Ritual traditions. Family traditions

The synthetic form of culture are rites, customs, traditions and rituals, i.e. what are called patterns of behavior. Rituals are standard and repeated team activities held at a set time and on a special occasion to influence the behavior and understanding of employees of the organizational environment. The power of the ritual lies in its emotional and psychological impact on people. In a ritual, not only the rational assimilation of certain norms, values ​​and ideals occurs, but also empathy for them by the participants in the ritual action.

Rituals are a system of rituals. Even certain management decisions may become organizational rituals that employees interpret as part of the organizational culture. Such rituals act as organized and planned actions that have important “cultural” significance.

In the everyday life of an enterprise, rituals perform a double function: they can strengthen the structure of the enterprise, and on the other hand, by obscuring the true meaning of the actions performed, they can weaken it. In positive cases, rituals are stage performances of works of fundamental importance. Rituals symbolize beliefs that play a significant role in the enterprise. In combination with outstanding events, rituals directly and indirectly highlight the image of the enterprise and the value orientations that dominate it.

Rituals of recognition, such as anniversaries, celebrations of success in foreign service, public recognition, participation in incentive trips - all these events should demonstrate what the enterprise is interested in, what is rewarded and what is celebrated.

A similar function is performed by the so-called initiation rituals, which are usually performed when joining a team. They must clearly demonstrate to the new member what the company really values. If a freshly graduated engineer who graduated from an elite university, in the very first days of his career in the company’s representative office in South America If he is given a broom and asked to start sweeping the room, this can cause disappointment and confusion in the young man. At the same time, they immediately make it clear to him that in this enterprise, what is primarily valued is not formal education, but personal participation in business. A parallel can be drawn with enterprises specializing in the production of high-quality products, where almost everyone, regardless of education, starts in the sales field.

In the negative case, the relationship between rituals and value orientations is lost. In this case, rituals turn into an unnecessary, prim and ultimately ridiculous formality, with the help of which they try to kill time, avoid making decisions, and avoid conflicts and confrontations.

The most typical example of this is in ordinary life are negotiations on the conclusion of tariff agreements, especially when this was preceded by workers' protests. Drama prohibits coming to an agreement during the working day. No, we must fight all night, and the new tariff agreement must be signed, if possible, shortly before dawn, so that the union representatives and employers, completely exhausted, can appear in front of the television cameras at first light.

And in enterprises one can often observe how rituals turn into an end in themselves, how they become ballast in the process of implementing the main active goals.

Within the culture of an enterprise, rituals occupy important place. At the same time, it is necessary to check whether, with their help, value orientations that are also relevant for everyday life are actually conveyed.

Custom is a form of social regulation of people’s activities and attitudes adopted from the past, which is reproduced in a certain society or social group and is familiar to its members. Custom consists of strict adherence to the instructions received from the past. Various rituals, holidays, production skills, etc. can act as customs. Custom is an unwritten rule of behavior.

Traditions are elements of social and cultural heritage that are passed down from generation to generation and preserved in a particular community for a long time. Traditions function in all social systems and are a necessary condition for their life. A disdainful attitude towards tradition leads to a disruption of continuity in the development of society and culture, to the loss of the valuable achievements of mankind. Blind worship of tradition gives rise to conservatism and stagnation in public life.

Ancient wedding rituals

Wedding rituals in Russia developed around the 15th century. The main components of wedding ceremonies are as follows:

Matchmaking- a wedding ceremony in which the preliminary consent of the bride’s relatives for the wedding was obtained.

Bride– a wedding ceremony in which the matchmaker/(matchmaker), the groom, and the groom’s parents could see the future bride and evaluate her strengths and weaknesses. Bridesmaids were held after the matchmaking, before the handshake.

Handcraft(conspiracy, drinking, zaruchiny, betrothal, vaults) - part of the wedding ceremony, during which a final agreement on the wedding was reached.

Vytie- wedding ceremony, ritual crying. Happens on half of the bride. Its purpose is to show that the girl lived well in her parents’ house, but now she has to leave. The bride said goodbye to her parents, friends, and freedom.

hen-party– wedding ceremony, the day before the wedding, or the days from the hand-waving to the wedding.

Ransom, scolding- a wedding ceremony in which the groom took the bride from home.

Sacrament of wedding

A church wedding or wedding is a Christian sacrament of blessing the bride and groom who have expressed a desire to live together as husband and wife during their subsequent lives.

wedding feast- a wedding ceremony in which the wedding was celebrated over food and drink with jokes and toasts.

Holiday rituals

Cover

IN Pokrov Day (October 14) The girls ran to church early in the morning and lit a candle for the holiday. There was a belief: whoever lights a candle first will get married sooner.

Soon, girls, Pokrov,

We'll have a party soon,

Will play soon

Dear little girl.

If you have fun during the Intercession, you will find a friend.

In some areas, it is customary to put coins in the glasses of the bride and groom. Newlyweds should keep these coins on their table under the tablecloth, which will always ensure prosperity in the house.

If a girl spills a drink on the tablecloth at dinner, this portends a drunkard husband.

In other parts, newlyweds were forced to sleep on sheaves of rye. And these sheaves should be an odd number, say, 21. If this condition was met, it meant that they would not need anything.

On the holiday, girls go to church and put candles in front of the icon of the Intercession of the Virgin Mary and say: “The Intercession is Holy Mother of God, cover my poor head with a pearl kokoshnik, a golden headband.” And if at such a moment the confused guy threw a blanket over the head of the girl he liked, then she unquestioningly became his wife, noted one Arab writer who visited Rus' in the 12th century.

Christmastide

Yuletide fortune telling

Young people of both sexes gather for the evening, take rings, rings, cufflinks, earrings and other small things and place them under a dish along with pieces of bread, and cover everything with a clean towel, napkin or fly (piece of cloth). After that, those participating in fortune-telling sing a song dedicated to bread and salt and then other sub-course (Yuletide, fortune-telling) songs. At the end of each, turning away, from under the closed dish they take out one object that came to hand first. This is something like a home lottery. A song was used for this ritual, from the content of which a foreshadowing was derived. But since the things taken out from under the dish are not always found by those to whom they belong, a ransom of the things is awarded on this occasion. To the last one, who has already taken the last thing out from under the dish, they usually sing a wedding song, as if foreshadowing an imminent marriage. Then they roll the ring along the floor, observing which direction it will roll: if towards the door, then for a girl - the proximity of marriage; for a guy - departure.

New Year's fortune telling

In order to find out what the bride or groom will be like, tall or small, you need to go to the woodshed on New Year’s Eve and immediately take a log. If it’s big, then it’s big, and vice versa.

If a girl cuts or pricks her finger until it bleeds New Year's Eve, she will definitely get married next year.

They freeze water in a spoon for the New Year: if the ice is convex and with bubbles, it means long life, if there is a hole in the ice, it means death.

And here’s how Bulgarian girls used to tell fortunes on New Year’s Eve: they gathered together somewhere near a spring, near a well, and in complete silence scooped up a bucket of water, which was attributed with special magical powers. Each girl threw a handful of oats, a ring or a bouquet with her mark into this bucket. The little girl took out these objects one by one, while singing special ritual songs: the words of the songs referred to the future husband of the girl, whose ring was taken out. Then the girls took a little oats from the bucket and put them under their pillows in the hope that they would dream about their betrothed.

Not all fortune-telling was only of a love nature; it happened that girls fortune-telled the weather in the coming year, and through this they made forecasts for the future harvest.

Christmas

Before Christmas was coming 40-day Filippov fast. They did not eat meat, they made do with fish. The whole house is fasting, and the old people are celebrating Christmas Eve. The first pancake on Christmas Eve is for the sheep (from pestilence)

IN Christmas Eve(on the night of December 24-25) do not eat until the first star. On the first day of Christmas, figurines of cows and sheep are always baked from wheat dough. They are kept until Epiphany, but on Epiphany, after the blessing of water, the hostess soaks these figurines in holy water and gives them to the cattle (for offspring, for milk yield).

At Christmas time, during the second half of the war, when the two-week “terrible evenings” between the New Year and Epiphany began, the girls wondered especially a lot.

Baptism

“The Christian procedure of Baptism,” writes A.Yu. Grigorenko, is a magical ceremony. Immersing the body in water three times, dressing the baby in a clean white shirt in order to preserve the purity of his soul, etc. - all this comes from homeopathic magic, based on the belief that “like produces like”, “the effect is like its cause.”

The custom of blowing on a baby, water, oil in order to give them grace and at the same time drive away Satan, spitting on Satan during Baptism also came from ancient faith- the belief that human breath and saliva have special witchcraft powers. Primitive people They believed that blowing and spitting were ways to both convey holiness and ward off evil. The same primitive rite is “tonsuring the hair.” Cutting the hair of a child (or an adult) at Baptism and throwing it into the font is a rudiment of the ancient belief that by laying an animate part of one’s body at the feet of a deity, which has the miraculous property of growth, a person establishes a strong relationship with him. In ancient times, many peoples had a custom of donating hair to the gods. Thus, in the Phoenician temples of Astrata there was even a special position - galab-elim - God's barber. Statues depicting gods in ancient temples were often covered from top to bottom with male and female hair.

A main element Baptism - water? Christian theologians explain Baptism by water by the fact that Jesus Christ sanctified the waters of the Jordan, having received his first Baptism from John the Baptist. However, the magical ritual of washing with water is actually much older than Christ and Christianity. Many centuries before the rise of Christianity and the birth of the Messiah himself, the ancient Egyptians dipped babies in water, the Zoroastrians (fire worshipers) of Iran carried newborns to the temple, where the priests bought them in special vessels with water, the Romans bathed the boy on the ninth day after his birth, and the girls are on the eighth level. The rituals of bathing a newborn in water and sprinkling it with water are known among the peoples of Ancient Mexico, China, Japan, Tibet, New Zealand, Africa, etc. In almost all pre-Christian religions there were rites of ritual washing of a newborn, whose purpose was to cleanse him of evil spirits. The central role in all these rituals was played by water, to which people have long attributed magical qualities. And this is understandable. Water, without which life on Earth is impossible, quite naturally seemed to people as a beneficial force.”

At Candlemas, winter and summer met. In northwestern Rus', writes I.P. Kalinsky, - this holiday is known as gromnitsy, since there is a custom here to carry candles to church on this day for blessing, which are called gromnitsy. Introducing the blessing of candles into the Christian Church instead of pagan torches, the Romans tried to give them a special meaning in the eyes of the people and called them tombstones. The clergy claimed that “these candles destroy the power of demons, so that they do not harm with thunder and lightning, torrential rains and hail, which are easily brought down by God’s permission by sorcerers or wizards; and therefore the faithful (believers) light these candles during a thunderstorm in order to experience the fruits of prayer; They also give a thunderbolt into the hands of the dying to defeat and drive away Satan, the prince of darkness.

Maslenitsa

And we took Maslenitsa for a drive,

But we didn’t even see it in our eyes,

We thought: Maslenitsa is seven weeks,

It's already seven days after Maslenitsa,

Maslenitsa beckoned,

Lent has begun,

And to hell with the radishes,

For white cabbage.

It is known, writes R.N. Sakharov, - that since ancient times in Rus', Maslenitsa has served as the most cheerful and freeing national holiday. On Maslenitsa, every day in the old days had a special meaning, by which the character itself was usually determined. folk entertainment and entertainment. Monday, for example, is called meeting, because then the beginning of Maslenitsa was celebrated; Tuesday - flirting, since from this day all sorts of entertainment, dressing up, and skating began; Wednesday is a delicious day, since then everyone was treated to pancakes and other similar dishes; Thursday - wide, because it began Maslenitsa revelry; Friday - mother-in-law's party, when sons-in-law treated their mothers-in-law; Saturday - sister-in-law's gatherings, as on this day young brides invited their relatives to their feast. Saturday was also the day of farewell to Maslenitsa, since the next day was the day of forgiveness.

“Our Maslenitsa,” we read from I.P. Kalinsky, - could not do without commemorating the dead. Our Church usually devotes the Saturday before Maslenaya Week to the commemoration of departed forefathers, fathers and brothers, and this Saturday is popularly known as Parental or Grandfather Saturday. On the day of forgiveness, there is a tender farewell to each other, which is a kind of request for the forgiveness of each other’s sins. And this forgiveness is accompanied by kisses and the sentence: “let not the sun set on our anger.”

The kids were sledding down the mountains. There was a sign: whoever slides further down the mountain, those in the family will have longer flax.

“Winter entertainment for men and women,” writes historian N.I. Kostomarov, - it was skating on the ice: they made wooden horseshoes with narrow iron strips, which were bent upward in front, so that the iron could conveniently cut the ice. The Russians skated with amazing ease and agility.

Winter holiday evenings were spent in the family circle and with friends: songs were sung, khabars (storytellers) told fairy tales, interlocutors asked riddles, dressed up, made each other laugh, girls told fortunes.”

The first pancake was dedicated to the memory of the souls of our parents “our honest parents, here is a pancake for your darling!” – with these words the pancake is placed on the dormer window of the house.

Our ancestors said that the Annunciation is God’s greatest holiday. On this day, as on Easter, Ivan Kupala, the Nativity of Christ, Peter's Day, the sun plays as it rises. Our ancestors not only considered it a grave sin to take on any work at the Annunciation, but they believed that even an unreasonable creature would honor this great holiday. They said that if a bird sleeps through the Annunciation Matins and makes a nest on that day, then as punishment for this, its wings are taken away for a while, and it cannot fly, but instead walks on the ground. According to ancient popular belief, on the day of the Annunciation, God himself blesses the earth and opens it for sowing. This is where the custom began on the eve of this holiday or on the holiday itself to consecrate prosphora or seeds: both are then kept by our rural owners until the first spring sowings, as a sign of God’s visible blessing for good growth and fertility of the fields. The Day of the Annunciation is associated with many signs and observations by which our common people guess about the weather and the future harvest. Among the rituals and beliefs associated with the Annunciation, some have been preserved from pagan antiquity. Such, for example, is the custom of burning straw beds and old shoes, jumping over fires (whoever jumps higher, his flax will grow taller), fumigation as a preventive remedy against all kinds of diseases. These rituals are close in nature to the Kupala rituals. They expressed faith in the cleansing and healing power of fire, characteristic of all ancient pagan religions and in particular the ancient Russian one.

Among the Greeks and Romans, during solemn public cleansings, as well as when performing cleansing rites by private individuals, the fire on the altar apparently played an intermediate role between the means of burning the sacrifice and the cleansing agent. Belief in the cleansing power of fire transferred to its derivatives - smoke, coals, brands, ash. We have seen many examples where people explained jumping over ritual fires specifically for medicinal purposes. For the same purpose, cattle were driven through the smoke near the fires. This also includes the fumigation of houses, barns, livestock, etc. with smoke (incense). Often, magical purification rites dealt not with one element of fire, but with various combinations: fire was combined with water, iron, garlic and other amulets. The neutralizing properties of fire and smoke, noticed in practice, are transferred to the realm of the supernatural. This is where the idea comes from that fire can destroy all evil, protect from witchcraft, from witches, from evil spirits. Sometimes defense against evil spirits takes a very real shapes. For example, in some regions of Finland on Thursday of Holy Week (3 days before Holy Easter) they drove out evil spirits from the yard: “... they lit a fire in a tar box or in a tar barrel, put it on a sleigh and drove it around the yard. They threw old shoes, pieces of leather, and rags into the fire.”

Many ritual actions associated with fire belong to the complex of fertility magic. It is known to fertilize soil with ash. Scattering firebrands or scattering sparks across fields and gardens is already a magical technique. The Poles tried to put straw with long stems in ritual fires so that the flax would grow tall. The joint jumping of a guy and a girl through the flames of a ritual fire was supposed to cement their future marriage. In some areas of Switzerland, in ancient times, bread baked on the coals of Ivan the Fire (Ivan Kupala) served as a sacrifice to the elements; later it became one of the elements of the daily meal.

Since pagan times, rather rude and ignorant signs have been preserved on the day of the Annunciation: thieves on this day try to steal something in the hope that if they fail to do this now, then they can be confident in the success of their enterprises for the whole year.

To be lucky, you need to burn a pinch or two of salt in the stove: burnt salt is also useful in treating fever or fever.

Whoever happily played toss on the Annunciation will win money in this game all year.

If the housewife on this day, between matins and mass, drives the chickens off their roost with a broom, then by Easter they can already carry fresh eggs for the celebration of Christ.

If the day on Annunciation is rainy, then in the summer and autumn there will be a lot of mushrooms, and fishermen can count on good catches.

If swallows did not arrive at the Annunciation, then spring is expected to be cold.

As you spend the Annunciation, so will the whole year.

Easter

“During Holy Day, all over Rus' were preparing to celebrate Easter. Everywhere they did Easter, baked Easter cakes, painted eggs, washed, cleaned, cleaned. Young people and children tried to prepare the best and most beautifully painted eggs for the Great Day.

Painted eggs are an inevitable part of the Easter breaking of the fast. There are many legends about the origin of Easter eggs and, in particular, about the origin of Easter eggs. According to one of them, drops of the blood of the Crucified Christ, falling to the ground, took the form of chicken eggs and became hard as stone. The hot tears of the Mother of God, sobbing at the foot of the Cross, fell on these blood-red eggs and left marks on them in the form of beautiful patterns and colored specks. When Christ was taken down from the Cross and laid in the tomb, believers collected His tears and divided them among themselves. And when the joyful news of the Resurrection spread among them, they greeted the tears of Christ from hand to hand. After the Resurrection, this custom was strictly observed among the first Christians, and the sign of the greatest miracle - tear-eggs - were strictly kept by them and served as the subject of a joyful gift on the day of the Bright Resurrection. Later, when people began to sin more, Christ’s tears melted and were carried away along with streams and rivers into the sea, turning them bloody. sea ​​waves... But the most common custom of Easter eggs was preserved even after that ... "

Another legend goes as follows:

“Jesus Christ, as a child, loved chickens, willingly played with them and fed them. And the Mother of God, in order to please Him, painted chicken eggs and gave them to Him as toys. When the trial of Christ began, the Mother of God went to Pilate and, in order to appease him, brought him as a gift eggs painted with the greatest art. She put them in her apron and, when she fell on her face before Pilate, begging for the Son, the eggs rolled out of the apron and rolled all over the world... Since then, they have served for us as a memory of the suffering of Christ and of His subsequent resurrection.”

“The images and patterns reproduced on Easter eggs are very diverse and arose in ancient times. Both simple arabesques and stylized images of various sacred and simple objects that serve as decoration for Easter eggs were created a long time ago and are passed on from generation to generation by inheritance and tradition. The technique of making Easter eggs and the art of their tradition. The technique of making Easter eggs and the art of painting them are highly valued among Little Russian and South Slavic women. high level. A special brass handle with horsehair is made, natural colors are selected (yellow, red, green and, less often, black). Paints must be diluted with “clean” water, that is, brought from a well or source that has not yet been contaminated by anyone, especially an “unclean” woman or animal. The Easter egg craftswoman is very wary of any witchcraft and evil eye. Therefore, anyone who enters the house while painting eggs considers it their duty to spit in the artist’s direction for a long time and say: “Cheers, mind you, don’t jinx it!” And she, in turn, takes a pinch of salt, sprinkles it on paints, eggs, a writing pen and wax and says: “Salt in your eyes.” The culmination of egg painting occurs on Holy Thursday. This is where egg yolk, wax, and both brushes come into play. The artist heats the eggs on the stove and begins to paint them with wax. Wax applied to a warm egg does not allow the paint to soak into the shell in this area. A white pattern will remain under the wax, and paint (say, purple, obtained from sunflower seed husks) will cover the entire egg with a purple tint. The wax will be erased, but the pattern will remain. The process then continues with other colors – in a word, a whole art.”

On Easter days, girls do not take salt in their hands so that their palms do not sweat.

They also wash their faces with water from a red Easter egg to make themselves ruddy...

“The entire Easter week is one day; for when Christ was resurrected, then the sun did not set all that week.”

“On Easter,” writes N.I. Kostomarov, “some game organizers made a profit out of this: they set up swings and let them swing, collecting silver money (half a penny) from each person.”

The Germans of the Rhineland held an “auction of girls”, first timed to coincide with Maslenitsa, later on May 1 or Easter. The girls were played like at a real auction: whichever guy offered the highest price for the girl got her as a dance partner for a month or the whole year. The girl for whom the highest price was paid was considered the “May Queen”, and the guy the “May King”. The guy had to protect and protect the girl in every possible way. Sometimes such comic grooming turned into real. (Spring holidays)

Trinity

When the Magi (also magicians and astrologers) who lived east of Palestine saw the appearance of a wonderful star, they realized that the Messiah, the “King of the Jews,” was born. They head to Jerusalem to inform the Jewish king Herod about this, and at the same time ask for help in finding this baby. Herod was frightened and called his wise scribes, who reported that, according to ancient predictions, such a messiah should be born in Bethlehem. Herod sends the aliens there so that they find out the name of his future rival, the contender for his throne.

The star accurately indicates to the Magi the place where the baby Christ could be located. The Magi bow before him as a future king, offering him gifts of gold, incense and fragrant resin - myrrh.

A prophetic dream predicts that it is dangerous for them to return to Jerusalem, and the Magi set off for their homeland. Based on the number of gifts presented by the Magi, it was established that there were three of them. This correlated with the three faces of the Trinity, with the three ages of man and the triplicity of the human race, with the Three-Handed Lady - one of the revealed icons of the Mother of God.

The Trinity of fingers makes a cross.

Trinity is Trinity, but three candles are not placed on the table.

But it rains on Trinity Sunday - there are a lot of mushrooms.

Trinity Day is celebrated on the 50th day after Easter. Since ancient times, “Pentecost” has been accompanied by many rituals, such as weaving wreaths, fortune telling, swing rides, boat rides, decorating the house with flowers and birch branches inserted behind the images.

The holiday was associated with the ancient Slavic cult of commemoration and veneration of ancestors, as well as the glorification of blossoming nature. Its symbol was a young birch tree. On Trinity Saturday, families went to the cemetery. The graves were carefully decorated with wreaths and birch branches.

People have long believed in magical powers naked human body, which can serve as a factor in the fertility of the earth. The Lusatians (a Slavic tribe in Germany) had a custom: a girl who was weeding flax had to, after finishing weeding, run around the field three times, stripping naked and uttering a spell.

On the night of Trinity, it was customary in Rus' to “plow the village” so that the livestock would not die. Girls dressed all in white are harnessed to the plow, and the guy with whips is accompanied in complete silence. They plow the cross with a plow and place incense, bread, juniper or birch branches in the middle. The procession goes around the entire village and returns to this cross. After this, the girls begin to guess.

- They spin around, and whoever falls in which direction, wait for the groom from there.

“They scatter the fragments of an old plow: in which direction the fragment fell, that’s where the betrothed one will come from.”

– They burn the old ones men's trousers– then there are more brides.

Whit Monday

Every evil spirit fears the spirit of the day. People said: “Since Spiritual Day, not only from the sky, but from under the ground, warmth comes.”

Before the sun rises on Spirits day, the mother of cheese, the earth, reveals her secrets. That is why on this day, after praying to the Holy Spirit, treasure hunters go to “listen for treasures.”

Meeting a wedding on the road means the day will be unprofitable, but a funeral will do the opposite.

Your lip itches - you have to kiss your sweetheart.

Eyebrows itch - for a meeting. If the right eyebrow itches, it means a date with your loved one; if the left eyebrow itches, it means a meeting with a deceitful and hypocritical person.

This is how Abbot Pamphilus, who lived in the 16th century in the Pskov region, describes this festival, which has come down from pagan times: “When the holiday comes, on that holy night not all of the city will be in turmoil, and in the villages they will go wild with tambourines and sniffles and the hum of strings, splashing and dancing; wives and girls are nodding their heads, and their lips are hostile to shouting, all nasty songs, and wobbling with their spines, and jumping and stamping with their feet; that is, the great fall of man and boy, the whispering of men, women and girls, their fornication, the defilement of married women, and the corruption of virgins.”

“Of these rituals of the Kupala holiday,” writes I.P. Kalinsky, - one cannot help but see that for our ancestors it was some kind of great day of purification by fire and water and at the same time served as a holiday summer solstice when nature acts with a special all-revitalizing and all-exciting force. To prove that it was the ancient Russian Kupala that was a cleansing holiday, it is enough to remember that in general among many peoples of antiquity (we have already talked about this above) fire was considered the highest cleansing element. It is known, for example, that our princes could appear before the Tatar khans only after first passing through fiery bonfires. In the same way, washing with water was constantly recognized by almost all ancient peoples as an action of purification.

In the Rumyantsev collection of 1754 we read: “On Midsummer night they guard treasures, and steam in baths on herbs, and tear herbs, and dig roots, and also tie up birch trees, weave branches, so that the man will live that summer.” In Little Russia, the holiday of the Nativity of John the Baptist is simply called Ivan the Walking, as can be seen from the fact that this day has been celebrated since ancient times with various kinds of folk pleasures, amusements, and entertainments.”

Grass Nechui-wind

Along with fern and other herbs endowed with magical powers, our people also reverence immortelle. It is called so because it does not wither for a long time, but dries out and retains its color and shape well. Ancient people endowed it with supernatural properties, believing that the soul of the deceased moved into this flower so that through it it could communicate with friends and relatives. It is also popularly called by a special name - I can't feel the wind. This intangible wind, according to legends and traditions, helps the blind open treasures. On the night of Ivan Kupala, with a wind, a columbine and a blooming fern in your hands, you had to pick a flower-grass and walk along the lawn until the pain in your eyes appeared. And as soon as it appears, take a spade in your hands and quickly tear up the ground: the sworn treasure must be under your feet.

This grass, according to the legend of sorcerers, grows in winter along the banks of rivers and lakes. Common people think that those who possess this herb can always stop the wind on the water, save themselves and their ships from drowning, and finally, catch fish without nets. The unfeeling wind should be collected on January 1st, on Vasiliev's evening, in the dead of midnight. The villagers think that at this time evil spirits, walking along lakes and rivers, throw the grass Nechui-wind to destroy the storm. Only blind people can find it, and even then they must take it not with their hands, but with their mouths. Then they begin to possess its power.

Adam's head grass is highly respected by the villagers. Sorcerers, like ferns, collect it on Midsummer Day and store it secretly until Maundy Thursday. According to popular belief, the magical power of Adam's head extends only to wild ducks. Hunters who received this herb from the hands of a registered sorcerer fumigate all the shells they use when catching ducks on Maundy Thursday, no less.

It's a starry night on Midsummer - there will be a lot of mushrooms!

Midsummer Day came, I went to collect grass.

On Midsummer's Day, as on the eve of it, bonfires are laid out, lit, jumped over them, and also bathed in water and dew, and danced around the tree. On this day, brownies, mermen, mermaids and goblins commit mischief. The fern blooms at midnight on Ivan Kupala, and with its help treasures are discovered. Kupala dew is sprinkled on the walls of the house, beds and furniture to ward off bedbugs and cockroaches.

On this day, everyone pours water on each other, laughs, and has fun. In the evening the bathhouse is heated. The girls from the roofs of the baths throw a broom and find out which side to wait for the groom.

The night of Ivan Kupala or Kupala night is the time of the highest power of nature: herbs collected on this night were considered the best medicine, just like the dew of this night. In European countries, girls tell fortunes by floating wreaths on water on Midsummer night. That night the girls roll around naked in the dew. It is customary to do everything silently. Silence is a sign of belonging to the world of the dead. They silently collect and bring water for magical actions, and it is called “silent water.”

The girl silently picks and brings flowers home to put them under her pillow and see her betrothed in a dream.

Polish girls used flowers to tell fortunes on Ivan Kupala: they pour water taken from a spring or a fast-flowing stream into a basin and throw two flowers without stems into it, say, two daisies; if they go their separate ways, then the lovers will separate; if, while floating, the flowers come together, then they will get married this year.

To bewitch the groom, you need to feed the rooster from the stove damper, saying: “As if this damper would stick to its mouth, so would the rooster stick to its home.”

“Fun and laughter,” writes A.Ya. Gurevich, - are not ordered for a Christian, we see that the preachers themselves often strive to make their listeners smile. But excessive laughter is sinful. Jacques Vitrysky talks about some person who saw Holy Mary with many maidens and wished to be with them. The Mother of God told her: “Don’t laugh for thirty days, and you will be with us.” She did just that, did not laugh for a whole month, after which she died and found the promised glory. Undoubtedly, Jacques de Vitry concludes, that if she had not refrained from laughter, songs and round dances, the Virgin would never have accepted her into her host.

Wet Honey saved

On the first day of the Savior, holy the wells.

On the First Spas the last bathing of horses and other livestock.

Bees stop carrying honey bribes.

Beekeepers break (cut) the honeycombs.

Picking raspberries, bird cherry, stocking medicinal herbs.

If, when raspberries ripen, the first berries are large, then winter rye should be sown earlier.

Poppies are collected in Macabea.

The poppy is not born, we will stay like this.

Wild poppies were also collected as a remedy for witches. It was taken for granted that all you had to do was sprinkle the house with this poppy, and all the intrigues would disappear.

From this day on you are allowed to eat honey.

On the first Spas, peas are pinched.

In the Urals and Siberia, the coning of cedars began.

Cold dew since the first Savior.

In August, the sickles are warm and the water is cold.

The month of August is rich - there is plenty of everything.

It’s August and it’s a good time for fish.

During the harvest, the reapers tried to find the most a large number of grains Such a spike is called a “wheat uterus” or “ergot”. They are preserved all year until the new sowing; sowing begins with these grains, with the hope of receiving a large harvest from them.

These days you should stock up weeping grass, which protects from all misfortune and human malice. “The grass is a crybaby,” writes I.P. Sakharov - grows like an arrow; the color of her crimson, the horned root. It is good to make a cross from such a root and wear it on yourself - then do not be afraid of the enemy and adversary. God will protect you from every calamity.”

“Healers,” writes Zabylin, “use the root of Plakun to expel brownies, witches and evil spirits guarding treasures. This herb is credited with making unclean spirits cry, which is why it got its name.”

Apple saved

The Second Savior – everything is an hour (the fruits are ripening).

On the second Savior, fruits and honey are blessed, apples are eaten (and before that, only cucumbers).

And there is an increase in hay. Otava - autumn hay, summer hay will be saved.

love apples

“These are the apples through which you can gain the attention and love of the desired person. This is done very simply: you just have to cut the apple in half, put a note in the middle with the name of your loved one and put it out in the sun. As if, as the apple dries, your beloved person will also suffer for you.”

The first farewell to summer and the meeting of autumn, autumn; people walked into the field singing to see off the sunset.

Nativity of the Virgin Mary

On this day, women welcome autumn by the water. Autumn, the second meeting of autumn. Relatives come to visit the newlyweds. And three days later Fedora - wet your tails. It is believed that on this day autumn rides a bay mare. “Autumn Fedoras tuck up the hem,” says the proverb. And I remember the summer, when girls, while hanging out and playing with guys, didn’t really hold their hems up, flying on rope swings over the heads of amazed men. A.M. Gorky wrote about how guys loved to “reveal the girls’ hems, pulling them right up to their heads...” The girls perceived this quite peacefully, and were not even in a hurry to hide their naked body, but deliberately fiddled with the hem pulled over their heads for a long time. “Not every Indian summer can live up to Fedora.” Rowan ripens. It is collected directly with tassels and hung under the roof. Rowan is used for rowan kvass or strong tincture. Mature viburnum is also displayed. The frost makes the berries sweet. These days, the peasant house is filled with all kinds of vegetables: mountains of carrots, turnips and rutabaga, from which “parenki” are prepared (boiled and dried in a Russian oven). The onions are tied and hung on the walls. Cabbage is chopped and fermented in tubs. Sunflowers are peeling, biting seeds, the whole house has gathered. There is a thick layer of husk on the floor - this is done on purpose to make the day of the harvest celebration memorable. The house smells of apples and vegetables, currant leaves, oak, and dill.

September smells like apples, October smells like cabbage.

In October (in muddy conditions) neither on wheels nor on a sleigh.

“Kapustin’s parties begin these days,” writes I.P. Kalinsky - for two weeks. On Vozdvizhene the grain moved from the field (the last shock from the field), the birds began to fly away, the snakes and grass snakes hid. “The road is by wheel!” - they shout to the cranes to turn them away. IN Astafiev day They use the winds to tell the weather: northern means cold, southern means warm, western means bad weather, and eastern means bucket. Among the steppe people, the southern winds are called “sweet” and promise fertility.

Bread is dried in barns by lighting a fire in it. The boys bake potatoes over the fire, tell different stories related to the barn or bean barn - the owner of the barn, who can shove you in the side so that you will take your breath away if you do not please him in some way. It may throw fire onto the sheaves and burn the crop. So you can’t sleep, but you have to guard the fire day and night.”

The owner gets a shovel of bread, and the threshers a pot of porridge.

You cannot thresh a sheaf with folded hands.

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How long ago has it been in last time did you make dumplings for the whole house? And when did you get together with all your relatives and go... to the cemetery to visit the graves of your departed loved ones? Can you remember the last time all family members sat down in the same room and took turns reading interesting books out loud? An educational psychologist told us about what traditions we should have forgotten and what benefits they can bring us in the 21st century. highest category Tatiana Vorobyova and priest Stefan Domuschi, head Department of Doctrinal Disciplines of the Orthodox Institute of St. John the Theologian.

TRADITION 1. JOINT FAMILY MEAL

Did you know that, according to Domostroy, the youngest was not supposed to start eating or trying this or that dish at the table before the head of the family (or the most noble of the guests) did? And what does the Apostle Paul recommend to the first Christians in his epistles: wait for each other for a joint meal, not pounce on food before everyone arrives, and not eat too much, thinking about what others will get?
It can be rightly noted: now we live in a completely different rhythm than the people of the times of Domostroy. Right. But it’s still not worth writing off the tradition of a shared meal as “irrelevant.” During a common family feast, the most important mechanisms of interaction between family members are developed and consolidated. Which?
Firstly, the ability to adapt to everyone close to you. “Sitting at a common table and sharing food with our loved ones, we overcome the selfishness that is natural for fallen man, and learn to share the most important thing: what is the basis of our life,” says priest Stefan Domuschi.

Secondly, the tradition of eating together teaches us to communicate, listen and hear each other not on the fly, meeting in a common corridor, but for at least 20 minutes. A trifle, it would seem, but worth a lot.

Thirdly, there is also an educational moment in a shared meal. Only, as psychologist Tatyana Vorobyova says, contrary to common practice, it assumes “not the teachings of a strict father and the constant beating of a child on the forehead with a spoon, but the fact that at the table the child learns good behavior, learns to care for others.”

But modern life introduces nuances: we come home from work at different times, everyone is in a different state, the wife is on a diet, the husband is not in the mood. What should I do? According to Tatyana Vorobyova, a joint family meal today can be expressed in other, not entirely familiar forms. “There is a so-called “meal with everyone,” explains Tatyana Vladimirovna. “It’s less about the physical presence of all family members at the table, and more about what and how we prepared.” You need to find time to not just feed your family, but to please them, remember what they love, and take care of even the little things.

TRADITION 2. COMMON COOKING, “FAMILY” DISH

Preparing for a meal will help you find mutual language and improve relationships between family members no less effectively than sharing lunch or dinner. Many people remember that 20 years ago, the general sculpting of dumplings or baking a cake was perceived as a solemn family ritual, and not boring household chores.

According to priest Stefan Domuschi, it is useful to cook together not only well-known dishes, but also something new: “An old recipe helps to feel the connection between generations, the living memory of those who prepared this dish in the same way many years ago. The new one is to unite everyone in joyful anticipation: will it work out as planned, will it be delicious?”

The main thing, according to psychologist Tatyana Vorobyova, is teamwork when everyone makes their own contribution to the common cause. It is important that, for example, the chores for the arrival of guests do not fall only on the mother and that responsibilities are distributed according to strengths. And for children this is a chance to feel significant and needed.

TRADITION 3. HOME HOLIDAYS

Home celebrations still exist today. So what have we forgotten about this tradition? Very important detail: in the old days, holidays were not limited to feasting; until the mid-twentieth century, home performances were organized, puppet show, games for both children and adults (like “living pictures”, which even members of the imperial family played, or “literary lotto”), publication of a home newspaper.

What should the whole family celebrate? Just New Year, Christmas or birthday?

Even the smallest dates or anniversaries that are significant for each individual family member need to be celebrated, says psychologist Tatyana Vorobyova. On this day my daughter went to school, on this day my son entered college, on this day he came home from the army, and on this day mom and dad met. It is not necessary to celebrate with a feast, the main thing is attention. “Family differs from friends and acquaintances in that relatives remember all the smallest but most important milestones in a person’s life,” explains Tatyana Vladimirovna. “He is significant, his whole life has value.”
Any holiday and its preparation is a live, non-virtual and unhurried communication, which (we have to repeat) is becoming less and less in our age. “The holiday gives everyone the opportunity to test whether they can truly communicate,” says Father Stefan. — It often happens that a husband and wife see each other only a couple of times a day and exchange only news with each other, and therefore, when they have a free evening, it turns out that they have nothing to talk about heart-to-heart as close people. In addition,” the priest reminds, “Orthodox holidays give believers the opportunity to take communion with the whole family, to feel that the basis of true family unity is not only blood ties, but participation in the Body of Christ itself.”

TRADITION 4. TRIPS TO DISTANT RELATIVES

If you need to denigrate a person, then rest assured, no one will do it better than his relatives, noted William Thackeray in the novel Vanity Fair. But at the same time, the tradition of frequent visits to relatives - near and far, to strengthen family ties, is known in many cultures.

Often a difficult and boring “duty” - is there any point in maintaining such a custom?

The need to adapt to “distant neighbors” and endure the associated inconveniences can be a plus for a Christian, says priest Stefan Domusci. " Modern man communicates more often with friends, work colleagues, with those with whom it is interesting to communicate,” he says. “And in a big family, everyone is different, everyone has their own interests, their own lives.” Thus, communication with distant relatives helps to overcome the consumerist attitude towards people.”

In any case, the priest believes, a truly good relationship true friendship we need to learn: learn to appreciate people for what they are, and not treat them as a source of services and opportunities.

The question is ambiguous, says Tatyana Vorobyova: indeed, from time immemorial, family has been a value, but today such close ties no longer exist - the family should be kept from internal splits! “Sometimes when visiting distant relatives you can encounter envy, hostility, and discussions. Then this trail of unnecessary conversations and clarifications follows you, and this is not useful to anyone,” says the psychologist. “Remembering kinship has never stopped anyone,” she is sure, “however, first of all, you need to establish and maintain relationships in your own family: “my home is my fortress.”

TRADITION 5. LEISURE SHARES WITH CHILDREN

Tents, kayaks, large baskets for mushrooms. Today such attributes of active family vacation Even if they are preserved in houses, they often simply gather dust on the balcony for years. Meanwhile, joint leisure instills in children trust and interest in their parents. “This ultimately decides the question: are children comfortable with mom and dad or not,” says Tatyana Vorobyova.
Living examples, and not edifying words, educate a child, and on vacation various situations, pleasant and difficult, are more varied than at home. “Everything is visible here,” says Tatyana Vladimirovna. “Fairly or not, we decide certain issues, how we distribute responsibilities, who will take on the heavier backpack, who will go to bed last, making sure that the house is clean and everything is prepared for tomorrow. So spending time together is an important lesson that children will use in their own families.”

Unobtrusive lessons on behavior not at a school desk, but in the form of a live dialogue will be deposited in children's memory and will be fixed much more reliably!

“Recreating together also helps the child learn about the world of wildlife and learn to treat it with care,” says Father Stefan. “In addition, this is an opportunity to talk, talk about important things in private or together.”
Today it is quite fashionable to spend holidays separately and send children to camps. According to the psychologist, the desire to send a child on vacation to a children's camp at the expense of family leisure may be the beginning of family separation: “It is better for the family to spend as much time together as possible. But with a caveat: there is no need to do anything by force.”

TRADITION 6. READING OUT LOUD WITH YOUR FAMILY

“In the evenings, especially in winter, when we were left alone, we read together: for the most part, she, and I listened. Here, in addition to the pleasure produced by the reading itself, it was also delivered by the fact that it aroused our thoughts and sometimes served as a reason for the most interesting judgments and conversations between us on the occasion of some thought, some incident encountered in the book.” — the poet describes reading aloud with his wife and literary critic M. A. Dmitriev (1796-1866).
We read aloud with our family, in a friendly circle, parents read to children, children to parents.

Today, perhaps, all that remains is reading aloud to children. But even on this custom, says Tatyana Vorobyova, modernity leaves its mark.

“Given our busy lives and the intensity of our lives, it is more realistic to read a book and tell a child about it, recommend it, retell its plot, and make them interested. Moreover, it is necessary to recommend a book with emotional significance, that is, with genuine interest.”

The advantages are obvious: a taste for reading and good literature is formed, books raise moral issues that can be discussed. And besides, the psychologist claims, we ourselves must be educated and savvy in order to go one step ahead and recommend what will correspond to the child’s outlook and interests.

If we are talking about two adults - spouses or adult children - then it makes sense to read some kind of spiritual literature together. On one condition: it must be read by those who want to hear. “You have to be careful here,” explains Tatyana Vladimirovna, “you can’t impose anything.”

Children very often reject what we consider it our duty to instill in them. “Recently,” recalls Tatyana Vorobyova, “at my consultation there was a boy who shouted that his mother was forcing him to believe in God. You can't force it.

Give your child the opportunity to become interested, for example, leave a children's Bible in front of his eyes, put a bookmark, and then ask:

- Did you see that I left a page there for you? Did you look?

- I looked.

- Did you see it?

- What should you have seen there?

- And I read that there! Go find it and look.

That is, you can gently nudge a person towards interested reading.”

TRADITION 7. COMPILATION OF A PEDIAL TREE, MEMORY OF THE FAMILY

Genealogy as a science appeared only in XVII-XVIII centuries, but knowing your roots has always been of great importance. To join the modern Order of Malta, you still need to show a good pedigree. What if we don’t need to join the Order of Malta?... Why today know about our ancestors beyond our great-grandfathers and great-grandmothers?

“It always seems to a selfish person that there was nothing before him and nothing will happen after him. And drawing up a family tree is a way to understand the continuity of generations, understand one’s place in the world, and feel responsibility to past and future generations,” says Father Stefan.

From a psychological point of view, memory of one’s family, knowledge of one’s ancestors help a person to form himself as a person and improve his own character traits.

“The fact is that infirmities and shortcomings are passed on from generation to generation, but an uneradicated deficiency will not go away, it will grow from generation to generation,” says Tatyana Vorobyova. - Therefore, if we know that someone from our family was, say, hot-tempered, short-tempered, we must understand that this can manifest itself in our children. And we need to work on ourselves to get rid of this ardor and temper.” This is true for both negative and positive traits - there may be something hidden in a person that he is not aware of, and this can also be worked on.

And for a Christian, the memory of one’s family, knowledge of the names of one’s ancestors is, in addition, an opportunity to pray for them: a real thing that we can do for those to whom we owe our lives.

TRADITION 8. REMEMBRANCE OF THE DEAD, JOINT CAMPAIGN TO THE CEMETERY

Seven times a year, Orthodox Christians specially find time to attend services, go to the cemetery and remember their deceased relatives - these are parental Saturdays, the days when we especially remember the deceased. A tradition that came to life again in the Russian Church in the 1990s.

How and why to implement it together with your family?

Of course, this is a reason to gather everyone together for the Liturgy.

What else? Understand that members of the same family are responsible for each other, that a person is not alone both in life and after death. “Memories of the departed encourage us to be more attentive to the living,” says Father Stefan.

“Death is a difficult moment. And therefore it is important that at this moment the family is together - we unite, do not separate,” explains Tatyana Vorobyova. “However, there should be no violence, no “obligation” here - this should proceed from the needs of each family member and from the capabilities of each.”

TRADITION 9. FAMILY HEIRQUITS

“Throw it away, take it to the country, sell it to an antique shop?” - the question in relation to the things we inherited from our grandparents often stands exactly like this.

However, any such thing on a difficult day can serve as a consolation for us, says psychologist Tatyana Vorobyova. Not to mention photographs, memoirs and diaries - unique things that reveal thin edges human souls that are closed in everyday life. “When you read about your loved one, you learn his thoughts, his sufferings, sorrows, his joys, experiences, he comes to life and becomes much closer and clearer to you! - explains Tatyana Vladimirovna. “And, again, this allows us to understand our own character traits and reveals the reasons for many events in the family.”

It often happens that old postcards and letters shed light on details of the biography of our great-grandfathers that could not be revealed during their lifetime - for personal or political reasons! Antique things, letters are “documents” of a bygone era, which we can thus tell children about much more excitingly and vividly than a history textbook can.

And finally, antiques, especially those given as gifts, with engraving or dedication, are the door to a person’s living personality. “Holding in your hands something that belonged to your great-great-grandfather, re-reading old letters, looking at postcards, photographs - all this gives a feeling of a living connection, supports the memory of those who have been gone for a long time, but thanks to whom you exist,” says Father Stefan.

TRADITION 10. HANDWRITTEN LETTERS, CARDS

Have you noticed how difficult it is today to find a postcard with a blank spread - so that you can write something of your own? In the last century, the spread was always left blank, and the cards themselves were a work of art. The first ones appeared in Russia in 1894 - with an image of a landmark and the inscriptions: “Greetings from (such and such a city)” or “Bow from (such and such a city).” Is there any real benefit to receiving from a loved one not an mms from the city of N, but a real letter or postcard?

If you think about it, any handwritten postcard or letter is an opportunity to express your thoughts and feelings without the usual abbreviations, in beautiful, correct language.

“Real letters, without jargon and abbreviations, without distortions of language, develop the skill of thoughtful, deep and sincere communication,” notes Father Stefan. Moreover, according to the priest, such letters do not necessarily have to be written by hand, they can also be emails - the main thing is that the letter encourages one to take a break from the rush and encourages joint reflection.

Tatyana Vorobyova believes, on the contrary, that it makes sense to write letters by hand - then it is the living voice of another person, with all the personal nuances.

TRADITION 11. KEEPING A PERSONAL DIARY

“Several times I started writing daily notes and always gave up out of laziness,” wrote Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin, and in this kind of laziness, many of us “solidarity” with the great poet!..

Personal diaries in Russia have been conducted since the 18th century: they could have a literary form, including the experiences and thoughts of the author, or they could be schematic, like, say, the diary of Emperor Nicholas II, containing short messages about daily activities and even menu items.

In addition, recording what happened is a way to look at your life from the outside, to see not a fragmentary, but a complete picture. Nowadays, when days are busy and fly by like seconds, this is doubly important!

“Keeping a diary is not just about recording what happened during the day, it is an opportunity to reflect on your life,” says Father Stefan. “In addition, by re-reading the diary, you can trace the evolution of your thoughts and feelings.”

Is an electronic diary an option?

Yes, if he is not overly frank, the priest believes. In his opinion, public personal posts on the Internet can be both an invitation to discuss one’s thoughts, and a game for the public that comes from vanity.

In a regular diary you may be ambiguous, but you know what you mean. On the Internet, almost anyone can read your blog, which means that you must learn to clearly formulate your thoughts in order to be understood correctly. People who run blogs are well aware of the heated arguments and even quarrels that discussions of misunderstood things can lead to.

TRADITION 12. WEIRD ACCEPTANCE

“We should be friendly and give due honor according to the rank and dignity of each person. With love and gratitude, with a kind word, honor each of them, talk to everyone and greet them with a kind word, and eat and drink, or put it on the table, or give it from your hands with a kind greeting, and send something to others, but everyone with something... then highlight and please everyone,” he speaks about hospitality, that is, inviting strangers into the house and family, Domostroy.

Today, most of us do not live according to Domostroy. What to do with this tradition?

There are many cases when a priest blesses a family to accept a person, and then this person, who has lived and stayed too long, becomes hated by them - and is tolerated only out of obedience. “Obedience with hatred and irritation is not good for anyone,” says psychologist Tatyana Vorobyova. - Therefore, you need to proceed from your real capabilities, from sober reasoning. Today, hospitality is an extraordinary, unusual thing and takes other forms. If you can’t accommodate a person, help in any way you can: a piece of bread, money, prayer. The main thing is don’t push me away.”

At the same time, the psychologist believes, hospitality can only be useful when all family members agree to it. If everyone agrees to endure some inconvenience, stay in the bedroom not for 15 minutes, but for 2; wash the dishes for the guest; leave early for work, etc. - then this is possible. Otherwise, a moment will come when, say, the son says to his parents: “You let this person in, and it annoys me, it depresses me.” And the tossing and hypocrisy will begin - an attempt to please both the son and the one who was accepted. And any hypocrisy is a lie, which is not useful for the family.

Father Stefan is convinced that spiritual hospitality is an attempt to go beyond the family, beyond corporate interests and simply help a person. How to implement it today? You can try to accept, without refusing, not strangers, but at least distant relatives and acquaintances who are in need and turn to you with such a request.

TRADITION 13. GAMES FOR THE WHOLE YARD

Today, many people yearn for the friendly life that used to reign in the courtyards. “A good experience of friendship in childhood supports a person throughout his life,” says priest Stefan Domusci. Neither parents nor grandparents can ever replace a child’s communication with peers. In the yard, a teenager can acquire those life skills that he will never learn in a greenhouse at home.

What should you pay attention to when your child goes out to play in the yard?

“What you have laid down at home will definitely manifest itself in social communication,” says Tatyana Vladimirovna. - Here you can immediately see: is the child playing honestly or dishonestly, is it scandalous or not scandalous, is he proud in these games or can he still be patient and give in? What you brought up in him, what you laid in him, is what he will go out into the yard with: is he his own general or is he a conformist and will bend to others? All the boys will smoke poplar leaves, and he will smoke? Or will he say: “No, I won’t smoke”? We need to pay attention to this."

TRADITION 14. WEARING CLOTHES ONE BY EACH OTHER

A fact that seems incredible: in the family of the last Russian emperor, the royal daughters literally wore out their clothes one after another. Researcher Igor Zimin in his book “The Adult World of Imperial Residences” writes: “When ordering each new dress, Alexandra Fedorovna was really always interested in its price and complained about its high cost. This was not penny-pinching, it was a habit absorbed from a poor childhood and reinforced at the English Puritan court of Queen Victoria. The Empress’s closest friend wrote that “raised in a small court, the Empress knew the value of money and therefore was thrifty. Dresses and shoes were passed down from senior grand duchesses to junior ones.”

Today, in many homes, wearing out clothes is a requirement of the time: there is nothing left to do if the family is large and there is no income. But is that the only thing?

“The tradition of wearing clothes will help you learn reasonable and careful attitude to things, and through this - to the entire world around us,” says Father Stefan. “In addition, it develops a sense of responsibility in a person, since he must keep the clothes in good condition and pass them on to someone else.”

From the point of view of psychologist Tatyana Vorobyeva, this instills in a person modesty and the habit of caring for others. And the attitude towards such a tradition - a feeling of shame and annoyance or a feeling of kinship, closeness and gratitude - depends entirely on the parents: “It must be presented correctly - as a gift, a gift, and not as a cast-off: “What a caring brother you have, what a great fellow!” Look, he wore his shoes carefully so that you would have them when your day came. Here he is! When we give away a gold watch, it is very significant, and when we give away good shoes that we have taken care of, lined with paper, coated with paper, cleaned - isn’t that a gift? You can say, for example, like this: “Our Andryushka ran in these shoes, and now, son, you will run!” And maybe someone will get them from you - take care of them.” Then there will be no neglect, no disgust, no feeling of inferiority.”

TRADITION 15. WEDDING CUSTOMS

Young people were officially allowed to get to know each other independently, at will, only during the time of Peter I. Before that, everything related to the birth of a new family was strictly regulated and driven into the framework of dozens of customs. Today a pale likeness of them remains, but the proverb “It’s a sin to be at a wedding without being drunk”, alas, still sits deeply in the minds of many people.

It makes sense to comply wedding traditions, if so, which ones?

“A Christian should always take seriously what he fills his life with,” says Father Stefan. “There are a lot of wedding traditions, among them there are both pagan and Christian, both decent and very bad... Respecting traditions, it is important to maintain a balance, to remember that marriage is, first of all, a Sacrament, and not a series of performed customs.” .

Perhaps, few people will regret the tradition of rolling the mother-in-law in the mud on the second day of the wedding, a thing of the past. But it would be worth thinking about the revival of such forgotten customs as engagement, betrothal (an agreement that precedes the wedding).

“At the same time, it is hardly worth reviving betrothal as just a beautiful custom - putting on rings and taking a vow of fidelity,” says Father Stefan. — The fact is that betrothal in church law is equivalent to marriage in terms of obligations. Therefore, each time the issue of engagement must be resolved individually. Today there are a lot of difficulties with weddings, and if people are also offered betrothal... The question arises: won’t this be imposing “unbearable burdens” on people?”

Tatyana Vorobyova also advises to treat wedding traditions with caution and without fanaticism: “On this day, the husband and wife take on the heavy cross of responsibility for each other, patience with each other’s weaknesses, fatigue, and sometimes misunderstandings. Therefore, the only undisputed wedding tradition, in my opinion, is parental blessing for marriage. And in this sense old custom Giving a young family an icon—usually wedding icons of the Lord and the Virgin Mary—as a sign of blessing, of course, has a deep meaning.”

According to the psychologist, the main parting message that parents should convey to newlyweds is their parents’ acceptance of them as husband and wife. Children should know that from the moment of their wedding, their parents will not separate them, figure out who is right and who is wrong, but will make every effort to preserve their union. This approach gives the young family confidence in their parents and helps them understand themselves as a single, indivisible whole.

“The grumbling, murmur of a father or mother, such a “noble curse” on an unborn family - this is the worst thing that can happen! - says Tatyana Vorobyova. “On the contrary, young spouses should feel that their parents perceive them as a single whole. And, let’s say, if there is some kind of disagreement in the family, the mother-in-law will not condemn the daughter-in-law and say: “My son is the best, he is right!”

TRADITION 16. PARENTAL BLESSING

Future Venerable Sergius Radonezhsky did not disobey his parents when they did not bless him to go to a monastery until they died. But the Monk Theodosius of Pechersk fled to the monastery against the will of his mother, who turned him back from the path and even beat him...

The latter is rather unusual. “Parental blessing does not sink in water, nor does it burn in fire,” our ancestors noted. “This is the greatest legacy that parents leave to their children. Therefore, children should take care to receive it,” explained the modern Athonite ascetic Paisiy Svyatogorets. However, the Church does not believe that the commandment “honor your father and mother” is associated for a Christian with absolute obedience to parents.

“It’s sad, but for centuries this commandment was perceived in Rus' in such a way that parents were considered almost the masters of their children, and any disobedience was boldly equated with disrespect. In fact, in the New Testament there are words that make this commandment mutual: “And you fathers, do not provoke your children...”, Father Stefan argues, explaining: “The parental desire to do what seems right to them must be balanced by the desire and freedom of the children.” “We must try to listen to each other and do everything not out of selfish desires, but with reason.”
Today, it is more common to choose your own path: for example, simply inform your father and mother about your upcoming marriage. Isn’t the institution of parental blessing dead, at least for marriage?

“The blessing of parents at any time is very important. This is evidence of how significant a father and mother are for their children, says psychologist Tatyana Vorobyova. - Moreover, we are not talking about the authoritarianism of parents, but about their authority - that is, about the trust of children in their parents. And this trust is a consequence of proper upbringing.”

On the part of children, obedience to parents, according to the psychologist, indicates a person’s personal maturity.
However, Tatyana Vladimirovna notes, parents are different, their motives are different: “You can love with blind, humiliating love, for example, when a mother dares to choose a wife for her son based on her own selfish motives. Therefore, parents must remember: children are not our property, they are “loaned” to us, they must be “returned” to the Creator.”

TRADITION 17. FAMILY COUNCIL

“You may have a thousand advisers from outside, but the family must make the decision itself and together,” Tatyana Vorobyova is sure.

Firstly, everyone speaks out here - sincerely, without hypocrisy, the opinions of all family members are taken into account, which means that everyone feels important, everyone has the right to be heard.

Secondly, the skill of developing a common opinion is very important: we speak out, listen, oppose each other - and thus find the only correct solution.

“This approach does not give a reason to then blame each other: “But you decided that!” As, for example, mothers often say: “You raised your children this way!” Excuse me, where were you at that moment?..”

If it is not possible to reach a common opinion, then the final word may remain with the head of the family. “But then,” warns Tatyana Vorobyova, “this word should be so weighty, so well-reasoned or built on such high trust that it will not cause anyone the slightest doubt or dissatisfaction! And it will lead to subordination by trust to the head of the family.”

TRADITION OF THE PATRIARCH

By the way, few people know that on each of his visits to St. Petersburg, His Holiness always leaves time to visit the graves of his parents. Here’s how the Patriarch’s press secretary, Deacon Alexander Volkov, talks about this tradition: “The Patriarch always visits cemeteries in St. Petersburg to remember his parents<…>. Always means absolutely always, every time. And this, of course, leaves very strong feeling- who the parents were for the Patriarch, how much he loved them, what they did for him in life and how grateful he is to them. And you always wonder how often you yourself visit the graves of your relatives (and if possible, in addition to the graves of his parents, he visits several other burial places of relatives, we just don’t tell you about it). In general, the Patriarch gives a very instructive example of how to treat deceased relatives. And the inscription on the wreath – “to dear parents from a loving son” – is completely informal.”

The culture of the peoples of Russia is one of the most diverse in the world. More than 190 peoples live on its territory, each of which individually has its own unique culture, and the greater the number, the more noticeable the contribution of this people to the culture of the whole country.

The Russian population is the largest in Russia - it amounts to 111 million people. The top three most numerous nationalities are completed by Tatars and Ukrainians.

Russian culture

Russian culture has a huge historical and cultural heritage and dominates the state.

Orthodoxy is the most widespread religion among the Russian people, which had a huge influence on the development of the moral culture of the peoples of Russia.

The second largest religion, although incomparably inferior to Orthodoxy, is Protestantism.

Russian housing

A traditional Russian dwelling is considered to be a hut, built of logs, with a gable roof. The entrance was a porch; a stove and cellar were built in the house.

There are still many huts in Russia, for example, in the city of Vyatka, Arbazhsky district Kirov region. There is an opportunity to visit the unique Museum of Russian Hut in the village of Kochemirovo, Kadomsky District, Ryazan Region, where you can see not only a real hut, but also household items, a stove, a loom and other elements of Russian culture.

Russian national costume

In general, men's folk costume consisted of a shirt with an embroidered collar, trousers, bast shoes or boots. The shirt was worn untucked and secured with a fabric belt. A caftan was worn as outerwear.

Women's folk costume consisted of a long embroidered shirt with long sleeves, a sundress or skirt with a frill, and a woolen skirt on top - a poneva. Married women wore a headdress called a warrior. The festive headdress was a kokoshnik.

Russians in everyday life folk costumes no longer worn. The best examples of this clothing can be seen in ethnographic museums, as well as at various dance competitions and festivals of Russian culture.

Traditional Russian cuisine

Russian cuisine is famous for its first courses - cabbage soup, solyanka, ukha, rassolnik, okroshka. Porridge was usually prepared as a second course. “Soup cabbage soup and porridge are our food,” they have long said.

Very often cottage cheese is used in dishes, especially when preparing pies, cheesecakes and cheesecakes.

It is popular to prepare various pickles and marinades.

You can try Russian dishes in numerous restaurants of Russian cuisine, which are found almost everywhere both in Russia and abroad.

Family traditions and spiritual values ​​of the Russian people

Family has always been the main and unconditional value for a Russian person. Therefore, since ancient times it was important to remember one’s family. The connection with the ancestors was sacred. Children are often given names in honor of their grandparents, sons are named after their fathers - this is a way of showing respect to relatives.

Previously, the profession was often passed on from father to son, but now this tradition has almost died out.

An important tradition is the inheritance of things and family heirlooms. This is how things accompany a family from generation to generation and acquire their own history.

Both religious and secular holidays are celebrated.

The most widely celebrated public holiday in Russia is the New Year holiday. Many people also celebrate the Old New Year on January 14th.

The following holidays are also celebrated: Defender of the Fatherland Day, International Women's Day, Victory Day, Workers' Solidarity Day ("May" holidays on May 1-2), Constitution Day.

The largest Orthodox holidays are Easter and Christmas.

Not so massively, but the following Orthodox holidays are also celebrated: Epiphany, Transfiguration of the Lord (Apple Savior), Honey Savior, Trinity and others.

Russian folk culture and the Maslenitsa holiday, which lasts a whole week until Lent, are practically inseparable from each other. This holiday has its roots in paganism, but is now celebrated everywhere by Orthodox people. Maslenitsa also symbolizes farewell to winter. Business card festive table- pancakes.

Ukrainian culture

The number of Ukrainians in the Russian Federation is approximately 1 million 928 thousand people - this is the third largest number among the total population, and therefore Ukrainian culture is an important component of the culture of the peoples of Russia.

Traditional Ukrainian housing

Ukrainian hut is an important component of Ukrainian traditional culture. A typical Ukrainian house was wooden, small in size, with a hipped roof made of straw. The hut had to be whitewashed inside and out.

There are such huts in Russia, for example, in the Orenburg region, in the western and central regions of Ukraine, in Kazakhstan, but almost always the thatched roof is replaced with slate or covered with roofing felt.

Ukrainian folk costume

The men's suit consists of a linen shirt and trousers. The Ukrainian shirt is characterized by an embroidered slit in the front; they wear it tucked into their pants, belted with a sash.

The basis for a woman's outfit is a long shirt. The hem of the shirt and sleeves were always embroidered. On top they put on a corset, yupka or andarak.

The most famous element of traditional Ukrainian clothing is vyshyvanka - a men's or women's shirt, distinguished by complex and varied embroidery.

Ukrainian folk costumes are no longer worn, but they can be seen in museums and at Ukrainian festivals. folk culture. But embroidered shirts are still in use and are even gaining more and more popularity - Ukrainians of all ages love to wear them, both as a festive outfit and as an element of their everyday wardrobe.

The most famous Ukrainian dish is red borscht made from beets and cabbage.

The most popular product in Ukrainian cooking is lard - it is used to prepare many dishes, eaten separately, salted, fried and smoked.

Wheat flour products are widely used. National dishes include dumplings, dumplings, verguns, and lemishki.

Ukrainian cuisine is loved and popular not only among Ukrainians, but also among many other residents of Russia - it is not difficult to find a restaurant serving Ukrainian cuisine in large cities.

The family values ​​of Ukrainians and Russians are largely identical. The same applies to religion - Orthodox Christianity occupies a large part among the religions of Ukrainians living in Russia; Traditional holidays are almost no different.

Tatar culture

Representatives of the Tatar ethnic group in Russia number approximately 5 million 310 thousand people - this is 3.72% of the total population of the country.

Tatar religion

The main religion of the Tatars is Sunni Islam. At the same time, there is a small part of the Kryashen Tatars, whose religion is Orthodoxy.

Tatar mosques can be seen in many cities of Russia, for example, the Moscow Historical Mosque, the St. Petersburg Cathedral Mosque, the Perm Cathedral Mosque, the Izhevsk Cathedral Mosque and others.

Traditional Tatar housing

Tatar housing was a four-walled log house, fenced on the front side and set back from the street, with a vestibule. Inside, the room was divided into women's and men's parts, the women's part was also a kitchen. Houses were decorated with bright paintings, especially the gates.

In Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, many such estates remain, not only as architectural monuments, but also as residential buildings.

The costume may differ depending on the Tatar subgroup, however big influence The uniform image of the national costume was influenced by the clothing of the Volga Tatars. It consists of a shirt-dress and trousers, for both women and men, and a robe was often used as outerwear. The headdress for men was a skullcap, for women - a velvet cap.

Such costumes are no longer worn in their original form, but some elements of clothing are still in use, for example, scarves and ichigs. You can see traditional clothing in ethnographic museums and thematic exhibitions.

Traditional Tatar cuisine

A distinctive feature of this cuisine is that its development was influenced not only by Tatar ethnic traditions. From different cultures, Tatar cuisine has absorbed bal-mai, dumplings, pilaf, baklava, tea and other various dishes.

Tatar cuisine boasts a variety of flour products, among them: echpochmak, kystyby, kabartma, sansa, kyimak.

Milk is often consumed, but most often in processed form - cottage cheese, katyk, sour cream, syuzme, eremchek.

A lot of restaurants throughout Russia offer a menu of Tatar cuisine, and the best choice, of course, is in the capital of Tatarstan - Kazan.

Family traditions and spiritual values ​​of the Tatars

Creating a family has always been the highest value Tatar people. Marriage is considered a sacred duty.

The moral and spiritual culture of the peoples of Russia is in one way or another connected with religious culture, and the peculiarities of Muslim marriage lie in the fact that it is inextricably linked with the religious culture of Muslims. For example, the Koran prohibits marrying an atheist or agnostic woman; Marriage with a representative of another religion is not very much approved.

Nowadays Tatars meet and marry mostly without family intervention, but previously the most common marriage was through matchmaking - the groom’s relatives went to the bride’s parents and proposed.

The Tatar family is a family of the patriarchal type; a married woman was completely under the power of her husband and supported by him. The number of children in a family sometimes exceeded six. The spouses lived with the husband's parents; living with the bride's parents was shameful.

Unquestioning obedience and respect for elders is another important feature of the Tatar mentality.

Tatar holidays

The Tatar culture of celebration includes Islamic, original Tatar, and all-Russian public holidays.

Large religious holidays considered to be Eid al-Fitr - the holiday of breaking the fast, in honor of the end of the month of fasting - Ramadan, and Kurban Bayram - the holiday of sacrifice.

Until now, the Tatars celebrate kargatuy, or hag butkasy - folk holiday spring, and Sabantui is a holiday marking the completion of spring agricultural work.

The culture of each people of Russia is unique, and together they represent an amazing puzzle, which will be incomplete if any part is removed. Our task is to know and appreciate this cultural heritage.

The rich and diverse culture of the Slavs managed to preserve most of the rituals and customs. The Russian people have always been original and have honored their traditions from time immemorial. Over time, the cultural heritage has undergone significant changes, but still the centuries-old connections have not been lost; in the modern world there is still a place for ancient legends and superstitions. Let's try to remember the most important customs, rituals and traditions of the Russian people.

Through me

The basis of the centuries-old culture of the Slavs has always been family, clan, and continuity of generations. The rituals and customs of the Russian people entered a person’s life from the moment of his birth. If a boy was born, he was traditionally swaddled in his father's shirt. It was believed that in this way he takes on all the necessary masculine qualities. The girl was wrapped in her mother's clothes so that she would grow up to be a good housewife. From an early age, children revered their father and unquestioningly fulfilled all his demands and wishes. The head of the family was akin to God, who gave continuation to his family.

In order for the child to receive a blessing from higher powers, not get sick and develop well, the father presented his heir to the deities. First of all, he showed the baby to Yarila, Semarglu and Svarog. The Gods of Heaven must give their protection to the baby. Then it was the turn of Mother Earth, or, as she was otherwise called, the Goddess Mokosh. The child was placed on the ground and then dipped into water.

Bratchina

If you delve into history and look for which rituals and customs of the Russian people were the most fun and populous, then the brotherhood will take one of the main places. This was not a spontaneous gathering of people and a mass celebration. They had been preparing for this ritual for months. Especially for the brotherhood, livestock was fattened and beer was brewed in large quantities. In addition, drinks included wine, mead and kvass. Each invitee had to bring a treat. The place for the holiday was chosen by all honest people. A random person could not get into the brotherhood - everyone had to receive an invitation. At the table, the most honorable places were occupied by people whose merits were valued most highly. Buffoons and singer-songwriters came to entertain the feasters. The festivities could last several hours, and sometimes several weeks.

Wedding

Modern youth do not even suspect that all wedding traditions come from ancient times. Some have undergone changes, some have remained the same as in the times of our ancestors. Of all the rituals and customs of the Russian people, weddings are considered the most exciting.

According to a long tradition, it had several stages. Matchmaking, bridesmaids, collusion, pre-wedding week, hen and stag parties, wedding, gathering of the wedding train, wedding, wedding feast, trial of the newlywed, withdrawals - without these important components it is impossible to even imagine getting married in Rus'.

Despite the fact that now they treat this much more simply, some wedding customs, rituals, and proverbs of the Russian people continue to live. Who is not familiar with the expression: “You have goods, we have merchants”? It is with these words that the groom’s parents come to get married.

And the tradition of carrying a young wife into the house in his arms is associated with the desire to deceive the brownie. This is how the husband fooled the owner of the house, making it clear that he was carrying a newborn family member in his arms, and not a stranger. Vytiye can now cause horror, but previously not a single preparation for a wedding was complete without this ritual. They lamented and cried for the bride, as in our time for a dead person.

The ritual of showering young people with grain has survived to this day - for large families and wealth. In ancient times, bells on wedding trains were used to scare away evil spirits, but now they have been replaced by tin cans tied to the bumper of a car.

Theft and bride price are also old Russian customs. The composition of the dowry also has not undergone significant changes - feather beds, pillows, blankets are still given by parents to the bride before the wedding. True, in ancient times the girl herself had to make them with her own hands.

Yule rituals

After the establishment of Christianity in Rus', new church holidays appeared. The most beloved and long-awaited is Christmas. From January 7 to January 19, Christmas festivities took place - a favorite youth fun. All the legends, superstitions, rituals and customs of the Russian people associated with these days have survived to our time.

Young girls gathered in small groups to tell fortunes for the betrothed and find out from which end of the village to wait for the matchmakers. The most extreme way to see your chosen one was considered to be a trip to the bathhouse with a mirror and a candle. The danger was that you had to do this alone and at the same time remove the cross from yourself.

Carols

The culture, customs and rituals of the Russian people are closely connected with the world of nature and animals. In the evenings, young people went to caroling. Dressed up in animal skins or bright costumes, they knocked on houses and begged for food from the owners with carol songs. Refusing such guests was fraught - they could easily destroy the woodpile, freeze the door, or commit other minor mischief. Carolers were treated to sweets and it was always believed that their wishes (generosity) would ensure prosperity and peace in the house for the whole year, and save the owners from illnesses and misfortunes. The custom of dressing up as animals is rooted in paganism - this way it was possible to scare away evil spirits.

Superstitions and signs for Christmas

It was believed that losing something on the eve of a holiday meant suffering losses for the whole year. Dropping or breaking a mirror means trouble. Many stars in the sky - to a great harvest. Doing handicrafts on Christmas Eve means being sick all year.

Maslenitsa

The most cheerful and delicious holiday in Rus' actually has a rather gloomy interpretation. In the old days, the dead were commemorated on these days. Actually, the burning of an effigy of Maslenitsa is a funeral, and pancakes are a treat.

This holiday is interesting because it lasts a whole week, and each day is dedicated to a separate ritual. On Monday they made a stuffed animal and rolled it on a sleigh throughout the village. On Tuesday, mummers walked throughout the village and gave performances.

“Bear” entertainment was considered a distinctive feature of this day. The trained owners of the forest staged entire performances, depicting women in their usual activities.

On Wednesday, the main celebration began - pancakes were baked in houses. They set up tables on the streets and sold food. It was possible under open air taste hot tea from the samovar and eat pancakes. Also on this day it was customary to go to the mother-in-law for a treat.

Thursday was a special day when all the good guys could compete in heroic strength. Maslenitsa fist fights attracted guys, everyone wanted to show off their prowess.

On Friday, pancakes were baked at the son-in-law’s house, and it was his turn to treat all the guests. On Saturday, the daughters-in-law received guests from among their husband's relatives.

And Sunday was called “forgiveness.” It is on this day that it is customary to apologize for grievances and visit the cemetery to say goodbye to the dead. The effigy of Maslenitsa was burned and from that day on it was believed that spring had come into its own.

Ivan Kupala

The customs, legends and rituals of the Russian people associated with this holiday have been preserved to this day. Of course, many things have changed, but the basic meaning remains the same.

According to legend, on the day of the summer solstice, people tried to appease the great heavenly being so that it would give them a good harvest and ward off illness. But with the advent of Christianity, Kupala merged with the feast of John the Baptist and began to bear the name Ivan Kupala.

The most interesting thing about this holiday is that legends talk about a great miracle happening on this night. Of course, we are talking about fern blossoms.

This myth has caused many people to wander through the forest at night in the hope of seeing a miracle for several centuries. It was believed that anyone who sees a fern bloom will find out where all the treasures in the world are hidden. In addition, all the herbs in the forest acquired special medicinal powers that night.

The girls wove wreaths from 12 different herbs and floated them down the river. If he drowns, expect trouble. If it floats long enough, get ready for a wedding and prosperity. To wash away all sins, one had to swim and jump over the fire.

Peter and Fevronia Day

Tradition says that Prince Peter became seriously ill and saw prophetic dream that the maiden Fevronia will help him heal. He found the girl, but she demanded that he marry her as payment. The prince gave his word and did not keep it. The illness returned, and he was forced to ask for help again. But this time he kept his promise. The family was strong and it was these Saints who became the patrons of marriage. The original Russian holiday is celebrated immediately after Ivan Kupala - July 8th. It can be compared to Western Valentine's Day. The difference is that in Russia this day is not considered a holiday for all lovers, but only for married people. All future spouses dream of getting married on this day.

Saved

This is another sweet holiday whose roots go back to ancient times. On August 14, Russia celebrates the Honey Savior. On this day, the honeycombs are filled with a sweet delicacy and it is time to collect the viscous amber-colored liquid.

August 19 - Apple Spas. This day marks the arrival of autumn and the beginning of the harvest. People rush to church to bless the apples and taste the first fruits, since until that day it was forbidden to eat them. You need to treat all your family and friends with fruits. In addition, they bake apple pies and treat all passersby.

Nut Spas begins on August 29. From that day on, it was customary to dig potatoes, bake pies from fresh bread flour, and store nuts for the winter. They took place all over the country big holidays- festivities were held in villages before the harvest, and fairs were held in cities. On this day, birds begin to fly to warmer regions.

Intercession

On October 14, people said goodbye to autumn and welcomed winter. It often snowed on this day, which was compared to the bride’s veil. It is on this day that it is customary to get married, because the Intercession gives love and happiness to all people in love.

There are also special rituals for this holiday. For the first time, women lit a fire in the stove, symbolizing warmth and comfort in the house. Branches or logs of fruit trees had to be used for these purposes. This way it was possible to ensure a good harvest for the next year.

The hostess baked pancakes and Pokrovsky loaf. This bread had to be treated to neighbors, and the leftovers had to be hidden until Lent.

Also on this day one could ask the Mother of God for protection for children. The woman stood with the icon on the bench and read a prayer over her family. All the children knelt down.

Young girls and boys were having get-togethers. It was believed that the Mother of God gave protection to everyone who got married on this day.

You can learn more about all the traditions in the Basics training course. religious cultures and secular ethics (ORKSE). The customs and rituals of the Russian people are revealed there with maximum accuracy and described in accordance with historical facts.

The history and culture of the Russian people goes back many centuries. All these years it was continuously enriched with new phenomena and traditions, but continued to preserve the memory of the experience and customs of its ancestors. Often Russian national rituals form a rather bizarre combination of actions based on ancient pagan beliefs, which, nevertheless, harmoniously correlate with Christian Orthodox canons.

Most rituals in Rus' are, in one way or another, connected with religion, and more ancient, pre-Christian traditions with the mythological personification of the elements and natural phenomena.

The most famous and important pagan rituals that survived even after the baptism of Rus' include:

1. Maslenitsa.
2. Ivan Kupala Day.
3. Caroling.
4. Yarilin's day.

All of them, one way or another, were associated with the archaic ideas of the Slavs about the forces of nature and most often were tied to some events, calendar or seasons.

Maslenitsa

Since ancient times, the event that occurred on the day of the vernal equinox was celebrated widely and on a grand scale. People rejoiced at the arrival of spring: it is no coincidence that the symbol of this holiday was a pancake - a miniature symbolic sun. Maslenitsa itself symbolized winter. It was believed that after the burning ritual, she would transfer all her powerful energy to the earth, thereby ensuring a rich harvest and protecting her from natural disasters.

Ivan Kupala Day

Initially, the holiday was tied to the day of the summer solstice, but the name itself, which has survived to this day, was received already in the Christian era by the name of John the Baptist. This epithet in Greek sounds like “bather”, “immerser”, which is quite consistent with the essence of the celebration - ritual ablution in an open reservoir. This holiday very clearly demonstrates the bizarre combination of Christian religious traditions with pagan, archaic beliefs and rituals.

One of the main traditions of Ivan Kupala is jumping over the fire. It was believed that this promotes cleansing, protects against illnesses and allows protection from evil spirits. It was very important to swim in a river or lake on the night of Ivan Kupala, since the water was considered purified from all evil spirits and acquiring certain magical properties.

Yarilin's day

Again, in the initially pagan holiday dedicated to the sun god - Yaril, with the adoption of Christianity, certain motifs were added about the struggle of the saints with the pagan deity.

On this day, the ancient Slavs turned to Yarila for help, so that he would provide the crops with sunlight and protect them from flooding. An important ritual that took place on this day was called “Unlocking the Earth.” It was absolutely necessary to bathe in the dew, because... It was believed that on this day it has healing and miraculous properties.

Caroling

This ritual, as a rule, was timed to coincide with Christmastide and consisted of a group of young men and girls going around all the houses in the village, who sang comic songs or good wishes addressed to the owners, receiving a ritual reward for this. Ancient Russian farmers were confident that participation in Christmas rituals doubled the energy of fertility and contributed to an increase in crop yields, offspring of livestock, and ensured general well-being in the farmstead.

With the adoption of Orthodoxy, a significant number of religious rituals appeared, associated with the onset of certain important stages in a person’s life. Among the main ones are:

1. Baptism.
2. Wedding ceremonies.
3. Funeral rites.

Baptism

The rite of baptism signified the spiritual birth of a person and his belonging to the Christian religion. The child had to be baptized in the first year of life. For each baby there were assigned God-parents who presented the child with an icon of his patron and an Orthodox cross. The newborn was named in accordance with the name of the saint mentioned in the calendar.

The choice of godparents was treated very responsibly: it was believed that they were responsible for the child and should set a worthy example for him to the same extent as biological parents. After the ceremony was performed in the church, a festive and generous feast was held with the presence of all the people close to the newly baptized baby.

Wedding ceremonies

In Rus', they tried to set aside certain periods in the calendar year for weddings. It was impossible to get married during major fasts. In addition, weddings rarely took place during the period of the most intensive agricultural work.
The main wedding rituals included:

• Matchmaking.
• Looks and glances.
• Collusion.
• Wedding train.
• Wedding.

Not a single wedding was complete without matchmaking. It was the most important stage, at which the groom’s family decided whether to persuade the girl they liked to marry their son. Moreover, very often at this stage, they were not even interested in the opinions of the potential newlyweds themselves, and the bride and groom could see each other only at the bride’s party.

If both parties were satisfied with everything, a wedding agreement took place, during which the heads of families literally beat each other’s hands, thereby symbolically indicating the achievement of a fundamental agreement on marriage between their children. During the conspiracy, the wedding date, invited guests, as well as other organizational issues were discussed.

To refuse to marry after an agreement meant disgracing yourself and your potential spouse. In case of refusal, the “injured” party had the right to demand compensation for all losses associated with this action.

On the wedding day, a wedding train was assembled, which consisted of elegant chaises, carts or sleighs, at the head of which was the groom's groomsman, who was in charge of the route.

Finally, the most important thing wedding ceremony there was a wedding. After the sacrament was completed, the parents of the newlyweds were waiting at the groom's house, greeted them with bread and salt and threw a generous and cheerful wedding feast.

Funeral rites

The main meaning of all rituals associated with the burial of the deceased was the desire to facilitate his transition from this world to the kingdom of God. The funeral service could not be performed if the person was not baptized, committed the sin of suicide, or did not confess or receive communion during the year before death. The deceased was put on a pectoral cross, dressed in clean clothes and covered with a funeral blanket. Music was considered inappropriate, as were flowers.

It was believed that the main thing on this day was prayer for the forgiveness of the sins of the deceased. After the burial of the deceased, relatives organized a memorial meal, which was accompanied by appropriate prayers. Bringing food to the churchyard was considered unacceptable. According to tradition, food was brought to the church and treated to parishioners. On the 3rd, 9th and 40th days a funeral service was ordered in the church. All this time, the relatives mourned the deceased, dressed in dresses of dark shades