, March 22, all fallen soldiers are remembered.
And the housewives baked special Lenten buns - "larks", with outstretched wings, as if flying, and even with tufts. Lenten treats were distributed to children.
Like all Russians holidays On Soroki, children danced in circles and played games.
IN:And now we will play new game, which is called "Lark".
A lark sang in the sky,
The bell rang.
Frolic in silence
I hid the song in the grass.
The one who finds the song
It will be fun all year long.
Then the players close their eyes. "Lark" runs out of the circle and rings the bell. Then he carefully places it behind someone's back. The one who guesses who has the bell behind his back becomes "lark".
V.: Guys, now tell me why this the holiday is called"Magpie-Lark"? What does the lark symbolize? What did housewives bake in honor of this? holiday? What traditions do people observe on this day? holiday? What did you learn from the legend I told you?
Scenario of thematic conversation for students primary school"Let's talk about winter folk holidays."
Matveeva Svetlana Nikolaevna, teacher primary classes MBOU " high school No. 9"
Ulyanovsk.
Description of work: I bring to your attention a thematic conversation with primary school students about winter folk holidays, which can be used as a extracurricular activities and classes for schoolchildren, and at classroom hours. This material will be useful to primary school teachers, teachers of after-school groups, kindergarten teachers, kindergarten teachers. health camps and sanatoriums. Thematic conversation aimed at younger students school age, possibly for preschoolers preparatory groups.
Target: acquaintance with winter folk holidays.
Tasks:
- clarify children’s knowledge about winter folk holidays;
- broaden the horizons of younger schoolchildren;
- develop children’s cognitive interest and creative abilities;
- cultivate respect for the history of your people, for traditions.
Progress of the event
Teacher: Good afternoon, guys and dear adults! Did you know that from Christmas to Maslenitsa itself, people in Rus' celebrated joyfully winter holidays. What holidays do you know?The children answer.
Teacher: The most beloved and famous folk holidays in Russia, of course, are snowy and frosty Christmas, Christmastide, Epiphany and many others.
It is no secret that all Russian national holidays, without exception, are filled with traditions, rituals and rituals.
Today we will learn about the tradition of mummers, carols, Christmas fortune-telling, as well as the tradition of celebrating holidays and much more.
Here are some winter holidays:
December 12 - (Kolyada Day)
December 25 - (Christmas)
December 31 - January 1 (New Year)
December 25 - January 6 (Christmas time)
Teacher: All modern holidays their roots go back to paganism.
For example, Kolyada Day among the ancient Slavs, it was 7 thousand years BC, it fell on the day winter solstice. According to legend, Teacher Kolyada descended from the sky, giving the idea of a sacred calendar, talking about the change of day and night, and explaining how time moves.
The winter solstice marked both the beginning of a new life and the renewal of nature. Adults and children jumped over the fire, danced in circles, and boys competed in strength and ingenuity. The daylight hours were increasing, which meant spring was just around the corner.
It is even known that in the 16th century in Rus', with the day winter solstice a special ceremony was associated. So the bell ringer of the Moscow Cathedral, who was responsible for striking the clock, came to bow to the Tsar and reported that from now on the sun had turned to summer, now the day was increasing and the night was shortening. For this good news, the king rewarded the headman with money.
At this time, another multi-day winter holiday was celebrated - Christmastide (or Carols). It began in the last days of December and ended in early January. Christmastide was accompanied by magical rituals, on the eve of Christmas carols were sung, mummers walked around the villages, festive feasts were held in every house, girls told fortunes about their betrothed.
Special songs with wishes for a rich harvest, health, peace and harmony in the family were called - carols. Indispensable participants of the Christmas holidays were, of course, mummers. They dressed up as whoever they wanted.
Teacher: solve the riddles and find out.
Sample riddles:
My outfit is colorful,
My cap is sharp
My jokes and laughter
They make everyone happy.
(Parsley).
He sucks his paw
Sleeps all winter long.
But when spring comes,
Waking up from sleep
And let's roar in the forest...
Everyone calls him...
(Bear).
The wedge flies curly to the south,
Not wanting to meet a blizzard.
Flying around the floor of the Earth,
They rush into the distance -...
(Cranes).
Teacher: They dressed up as bears, cranes, parsleys and others. The mummers, within reasonable limits, were allowed everything, but only so as not to offend the owners of the house.
Perhaps one of the most important Christian holidays is Nativity. It was believed that if on Christmas happy man If he enters the house first, happiness will not leave its walls all year long. Christmas was accompanied by colorful folk customs, festivities. These are Carols, and walking with a star, and the trips of mummers. It was here that paganism and Christianity coexisted peacefully with each other.
Sample CAROLS:
Kolyada, Kolyada,
Serve the pie.
Damn it,
pork leg,
A little bit of everything.
Carry it, don't shake it -
Come on, don't break it!
Go-go-go, goat,
Go-go, gray
Oh, Lyuli, Lyuli -
Go-go gray.
We are not going on our own.
Oh, lyuli, lyuli
We are leading a goat.
Oh, lyuli, lyuli...
Like our goat
Yes, from near Moscow.
Oh, lyuli, lyuli...
Yes, from near Moscow.
Oh, lyuli, lyuli
With red hair.
Oh, lyuli, lyuli...
With red hair
With little goats.
Oh, lyuli, lyuli...
Don't go, goat
Near Mikhailovka.
Oh, lyuli, lyuli...
Like in Mikhailovka
All residents are Sagittarius.
Oh, lyuli, lyuli...
They shot a goat
In the right ear.
Oh, lyuli, lyuli...
From the right ear
The yushka started leaking.
Oh, lyuli, lyuli...
Lamentations
- Oh, the goat has fallen, my dear has fallen!
- How? Has the goat fallen?
- So give her some bacon. So that the goat gets up.
Our goat is here
She got up and went.
Oh, lyuli, lyuli...
The carol has arrived
It's Christmas Eve!
The carol has arrived
Open the gate.
Give me the cow
I'm oiling the head!
And God forbid that
Who's in this house?
The rye is thick for him,
Rye is ugly!
Him from the ear of octopus,
From the grain he has a carpet,
Half-grain pie.
The Lord would grant you
And we live and be,
And wealth;
And create for you, Lord,
Even better than that!
Get off the stove
Serve the rolls.
You are a good uncle!
Give me money for the passage!
If you give it away, you won’t give it away,
Will wait,
Stand at the gate!..
Golden head
Silk beard!
Give me some pie
For the sake of the holiday of Christ
At least a fresh pie
At least sour,
Yes, some wheat!
Cut it thicker
Give me more!
If only you had a hundred cows
One and a half hundred bulls!
I'd milk you a bucket
All with sour cream!
(During preliminary preparation, children perform some carols).
Teacher: Kolyada- god of celebrations and peace. Kolyada is perhaps one of the most beautiful ancient Christmas rituals, accompanied at Christmas by going around houses with songs, congratulations and wishes for wealth, good health, and a good harvest.
Carols are costumed processions with a star and chants that are still held in rural areas.
The day before, children, and even adults, gathered to carol under the windows of rich peasants, called the owner in songs, repeated the name of Kolyada and asked for money, sweets, etc. Rituals were carried out in the form of fortune telling, dressing up as animals, devils and other evil spirits, practical jokes, accompanied songs and music. Kolyada is the deity of fun, so they invited him, clicked on him new year holidays crowds of young people.
Ovsen, where are you going? Paving bridges!
Who should go? Kolyada to the sovereign!
What should he ride?
On a solar pig!
What to drive?
Piglet!
Teacher: Last day of Christmastide - Shchedrets, famous for its generous gifts and festive feast. The evening was popularly called generous, or rich, which is associated with the custom of cooking rich festive table, where, unlike the Christmas evening, there were always meat dishes. The composition of the mummers is the same as on Kolyada. Carolers approached a house or a crowd of people and sang: “Generous evening! Good evening!».
In carol songs, as a rule, they praised the owners, each by name, and wished them well-being in every possible way. If you entered a house, you did a symbolic sowing of grain, wishing the owners happiness, health, and a good harvest:
We sow the snow, we sow,
Happy New Year!
Be born wheat,
Peas, lentils!
On the field in haystacks,
There are pies on the table!
Happy New Year,
With all the family!
May you be healthy
We lived for many years!
Teacher: Then the carolers began “to languish a carol” that is, begging for gifts from the owners, complaining that “we came from afar”, “the goat’s legs hurt” etc. The owners resisted and laughed it off. Then the mummers began singing shchedrovki, some containing comic threats. It was considered a great shame not to give gifts to carolers. The mummers could also send comic curses to such greedy owners:
Give them a hit on the back, Svarozhe!
Destroy them, Father Perun!
Empty bag for them, leaky pot!
Kolyada, Kolyada!
And sometimes there is a carol
Christmas Eve
Kolyada has arrived
Christmas brought.
Teacher: What else do you think was sung about in carols?
The children answer.
Teacher: The owner and hostess were wished for a harvest, and the girl and boy were wished to get married. "Kolyada" is the god of festivities. He was depicted as a solar disk with the face of a baby, since on Christmas days “the sun turned to summer.” The cookies that the mummers were treated to were also supposed to be round (symbol of the solar disk). Folk performers sang loudly, with a tense timbre, to hear the echo.
Sample carols:
Kolyada, Kolyada!
And sometimes there is a carol
Christmas Eve
Kolyada has arrived
Christmas brought.
Kolyada, Kolyada,
Give me some pie
Or a loaf of bread,
Or half a buck,
Or a chicken with a crest,
Cockerel with a comb!
Open the chests, owners,
Take out your heels!
Let's give it a penny
To the carolers!
Teacher: Traditionally, children started round dances and carried a star on a stick or pole. When the door was opened, they first showered the owners with grain. If the owners to whom the children came showed greed, then the carol participants could also sing mischievous carols.
Sample mischievous carols:
Won't you give me the pie?
We take the cow by the horns.
If you don't give me some kvass -
We are a pig by the whisky.
Won't you give me a blink -
We are the host in the kick.
Serve, don't break,
Don't snack!
Don't give me the pie -
Let's take the cow by the horns!
Who won't give pie -
That's why a firebrand is born,
Who won't give me meat -
That's why the cat is in the window,
Blind eyes.
Give you, Lord,
One cow
Yes, and that comela,
Milked tar
I would strain it with resin.
Teacher: Everything that the owners gave to the children: money, sweets, etc., the carolers put in a bag and thanked them with songs and poems. Having collected a full bag of gifts, the carolers went home to celebrate the first Veles Day (New Year) in the family circle.
Sample poems and songs:
Good evening to good people!
Let happy holiday will!
Happy New Year,
We wish you happiness and joy!
Generous evening, good evening,
Good health to good people!
On a generous New Year's evening
I wish you all happiness and health!
Teacher: There were even tips that were important to follow during the Christmastide period.
Here are some sample tips:
1. Be present all the time good mood, wish all people happiness, and radiate love and joy.
2. During this period, complete abundance should reign in the house: tables are richly and deliciously set, which will ensure prosperity, a rich harvest, and good profits next year.
3. Spend more time with friends and relatives, then you will be together all year.
4. Invite as many people as possible to visit and welcome them warmly - then the world will be open to you.
5. Give and accept gifts.
6. Do not skimp and do not regret anything, then the Universe will not spare anything for you.
7. Do good deeds, help other people, show charity, take care of nature - this will come back to you.
8. Do not refuse help at this time, especially for children.
