Slavic civilization flourished on this planet for thousands of centuries. Naturally, at different times, for different reasons, our glorious ancestors created different calendars that immortalized certain important events...
Monthly calendar, 1790-1800.
This is what the calendar of Russian Christians was like before 1700. The month of January was the 5th
In the Middle Ages, the enemies of the human race actively worked to erase from world history true information about the great civilization of our planet, which flourished for many thousands of centuries. Our planet was colonized by the Slavic-Aryans about 800 thousand years ago after long preparation of both the planet and solar system. During this time, various events took place, some of which were at one time immortalized in new calendars. The last normal calendar was introduced by our ancestors 7520 years ago to commemorate the victory over Arimia (ancient China). After a difficult, long and bloody war, China was defeated, and he was imprisoned in the Star Temple Peace treaty. From this event a new chronology began, called “from the Creation of the World in the Star Temple” ( SMZH). In 1700, this calendar was replaced by the European one by order of the fake Peter I.
By the way, in some European countries the end of summer ( summer period) is still considered not the last day of August, but the day autumn equinox- September 22nd. Unfortunately, the vast majority of people do not know that in reality this date does not mean the end of the summer period, but the end of Summer, i.e. calendar year. But, nevertheless, this is also a fact that speaks volumes...
The new year 7522 has arrived from SMZH
The tradition of the meeting goes back to ancient times. In ancient times, the holiday symbolized the beginning of a new life cycle. As civilization developed, sacred rituals gradually became woven into the fabric of official celebrations. Modern new year traditions have reached us almost unchanged from antiquity.
IN New Year's celebration prayers were offered to God, the patron saint of the month born and the most revered Gods. Moreover, everyone asked to grant not only personal well-being, but also peace and prosperity to the entire state. IN New Year's Eve the whole people became excited: everyone went to visit each other, exchanged gifts and wishes.
The New Year of the Slavs was timed to coincide with the days of the autumn equinox (September 22-26) and the New Summer began on September 14. After the harvest, people knew that the main harvest was already in the barns, and the Slavic clans decided to celebrate weddings, organize shows and festive festivities.
After the decree of Peter I, the New Year in Russia was moved to January 1 (December 25), the eighth day from the Nativity of Christ. In a strange way, the “decreed” New Year coincided with the eighth day from the Nativity of Christ, i.e. The day of the circumcision of Christ (in fact, this was not the reason, and Jesus Christ, whose real name is Radomir, was born in a completely different time and place. See the article “Who was born on Christmas?” about this). According to esoteric teachings, as a result of circumcision of a baby, human nature is “grounded” and the two lower chakras stop working. According to other ideological statements, circumcision of Jews in infancy lowers the level of spiritual organization of the individual to a person controlled by the media of mass culture (a “zombie” person, a “biorobot” person, an “animal” person) and the rabbinate.
Since these traditions were brought from outside, the return to the celebration of the New Year by all the peoples that make up the Russian superethnos (all peoples living together in Russia, speaking Russian), is seen as a series of jointly solved tasks: “tasks to restore the ancestral memory and the rewritten history of our HOMELAND and humanity, partially lost as a result of the “circumcision of historical memory.” Because those who do not know the true history of their family will not love and defend their HOMELAND.
In 1700 A.D. Peter I issues a decree abolishing the old calendar that existed in Rus' and introducing the Western European calendar from the Nativity of Christ. At the same time, he moves the beginning of the calendar (New Year) from the day of the autumnal equinox (among the Old Believers Slavs) and September 1 (among Christians) to January 1 (January). He chooses 1700 as the starting date.
The start date of the new calendar was not chosen by Peter the Great by chance. On December 25, the entire Christian world celebrates the Nativity of Christ. According to the Bible, on the eighth day the baby Jesus was circumcised according to the Jewish rite, i.e. January 1 Christian Church The Circumcision of the Lord was celebrated. This is the date that Peter the Great chose. By his decree, he ordered all his subjects to celebrate the beginning of the new calendar and congratulate each other on the New Year.
Why New Summer and not a year
At the court of Peter the Great, Russian was hardly spoken, because it was considered the language of the common people. Basically, all communication was in German and Dutch. So, the word “Year” (God) means "God" in these languages. Those. By his decree, Peter forced his subjects to congratulate each other on the New God on the day of his circumcision. This Peter's joke still exists, and people, having lost the original meaning, continue on January 1 to congratulate each other on the New Circumcised God, and not on the New Year, as it was before.
Let us remember: ancient records of past events were called Chronicles, not Chronicles. We still ask each other “how old are you,” not “how old are you.” Among the Old Believers, chronology is still calculated from the autumn equinox (September 22-23). Unlike January 1, this date is at least somehow tied to astronomical events.
Carols for the holiday of KorochunKolyada or Korochun - the celebration of the birth of the new sun
Kolyada (aka Korochun) is a holiday of the new year among the Slavic peoples during the winter solstice. It was believed that it was at this time that a new sun was born and the New Year in nature.
According to the ancients folk beliefs, in the days from December 22 to 25, the wheel of time breaks, giving rise to a new year and a new sun. They were afraid of this period, believing that this process was a rift between worlds, through which evil spirits could penetrate into the world of the living, and the new sun might not rise.
The celebration of Kolyada consisted of scaring away evil spirits with cheerful songs and dances, and folk rituals helped the young sun rise into the sky. The festivities were accompanied by festive fortune-telling and witchcraft - sorcerers (knowledgeable in spells, bewitchers) tried to protect the future of the family, or even correct it.
In Slavic culture, Kolyada is the baby sun, symbolizing the beginning of a new cycle in nature; a friendly and cheerful deity. Korochun was invited and praised, entertained and treated.
The main attribute of the Kolyada holiday is the wheel, symbolizing the sun, the cyclical nature of life, and the infinity of existence. People gathered around the fire, and at the end of the celebration they solemnly set fire to the wheel as a symbol of the sun. They rolled him up a hill, imitating an ascent, and said: roll up the hill, come back with spring!
Traditions of celebrating Kolyada in Russia
Among the ancient Slavs, the celebration of Karachun began on December 24 in the evening, on the eve of the New Year. With the appearance of the first star in the sky, the whole family gathered for dinner.
On festive table necessarily present: Christmas wheat kutia (with poppy seeds, honey and nuts), porridge, pie and pretzels. The woman, the mistress of the house, baked round bread, symbolizing the sun.
You can serve various national Lenten dishes on Kolyada’s table: borscht without meat, dumplings with potatoes or mushrooms, pies with cabbage, legumes, fruits and nuts. For the holiday, together with the children, we baked homemade cookies in the shape of animals: cows, sheep, goats, roosters. Gingerbread figurines were also used to decorate the house and were treated to carolers.
The table was covered with a tablecloth. Hay and straw were poured under it to attract prosperity to the house.
The meal began with kutya. Each family member had to break the round bread. Relatives remembered all the good things that happened in the past year and asked Kolyada for happiness in the next year. The food was not removed from the table, but was left until the morning. It was believed that in this way the spirits of deceased relatives would be able to share the holiday food with their family.
Modern traditions in many ways repeat the ancients. The celebration of Karachun was moved along with the change in the calendar from the “old” style to the “new” one. Of course, in our time, Russians do not honor the baby of the sun - Kolyada, but Christians celebrate Christmas Eve from the Nativity of Christ until Epiphany. And these holidays contain many customs and traditions of Old Slavic origin.
It is customary to sing carols “on the night before Christmas” - after 18:00 on the evening of January 6, or after waiting for the first star. The festive festivities on the morning of January 7 are mistakenly called “carol songs” - on this day the birth of Christ is celebrated with poems and songs and glorified.
Holiday carols
At the end of dinner, the children went to caroling. Young boys, unmarried girls and children dressed up so as not to be recognized. They turned sheepskin coats inside out and put on masks of various animals. Be sure to take a goat with you. This animal is a symbol of fertility, productivity and prosperity.
They glorified the deity Kolyada in songs and poems, and asked the owners of the house for treats and money. “How generously you thank the carolers, the good and rich you will be next year"After receiving the treats, the carolers sat on the threshold of the house and clucked, imitating chickens. In this way, they called wealth and offspring into the yard.
The collected gifts were taken to a common table where relatives, friends and neighbors gathered. The celebration continued with songs, dances and fun. Vodka and moonshine were placed on the table. Everyone danced in circles and acted out skits.
How they drove Balda to Kolyada
During general celebrations, it was customary to drive “Balda” around the village. Balda is a thick piece of log, which was oiled in advance and then set on fire on a common fire (Krada). It was believed that if you ride Balda around the entire village and it does not go out, the residents will have a prosperous and generous year.
When Balda burned down, the coals were carried home to light the stove. Water was heated on these coals. They used it to feed livestock and wash children. Each subsequent day of celebration, a new Balda was burned, and each evening a “new” fire was brought into the house.
In the modern interpretation, the phrase “Going crazy” has acquired a completely different meaning and means idleness, laziness, a useless activity.
Festive fortune-telling for Kolyada
Single girls They told fortunes about the betrothed: in a small container they mixed grain with cereals, and put 3 rings (made of copper, silver and gold). Each girl scooped up a handful of cereal with a ring. If you get copper, the betrothed will be poor, silver - simple guy, and gold - a boyar.
The head of the family told fortunes at kutia: he threw a spoonful of porridge up, saying: “Sow and be born, wheat, and various arable lands.” The more porridge stuck to the ceiling, the richer and more productive the next year will be.
How to attract and appease Kolyada
To attract the good spirit of Korochun to the house, it is enough to scatter straw on the floor, which symbolizes feminine energy. Masculine energy A sheaf of wheat or oats is considered, which is placed on a bench or chest so that its spikelets rest against the corner (2 walls). The premises are not swept during all the celebrations, so as not to sweep away the wealth from the home.
Preparing the house and garden for the Korochun holiday
December, in the old days called the month of December, was considered the time for finishing housework. The month is so named because the earth is covered with piles of snow and ice. By this time, it is necessary to complete all work in the garden and vegetable garden:
- prepare the soil for spring sowing;
- insulate trees, bushes and flower beds for the winter;
- create conditions for snow retention;
- set up bird feeders.
Before Kolyada, you should clean up the house, decorate the rooms with holiday paraphernalia, and prepare treats for family and guests.
Bottom line
Honoring the culture of their ancestors has always been important for the Slavic people. Following traditions and rituals helps strengthen the connection with one's family. The holiday of Kolyada in Rus' has been celebrated for many centuries. This is a time of fun, songs, dancing and family togetherness.
In pre-Petrine times, the New Year was celebrated on September 1st. But this was not always the case; if you look at the history of the ancient Slavs, you can find out that this date was temporary.
During the time of pagan Rus', there was some semblance of this holiday, although it was called somewhat differently - New Year. How did our ancestors celebrate the New Year, and what was the essence of the holiday?
In pagan times, people believed in a whole pantheon of Gods and the central figure, of course, was the sun. The pagans connected their lives, traditions, rituals with the change of seasons, and the sun is a key figure here, because it warms and shines, which means it gives life. The sun had, according to the Slavs, 4 stages of life:
- just born after a long winter night, called Kolyada;
— spring-Yarilo, filled with strength;
— strengthened summer-Kupaila;
- the decrepit autumn-Svetovit, which dies in the end.
The pagans based their chronology and celebrations on these stages, tied to important astronomical phenomena. It should be noted that the main purpose of the feasts was to appease the Gods so that they would show their mercy in the coming year. The pagans had 4 holidays, 2 of which are somewhat reminiscent of the modern New Year:
- meeting of Kolyada - celebration and greeting of the newly born sun;
- Komoeditsa is a holiday of the awakening of all living things, when Yarilo defeats winter.
How did the Slavs celebrate the New Year?
The beliefs of the ancient Slavs said that at the end of the month of jelly (December) Svetovit loses his strength and dies, then to be born again as the baby Kolyada. This rebirth lasted 12 days, and the longest night during the winter solstice, when Svetovit had already died and Kolyada had not yet been born, was considered mysterious and terrible. At a time when dark entities and spirits gained strength, and people were left without the protection of their solar God, the ancients tried to stick together with the tribal clan and organized cheerful feasts to scare away evil spirits.
To help Kolyada be born, large bonfires were lit during the winter solstice and had to burn for all 12 days. There was a tradition according to which unnecessary old things were burned in the fire of a fire, preparing to meet the young sun renewed.
The word carols, which everyone knows today, was formed precisely in pagan times. Then people sang songs of praise to God - Kolyada, as well as songs that would help him defeat evil spirits. Researchers suggest that the pagans decorated their houses with thorny spruce branches also to scare away evil spirits. There was a winter spirit - Studenets or Kolotun, who sent severe frosts and covered rivers and lakes with ice. The Slavs tried to appease him, because the harsh winter in those days was a great test, people often died from cold and hunger. To appease the spirit, treats like jelly, kutya and pancakes were placed at the windows.
The birth of Kolyada marked the beginning of beginnings, so people tried to tidy up their houses, put on new clothes and prepare lots of treats. Throughout the days of the holiday, people performed rituals.
Where did Maslenitsa come from?
Many elements of Kolyada then passed into Christianity. For some moments the official church turned a blind eye, and carefully tried to eradicate some rituals. The second important event of the ancient pagans in Rus' was Komoeditsa, which began on the day spring equinox. According to legend, during this period God - Yarilo, having gained strength, defeated winter, which was symbolized by Madder or Mara - a scarecrow made from straw, dressed in women's outfits and then burned. It was believed that this would help drive away winter and nature would awaken from sleep.
Throughout Komoeditsa, people held feasts, various games, competed in strength and dexterity, and young people at this time were looking for a mate. The main symbol of the sun was considered to be fragrant round flatbreads, which were later replaced by pancakes and cheesecakes. In every house they were baked in large quantities and treated each other.
In pagan mythology, Veles is the God to whom offerings were made before the start of agricultural work. The pagans believed that he could appear to people in the form of a bear, so the clubfoot was especially revered. In Komoeditsa, the Slavs took the first baked pancakes to the forest and laid them out in visible places so that the bears awakening from winter hibernation would feast on these gifts.
An interesting fact is that the expression “the first pancake is lumpy”, which is familiar today, came precisely from paganism and does not have the meaning that is put into it today. In ancient times, bears were called komas, and according to the ritual, the first pancakes were given to them, hence the expression that the first pancake was given to komas.
The Slavs were looking forward to the onset of warmer times so they could start working in the fields and provide themselves with food for the long winter that followed. In addition, during the warm season there were many other worries: storing firewood for future use, preparing their homes and sheds for animals for the next winter. Therefore, after the end of the fun and noisy festivities, people immediately got to work, hoping that they had sufficiently appeased the Gods and that they would not leave them in difficult times.
Historians are inclined to believe that Komoeditsa can be considered the ancient pagan new year. In fact, among the Slavs the year was divided into winter and summer, and after the spring equinox, when God Yarilo defeated the cold and snow, a new summer or new year began for them. Later, Komoeditsa was transformed into Maslenitsa, which is widely celebrated to this day, and Kolyada became part of the Christmas and New Year rituals of Christians.
Winter comes to the yard without asking. We northerners have two friends - frost and blizzard. And you, young people, in winter are waiting for your main holiday - the New Year. But this holiday is not truly celebrated now. That’s not what they’re talking about, and not then at all. According to covenants imposed by foreign rulers. We, northern people, hardened by the cold, remember everything about the true holidays, but for our descendants we froze the customs and rituals. Here you go a kind person, today I’ll tell you about the New Year Slavic calendar. When did you meet? How were you walking? Who was glorified? Because now young people think that their New Year is Slavic. This is false! Listen to me, old one, maybe you’ll remember your origins.
Did the Slavs have a New Year?
You, dear man, first understand that the Slavs did not have such a word for “year” at all. This is an overseas word, hitherto unknown to our nature. Since ancient times, we have measured time in years. That’s why we still ask: “How old are you?” And we call the stories about past and glorious times “chronicles.” Hence the holiday - we call the New Year according to the Slavic calendar nothing other than New Year. This means that one summer passes and another takes its place. What is summer for a layman? The work is hard to feed the family. And then winter will ask what your summer brings. It’s not for nothing that we in the north say: fish is water, berries are grass, and bread is the head of everything!
When all the bread is removed, you can rest and start a wild party! So it turns out that the New Year according to the Slavic calendar was celebrated after the harvest - that is, on September 21-22, right on the day of the autumn solstice. From that day on, things were heading towards winter, and the clear sun was becoming less and less visible. Therefore, the year ends and winter begins. Honest people gathered, lit high bonfires, led friendly round dances, and glorified the generous Gods. As they have long said - time for business, but time for fun.
New Year - Kolyada?
And in winter, the Slavs celebrated another holiday - Kolyada. That is the birth of a new winter sun, and with it the God of Kolyada. This day can also be called the New Year according to the Slavic calendar, because, according to sacred belief, a new Sun was born, darkness was defeated and life began anew.
This is how we lived, we could have celebrated two New Years. Or even three - we’re also waiting for the arrival of Yarilo the Spring! Why not cope when one lives according to the true laws, in harmony with nature and with wise ancestors. Anything is truer than celebrating any day out of ignorance, as is now customary. I’m explaining the matter to you, you listen to me, old one! Much has been forgotten, but much is still remembered, especially in our northern regions. We Slavs, like no one else, know how to honor and preserve traditions, therefore we know that true strength lies in the family and in the generations of our children. That is why our strong hands and bright heads can recreate true Slavic customs and pass them on to our descendants. And we will live again according to our conscience, and in harmony with the Gods.
Or don't you agree with me?
This is the tale about the New Year according to the Slavic calendar, or better said, New Year. And you, I guess, thought that the Slavs are also on December 31st old year saw you off? Or do you not agree with me in my speeches? Don’t cheat, good man, argue, ask, I know all the Slavic secrets, I keep all the secrets in my years. I’ll tell you everything to the best of my ability!
For the benefit of!
Winter comes to the yard without asking. We northerners have two friends - frost and blizzard. And you, young people, in winter are waiting for your main holiday - the New Year. But this holiday is not truly celebrated now. That’s not what they’re talking about, and not then at all. According to covenants imposed by foreign rulers. We, northern people, hardened by the cold, remember everything about the true holidays, but for our descendants we froze the customs and rituals. So, good man, today I’ll tell you about the New Year according to the Slavic calendar. When did you meet? How were you walking? Who was glorified? Because now young people think that their New Year is Slavic. This is false! Listen to me, old one, maybe you’ll remember your origins.”>
In ancient times, our great-great-great-grandparents, the ancient Slavs, had their own traditions of celebrating holidays. We can remember them from fairy tales that our grandmothers told us, as well as from collections of Russian folk tales that have survived to this day. Ancient traditions carried folk wisdom. After all, the Slavs, our ancestors, knew a lot, lived in harmony with nature, and were friends with various animals and birds, even knew their language! Remember how Ivan Tsarevich was helped by a bear, a pike, and a falcon in the sky to free Vasilisa from Koshcheev’s kingdom? “The fairy tale is a lie, but there is a hint in it - a lesson for good fellows” - this is how almost every one ended folk tale. Therefore, now, listening to our fairy tales, we can learn a lot about our people, about what knowledge and skills our ancestors possessed.
How did our ancestors used to celebrate winter holidays? After all, the tradition of celebrating the New Year on January 1 began only after the decree of Peter 1! And before that, the New Year was celebrated in September, and in ancient times - in March, on the day of the spring solstice.
And what, it turns out that our great-grandmothers and great-grandfathers did not have fun in winter, did not decorate the Christmas tree, did not set the table, did not invite guests?
Let's go back to that distant time and see how our ancestors survived the harsh winter?
It turns out that in ancient times people began to celebrate winter holidays on December 24th - it was on this day that Kolyady started, followed by the Great Veles Christmastide. At this time, according to legend, the gates opened between real world and the world of spirits - the world of Reveal and the world of Navi. And it was important to find mutual language with the supernatural - ask the forces of good for prosperity and protection, and the forces of evil - to properly appease them with gifts.
The Slavs have always considered the oak to be a fairytale tree. And it was on the oak tree that gifts for good and evil spirits were hung. Remember, from A.S. Pushkin: “Near Lukomorye there is a green oak, a golden chain on that oak tree...”. Oak is a mighty tree, a symbol of a huge vitality, longevity, sacred tree of the god Perun. Oak gave people energy and protection. The first bread was baked from oak acorns, grinding them into flour.
Peter 1 made his own changes to the traditions of celebrating the New Year. He ordered to decorate houses and gates with spruce and pine paws, according to the Western model. The tradition caught on quickly, because It was the fir trees and pines that remained green in winter, pleasing to the eye, and all children and adults enjoyed decorating them.
In the old days, the Christmas tree was decorated with various delicacies: nuts in bright wrappers, sweets, red rowan bunches and even vegetables. Wax candles burned on the branches, which then gave way to electric garlands. And shiny balls appeared relatively recently - about a hundred years ago. The top of the Christmas tree was crowned Star of Bethlehem, which was later replaced by a red, five-pointed one.
December 31, the last day of the outgoing year, was celebrated by the Slavs as Shchedrets. On this day it would be good to visit your relatives. Shchedrets is famous for its generously laid festive table. Before the feast, it was customary to amuse the people with songs - “shchedrovkas”. The composition of the mummers was the same as on Kolyada.
Carolers approach a house or a crowd of people and sing: “Generous evening! Good evening!":
Behind the canopy, in the canopy there for new ones
Generous evening, Good evening,
There is a newly built light,
That little room has four windows:
In the first window there is a clear sun,
In the other window - yes, a clear month,
At the third window there is a dark cloud.
The clear sun is his wife,
A clear month is the owner himself,
As small as the stars are his children,
Like a dark cloud, it lives on.
And from the root - rooty,
And from a straw - stalky,
And from a spikelet - spikelet.
And God forbid, sir, the owner
Oh, live, brew beer,
Brew beer, marry sons,
Give your daughters away in marriage.
Generous evening, good evening!
The main symbol of prosperity and generosity on the festive table of the Slavs was a roasted ruddy pig, since “pork” means “fertility”, from Sanskrit - “to give birth”.
January 1 is the Day of Moroka (Frost), which in ancient times walked through villages and sent severe frosts. Over time, grandfather became kind and generous, taking care of the children, giving gifts.
From January 1 to January 6, the Slavs celebrated Veles Days or Vorozhnye Evenings. This was the second part of the 12-day carols, and it was dedicated to domestic animals - therefore it is associated with the name of Veles, the patron saint of livestock and shepherds. According to tradition, at this time the mummers went from house to house and caroled. Both children and adults love caroling. It’s very good if a friendly company gets together for this. Traditionally, carolers dressed up in costumes of animals - a bear, a bull, a goat, in sheepskin coats and masks turned out with fur - so that devilry I didn’t recognize them.
The carolers are thanked, treated, and given various village delicacies with them - sausages, butter, meat, and sometimes a little money.
The children receive pennies and gingerbread cookies as a reward - “kozulki” - figurines of horses, cows, deer, sheep, birds.
Of course, the main holiday of winter is Christmas, which is celebrated from January 6 to 7, according to the Orthodox calendar. It is curious that just on January 6, in Turitsy Winter, the Veles Days end, the Navi gates close, the evil spirits go home, and order reigns on earth.
In the ritual side of the Christmas mysteries, an important place is occupied by the so-called nativity scene, which historiographers consider no less than the forerunner of the theater.
Nativity scene is an old Russian word. It means a cave. According to the Holy Scriptures, the Son of God - the Baby Jesus Christ - was born in a den where the Virgin Mary and the righteous Joseph stopped for the night. But a nativity scene was also the name given to an ancient stage puppet show telling the story of the birth of the Child Jesus Christ. It is generally accepted that the history of puppet theater in Rus' begins with this Christmas puppet show.
Traditionally, the nativity scene was a two-level box, sometimes looking like a model of a house or church with a cross on the roof, with a missing front wall - biblical scenes were played out on the second floor, and worldly scenes and everyday jokes on the first floor. The nativity scenes were moved from house to house, from square to square, and there, in front of honest people, performances were performed.
Currently, static nativity scenes are best known.
In the Russian tradition, nativity scenes were small, light, easily portable boxes. Their sizes depended on the size of the dolls themselves. And the nativity figures should not have been smaller than the index finger
