The calendar of the ancient Slavs

Most vividly, the dual faith is reflected in the peasant land-farming calendar, where the veneration of Christian saints is closely intertwined with pagan beliefs and rites. Over time, many of the most important rituals for the pagan were taken less seriously and gradually turned into children’s games.

Here is how the year of the Russian peasant passed. On the day of the winter solstice (December 25), it would be necessary to help the sun gain strength-because farmers burned bonfires, rolled burning ears, symbolizing the sun. So that the winter was not too severe, they made a snow woman, depicting winter, and broke it with snowballs. Continue reading →