Tip 1: How the Slavs called November

Miscellaneous

Tip 1: How the Slavs called November

Slavic tribes did not use the Roman calendar for a long time. Pagans, whose life was subject to the solar-lunar cycle, lived from sowing to harvest, which was reflected in the Slavic names of the months.

Old Slavic calendar

The calendar of the ancient Slavs did not matchmodern. However, exactly how he was, no one knows for sure. According to some scientists, a month or moon lasted 28 days, the year consisted of 13 such months. Other researchers believe that the 13th month was added from time to time, as the calendar lagged behind real seasonal changes. Still others are convinced that the calendar consisted of 12 months, but they differed significantly from modern ones.

In addition to the western and southern Slavs, the Slavic names of the months were used by Lithuanians. The fact is that in the period of the Balto-Slavic unity, the culture and languages of the Slavic and Baltic peoples became closer.

The beginning of the year for a long time was considered spring, later- the beginning of autumn, the harvest season. After the adoption of Slavs Christianity, the calendar began to correspond to the Roman Julian calendar. Slavic names of the months began to apply to the months of this calendar, and in some places were replaced by Roman ones. However, among the common people, the Roman months did not take root right away, and here and there they are not used until now, for example in Ukraine, Poland, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia and some other Slavic states.

November in the Slavs

In the ancient Slavs, the period in November,was called "leaf fall", as at that time leaves began to fall from the trees. After the division of the Slavic tribes into the southern, western and eastern tribes, the names of the months changed. In some eastern Slavs, the November period was called "oats" due to the harvesting of oats at this time, and the southern ones - "students" because of the colds in November. Gradually, the names of the months were established in various Slavic countries. Most of the Slavic names of November come from the ancient word "leaf fall". This is what November is called in Ukrainian, Belarusian, Czech and Polish. The southern Slavs - Croats, Bulgarians and Macedonians - got accustomed to the word "student". Gradually, in Bulgarian, it began to denote December, and November began to be called "heavy." Then both the Bulgarians and the Macedonians switched to the generally accepted names of the months, and the "hefty" gave way to the name "noemvri".

From countries with traditionally Orthodox cultureSlavic names of the months remained in Ukraine and in Belarus. From countries where Catholicism prevailed, names from the Slavic calendar remained in Croatia, the Czech Republic and Poland.

Old Russian "oats" gradually disappeared from the language, together with little-used names such as "foul" and "leafy". Now these names can be found only in the works of linguists.

Tip 2: When Paraskeva is celebrated Friday

November 10 (October 28, according to the old style) marks the day of St. Martyr Paraskeva Pyatnitsa. The image of Paraskeva in the minds of the Slavs merged with the image of a woman and had the features of the Virgin.

Saint Paraskeva (translated from Greek"Friday") lived in the III century. and decided to dedicate her life to the service of God, giving her celibacy. The pagans seized her and led him to the ruler Aetia. Paraskeva suffered great torments: she was tortured with iron nails, and then all in wounds were thrown into prison. God helped Paraskeva be healed, but the executioners cut off her head.

On this day, we prayed for every woman's happiness. Paraskeva was considered the patroness of pregnant women. Paraskeva was also considered the patroness of cattle, she was prayed for by cow's death and brought fruits to the church.

The name of Paraskeva was connected with the land. It was believed that it was a sin to disturb the land that day. In springs with pure spring water, which they called Friday, women threw money, needlework (thread, wool).

Since the XIV century. the Slavs appeared sculptural images of Paraskeva. She was represented as a peasant woman in poneva and bast shoes or in oriental attire.

Icons of Paraskeva Friday was placed at a crossroads, so very often the chapels were called Friday at the roads.

Paraskeva was honored as the organizer of marriages. On this day, the newlyweds must have performed the rite of the feast of their father-in-law and mother-in-law with a kissel and butter.

Paraskeva was also considered the patroness of trade. Known are the Friday bazaars, which were held on Wednesday or Friday.

Tip 3: Where did Father Frost come from?

Grandfather Frost has become for many generations of people has becomein a favorite way, New Year parties and evenings are not held without his participation. This kind grandfather with a long white beard brings not only gifts to children, but also a special mood for all people. It is on New Year's Eve that I want to believe in the accomplishment of miracles. It seems that Santa Claus comes from his favorite fairy-tales.

Instructions

There are various answers to the riddle, from which the image of Santa Claus appeared. Old-Slavonic legends tell of deities closely associated with the modern character of New Year's festivities.

One of them is considered to have lived on distant mountainoustops Povzdiz - the ancient Slavic god of storms and bad weather. The disheveled hair and beard gave him a fierce look. Accompanied by a suite of hurricane winds, he rushed swiftly across the sky, spreading around a terrible noise and whistling, scattering snow flakes from his clothes. The lips of Pozvizd sent fogs to the ground, and torrential rains were hiding in their beards. The lord of the winds will shake his hair - and a great hail will fall to the ground.

The prototype of modern Santa Claus can be calledpagan god Karachun, shortening the winter day. On the one hand, Karachun was responsible for the winter colds advancing in nature, and was also considered a symbol of a sudden death. Indeed, it was not easy for people and animals in winter conditions. The main enemies of all living things are loyal servants of Karachun: bears-cranks turned into snowballs, which became blizzards of wolves.

Representations of our ancestors differed fromcurrent. Everyone accepted the inevitability of death, it was perceived as one of the existing natural phenomena. Chernobog-Karachun, who was related to death, was not considered a negative deity, but he did not try to name him by his name, so Karachun did not show up before the due time.

The spirit of Karachun's death from the ancient Slavs is associated withsouls of deceased ancestors, represented by "grandfathers". As a ritual, caroling arose on Karachun's day, when the especially sunny day of the Sunset was on its way. Representing the spirits of their ancestors, young people, among whom the oldest Grandfather stood out, went to their homes. Kolyadovschikov generously endowed the hosts. Hence the Christmas carols appeared, and the gifts, later turned into gifts, began to receive not pagan deities, but people. "Frosty old man", "Santa Claus" - so called Karachun East Slavic and South Slavic tribes.

The symbolizing spirit of winter, not associated with deathMorozko's image appeared later. To this deity people were less cautious, it was Morozko who became the hero of Russian folk tales. A small gray-haired old man with a beard to the floor ruled full-on on the ground from November to March, especially in January. Morozko was also called Grandfather Treskun and Zimnik. The owner of a harsh temper crackled ice, snow and logs in huts in severe frosts and had a very angry wife, Winter.

Morozko in the Slavs - a powerful pagan deity,embodying not only the winter cold, but also generously endowed with a magical beauty of nature, and people - a joyful festive mood. Chocking the ice chains of the river blacksmith Morozko frightened the enemies with terrible cold.

Santa Claus in Russian folk tales - a strict,but a fair old man. He is benevolent to the kind and hardworking, but punishes the wicked and lazy. People tried to appease the master of the winter so that he would not be angry, did not freeze his people and animals with his magic staff, did not destroy crops, did not interfere with hunting.

After the adoption of Christianity, the image of a paganthe deity began to distort. Angry and cruel Frost Red nose by its actions harms people. This is explained by the irreconcilable struggle of a new faith with paganism.

But the common people did not forget Father Frost. In the second half of the 19th century, based on ancient Slavic tales, artistic works began to appear, which served as the "birth" of the invariable attribute of the New Year holidays - Father Frost.

November 18, when most of the territoryour state is installed snow cover, it is now considered the birthday of Santa Claus. But in fact, the Slavic deities that appeared at the beginning of the post-glacial period can not have birthdays, since they are eternal and created by popular conscience and faith.

Legends tell us differently about the placeresidence of Santa Claus, but invariably one: there is winter all year round. Some call the remote North Pole the homeland of a good old man, someone considers him a resident of Lapland. And the writer V. Odoevsky placed his Moroz Ivanovich in a deep well, in which "studento" even in the summer heat. And since 1999, after implementing a very profitable business project, the city of Veliky Ustyug has the official right to be considered the birthplace of Father Frost.

Tip 4: What is Rodogocsch

Every year on September 27, the Slavs celebrated the greatFeast of Rhodogoth, which also bore the name Tausen. This event was associated with both harvesting, and with the end of the summer and preparing for a cold winter.

In the old days, Rodogocsch was the biggest holiday,connected with the harvesting, as well as one of the four Sacred Kologda. The Slavs believed that it was on this day that the light gods begin to leave the earth and go to Svarga, that is, On sky. There the gods will remain until the coming spring. However, although they leave the believers in the winter, their strength remains in the hearts of those who live righteously. Beginning with the homeland from the beginning, when the Slavs with the help of divination sought to find out what awaits them next year. After fortune-telling and sacred rituals put a huge honey pie, specially prepared for the holiday. This cake, as a rule, was so great that it often turned out to be higher than a person. The priest hid behind him, and then asked others if they see him or not. If the cake was not high enough, and those present answered that they saw the priest, he wished them a rich harvest next year, so that the villagers could bake a bigger cake. After that, a merry feast started. Since the harvest for Tausen was mostly assembled, the table was bursting with food. A rich and luxurious feast was like a rest after hard peasant work, and a reward for hard work. Since September 27 it was decided not only to celebrate a successful harvest, but also to remember the approaching winter, the Slavs played the scenes from the fairy tale about the hero and the underground kingdom. This fairy tale reminded people of both the extinction of the Sun and the fact that Winter is gradually gaining strength and will soon reign. In the evening, before dark, it was customary to kindle a fire and jump through it. This rite symbolized purification, which flame bestows upon every person. The priests did not just jump over the fire, but even walked barefoot in the embers, introducing themselves into trance by uniform beating of the tambourine and singing. And, finally, the feast of the Godfather did not do without merry merrymaking, in which everyone participated.

Tip 5: What is Perunov Day

Perun's Day is a military holiday in Russia,which in ancient times was celebrated with great scope. Later, when the Slavs adopted Christianity and the idols of the god Thunderer Perun were overthrown, the traditions of this holiday were partly observed on the day of Elijah the Prophet.

Perun in Slavic mythology was the god of thunder andlightning, as well as the patron of the prince and his entire squad. The day dedicated to him was primarily a warrior's holiday, during which initiations, competitions, fights, etc. took place. It was also customary to sacrifice a great god. A few days before the holiday, with the help of a special lot, they determined what exactly they would sacrifice. Most often it was about bulls, which later were stabbed in Ilyin's day, but could choose a cock. Also, the lot could indicate that it is necessary to bring money as a gift or it is necessary to hold ritual duels. Preparing for the holiday, the Slavs cooked a special ritual beer and baked pies. At the very beginning of Perun's feast, it was decided to organize a solemn procession and praise the god of the thunderer. After this, the men put their weapons into a specially prepared place, sacrificed to the god or animal, and then the priest spoke the weapon, the blood of the victim sprinkled the foreheads of the soldiers, and over the fire the amulet was consecrated. After the end of the ritual, men took their talismans, knives, axes, swords, etc. Further, the battle between Veles and Perun, in which the god of thunder was invariably won, was played out. After that, ritual gifts were burned, and ashes fell asleep, creating something like a grave, over which special military rites were performed. This grandiose ritual ended with a feast, during which it was necessary to commemorate all the fallen warriors of Russia and make speeches in their honor. Organized a variety of games, competitions and other amusements. Also, rites of dedication of young men to soldiers were carried out, which included a number of tests. However, on Perun's day, it was not enough for a glorious warrior to win in fights and competitions. Until late evening, merry merrymaking was held, after which each warrior should find a woman who would agree to spend the night with him. Military amusements were thus replaced by love pleasures, which lasted until the very morning.