Many folk holidays were dedicated to seasonal phenomena and events. And even the beginning of autumn and farewell to summer received a separate celebration.

Autumn is a series of holidays that are celebrated at the beginning of autumn. Autumn has long been considered a festive season. Harvesting and field work were completed, and the weather allowed for festivities. At this time, it was customary to have fun, gather guests, set the table and cook all the dishes from what the Earth presented this year. It was at the beginning of autumn that the time came for weddings and holidays.

Like many autumn holidays, Osenins were celebrated for a long time. And, like many folk holidays, in addition to traditional history, they also have a religious, Orthodox component.

history of the holiday

The harvest festival began to be celebrated in ancient Russia. Osenina began on September 14, on Semin Day, or on the day of Simeon the Pilot. On this day, the farewell of summer and the meeting of autumn began.

The second Osenins were celebrated on September 21st. In Orthodoxy, this day is closely connected with the Nativity of the Virgin. Thus, in this holiday intertwined folk omens and church traditions. For example, those who wanted to have a child, but could not, prayed to the Most Holy Theotokos on this day.

The last, third Osenin holiday was celebrated on September 27 and was associated with Orthodox holiday Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord. On this day, religious processions were held, and there was a folk ritual when, in order to exorcise evil spirits, people went around the house with homemade crosses carved or folded from rowan branches.

Holiday traditions

Osenins have old folk and church traditions and rituals.

One of the main traditions at the beginning of autumn is the renewal of the fire. All the old fire in the house was extinguished and a new one was lit. The tradition was associated with the belief that the fire lit in Osenina is able to fill everything around with new energy, and give people and animals a surge of new strength.

The people of Osenina also called September 21 “Pasekin Day” or “Day of the Onion Tear”. On this date, it was customary to remove the bees, and they also collected onions from the garden. This day was considered the final, completing the summer work in the current year. It was necessary to harvest and prepare for the winter.

Weather signs were associated with the Osenins. It was believed that if the weather is good that day, then the rest of the autumn will be warm.

According to another tradition, on September 21, women woke up early in the morning and went to the river, where they met the Osenins. The oldest woman stood with bread, and the girls danced around her and sang songs. After that, the bread was fed to livestock so that the animals would have offspring.

Young families who lived together for a year invited all their relatives to visit Osenins. According to tradition, the guests spent the bride, checked how the young couple copes with the household. The bride laid a rich table for the guests. The girl showed how she runs the household in the house, and the young man - in the yard.

With the Nativity of the Virgin, an Orthodox holiday on September 21, some church traditions were also associated. On this day, believers could ask the Mother of God for health, family well-being, good luck and a good harvest on next year. The newlyweds prayed for the birth of a child. A girl who wanted to conceive a child this year laid a rich table and called all the poor to pray for the health of her future children.

In the old days, they honored this holiday and celebrated it cheerfully every year, showed generosity to their guests, thanked the Earth for the harvest, and most importantly, they hoped that prosperity and prosperity would await them next year. Good luck and success to you and don't forget to press the buttons and

17.09.2017 06:56

Maslenitsa is one of the most beloved holidays of the year. Folk signs about the symbols of the holiday will help better ...

In the agricultural calendar of the Slavs, this day was called "autumn" or "ospozhinki" and was celebrated as a harvest festival. On this day, Thanksgiving was given to Mother Earth. At the beginning of September, the harvest was completed, which was supposed to ensure the well-being of the family for the next year. In addition, the meeting of autumn was marked by the renewal of fire: the old fire was extinguished and a new one was lit, which was mined with blows of flint.

From autumn, the main economic activity was transferred from the field to the garden or to the house: the collection of vegetables began (first of all, onions were harvested). Usually a treat was arranged in the Osenins, for which the whole family gathered. For the holiday, beer was brewed and a sheep (ram) was slaughtered. A pie was baked from the flour of the new harvest. They praised Mother Earth for giving birth to bread and other supplies.

Since the harvest of hops began from that day, the corresponding game songs were sung at the festive festivities:

We weave, hops, weave,
To our side


What poppies are cast!

The second Osenins were celebrated on September 21, they coincided with the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The third Osenins fell on September 27th.

Oseniny is an ancient holiday of farewell to summer and meeting of autumn. What is Osenins - this is a meeting of autumn in Russia.

September 14 is the day of Semyon the pilot. With Seeds, meetings began, i.e. work in huts by fire.

September 21 - celebrated Ospozhinki - harvest festival. It was believed that from that day the summer ended and autumn comes into its own.

September 27 - Exaltation. All signs, characteristics and recommendations of this day were somehow connected among the peasants with the word "move". The exaltation of autumn moves towards winter, “bread moves from the field to the threshing floor”, “the bird has moved away”, and even “the caftan with a fur coat has moved, and the hat has moved”.

In the old days in Russia, our ancestors celebrated Osenins on September 21, on the day of the autumn equinox, when day is equal to night. By this time, the entire crop had already been harvested. The holiday is celebrated by going to visit, wide hospitality. They certainly visit their parents and commemorate their ancestors.

• Osenins - the second meeting of autumn. Easter day. Bees are harvested, onions are harvested. Onion Tear Day. The earth tends to white matinees. "Amen to every summer (end)." “If the weather is good, autumn will be good.” "Indian summer quiet scared."

• Autumn meet by the water. On this day, early in the morning, women go to the banks of rivers, lakes and ponds to meet Mother Osenina with oatmeal bread. The older woman stands with bread, and the young people around her sing songs. Then they break the bread into pieces according to the number of people and feed livestock with it.

• The Aztecs celebrated the day of male fertility on this day. erection holiday. September 21 was considered to be a favorable day for the conception of strong and healthy boys. It is interesting to note that the day of the Aztec mother goddess, Atlatonin, was not this day at all, but 06/18, which is about 9 months after this holiday.

• In the old days, there was a custom of treating the newlyweds to their relatives, which is why September 8 was also called “Offering Day”. All relatives and friends came to the newlyweds. The caller invited such guests: “To visit the young, look at their life and life and teach them the mind-reason.” After a hearty dinner, the young hostess showed her entire household in the house. Guests, as usual, had to praise and teach the mind. The owner took the guests to the yard, showed them rye in the barns, summer and winter harness in the sheds, and treated them to beer from a cask in the garden.

By popular belief on this day, snakes and other reptiles, along with birds, moved to an unknown blissful country called iriy (the Christian word took the sound of "paradise"). Therefore, they were sent off with requests to convey messages to those who had gone to another world.

“Exaltation is a holiday of snakes. Snakes move to one place. They go into the ground, move there.” On September 27, they try not to go into the forest, which is completely at the disposal of the snakes. Whoever goes into the forest can be dragged underground by snakes. Fleeing from snakes, you can read a poem. Step with your right foot and stop when you go into the forest. Make three bows to the earth and say: "Save me, Lord, from the beast running, from the creeping reptile." And spit three times over the left shoulder.
In the Perm province, it was believed that wearing the Maryin root plant on a pectoral cross protects against a snake.
“If you see a snake, shake it by the tail, then it won’t bite and won’t crawl away anywhere.” (Vlasova M. Russian superstitions. Encyclopedic Dictionary. - St. Petersburg, 2001. - S. 202.)

The snake is depicted on medical emblems: above the bowl, the staff of the god of healing Asclepius (among the Romans - Aesculapius), entwined with snakes. A snake in the hands of the sorceress Medea, who could restore youth.
Every year, thousands of snakes are removed from nature to obtain poison. Gyurza and cobra became rare.

OSENINS

folklore holiday

Scenario for a children's holiday.

LEADING. Hello guys! Today we have a holiday called Autumn. What is Oseniny - this is a meeting of autumn. In the old days in Russia, our ancestors celebrated Osenins on September 21, on the day of the autumn equinox, when day is equal to night. By this time, the entire crop had already been harvested. And what kind of harvest could the peasants collect? Let's remember what grows in the garden?

CHILDREN: Carrots, beets, cabbage, potatoes ...

HOST: Right! And so, having harvested, the peasants arranged a holiday, sometimes for a whole week, they went to visit each other, put all the most delicious on the table, the grandchildren stayed with their grandparents for several days. And we will also invite Autumn to visit today. Only you and I are used to representing Autumn in the form of a beauty in a multi-colored outfit, with a bunch of yellow leaves, but in Russia Autumn was depicted as a little dry peasant. His face is stern, with three eyes and shaggy hair. After harvesting, he walked through the fields - he checked whether everything was harvested properly. And today Autumn will appear in the form of a girl. So, let's say a cry together: Autumn, Autumn, you are welcome!

Includes Autumn and 3 autumn months.

AUTUMN: Good afternoon, my friends!

Waiting for, come on, me?

Summer was red

For a long time, power did not yield.

But everything comes to a time -

I arrived at the threshold.

I came, guys, not alone, but with my brothers. And what are their names, you now guess.

SEPTEMBER: Our school garden is empty,

Spider webs fly into the distance,

And to the south end of the earth

Cranes stretched out.

School doors opened.

What month has come to us?

OCTOBER: All the darker face of nature -

Blackened vegetable gardens, bare forests,

The bear went into hibernation.

What month has come to us?

NOVEMBER: black field- became white

It rains, then it snows.

And it got colder

Ice bound the waters of the rivers.

The winter rye freezes in the field.

What month, please?

AUTUMN: Do you guys know that the people called these months differently?

SEPTEMBER: They called me frowning, howler, zarevnik.

AUTUMN: September - howler, from the roar of autumn winds and animals, especially deer.

OCTOBER: They called me winter, leaf fall, dirt.

AUTUMN: September smells like apples, and October smells like cabbage.

NOVEMBER: They called me half-winter, chest.

AUTUMN: November - September grandson, October son, winter dear father. Do you guys know any folk signs, proverbs, sayings?

And now guess Russian folk riddles:

A girl is sitting in a dungeon, and a scythe is on the street (Carrot)

SEPTEMBER: They threw off Yegorushka's golden feathers, made Yegorushka cry without grief. (onion)

OCTOBER: Alena dressed up in her green sarafan, curled the frills thickly. Do you recognize her? (cabbage)

NOVEMBER: There is a cake on one leg. Whoever passes by, everyone will bow. (mushroom)

SEPTEMBER: Sits - turns green, falls - turns yellow, lies - turns black. (sheet)

OCTOBER: Under the ground, the bird made a nest, laid eggs. (potatoes)

NOVEMBER: Round like a moon, leaves like a spruce, and a tail like a mouse. (turnip)

LEADING: And you know, guys, the turnip was a very important vegetable (remember the tale about the Turnip?). The fact is that our favorite potato appeared in Russia only in the 18th century, and before that, turnips were the main vegetable. Turnips were eaten fresh, steamed, dried. They baked pies with turnips, made turnip kvass, cooked porridge.

AUTUMN: And the last riddle: It is bitter in haymaking, and sweet in frost. What is a berry? (Rowan)

LEADING: Rowan, guys, was very famous in Russia. All the berries have long been harvested, even in the summer, and the mountain ash turns red only by autumn, its berries burn brightly. Rowan kvass was prepared from mountain ash, laxative and refreshing. There was even a special day, September 23, when rowan berries were plucked and hung with tassels under the roof. But some of the berries were always left on the tree - thrushes, fieldfare, bullfinches, red-breasted ..

This is how they met Autumn in Russia.

Well, we meet Autumn with our traditional exhibition gifts of nature, unusual vegetables grown in your country house, autumn crafts.

Autumn, we invite you to watch the children's exhibitions and help select the best exhibits for the school-wide exhibition.

AUTUMN: With pleasure! Wait for me, guys, by class. I’ll go to everyone, I won’t miss anyone, and I’ll even bring a treat!

When in the classroom Autumn says goodbye

AUTUMN: Well done guys, nice work! And now taste my treat - autumn apples! Autumn distributes apples from a basket. Goodbye!

September 21 - the second Osenins, the day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Early in the morning, women and girls went out to the banks of rivers, lakes and ponds to meet Mother Osenina with oatmeal and jelly. In the minds of a Russian person, her image merged with the image of the Mother of God, therefore they turned to her: "The Most Pure Mother of God, deliver me from maety, harassment, take away from others, illuminate my life-being!" According to custom, on this day, all relatives and friends went to visit the newlyweds in order to "teach them the mind." The young mistress was preparing a special round cake: "For our bread - salt, you are welcome!" After a hearty dinner, the young hostess shows the house, and the young owner shows the yard, barn, barn, garden. The guests were treated to beer of their own production. All together the cathedral honored the Sun.

From September 21, it was believed that every summer - Amen. Autumn has come into its own. Essentially this religious holiday astronomical autumnal equinox.

The second Osenins connect, as it were, two holidays: earthly and spiritual. In its earthly essence, it is a harvest festival, accompanied by games and songs, and in its spiritual, heavenly nature, it is the birthday of the Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ.

In the agricultural calendar of the Slavs, this day was called "autumn" or "ospozhinki" and was celebrated as a harvest festival. On this day, Thanksgiving was given to Mother Earth.

At the beginning of September, the harvest was completed, which was supposed to ensure the well-being of the family for the next year. In addition, the meeting of autumn was marked by the renewal of fire: the old fire was extinguished and a new one was lit, which was mined with blows of flint.

From autumn, the main economic activity was transferred from the field to the garden or to the house: the collection of vegetables began (first of all, onions were harvested). Usually in Oseniny (in Orthodoxy - the day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin) a treat was arranged for which the whole family gathered. For the holiday, beer was brewed and a sheep (ram) was slaughtered. A pie was baked from the flour of the new harvest. They praised Mother Earth for giving birth to bread and other supplies.

Since the harvest of hops began from that day, the corresponding game songs were sung at the festive festivities:

We weave, hops, weave,
To our side
As on our side, there is a lot of freedom!
And the freedom is big, the men are rich!
That the men are rich, stone chambers!
What stone chambers, golden doors,
What poppies are cast!

The third Osenins are timed to coincide with the church holiday of the Exaltation of the Holy Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, this is the third meeting of autumn. "Exaltation - autumn moves towards winter."

By folk tradition cabbage parties began, girls' parties, when young people went from house to house to chop cabbage. These parties lasted two weeks. This is a kind of sacred action: cabbage was considered the sacred food of the Gods. On this day, very ancient rite- cross. The sign of the cross has been a symbol of the sun since prehistoric times. It was believed that on the Exaltation, he radiates protective power. The peasants carved crosses from wood, crossed rowan branches, painted crosses in places that they wanted to protect from evil spirits: in bins, barns.

On the third Osenins, according to popular belief, snakes and other reptiles, together with birds, moved to an unknown blissful country called iriy (in Christianity, this word took on the sound of "paradise"). Therefore, they were sent off with a request to convey a message to those who had gone to another world.

In the villages, the peasants brewed beer. They carried out a ritual plowing of the village, driving out of it Kukhoma (fever, shaking), then shared the beer at home and rested after the labors of the righteous. In the evening, baths were heated and steamed, expelling evil spirits from themselves. In the forests goblin before a long winter last time joked with people, arranging a review of animals and birds - are they ready for a harsh winter.

According to the old calendar, the beginning of autumn fell on September 14th. The First Ecumenical Council (325) established this day as the beginning of the year. According to Orthodox tradition, the world was created in September.

Osenina the first meeting of autumn. On this day, it was supposed to “wipe out” the “new” fire with the help of two planks, and with this pure fire to start sittings, or gatherings. From that day on, in Russia they began to celebrate autumn weddings (until November 15), moved to new homes, carried out the rite of “monsow” (initiation) of boys who had reached seven years of age, into youth, marking their new role in the community.

To holiday The first Osenin was timed to coincide with the ancient amusing rite of burial of flies and cockroaches, annoying inhabitants of the Russian summer. September 14 - the beginning of the Indian summer, which lasts up to three weeks in some areas. They noticed: if Semyon is a clear day, then the whole Indian summer will be warm, and a warm winter must be expected.

September 14 - the day of the Pilot's Seeds. Simeon the Stylite (5th century) became famous as a man of a selfless lifestyle. In the history of mankind, he discovered the new kind asceticism. Wanting to test his spiritual strength, faith in God, he built a 4-meter-high pillar on the mountain with a platform on top, surrounded it with a wall, and read sermons to numerous pilgrims from this “mountainous” place. Then Simeon settled on a pillar in a small cell, indulging in intense prayer and fasting. Gradually, he increased the height of the pillar on which he stood. His last pillar was 40 cubits (16 meters) high. He spent 80 years in enhanced monastic deeds, of which 47 stood on a pillar. His life was well known in Russia, they learned from him to endure in the name of a holy cause the numerous difficulties of human existence. According to an ancient tradition, it was believed that on this day it is necessary to do charitable deeds, to be merciful. In Muscovite Russia, not a single beggar was left without abundant alms on this day, even prisoners in dungeons were presented with gifts.

From time immemorial, Slavic holidays in Russia were subject to the natural system, and each of them was not only justified from the point of view of pagan mythology, but also directly related to the weather and the change of seasons. Whole Slavic calendar obeyed this system, for example, winter holidays- there were Christmas time, spring and summer - Shrovetide, Ivan Kupala, and autumn Slavic holidays occupied a special place in the life of every Slav. And one of these holidays was September 9 - the holiday of Osenina.

In general, the autumn period among the ancient Slavs is considered one of the most important in terms of worshiping the gods, since it is accompanied large quantity variety of ceremonial activities. This was due to the end of the harvest and the completion of preparations for the winter period, people rejoiced at the results of their hard work and thanked the gods for their mercy.

Our ancestors, especially farmers, considered the beginning of the new year to be unusual for modern man January, and September is the month when the harvest took place. During this autumn month, the ancient Slavs celebrated eight very important holidays at once. Each of them has its own hidden sacred meaning but at the same time connected with each other. From the first week of autumn, the celebration and honoring of the goddess Mokosh began, then on September 8-9 they were dedicated to the prayers of the most revered gods of Rod and Rozhanitsa, and on September 9 it became the national celebration of Osenin - the harvest festival. These days, our ancestors not only glorified their gods, but also brought gifts in order to appease them for the whole next year. Also, according to some data, Osenins were noted (14, 21 and 27)

How was the Slavic holiday of Osenina celebrated?

Aspens are a real celebration in honor of the harvest and the end of a difficult period in the life of every farmer. On this day, our ancestors gathered their entire family at one table and had a feast. Mandatory dishes on the table were all kinds of cereals, honey, dairy products, meat and, of course, berry wine, which was served only on big and important Slavic holidays. They drank wine from one cup, passing it from hand to hand, from the eldest in the family to the younger generation. Each member of the family drank a sip with words of gratitude to the gods for such a rich harvest, and also said prayers, asking for mercy for their family for the whole next year.

After that, the fun began, round dances were held, ritual songs dedicated to the harvest and the beginning of the hop harvest were sung, and one of the obligatory rituals of this day was the consecration of oat bread. Our ancestors believed that after such a ceremony, he was endowed with healing power, and he was used to heal from various diseases.

It is worth noting that some ceremonies were also held by the youngest members of the family, they, together with adults, held a “funeral of flies”, thus symbolizing the onset of cold weather. And their fathers put little boys on a horse for the first time on this day, taught the basics of riding and practiced a little. Naturally, for all the boys it was an important day in life, it was equated with initiation into warriors.

Also, the ancestors paid special attention to the signs on this day, if the weather on the Osenins was clear and cloudless, then the coming winter and the “Indian summer” would be very warm. But if the weather was not pleasing and it was cloudy or it started to rain, then autumn and winter will be very cold, and spring will come very late.

1. The most significant folk holidays of the autumn cycle

The popular name of the twelfth feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary in memory of the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the folk tradition, the Mother of God delivered from sorrows and misfortunes, relieved pain, patronized women in childbirth, was the intercessor of children and marriageable girls.

The popular name of the day of memory of St. Simeon the Stylite, the founder of asceticism, called pilgrimage (IV-V centuries). In Russia, he was called a "pilot guide" and for 400 years this day was celebrated the beginning of a new summer (year), since in Russia until 1700 the new year began on September 1. The peasants on Semyonov's day performed the rite of autumn - the first meeting of autumn and the onset of Indian summer.

The popular name of the great twelfth feast of the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, established in honor of the acquisition of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Elena of the Precious Cross of Christ. On this day, crosses were raised on churches under construction and roadside crosses were placed.

The popular name of the church holiday of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos in memory of the appearance of the Virgin in the church in Constantinople in the middle of the 10th century. In folk tradition, the holiday is associated with the completion field work and the beginning of winter, with the first snow cover of the earth. It was considered a girl's holiday and the patron saint of weddings. From that day on, youth festivities were transferred from the street to the hut, cattle were put in the yard, hunters went to winter crafts.

Paraskeva (March 20/April 2 (Roman Great Martyr Paraskeva, who suffered under Neuron), July 26/August 8 (Reverend Martyr Paraskeva, born near Rome in 138), October 14/27 (Reverend Paraskeva of Serbia, who became famous in the middle of the 11th century), October 28 / November 10 (Great Martyr Paraskeva Pyatnitsa).

The popular name of the days of memory of Saints Paraskev, of which there are four in the Orthodox tradition. Among the Eastern Slavs, Paraskeva Pyatnitsa, the patroness of the eponymous day of the week, was especially revered. Girls and women considered her their intercessor: she helped with childbirth, patronized marriage, home, women's activities, especially spinning. Paraskeva healed from mental and bodily ailments, patronized land, livestock and water, and was an intercessor of trade.

A girl's holiday celebrated on the day of memory of Cosmas and Damian (Kuzma and Demyan). On this day, girls - brides became complete mistresses of the house. Girlish "Kuzma parties" were arranged, special ritual dishes were prepared, and brides were held.

2. a brief description of events of holidays (pagan and Orthodox meaning of holidays)

Nativity of the Mother of God (Theotokos Day, Second Most Pure, Lesser Most Pure, Mrs. Second, Lady Rich, Spozha, Spozhka, Big Spozhka, Asposov / Aspasov / day, Sposov day, Pasikov day, Autumn, Second Autumn, Lukov day, Presentation day) - folk the name of the great twelfth feast of the Theotokos of the Orthodox Church - the Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, which is celebrated on September 8 (21). Established in memory of the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Lord God Jesus Christ.

Information about the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin goes back to the 4th - 5th centuries. The first indication of this holiday, according to Palestinian tradition, is the fact of the construction of St. Helena of the temple in honor of the Nativity of the Virgin. This feast is mentioned by St. John Chrysostom, St. Curse and blessing. Augustine. In the VI - IX centuries. the event of the Nativity of the Virgin was described by St. Stefan Svyatogradets, in the 7th century. Sts. Andrew of Crete and Sergius, Patriarch of Constantinople, in the 8th century. Sts. John of Damascus and Germanus of Constantinople.

The day of the Nativity of the Virgin is celebrated with a solemn prayer service; singing magnification at Matins: "We magnify Thee, Most Holy Virgin, and honor Your holy parents and all-glorious glorify Your Nativity." Church hymns: stichera, troparia and canons in honor of the Mother of God are called "Theotokos", they are part of all daily services. In liturgical books, the Mother of God feasts in honor of Mother of God. Each Mother of God holiday has its own Mother of God.

Among the people, the Mother of God was especially revered. The image of the Mother of God was clearer, more accessible and closer to the people's consciousness than the image of Jesus Christ. On the one hand, "ascended to the divine world", on the other hand, she remained connected with ordinary people, motherly worrying and interceding for them.

The Mother of God was considered the patroness of women in childbirth, which follows from the maternal principle in her image, which is confirmed by the iconography of the Mother of God, as well as the etymological proximity of the words "Virgin Mary" and "childbirth". Therefore, requests were sent to the Mother of God for help in difficult childbirth. The Mother of God was seen not only as the Mother of God, but as the Mother in general, the mother of every person. In this sense, the Mother of God is often called Mother, Matushka. Hence the view of the people on swearing: it offends the three mothers of man - the Mother of God, Mother Earth and mother.

In the Russian folk tradition, the image of the Mother of God became close to the image of Mother Earth, which led to the formation of the cult of the Mother of God-earth. The Mother of God was equated, and sometimes identified with the birth and fruit-bearing land-nurse.

In special honor was the Mother of God and the girls of marriageable age. They turned to her with requests for suitors.

In the folklore tradition, the Mother of God is a favorite character in spiritual verses - epic songs on religious subjects, which were performed by wandering singers at fairs, market squares or at the gates of monastery churches.

According to northern Russian legends, the Mother of God "walks the earth" on Easter. Legends about birds and animals are also associated with the Mother of God. The folk legend of the Russian population of the Surgut Territory tells of the Mother of God, who was frightened by a hazel grouse in the forest, angry, she turned him into a "small bird with a big rustle" so that any hunter could quickly find him, and divided the tender white meat ("grouse heritage") between all birds and animals.

Osenins were timed to the Nativity of the Virgin or to Asposov's day - the second meeting of autumn - Autumn (the first took place on the Transfiguration of the Lord or on Semyonov's day). Women gathered early in the morning and went out to the banks of rivers, lakes and ponds to meet Mother Osenina. For this meeting, oat bread was specially baked, which was held by the eldest of the women, and the young ones sang songs, standing around her. Then the bread was broken into pieces according to the number of those gathered and fed to livestock.

Osenins coped for a whole week (in the church tradition, 6 days were allotted for the celebration of the Nativity of the Virgin, since this holiday had the day of the forefeast - September 7 (20) and four days after the feast).

Exaltation (Shift, Exaltation, Exaltation Day, Stavrov Day, Kapustki / Kapustnitsy /) - the popular name of the great twelfth holiday of the Orthodox Church of the Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, which is celebrated on September 14/27. Established in the first half of the 4th century. in honor of finding the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Empress Elena of the Holy Cross of Christ.

A feature of the service of this holiday was the transfer of the cross from the altar to the throne during Vespers and then taking it out at Matins, after the great doxology, to the middle of the temple for worship. In the church, the celebration continues for seven days; the celebration of the holiday takes place on September 21 / October 4.

In the folk tale dedicated to the day of the Exaltation, the meaning of the holiday is revealed in its own way. The legend speaks of Constantine's attack on the "Jewish land" and the capture of the "King of the Jews", who refused to say where the "honest crosses" were and was killed. The Jewish queen reported about the discovery of the crosses, unable to bear the torture of her child, placed between two "living fires". She sent Tsar Constantine to Odubar-mountain, where the "honest crosses" that the apostles spoke of were discovered.

Since the cross is a symbol of suffering, the day of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord was considered fast among the people: "Although on a Sunday, come the Exaltation, and everything on it is Friday-Wednesday, Lenten food"; "Whoever does not fast with the Exaltation - the Cross of Christ - seven sins will be raised on him"; "Whoever has a slaughter on the table about the Exaltation - he kills all his prayers."

In the annals, this day was called "Stavrov's day" (Greek cross). For a long time, processions around the villages were made on Vozdvizhenye to protect them from troubles for a year. Molebens were served, icons were raised, and the fields went around with a prayer for the future harvest. They also prayed for the sick: "Pray with faith on the Exaltation Day, so the Life-Giving Cross will raise from the deathbed." It was customary to raise crosses on temples under construction; install roadside crosses; build votive chapels (ordinaries) and small churches - according to the promise, in honor of the holiday.

In folk ideas, the Exaltation is associated with the consonant word "movement", with the help of which many peasants explained the meaning of the holiday. This is the basis of signs and sayings dedicated to this day. They talked about the end of the harvest: "On Vozdvizhenie, the last mop from the field is moving, the last cart is in a hurry to the threshing floor"; "Uplift - the bread has moved from the field."

By the time of the Exaltation, the Indian summer was ending, the third meeting of autumn took place: “The summer closes the Ascension, the gray checkmark carries the keys with it across the sea” (Smolensk). The approach of winter was noted: "The exaltation of autumn moves towards winter"; "On the Vozdvizhenie winters - it does not matter to the peasant"; "On Vozdvizhenie, winter is white - the nest is removed, he is going to visit a Russian peasant, - here (he says) I, winter-winter, I will stay in Holy Russia, I will visit a gray peasant." They prepared in advance for the onset of winter cold, so they said: "The exaltation of the caftan will move from the reach, the sheepskin coat will move"; "Exaltation will push the zipun, move the fur coat."

Rites and customs are part of the culture of every people, whether it is a huge nation or a small community. They accompany us throughout our lives. Some of them go back centuries, and we forget them or do not know about them at all. Others continue to exist. We invite you to get acquainted with the autumn rites, the history of their occurrence and essence. Traditions associated with the coming of autumn different countries interesting and varied.

Autumn is the time of holidays

Since ancient times, autumn has been the time for various celebrations. Diverse and numerous, for example, ceremonies and rituals on the day of the autumn equinox. Why did it happen? The fact is that the time of agriculture was ending, everyone was harvesting, preparing for winter. Most of the population in those days were peasants, so seasonality had a significant impact on their way of life. Full bins and free time gave people the opportunity to relax.

Harvest Festival in Israel

Mostly people celebrated the Harvest Festival. So, in Israel on September 19, Sukkot takes place. Jews on this day perform the rite of ascension lulava. Lulava consists of four plants - myrtle, willow, date palm leaf, etrog. Each of these plants symbolizes a person. So, the etrog symbolizes people who do good deeds, and the willow symbolizes people who do not know how to do good. The combination of these plants suggests that everyone should help the other, teach him the right way of life. The holiday lasts seven days. On the eighth, they read a prayer for the bestowal of the harvest for the next year.

Korean autumn traditions

The crop is called Chuseok. It lasts three days. An interesting point: all people try to go to their native places for these three days. In Chuseok, every family worships their ancestors, after this ritual they are treated to festive dishes from the sacrificial table. Then everyone goes to the graves of relatives to honor their memory.

Wine harvest

In Europe, grape harvest holidays are considered traditional. So, in Switzerland in mid-September there is a festival of young wine. About one hundred and fifty varieties of wines are sent here from all over the country. Various shows, dances, concerts are held these days.

Autumn holidays among the Slavs

autumn holidays the Slavs often have pagan and Orthodox roots. The most famous were Obzhinki or Dozhinki (among Belarusians). In the nineteenth century, this holiday was celebrated everywhere among the Slavs, only in different time, mainly depending on the climate. So, among the Eastern Slavs, the mentioned holiday coincided with the Assumption of the Virgin, and in Siberia - with the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord.

On this day, people performed several autumn rites. For example, the last sheaf was reaped in silence, and then the women rolled through the stubble with certain words-songs. A few ears of corn twisted into a beard were left on the field. This ceremony was called "curling the beard."

Traditions and rituals of autumn in Russia

The first of September in Russia was called the Indian summer, in some areas the countdown was from September 8th. Already somewhere from Ilyin's day, and somewhere from Uspenyev, in many settlements, autumn dances began to dance. It is worth noting that the round dance is the oldest of the dances of the Russian people, rooted in the rites of worship of the sun god. The round dance in Russia was of great importance. This dance reflected three epochs in a year: spring, summer, autumn.

One of the Russian autumn rites is a round dance with the name “brew beer”. Young women went out into the street and treated everyone to mash, then stood up in a round dance and portrayed drunks. At the end, all the girls were treated to braga.

On Semyonov's day - the first of September - they mounted a horse. In each family, the first-born was seated on a horse. In addition, on the same day for 400 years they celebrated New Year. It was canceled only in 1700 by decree of Peter 1.

And on September 14, Osenins began to celebrate in Russia. People thanked mother earth for a rich harvest. They renewed the fire, extinguished the old, mined a new one. From that time on, all activity on the field ended and work began in the house and in the garden, in the garden. In the houses on the First Osenins they covered festive table, brewed beer and slaughtered a ram. A pie was baked from the new flour.

September 21 - Second Osenins. On the same day they celebrated the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. September 23 - Peter and Pavel Ryabinniki. On this day, they collected mountain ash for compote, kvass. The windows were decorated with rowan clusters, it was believed that they would save the house from all evil spirits.

Third Osenins - September 27. In another way, this day was called the snake holiday. According to popular beliefs, all birds and snakes moved to another country on this day. With them, requests were passed on to the deceased. On this day, they did not go to the forest, because it was believed that the snake could drag.

Belarusian autumn traditions

Autumn holidays among Belarusians are similar to autumn rites and holidays among other Slavic peoples. It has long been celebrated in Belarus the end of the harvest. This holiday was called dozhinki. One of the main autumn rituals was held in dozhinki. The last sheaf was interlaced with flowers and dressed up in women's dress, after which they were taken to the village and left until the next harvest. Now dozhinki is a holiday of national importance.

Similarly to the Osenins, Belarus celebrated the harvest festival - the rich man. Lubok with grain and a candle inside was considered a symbol of the holiday. The "rich man" was in one of the houses of the village, where a priest was invited to conduct a prayer service. After that, a lubok with a lit candle was carried through the whole village.

No less famous ritual holiday of late autumn in Belarus is Dzyady. This holiday of commemoration of ancestors falls on November 1-2. Dzyady means "grandfathers", "ancestors". Before the Dzyads, they washed in the bathhouse, cleaned the houses. In the bath, they left a bucket of clean water and a broom for the souls of their ancestors. The whole family gathered for dinner that day. Various dishes were prepared, before dinner the doors were opened in the house so that the souls of the dead could enter.

At dinner, they did not say unnecessary words, behaved humbly, remembered only good things about their ancestors, commemorated the dead. Dzyadov was given to beggars who walked around the villages.

Autumn equinox. Ceremonies and rituals around the world

The autumn equinox falls on September 22, sometimes 23. Day and night become equal at this time. many nations attached mystical significance to this day. Traditions, celebrations and rituals on the Day of the autumnal equinox are commonplace.

In some countries it is a public holiday, such as Japan. Here, according to tradition, the ancestors are remembered on this day. Conduct the ancient rite of the Buddhist holiday Higan. The Japanese on this day prepare food only from vegetable ingredients: beans, vegetables. They make a pilgrimage to the graves of their ancestors and worship them.

In Mexico, on the day of the autumnal equinox, people go to Sun rays create triangles of light and shadow on the pyramid. The lower the sun, the more distinct the contours of the shadow, in shape they resemble a snake. Such an illusion lasts a little more than three hours, during which time you need to make a wish.

Autumn equinox among the Slavs

The day of the autumn equinox among the Slavs was one of the main holidays. His names were different: Tausen, Ovsen, Radogoshch. Rites and rituals were also performed in different areas.

Ovsen is the name of the deity in mythology, who was responsible for the change of seasons, so in the fall he was thanked for the fruits and harvest. They celebrated the day of the autumn equinox (with rites and rituals) for two weeks. The main celebratory drink was honey, made from fresh hops. Pies with meat, cabbage, lingonberries - this is the main delicacy on the table.

Rite on autumnal equinox there was a farewell to the goddess Alive in Svarga - the kingdom of heaven, which was closed in winter period. On the day of the equinox, the Slavs also revered the goddess Lada. She was the patroness of weddings. And weddings were most often celebrated after the completion of field work.

On the day of the autumn equinox, special autumn festivals were held folk rituals. To attract good luck and happiness, they baked pies with cabbage and apples. round shape. If the dough quickly rose, then next year the financial situation should have improved.

All old things that day were taken out into the yard and burned.

Special rituals for the autumn equinox were performed with water. She was believed to have special powers. They washed themselves in the morning and in the evening with the belief that water would keep children healthy, and women attractive.

Often our ancestors used trees in autumn rituals and holidays. So, they protected the house and themselves with rowan branches. It was believed that the mountain ash, plucked on this day, has great energy and will not let the evil into the house. The girls used walnut branches. They put a second pillow on the bed in order to get married soon, burned the branches of the walnut, and scattered the ashes on the street. By clusters of rowan trees they judged winter. The more berries, the more severe the winter.

Sacrifice was a special autumn rite in Russia. In gratitude for a good harvest in pagan times, the Slavs sacrificed the largest animal to Veles. They did this before harvest. After the sacrifice, sheaves were tied and "grandmothers" were placed. Then a rich table was set.

Orthodox autumn holidays, traditions, rituals

The biggest holiday is the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin (September 21). The holiday coincided with the second autumn.

September 27 - Exaltation of the Holy Cross. In the 4th century, the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great found the Cross and the Holy Sepulcher. Many then wished to see this miracle. So the Feast of the Exaltation was established. From that day on, they began harvesting cabbage for the winter. And young guys and girls were going to the cabbage. They laid the table, the guys looked after the brides.

October 14 - Protection of the Virgin. The holiday was established by Andrey Bogolyubsky. In Russia, they believed that the Mother of God took Russia under protection, therefore they always relied on her protection and mercy. At this time, they were finishing work in the field, collecting the last fruits. In Pokrov, women made ten-handled dolls, which, it was believed, were supposed to help around the house, since the woman did not have time to do everything.

On the third day of November, Kazanskaya was celebrated. This is the Mother of God.

Autumn signs in Russia

September 11 - Ivan Poleniy, Flight Pilot. A day later, they started pulling out root crops, digging potatoes.

September 24 - Fedora-Ripped off. Two Fedoras uphill - one in autumn, one in winter, one with mud, the other with cold.

October 1 - crane years. It was believed that if the cranes fly that day, then the first frost will come to Pokrov. If not, frost should not be expected before November 1.

November 14 - Kuzminki. Cock name days were celebrated on Kuzminki. The girls arranged a feast-conversation, invited the guys.

On this day, a ceremony called "the wedding and funeral of Kuzma-Demyan" was performed. The girls made a scarecrow out of straw, dressed it up as a guy and held a comic wedding. They seated this effigy in the middle of the hut and “married” some girl, then they took it to the forest, burned it and danced on it. They made Kuzma and Demyan dolls. They were considered the keepers of the family hearth, the patrons of women's needlework.