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Orthodox Christians celebrate Ivan Kupala Day

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Orthodox Christians celebrate Ivan Kupala Day


07.07.2020

Photo credit: vseodetyah.com

Orthodox Christians in Russia celebrate the Nativity of John the Baptist on Tuesday, July 7. Today, people celebrate Ivan Kupala Day, or Ivan Day, the traditions of which originated in pagan times, RIA Novosti reports.

The Russian Orthodox Church warns that it is not worth identifying these two holidays. The proximity of the pagan day of Ivan Kupala and the Christian Nativity of John the Baptist is a coincidence.

The Eastern Slavs celebrated Ivan Kupala Day on the third day after the summer solstice, which falls on June 20-21. In ancient times, people found it difficult to determine exactly what date this day fell on, but it settled in the area on June 24 according to the old style. According to the new Gregorian calendar, Ivanov Day falls on July 7.

Bonfires are lit on river banks in honor of Kupala. They are symbols of the "wedding of fire and water." Major celebrations are held at night. The holiday is dedicated to weddings. Traditionally, young men and women choose their better halves on this day/

After the adoption of Christianity in Russia, the preachers forbade dual faith. However, Christian and pagan concepts stayed mixed in people's minds for many centuries. And judging by what place the holiday of Ivan Kupala takes in modern culture, this process has not yet ended.

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