The close interlacing of pagan and Orthodox customs was reflected in the popular and cheerful holiday of Krasnaya Gorka. He symbolizes victory over the winter and the coming of spring. In ancient times, it was believed that nature was already in the power of a bright flowering, and ahead of all waiting only for sunny summer days.
What does the Red Hill holiday mean in Orthodoxy?
Since ancient times, the celebration of this day was tied to the Bright Resurrection of Christ and was celebrated a week after Easter. Fomino Sunday or Antipascha is the church name of the holiday Krasnaya Gorka.
- Antipascha is not the opposition of Easter, but the continuation of a great celebration for Orthodox believers. The interpretation of the church name implies the concept "instead of Easter."
- Fomino Sunday is a holiday, received such a name, because of the apostle Thomas, who did not believe in Christ's miraculous resurrection. He was not even among the students who came to see a miracle that day. The highest path to faith, that's what the Red Hill is in Orthodoxy.
Holiday red hill - signs
Most folk festivals are full of various superstitions, and this day is no exception. Customs and signs on the Red Hill deeply rooted in the Slavic culture and it is already difficult to explain their occurrence:
- If you throw a coin in a well with water and make a wish at the same time, then it will come true.
- It was customary to wash the icons, and then wash with this water. We started with the smallest member of the family and ended up with the oldest. This was done for wealth and kept secret.
- From all the diseases, quarrels and disagreements it was necessary to read prayers on that day. In the morning, at lunch and in the evening.
- Necessarily for good luck on Red Hill went in red clothes.
- To attract good luck, the eldest member of the family treated all of its members with an Easter cake. After the crumbs were treated to birds.
- In order to improve health, it was necessary to put the painted egg in his pocket and go with him to the service in the church, and at home to eat it.
A part of it will be connected with young people who dream of bonding themselves soon, and this is not surprising. Spring is the time of love, and the holiday, celebrated by folk festivals, enabled young men and women to meet and choose a couple. Signs on the Red Hill to get married:
- The girl who wants to become a bride, in the morning it was necessary, as soon as possible to go out into the street and while not talking to anyone. The first man she met would have to be asked for help. Handing his hand, he passed the men's energy.
- Easter egg, which will give a happy woman in marriage, will share family happiness with the future bride. It was common for married girls to give eggs to their not married friends.
- The holy martyrs Simon and Aviv and the martyrs Guria, Paraskeva and Catherine helped the girls find their luck in love. To this end, they ordered a moleben "About Health".
Red Hill - what can and can not be done?
The city's modern life has made its own adjustments to the celebration of this day. In the countryside and in the villages it was common to have a rest together. In signs on the Red Hill believed and tried to observe all the customs. What can and can not do on the Red Hill knew everything - both old and young:
- It was possible to have fun till the fall, believed that this promised a successful marriage in the near future.
- Parents during the holiday could choose a couple for their children.
- For lovers, it was possible to play a wedding, it was considered a very good sign . Marriage promised to be happy and strong.
- What is done on the Red Hill, so it is necessarily arranged for various competitions and competitions.
- To surrender to sadness on this holiday was impossible.
- A bad omen was to quarrel with someone, it would not be possible to make peace before the Trinity.
- It was impossible to stay at home, it promised a whole year of loneliness.
- According to superstition, couples should not walk separately on this day, it promises a quick separation.
Can I work on the red hill?
By signs, Atipaskha forbade work related to agriculture - it was to a poor harvest. The historical documents do not reflect in any way whether it is possible to work on this day, but because Krasnaya Gorka is a holiday that falls on a Sunday, it is better to leave all matters for later and from the heart to rest, rejoice in the spring, warmth, communicate with your relatives and close people.
Do they go to the cemetery on the Red Hill?
According to the belief, on the day of the Resurrection of the Lord and the next seven days, the souls of the departed people visit their loved ones. After the celebration, they are usually sent back to the cemetery, that is, to go to the graves and commemorate. The church does not allow visiting the cemetery in the bright Easter week - it's a week for joy, not for sadness, but it's time to go to the cemetery on the red hill.
Are the children baptized on the Red Hill?
Priests often refuse to conduct a particular ceremony on a church holiday or during fasting. This may be due to the rules and the church in which the rite is wanted to be held with the decision of the priest. In fact, the church canons do not prohibit the conduct of rituals in those days, it turns out the question, whether they baptize to the Red Hill, disappears by itself. The church does not prohibit the holding of the sacrament of baptism , but since it is a day when all the dead are commemorated, the baptism rite is not appropriate.
Is it possible to be sheared on the red hill?
Some signs lead to a dead end, I do not want to visit myself and I have to bring trouble, but it's also necessary to resolve urgent matters. Superstitious people wonder what can be done on the Red Hill, and what matters better to postpone for later? For obvious reasons, you can not wash, clean, knit, but can I get a haircut? The church does not prohibit a haircut on this day, but there is no need for it. Before the Easter week on a clean Thursday, it was time not only to wash, but to cut hair, it would make them dense, healthy and beautiful.
Do the eggs color the red hill?
This holiday is rich in funny games and folk festivals. For them, the terrain was chosen with slides and hills. By tradition, everyone on the Red Hill joined the ranks and rolled eggs, painted in red, from them. At whom the egg rolled down and did not break, it will be healthy and happy the whole year. Eggs were also carried to the graves of the dead, given to relatives and friends. It was accepted to paint them on the eve or on the day of the holiday.