Perunov Day - a holiday in honor of the patron of warriors and farmers

Perun is a God of Thunder in Slavic mythology, a keeper of power, patron of warriors, tillers, hunters, fishermen, furriers, beekeepers and tailors. According to legend, on this day at the horse racing in the sky Perunova fell into the water Horseshoe, why the water in all the reservoirs became cool. It was believed that Perun "summer ends," towards the onset of this day, mowing was already coming to an end, and harvest began. According to popular beliefs, the rain in Perun's day washes away all evil spells, diseases, spoilage and evil eye, and if there was no rain, the people were afraid of forest fires with fear. By custom, it was impossible to work on that day. Preparation for the holiday began in a week. The whole village women baked a huge pie, cooked a lot of cottage cheese and brewed beer.

Attributes of the celebration

Perun's day is celebrated in late July-early August. However, the celebration can be rescheduled for Friday or Sunday. Traditionally, this holiday is celebrated on the fortieth day after people create all ablutions, cleanse the body, soul and spirit on the day of Kupala, the day of the summer Solstice. As a rule, festivities last all night and end only at dawn. In ancient times Peruna's name was fastened by vows. His symbol is a strong Oak, so it is desirable to spend a walk in an oak grove or a mighty oak tree, and the presence of water and stone is also necessary. The peculiarity of this celebration is the repetition of the acts of the thunderer, that is, rumbling with the help of drums, buckets, barrels, shields, hammers and chains, splashing water on the ground. Of course, it can not do without ritual fire. Accompany the holiday must certainly have products such as bread, honey in honeycombs, dishes from peas and turnips, meat and fish. From the plants, oak, iris, tarhun, and cuckoo tears were greeted . Perunov day passed under the sound of pipes, bells, tambourines, rattle and pipe. All the celebrants put on red clothes: men in shirts, and women in scarves and towels.

The program of walks

Since the morning in Perunov day all the men were going to start. Everyone must have had a cold weapon: a knife, an ax, a sword, a spear. Armed men sang praise to the brave Perun, making a solemn procession, after which the weapons should be consecrated. As a rule, a bull was sacrificed. On his sacrificial blood, the Magi committed a conspiracy of weapons. After the end, ritual fights were organized, symbolizing Perun's battle with Velez. Men demonstrated their courage and courage in the battles "one on one", "wall to wall" and "one against all". Then there was initiation into the soldiers. This was a very important event for young teenagers, for the person who passed the test became a full-fledged warrior, got the right to carry arms and, of course, a new status that made the girls treat them differently.

The celebration ended with the presentation of gifts to the altar of Perun. The Magi set fire to the boat in which these gifts were kept, and on the burned-out ashes, covered with earth, trifles and straits were committed. At the general feast they remembered all the defending soldiers, remembered the dead.

After the baptism of Rus the Peruns were replaced by the day of the Prophet Elijah.