The holiday "Red Hill" is celebrated by the Eastern Slavs. Its history begins in Kievan Rus. Day Red Hill was timed to Sunday following Easter. In some places it is celebrated on St. George's Day (Sunday itself), in others - on Monday, in third - the day before. About why the festival "Red Hill" has such a name, which means and what signs are associated with it, read below.
Story
To understand the significance of this day, it’s worth going deeper into the Bible. Why is the festival "Red Hill" (Antipasta, Hackneyed Sunday) so important and so massively celebrated? It is celebrated, as we have already mentioned, following Easter. More precisely - on the eighth day. Throughout the week, the church recalls Thomas - the apostle who did not believe that the Savior was resurrected. Christ, according to the plot of the Gospel, appeared before him in order to prove that the miracle really happened. It is from here, by the way, that the well-known expression "unbelieving Thomas" went. The renewal of the resurrection of Christ began to be associated with the name of this apostle. Many believers believe that Thomas cannot be blamed for unbelief. He had no doubt that Christ really was a savior. The apostle only longed for a meeting with his resurrected Master, wanted to feel triumph, joy, and not from the words of the witnesses, but personally. This is understandable - to take a word (even if close) is not always possible, but if you see it in person, then there will be no doubt.
Former fisherman Thomas, one of the twelve apostles, went around with sermons to many countries. According to legend, it was he who founded the Christian churches in India, Palestine, Ethiopia, Parthia, Mesopotamia. And the holy apostle died for faith after severe torture. His relics are now stored on Mount Athos, in Hungary and India.
Antipasa
Agree, a strange name ... On the one hand, this holiday is great and bright - “Red Hill”, then what does such a contradiction mean? It turns out that there are elements of paganism in it. Our ancestors, even before the Fomin church designated Sunday, met spring at this time. Time has passed, traditions have remained. In festivities, many elements from pagan rites remained (they will be discussed later), therefore the church treats this holiday quite coolly and even somewhat disapprovingly.
There is no particle of negation in the word “antipaster”, as many people think. On the contrary, “anti-” means nothing but “instead.” Therefore, the popular name of the holiday is interpreted as "instead of Easter."
Christianity or paganism?
And to this day, this question cannot be answered unequivocally - historical subtexts are so intertwined here. We have already talked about the "Red Hill" as a church event. But why is this holiday also pagan at the same time? Firstly, it arose long before Christianity. Secondly, it is a holiday of the Sun (more precisely, its renewal). People gathered on a hill (hill) called out: “Glory to Yaril! Hello, red Sun! ” Spells were cast on the weather, on a bountiful harvest. Spring songs praised Yarilu (the god of the Sun), the arrival of heat, the birth of a new life (future fruits of nature). The people gathered still in the dark, and at dawn spells were cast.
Festivities
One can guess for a long time about the appearance of the name itself - there really are a lot of options. Most likely, the word "red" means "bright, beautiful," but here, under the "hill", it means elevation.
Spring begins with a warm sun and melting snow. And the first to “open” the hill, that is, the hillocks. What is the result? That's right - a "red" (beautiful, already beginning to turn green) slide. It is these hills, warmed up and dried out after the snow and the receding flood, are most suitable for mass festivities.
Youth Festival
Festivities began in the dark and lasted almost a day, until sunset. Everyone celebrated. But most of all, the youth was waiting for this day. In the vicinity walked for a long time and fun - there were songs, and round dances, and riding on a large swing. The guys on the "Red Hill" met with the girls. The participation of young people of marriageable age (both sexes) was considered mandatory. Those who refused to walk, came up with unpleasant and offensive nicknames. They were ridiculed and called "inconsolable." Moreover, the refusal to take part in the festivities was considered a very bad omen. People believed that the girl, being on marriageable age and not coming to the celebration, would not marry, and the guy, if he was getting married, would only marry the most useless ugly woman. Such "inconsolable" people prophesied misfortunes.
Wedding time
It is believed that the marriage that occurred on the holiday "Red Hill" is the most successful. According to popular beliefs, the young who are engaged on this day will never part. In addition, fasting ends at this time and you can afford a real feast for the stomach. Who will refuse a feast for the whole world? On the holiday "Red Hill" the wedding was necessarily held to the wedding songs performed by couples married this year. Such people were specially invited to the celebration. The songs sung by them should have attracted wealth, mutual understanding and good fortune to young couples. That is why, by the way, the "Red Hill" is popularly called "Whooper Sunday."
Those who sang wedding songs, always traditionally made a cup and traditional eggs.
We were preparing for the “Red Hill” seriously and thoroughly: guests were invited in advance, festive tables were set up - fried eggs, baked loaves in the shape of a circle (symbol of the Sun). And it was at this holiday that it was customary to introduce boys to girls. Young people wore the best, most elegant clothes. Numerous guests had the opportunity to appreciate the brides and grooms.
Since the life of farmers depended on the schedule of land work, weddings were played either in the autumn or in the early spring.
How was the "Red Hill"?
Now, unfortunately, many customs are simply forgotten. There were probably only feasts left. Previously, this holiday was real fun. Festivities usually began with the bride's wedding, when girls dressed in holiday dresses walked around the villages singing songs, giving potential grooms (and, of course, their parents) a better look at themselves. Only bypassing the whole village (and often the nearby villages), future daughters-in-law went to the place where the outing was planned. The guys were engaged in its equipment. They leveled the grounds for dances and round dances, set up benches, swings, and attractions.
The dance part of the holiday began (opened) with girlish round dances. There were many options, but the themes were always put in the basis of the revival of the earth, the sun, sowing. The girls were supposed to look impregnable and chaste. However, this did not last long. Gradually, elements of flirting appear in round dances and games. All this time only girls dance. The guys take a closer look and allow themselves to release compliments, thus showing that they are interested in someone. Rude jokes and asking for kisses come much later, but for now you can only allow a little liberty. For example, ride girls on a swing. Merry-go-rounds, runners, giant steps and the so-called tidings were set in advance for Easter. Large and vibrant constructions were erected in cities and large villages, and in smaller ones - simpler. For a swing, regular boards were often taken. They were fastened with thick ropes to poles or trees. Throws were made from the same boards, but more authentic. The latter were stacked on high blocks (they are still often used in circus tricks).
Only those girls who were invited by guys could ride on a swing. To prevent dresses from developing in the wind, the hem was tied at the knees with special belts. Only after that, the girls could get up on a swing (not without the help of the guys). At first, young people fulfilled all the requests of their potential darlings: rock harder, stop, ride quieter. However, later desires were fulfilled only for a kiss. This was especially true for stopping the swing. On treadmills with gigantic strides, ostentation was demonstrated only by guys. Such a "demonstration performance" required considerable strength, dexterity and the ability to concentrate. Of course, the risk of injury was high, but young people went to him in order to attract the views of girls. Perhaps among the young people the most significant was always the festival "Red Hill".
Signs
Some consider them superstitions, others are convinced that the basis of most beliefs is the centuries-old experience of our ancestors. For example, the families who played the wedding that day should have been the strongest and happiest. By the way, even at this time, young couples are trying to find out in advance what date Krasnaya Gorka - many want to not only sign in the registry office, but also get married that day.
Another belief is related to the fulfillment of the most cherished desire. It is believed that if one coin is thrown into the well on Krasnaya Gorka, the mystery will certainly come true.
They say that if a guy (girl) does not come to the celebration of "Red Hill", then fate will surely turn away from him (her).
On the eve of the Red Hill, it was customary to wash icons. This has always been done over the basin. Water was not poured, leaving before the holiday. People believed that having washed his face with water from the icon would certainly get rich and would live in abundance all year. They did not tell about the ritual, if it was held, so as not to frighten off luck.
Folk traditions return
Unfortunately, customs began to fade in the memory of modern people. Not everyone remembers the history of the holiday, its meaning and purpose. But, it seems, folk traditions are returning. The holiday "Red Hill" in Kolomna is a vivid example.
On April 26, in Kolomna, in the Saucer Square located on the territory of the Kolomna Kremlin, the regional folk festival “Krasnaya Gorka in Kolomna” was held, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Moscow Region, the city administration of Kolomna, Danilov Patriarchal Monastery and the Renaissance Center traditions. After the Divine Liturgy held in the Assumption Cathedral, and the procession on the Cathedral began performances of folklore ensembles, folk fun and games. Amusement includes an old game of throwing eggs. The main participants, of course, were children and youth. For fun, they broke 10196 eggs, which should be included in the Guinness Book of Records.