The ancient Slavic holiday Ivan Kupala Day is celebrated on July 7. The roots of folk festivals go back to pagan times - then the Slavs called the holiday Kupalo and celebrated it on the day of the summer solstice. On the shortest night, they worshipped the Sun, lit bonfires, bathed in ponds, collected dew, and searched for blooming ferns.
The Christian Church, in order to eradicate pagan customs, timed its holiday to the Day of the Sun — the Nativity of John the Baptist, the prophet and martyr who baptized Jesus Christ. So a new name was born — the Day of Ivan Kupala, in it you can guess both the historical roots and the name of the saint who bathed Jesus in the Jordan waters. With the transition to the new calendar, Ivan Kupala Day lost its connection with the summer solstice, it began to be celebrated on July 7. Pagan traditions are still preserved in the holiday, but they have nothing to do with Christianity. Detailed history of the holiday.
The Christian Church, in order to eradicate pagan customs, timed its holiday to the Day of the Sun — the Nativity of John the Baptist, the prophet and martyr who baptized Jesus Christ. So a new name was born — the Day of Ivan Kupala, in it you can guess both the historical roots and the name of the saint who bathed Jesus in the Jordan waters. With the transition to the new calendar, Ivan Kupala Day lost its connection with the summer solstice, it began to be celebrated on July 7. Pagan traditions are still preserved in the holiday, but they have nothing to do with Christianity. Detailed history of the holiday.
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