Paganism had its own traditions of glorifying the gods. But what does Il'in mean, and how did it happen that the day of veneration of St. Elijah coincided with the period of worship of the ancient Slavic god Perun?
From the history of the holiday
The first mention of Ilya dates back to the 9th century BC. He was an ardent supporter of monotheism and sharply denounced, and even personally executed pagan idolaters. During his life on earth he performed many different miracles and, according to the constitution, was taken to the sky alive when a fiery chariot drawn by fiery horses descended behind him. It was such a wonderful ascension, accompanied by fire and roar, gave occasion to call Saint Ilya a thunderer. And this happened in the period of glorification of the Slavic pagan Perun , the master of fire and thunder. Therefore, on August 2, Christians celebrate Ilyin's Day, when the Slavs-Gentiles celebrate Perun's Day.
What are the features of the holiday?
It was an unusual holiday, connected with agricultural work:
- All day it was required to praise the prophet: in the morning families went to church for solemn service, accompanied by the procession of the cross in the fields with ripened bread, and prayers for the preservation of peasant labor;
- The church determined what can be done in Ilin day, and what was strictly forbidden. In addition to visiting the church and traversing the fields, the dressed young people were instructed to dance dances and sing songs, but laugh was forbidden loudly;
- August 2 was not recommended to swim in open water - for this could not be followed by heavenly punishment. From that day the evil spirit living in the water returned to its lair and could drag the unlucky bather into the water;
- this day was categorically contraindicated to the exit in the field: the hay should already be harvested, and the harvesting was started only after the day's il'in;
- the question of whether it is possible to work on Ilyin's Day , did not stand, since Ilya could bring down his anger at the "offenders" and burn the bread;
- it was favorable only for beekeepers - they were allowed to collect wax, to make the first sections of new honey and to clean the hives.