August 2 - Elijah the Prophet

[Santa]

Elijah's Day

Memorial Day Prophet Elias
Elijah's Day (bolg., Makkedah. Ilinden, a Serb. Ilindan) - a traditional folk festival in the eastern and southern Slavs, the church dedicated to the memory of the day the prophet Elijah, one of the most venerated saints in Russia. Celebrated on August 2 (July 20 old calendar).

Apparently, the holiday has pagan roots. With the adoption of Christianity the pagan image of Perun the Thunderer, was replaced in the popular mind, the prophet Ilya, who took upon himself all the functions of the Thunderer. Apparently, the pagan festival dedicated to Perun, while Christianity has been "closed" Christian holiday Elijah the prophet, but in the popular mind was changed only the name of the protagonist.

Celebrate this holiday dates back to his eve - Thursday, before the day Ilyin, where in some areas, they baked cookies ritual. In addition, on the eve of the day have made a variety of Il precautions to protect your home, farm and crops from rain, hail or lightning. In Elijah's day was strictly prohibited any work - it will not bring any result, and can infuriate the prophet Elijah, who severely punished for disrespectful attitude to the holiday.

C Ilyina day, according to popular belief, bad weather began, and were forbidden to swim. forbidden to swim because of the fact that the water from this day be returned evil spirits (demons, mermaids, hair - from midsummer until So far, they were on land, where they were shot by lightning Prophet Elijah). Therefore, swimming is fraught with the appearance of abscesses and boils on the body, and in some cases even drowning evil.

Almost universally obligatory rite Ilyina day was a collective meal ("bratchina") to slaughter a ram or bull, bought a purse. In addition to Ilyin bratchinu brewed beer or wort. Similar festivities ended bratchiny youth, games, dances and songs. The organizers of the Kol bratchiny, unlike other festivals, were men.

People say - Elijah the Prophet, the two dragged ..
2 August summer day is reduced to 2 hours >
Summer is coming to an end, unfortunately.