What does the holiday "Red Hill" mean: signs and description

The holiday "Krasnaya Gorka" is celebrated by the Eastern Slavs. His story begins in Kievan Rus. Day Red Hill coincided with the Sunday following Easter. In some places it is celebrated on Yuryev's day (directly Sunday), in others - on Monday, in the third - on the eve. About why the holiday "Krasnaya Gorka" has such a name, which means and what signs are associated with it, read below.

History

To realize the significance of this day, it is worth digging into the Bible. Why is the holiday "Red Hill" (Antipascha, Clichy Sunday) so important and so massively celebrated? It is marked, as we already mentioned, after Easter. More precisely, on the eighth day. Throughout the week the church recalls Thomas - the apostle, who did not believe that the Savior had risen. Christ, according to the plot of the Gospel, appeared before him, in order to prove that the miracle had really happened. It was from here, by the way, that the well-known expression "the unbelieving Thomas" went to everyone. The renewal of the resurrection of Christ began to be associated with the name of this apostle. Many believers consider that Thomas can not be reproached for unbelief. He did not doubt that Christ really is a savior. The apostle was only eager to meet his risen Teacher, wished to feel the triumph, joy, and not in the words of witnesses, but in person. This is understandable - believe on the word (even close) is not always possible, but if you see it personally, then there will no longer be doubts.

The former fisherman Thomas, one of the twelve apostles, went around with the sermon many countries. According to tradition, it was he who founded Christian churches in India, Palestine, Ethiopia, Parthia, Mesopotamia. And the holy apostle died for his faith after cruel torture. His relics are now kept on Athos, in Hungary and India.

Antipasco

Agree, a strange name ... On the one hand - the great and bright this holiday - "Krasnaya Gorka", which means then such a contradiction? It turns out that there are elements of paganism in it. Our ancestors even before the designation of the church Fomin Sunday met at this time of spring. Time has passed, traditions have remained. In the folk festivals there were many elements from the pagan rites (they will be told about them yet), therefore the church refers to this holiday rather coolly and even somewhat disapprovingly.

In the word "antipas" there is no particle of negation, as many people think. On the contrary, "anti-" means nothing other than "instead." Therefore, the popular name of the holiday is treated as "instead of Easter."

Christianity or is it paganism?

And to this day, this question is unequivocally unanswerable - the historical subtext is so intertwined here. About Red Hill, as a church event, we already said. But why this holiday is also pagan at the same time? First, it arose long before Christianity. Secondly, this is the holiday of the Sun (more precisely, its renewal). The people who gathered on the hill (hill) shouted: "Yarila glory! Hello, the Red Sun! "Spells were cast for the weather, for a plentiful harvest. Songs-vesnyanki praised Yaril (the sun god), the arrival of heat, the birth of a new life (the future fruits of nature). The people were still gathering in the dark, and at the dawn spells were cast.

Folk festivals

The emergence of the name itself can be guessed for a long time - there are many options. Most likely, the word "red" means "bright, beautiful", but under the "hill" it means it is a hill.

Spring begins with a warm sun and melting snow. And the first "open" the elevations, that is, the hills. What happens in the aggregate? Correctly - "red" (beautiful, has already begun to turn green) slide. It is these elevations, warmed up and dried up after the descent of snow and receding flood, are most suitable for mass festivities.

Youth Festival

Folk festivals began in the dark and lasted almost a day, until sunset. Celebrated all. But most of all this day the youth was waiting for. In the neighborhood walked for a long time and fun - there were songs, and round dances, and riding on a large swing. The guys on the "Red Hill" met with the girls. The participation of young people of marriageable age (both sexes) was considered compulsory. Those who refused to celebrate the holidays, came up with unpleasant and insulting nicknames. They were ridiculed and called "incompetent". Moreover, the refusal to take part in the festivities was considered a very bad omen. People believed that the girl, being extradited and not coming to the celebration, will not marry, and the guy, if he marries, only on the most useless "ugly woman". Such misfortunes were predicted by unhappiness.

Weddings Time

It is believed that the marriage that took place on the holiday "Krasnaya Gorka", the most successful. According to popular beliefs, the young people who have become engaged this day will never part. In addition, at this time the posts end and you can afford a real treat for the stomach. Who will refuse a feast for the whole world? On the "Krasnaya Gorka" holiday, the wedding was necessarily held under the wedding songs performed by couples who got married this year. Such people were specially invited to the celebration. Songs sung by them, should have attracted young couples prosperity, mutual understanding and good luck. That is why, by the way, the "Red Hill" is called in the people "Clichy Sunday".

Those who sang the wedding songs, necessarily by tradition, carried a bowl and traditional eggs.

Preparing for the "Krasnaya Gorka" seriously and thoroughly: guests were invited in advance, festive tables were laid - fried eggs, baked loaves in the form of a circle (the symbol of the sun). And it was on this holiday that it was customary to introduce guys to girls. Young people wore the best, most elegant clothes. Numerous guests had the opportunity to evaluate brides and grooms.

Since the life of farmers depended on the schedule of land works, the weddings were played either in autumn or early spring.

How did the "Krasnaya Gorka" pass?

Now, unfortunately, many customs are simply forgotten. Probably, only feasts remained. Previously, this holiday was a real fun. The celebration usually began with a look at the brides, when the girls, dressed in festive outfits, walked around the villages singing songs, giving the opportunity to potential grooms (and, of course, their parents) to consider themselves better. Only bypassing the whole village (and often the nearby villages), future daughters-in-law were sent to the place where the party was planned. His equipment was handled by the guys. They leveled the playgrounds for dances and dances, benches, swings, "attractions".

The dance part of the festival began (opened) with girlish round dances. There were many options, but the theme was always based on the revival of the earth, the sun, and sowing works. The girls had to look unassailable and chaste. However, this did not last long. Gradually, in dances and games, elements of flirtation appear. All this time, only girls dance. Guys look at themselves and allow themselves to release compliments, showing in such a way that they are interested in someone. Rough jokes and kissing on kisses come much later, but for now only small liberties can be allowed. For example, to roll girls on a swing. Carousels, runners, giant steps and the so-called capes were installed in advance, for Easter. Large and bright buildings were erected in cities and large villages, in smaller ones they were simpler. Ordinary boards were often used for swings. They were fastened with thick ropes to poles or trees. Throws made from the same boards, but more authentic. The latter were stacked on high logs (they are still often used in circus tricks).

Swing on could only those girls who were invited by the guys. That dresses did not develop in the wind, the hem was tied at the knees by special belts. Only after that the girls could get up on the swing (not without the help of the guys). At first, young people fulfilled all the requests of their potential women: swing harder, stopping, rolling quietly. However, later desires were fulfilled only for a kiss. Especially it concerned the stop of the swing. On the shoestring with giant steps, the malice was demonstrated only by the guys. Such an "indicative speech" required considerable forces, dexterity and ability to concentrate. Of course, the risk of injury was high, but young people went to him in order to attract the looks of the girls. Perhaps, among the youth, the most important was the holiday "Krasnaya Gorka".

Signs

Some consider them to be superstition, others are convinced that the basis of most beliefs is the centuries-old experience of our ancestors. For example, the families who played the wedding on that day were supposed to be the strongest and happiest. By the way, even at the present time young couples are trying to know in advance what the number of "Krasnaya Gorka" is - many want not only to sign a registry office, but to get married on that day.

Another belief is connected with the fulfillment of the most cherished desire. It is believed that if the "Red Hill" throw in the well one coin, then the mystery will certainly come true.

They say that if the guy (girl) does not come to the celebration of the "Red Hill", then fate will necessarily turn from him (her).

On the eve of the "Red Hill" it was customary to wash the icons. It was always done over the basin. Water was not poured, leaving until the holiday. People believed that the person who had washed the water from the icon would become rich and would live in prosperity all year round. About the ritual, if it was held, they did not tell us not to frighten off luck.

Folk traditions come back

Unfortunately, customs began to fade in the memory of modern people. Not everyone remembers the history of the holiday, its meaning and purpose. But it seems that people's traditions are returning. The holiday "Krasnaya Gorka" in Kolomna is a vivid example.
April 26 in Kolomna, in the park "Blyudechko", which is located in the Kolomna Kremlin, the regional folklore festival "Krasnaya Gorka in Kolomna" was held, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Moscow region, the administration of the city of Kolomna, Danilov Patriarchal Monastery and the Center for Revival Traditions. After Divine Liturgy, held in the Assumption Cathedral, and the procession at the Cathedral began performances of folklore ensembles, folk games and games. Among the entertainments is the old game, consisting in throwing eggs. The main participants, of course, were children and young people. For fun, they broke 10196 eggs, which should enter the Guinness Book of Records.