Russian holidays 2021. Professional, state and traditional holidays by month of 2021

Orthodoxy is the state religion in the Russian Federation, and therefore every year, by tradition, the whole country celebrates Easter, Trinity, Christmas, and so on. We also do not forget to show respect to representatives of various professions. This is how Computer Scientist Day, Russian Tax and Customs Service Employee Day, Doctor Day, Sailor Day and even Father Frost and Snow Maiden Day appeared. We also love such International holidays as March 8, New Year, Valentine's Day, World Earth Day and many others.

January 2021

• January 01, 2018 00:00 – New Year
• January 01, 2021 12:00 – International Hangover Day
• January 07, 2021 – Christmas (4th twelfth holiday: Nativity of Christ)
• January 11, 2021 – Day of Nature Reserves
• January 12, 2021 – Day of the Employee of the Prosecutor's Office of the Russian Federation
• January 13, 2021 – Russian Press Day
• January 14, 2021 00:00 – Old New Year
• January 14, 2021 – Pipeline Troops Day
• January 15, 2021 – Navy General Staff Day (Navy Command Day)
• January 19, 2018 – Epiphany (5th twelfth holiday: Epiphany of the Lord)
• January 21, 2021 – Engineering Troops Day
• January 25, 2021 – Students’ Day. Tatyana's Day
• January 25, 2021 – Navy Navigator Day
• January 27, 2021 - Day of lifting the siege of Leningrad (1944) - 74 years

Winter Slavic holidays and rituals

Pagan and Slavic holidays in December

December 3rd Day of Remembrance of the Hero Svyatogor

On this day, the Slavs remember and honor the giant hero Svyatogor, who brought great benefit to Rus' in the fight against the Pechenegs. His exploits are described on a par with the heroism of Ilya Muromets in Slavic epics; he lived on the high Holy Mountains, and according to legend, his body was buried in Gulbishche, a large boyar mound. On such a holiday, it is good to tell your Descendants about the giant Svyatogor and prolong the Memory of his heritage, and tell about the Native Gods of the Slavs.

December 19-25 Karachun

Karachun is the second name of Chernobog, who descends to earth on the days of the winter solstice, Kolovorot (lasts 3 days between December 19 and 25). Karachun is an evil underground spirit and has servants in the form of bears - blizzards and wolves - blizzards. This is frost and cold, shortening days and impenetrable night. However, at the same time, Karachun is considered a just God of death, who does not violate earthly Orders just like that. To protect yourself from the wrath of Chernobog, it is enough to follow the Rules and wear Slavic amulets.

At the end of Karachun comes the holiday - Kolyada, Sunny Christmas

Kolyada is the young Sun, the embodiment of the beginning of the New Year's cycle. From this day began the Great Winter Holidays and the turn of the Sun to spring. At this time, children and adults dressed up as fairy-tale characters and animals and, under the name Kolyada, entered the huts of wealthy families. Accompanied by lively songs and dances, they demanded treats from the set table and wished the owners happiness and longevity. To offend carolers meant to incur the wrath of Kolyada himself, so on the eve of Sunny Christmas the preparation of sweets and cooking of kutya began.

December 31st Generous evening, Shchedrets

On this day of the Great Winter Christmastide, people gathered and went out through the streets to play performances. Collect treats, praise generous owners and jokingly scold misers. Generous, good evening! - they shouted in greeting to every passerby. This is where the name of this winter Slavic holiday comes from the times of pagan faith.

Pagan and Slavic holidays in January

January 6 Turitsa

Tur is the son of Veles and Mokosha, the patron saint of shepherds, guslars and buffoons, young men - future warriors and breadwinners of families. On this Slavic holiday, a rite of passage into men was performed, and the chief shepherd of the village was also chosen. This holiday closes the Veles Winter Holidays and therefore everyone is in a hurry to tell their fortunes for the last time, what awaits them in the future, and set a rich table.

January 8 Babi porridge

On this Slavic holiday, midwives and all senior women of the Family are honored. They are presented with generous gifts and praise, and in return they sprinkle their children and once-adopted babies with grain with blessings and wishes for a generous Share and an Easy Fate. The Family symbol in Slavic amulets also helps to maintain connections between generations and instill in Descendants respect for their Ancestors.

January 12 Kidnapping Day

On this not a Slavic holiday, but a memorable day, Veles kidnapped Perun’s wife, Dodola, or otherwise Diva, in revenge for refusing a marriage proposal, and later Marena, the wife of Dazhdbog, who became Kashchei’s wife and bore him many demoness daughters. Therefore, on January twelfth, they are careful not to let girls go out alone and work to strengthen personal protection: they make jewelry-amulets, embroider protective ornaments on women’s shirts.

January 18 Intra

This is an ancient pagan holiday of the Slavs, on the day of which they honor the participant of the Military Triglav Intra. He, Volkh and Perun compiled a Code of qualities necessary for a warrior. Intra symbolized Light and Darkness as a struggle of opposites and the need to choose the right, sometimes tough, decision. Also, Intra, the Indrik-beast, is also the patron of wells, clouds, snakes, the Navi God, so on such a night the Sorcerers charmed all the chimneys for protection, so that dark spirits in the form of snakes could not penetrate the house.

January 19 Vodosvet

It can be noted that the customs of this holiday are very reminiscent of the Christian holiday of Epiphany. However, Christians replaced the name of the pagan holiday “Water Light” with “Epiphany”, but the essence and traditions remained the same, although this is not a Christian holiday and even Catholics do not celebrate January 19.

On this day, the Slavs celebrated the pagan holiday Vodosvet. It was believed that on this day, the water became light and turned into healing. According to tradition, on this day we swam in the ice hole. If it was not possible to plunge, then they doused themselves with water in a warm place. After everyone had bathed, the guests gathered and wished each other health until the next Water Light.

It was believed that such bathing energizes a person with health for the whole year. The Slavs believed that on this day the Sun, the Earth, as well as the center of the Galaxy are positioned in such a way that the water is structured and a channel of communication opens between people and the center of the Galaxy, a kind of connection with space. That is why water and what consists of water were considered a good conductor. Water is able to “remember” both negative and positive information. And naturally it can either restore a person, or, on the contrary, destroy him.

Our ancestors believed in the healing properties of water and understood that human health depends on the quality of water.

January 21 Prosinets

This Slavic holiday is dedicated to the glorification of Heavenly Svarga and the revival of the Sun, the mitigation of cold weather. In ancient times, the pagan Sorcerers remembered and thanked Kryshen, who gave people fire to melt the Great Ice and shed life-giving Surya from Heavenly Svarga - water, which on January 21 makes all springs healing and rejuvenating.

January 28 Brownie Treat Day - Velesichi, Kudesy

On this day they glorify the children of Veles - his heavenly warriors and thank God for such protection of the Family. They also don’t forget about the Brownie, treat him to the most delicious food in the house and ask him not to be offended by anything, sing him songs and fairy tales, try to appease him and entertain him. On this day there is a lot of everything: from spirits to people, so you shouldn’t be surprised at the miracles that happen and Father Veles’s jokes on us. If you want, you can bring prayers under the spruce tree or a made idol of the Native God right in the forest.

Pagan and Slavic holidays in February

February 2 Gromnitsa

On this winter Slavic holiday, you can hear amazing single peals of thunder - this is how Perun congratulates his wife Dodolya-Malanitsa, Molniya, inviting us to praise the goddess and ask her for mercy - not to burn barns and courtyards in anger, but to work for the glory of the future harvest, causing rains. Also at such times they looked at the weather and determined whether the year would be dry or not.

February 15 Meeting

This is an ancient Slavic holiday of the meeting of Spring and Winter, the last winter cold and the first spring thaw. As a sign of respect for the Sun, required pancakes were baked, and at noon they burned Erzovka, a doll made of straw, releasing the spirit of Fire and the Sun to freedom. It is curious that all the numerous signs associated with this day are quite accurate. Therefore, we recommend observing the weather for Candlemas and making plans based on what Nature predicted.

February 16 Pochinki

Pochinki is an important date that comes immediately after the pagan holiday of the ancient Slavs, Candlemas. From that day on, they began to repair carts, fences, barns, barns and agricultural equipment. Prepare your cart in winter - it was from Pochinok that such a wise proverb came to us. You should also not forget about Domovoy, bring him treats and talk in peace and harmony to establish contact and receive support in working for the benefit of the farm.

February 18 Troyan Winter, Day of the Stribozh’s Grandsons”, commemoration of those who fell at Troyanov Val

This wonderful Slavic holiday is the day of remembrance of fallen soldiers worthy of Svarozh’s grandchildren. In their honor, ritual reconstruction battles were held and generous memorials were given, and Descendants were told and clearly shown how much the warriors who took part in the battle at Troyanov Val did for the entire Russian Family.

February 28 Great Veles Day

Our ancestors celebrated the Great Veles Day on February 28, and on February 29 in a leap year.

Today you can find information that Veles Day is celebrated on February 11, without in any way explaining this fact and where it came from to celebrate the 11th. However, we are leaning strictly towards February 28 or 29. On this holiday, they glorified the Great God Veles, brought services, performed rituals and games, as a symbol of the imminent end of the cold, his retreat along with Mara.

February 2021

• February 01, 2021 – Elevator Worker Day (Elevator Operator Day)
• February 02, 2021 – Day of the defeat of Nazi troops at Stalingrad (1943)
• February 08, 2021 – Russian Science Day
• February 08, 2021 – Military Topographer Day
• February 09, 2021 – Russian Civil Aviation Day. Civil Aviation Worker's Day
• February 10, 2021 – Diplomat's Day
• February 12, 2021 – Beginning of Maslenitsa week
• February 14, 2021 – Valentine's Day
• February 14, 2021 – Unofficial Holiday “Geek Day”
• February 15, 2021 – Candlemas (6th twelfth holiday)
• February 15, 2021 – Day of Remembrance of Soldiers of the Afghan War (Day of the Internationalist Warrior)
• February 17, 2021 – Fuel Service Day of the Russian Armed Forces
• February 18, 2021 – Farewell to the Russian winter Sun Festival – Maslenitsa “Forgiveness Sunday”
• February 18, 2021 – Day of the Transport Police Worker of the Russian Federation
• February 23, 2021 – Defender of the Fatherland Day
• February 27, 2021 – Day of the Special Operations Forces of the Russian Federation

March 2021

• March 01, 2021 – Forensic Expert Day
• March 01, 2021 – International Civil Defense Day
• March 05, 2021 – Military Post Service Day
• March 08, 2021 – International Women's Day
• March 10, 2021 – Archives Day
• March 11, 2021 – Drug Control Officer Day
• March 11, 2021 – Day of Geodesy and Cartography Workers**
• March 12, 2021 – Justice Personnel Day
• March 16, 2021 – OBKhSS Service Day (OBEP)
• March 18, 2021 – Tax Police Day
• March 18, 2021 – Day of Consumer Services and Housing and Communal Services Workers, Trade Day***
• March 19, 2021 – Submariner Day
• March 23, 2021 – Meteorologist Day
• March 25, 2021 – Day of Russian Cultural Workers
• March 27, 2021 – Day of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation (Day of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia)
• March 29, 2021 – Day of the Legal Service Specialist of the Russian Armed Forces

Holiday weekends and holiday transfers in 2021

Multi-day weekend:

• New Year holidays and vacations in 2021 for workers and employees will last 8 days - from January 1 to January 8, 2018.
• Also, residents of the Russian Federation will have a multi-day weekend in February 2021 (from February 23 to 25).
• The celebration of International Women's Day on March 8 in 2021 will last 4 days. From 8 to 11 March.
• The May multi-day weekend in 2021 will be held from April 29 to May 2 in connection with the celebration of the Spring and Labor Festival, as well as on May 9 in connection with the celebration of Victory Day.
• The celebration of Russia Day will last 3 days from June 10 to 12, 2018.
• In November 2021, the National Unity Day weekend will run from November 3 to 5, 2021.

Postponement of holidays:

According to the Labor Code and the decree of the Government of the Russian Federation “On the postponement of weekends in 2021”, the following weekends will be postponed:

• from Saturday 6 January 2021 to Friday 9 March 2021;
• from Sunday 7 January 2021 to Wednesday 2 May 2021;
• from Saturday 28 April 2021 to 30 April 2021;
• from Saturday 9 June 2021 to 11 June 2021;
• from Saturday 29 December 2021 to 31 December 2021;

April 2021

• April 01, 2021 – Palm Sunday (7th twelfth, moveable holiday)
• April 01, 2021 – April Fools' Day
• April 01, 2021 – Geologist Day*
• April 02, 2021 – Day of Unity of the Peoples of Belarus and Russia
• April 06, 2021 – Investigator’s Day (Day of Workers of Investigative Authorities of the Russian Federation)
• April 07, 2021 – Annunciation : 8th twelfth holiday.
• April 07, 2021 – Runet Day
• April 08, 2021 – Easter : Bright Sunday of Christ
• April 08, 2021 – Day of the Air Defense Forces (Air Defense Day)**
• April 08, 2021 – Day of Military Commissariat Employees
• April 12, 2021 – Aviation and Cosmonautics Day
• April 15, 2021 – Holidays: Krasnaya Gorka . Fomina Week. Weddings
• April 15, 2021 – Electronic Warfare Specialist Day
• April 18, 2021 – Victory Day of Alexander Nevsky’s squad over the crusaders in the Battle of the Ice on Lake Peipus
• April 19, 2021 – Russian Printing Day
• April 19, 2021 – Day of Workers of the Employment Service of the Russian Federation
• April 20, 2021 – Russian Donor Day
• April 21, 2021 – Self-Government Day (Local Government Day)
• April 21, 2021 – Chief Accountant Day (some on the forum believe that this is not an accounting holiday, but a general holiday - The main thing is to plump)
• April 25, 2021 – Day of Professional Administrative Workers (International Secretary’s Day) -Week->Wed
• April 26, 2021 – Day of Remembrance for those killed in radiation accidents and disasters
• April 27, 2021 – Notary Day
• April 29, 2021 – World Dance Day (International Dance Day)
• April 30, 2021 – Firefighter Day

Spring Slavic holidays and rituals

Pagan and Slavic holidays in March

March 1st Madder Day, Vyunitsa Day, Navii Day

On this day they glorify the goddess of Winter and Death Marena, who owns the Navy world and helps people reach Kalinov Bridge after life. Along it you can pass through the line of Yavi and Navi, the Smorodina River. On the night before this holiday, all the not-deceased, forgotten and unburied souls of the dead awakened in Yavi. They could walk around the yards, trying to get attention and even possess the living. That is why at that time people put on masks - animal masks, so that the evil spirits would not notice them and could not harm them. On the last Navi day, it is customary to honor one’s departed Ancestors and prepare a funeral table, bring demands and give Glory for the life lived and the Descendants of the Family given by them. You can treat your deceased Relatives both at the graves and by floating the shells of colored eggs on the water - if they left for another world a long time ago and the person is sorry, there is no longer a grave left or it is very far away.

March 14 Small oatmeal

According to ancient Slavic custom, Little Ovsen marked the New Year - the beginning of the awakening of Nature and its readiness for agricultural work and fertility. Accordingly, March was previously the first month of the year, and not the third. Ovsen, who was born a little later and is considered the younger twin brother of Kolyada. It is he who conveys his brother’s knowledge to people and helps to translate it into practical experience. On this day, it is customary to rejoice in the new year and make plans for the future, start new things, and glorify the awakening of Nature.

March 19-25 Komoeditsa or Maslenitsa, Velikden

The pagan holiday Maslenitsa is not just a Slavic meeting of spring and a cheerful farewell to winter. This is the day of the spring equinox, a turning point in the calendar and way of life. In the Christian holiday of Maslenitsa, the pagan Komoeditsa was preserved with almost all its traditions: burning the effigy of winter - Madder, treating pancakes - Komi and eating them all week. The first sunny pancakes were usually given to the Bear, the personification of Veles. They were laid out on forest stumps, and then they went to burn ritual bonfires, in which they burned unnecessary old things and cleansed themselves and their family of unnecessary burdens. They started celebrating Komoeditsy a week before the Equinox and continued to have fun for another week after it.

March 22 Magpies or Larks

This Slavic holiday is a continuation of the glorification of the spring equinox, and is so called because, according to custom, forty new species of birds begin to arrive from the winter, including the first larks. And even they were late this time, each family baked their own butter larks, which were supposed to attract the real ones. Usually this was entrusted to the children, who happily ran to call for spring, and then feasted on delicious pastries. Wooden amulets for the home were also made in the shape of a lark. They attracted happiness, health and good luck.

March 25 opening of Svarga or Invocation of Spring

At the last, third invocation of spring, with rye aromatic larks, games and round dances, the Opening of Heavenly Svarga takes place and Zhiva descends to earth. Finally, nature will wake up, come to life and begin its growth in the rivers and seedlings, young shoots and new tree branches. On this Slavic holiday one can feel the Living Breath of the Gods, who favor the living Descendants.

March 30 Ladodenie

On this March day they glorified Lada: the goddess of love and beauty, one of the two heavenly Mothers of Birth, the Mother of God. This Slavic holiday was accompanied by round dances and round dances, as well as the baking of cranes from unleavened dough for home-made family amulets. The bright day of goodness and warmth made it possible to charge jewelry for girls or married women - earrings, pendants and bracelets with ladins, symbolizing the harmony of female beauty, health and wisdom.

Pagan and Slavic holidays in April

April 1st is Brownie Day or his awakening

This cheerful Slavic holiday was dedicated to the Domovoi - the very spirit that protected your home, yard and bins. On April 1, he woke up from hibernation, during which he did only important things - guarded your property, and began active work to bring comfort and bring prosperity to the family. In order for him to wake up faster and become more cheerful, they treated him with milk and other goodies, began to joke and play with him and with each other - act out and tell jokes, put on clothes inside out, and socks or shoes separately.

April 3 Vodopol Water Day

It was on this day that Vodyanoy woke up and ice drift and river flooding began. This Slavic holiday was dedicated to him: the fishermen brought generous gifts to Vodyanoy in the hope that he would restore order in the water kingdom and thank those treating them with a generous catch, not tear their nets, bring large fish into them, and also order the mermaids not to touch them and their loved ones. Some artels could donate a whole horse, but most often the requirements were limited to milk, butter or bread and eggs. By throwing them into cold spring water, the Slavs hoped that the Water Spirit would wake up in a good and well-fed mood.

April 14 is Semargl day

On this Slavic holiday, Semargl-Ognebog melts the last of the snow, turning into a flaming winged wolf and flying across the fields. It is this God of the Sun and Fire who protects crops and gives good harvests, and it is he who can burn to the ground all living things. They say that Semargla was forged from a spark by Svarog himself at his sacred forge. Every night he stands guard over Order with a fiery sword and only on the day of the autumn equinox he comes to Kupalo so that they can have children – Kupalo and Kostroma. Requests are brought to the Fire God by throwing them into the fire; amulets with Semargl are also activated in its flame with a request to God for protection.

April 21 Navii Day or Remembrance of Ancestors

On this spring holiday, the souls of deceased Ancestors come down to us to visit and hear about our lives, joys and sorrows. Therefore, relatives are commemorated at their graves and a funeral feast is brought: treats in memory of them. Elders in the Family are remembered by dipping shells from colored eggs into water, so that on Mermaid Day they will be given to them as dear news from loved ones. Just like the first of April, on the day of Madder, on this Slavic holiday, the deceased souls who are not deceased, not at rest, restless, offended, go out to the Reality side. That is why many again put on masks to protect themselves from them.

April 22 Lelnik Krasnaya Gorka

On this amazing holiday and for a long time after it, they glorified Lelya, the goddess of spring, youth and helper in obtaining the future harvest. They sat the youngest and most beautiful girl on a high hill, Krasnaya Gorka, brought her all sorts of gifts: milk, bread, sweets and eggs, danced around her and rejoiced at the life awakened after winter. Painted and painted eggs were distributed to relatives and friends, and were also carried to the already deceased Ancestors as a memorial. Such colored, painted eggs are generally part of Slavic culture; some of them should have been saved for the subsequent spring holidays of the awakening of Nature and the glorification of Yarila, Zhiva, Dazhdbog.

April 23 Yarilo spring

On this Slavic holiday, people go out into the street to meet and thank the patron of shepherds and protector of livestock from predators, Yarila the Spring Sun. From this period, the first spring weddings begin and symbolic fertilization is carried out - the opening of the Yarila Earth and the release of the first dew, which was considered strong and was used during ritual rolling of men on the ground to increase their health and heroic will. Yarilin's dew was carefully collected and used for future use as living water to treat many ailments.

April 30 Rodonitsa

On this last day of April and Krasnaya Gorka, the spring cold ends and people go to commemorate their ancestors, bringing them the standard requirements: kutya, pancakes, oatmeal jelly and written eggs. Also on this day there are competitions: rolling eggs down a mountain. The winner is the participant whose egg rolls the furthest without breaking. This rolling out of the earth with eggs symbolizes its future fertility. By midnight, all the celebrants prepare the beginning and gather a huge large bonfire on the same mountain to celebrate Zhivin’s day.

Pagan and Slavic holidays in May

May 1st Zhivin's day

Immediately at midnight on the first of May, the Slavic spring holiday begins in honor of Zhiva: the goddess of spring, fertility, and the birth of life. The daughter of Lada and the wife of Dazhdbog, Zhivena gives life to all living things and fills the entire Family with this creative power. When a fire is lit in her honor, women and girls, who are patronized by the goddess, take brooms in their hands and perform a ritual dance to clean up evil spirits, jump over the Life-Giving Fire, cleansing themselves of winter sleep and darkness. Alive is the movement of nature, the first shoots, the first streams, the first flowers and the first love.

May 6th Dazhdbog Day - Big Oats

On this day they glorify Dazhdbog, the Ancestor of the Slavs, the God of Fertility and the spouse of Zhiva. It was on this day that he renounced Marena and made a choice in favor of his daughter Lada, thereby becoming, together with the Living One, in defense of Nature and its Fruits. On the sixth of May, people go out into the field and make the first ritual sowings, take livestock to fresh fields, and also begin building new houses, and of course, they bring generous demands to grandfather Dazhdbog and rejoice in the hot sun as a symbol of real spring and a future bountiful harvest.

May 10 Veshnee Makoshye

This is a day of honoring Mother Raw Earth and her patrons - Mokosh and Veles. On this day, it was forbidden to injure the earth: dig, harrow, or simply stick sharp objects into it - after all, it wakes up after winter sleep and is filled with life-giving juices. All the sorcerers and Slavic brothers who simply revere Nature went out on this day with generous gifts to the fields and poured full glasses for Mother Earth, praising her and asking for a good harvest, lay down on her and listened to her affectionate parental whisper with advice and instructions.

May 22 Yarilo wet Troyan, Trigods day

On this day there is a farewell to Yarila - the spring Sun and the three summer Gods of Svarog Triglav, strong in Rule, Navi and Reveal, are glorified: Svarog, Perun and Veles. It is believed that Troyan has collected the strength of each of them and daily stands guard over Nature from the attack of Chernobog. Troyan initiated boys into warriors, commemorated ancestors and made amulets against the souls of the restless dead, including plowing entire villages with a protective, protective circle from evil forces, and women and girls were cleared of trouble before wedding ceremonies and childbirth.

May 31 Cuckoo Festival or Kumlenie

This very interesting Slavic holiday implies that we are all brothers and sisters of the same Family. Therefore, on the last day of spring, those who want to make love - to become related, without having a direct blood relationship, are given such an opportunity. You can also ask Zhiva for what you want - just tell your hopes and dreams to the cuckoo, she will bring them to the Goddess and tell her about you. Also on this ancient pagan holiday, the Slavs exchanged gifts and amulets with people dear and close to them in spirit.

May 2021

• May 01, 2021 – Labor Day
• May 05, 2021 – Ransomware Day
• May 05, 2021 – Diver Day
• May 05, 2021 – International Day of the Midwife
• May 05, 2021 – Soviet Press Day
• May 07, 2021 – Radio Day
• May 07, 2021 – Signalman and RTS specialist of the Russian Navy
• May 09, 2021 – Victory Day
• May 12, 2021 – Nurse’s Day (International Day of the Sisters of Mercy)
• May 13, 2021 – Day of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, Russian Navy
• May 17, 2021 – Ascension (9th twelfth holiday, moveable)
• May 18, 2021 – Day of the Russian Baltic Fleet, Russian Navy
• May 18, 2021 – International Museum Day
• May 21, 2021 – Day of the Russian Pacific Fleet, Russian Navy
• May 21, 2021 – Military Translator Day
• May 21, 2021 – BTI Day (Inventory Day)
• May 21, 2021 – Polar Explorer Day
• May 24, 2021 – Day of Saints Methodius and Cyril. Day of Slavic Literature and Culture
• May 24, 2021 – Day of Personnel Worker of the Russian Federation
• May 25, 2021 – Welder Day-Fri
• May 25, 2021 – Philologist’s Day
• May 26, 2021 – Entrepreneur Day (Russian Entrepreneurship Day)
• May 27, 2021 – Trinity (10th twelfth holiday, moveable)
• May 27, 2021 – All-Russian Library Day
• May 27, 2021 – Chemist Day -Sun
• May 28, 2021 – Border Guard Day
• May 29, 2021 – Military Motorist Day

June 2021

• June 01, 2021 – Children's Day (International Children's Day)
• June 01, 2021 – Day of the Russian Northern Fleet, Russian Navy
• June 01, 2021 – Russian Military Transport Aviation Day
• June 03, 2021 – Land Reclamation Day*
• June 05, 2021 – Ecologist Day + (World Environment Day)
• June 06, 2021 – Pushkin Day of Russia
• June 08, 2021 – Social Worker Day
• June 10, 2021 – Light Industry Workers Day**
• June 12, 2021 – Russia Day
• June 14, 2021 – Opening day of the FIFA World Cup - Russia 2018
• June 14, 2021 – Day of Migration Service Workers
• June 15, 2021 – Eid al-Fitr, in several regions of Russia this day is an official day off
• June 17, 2021 – Medical Worker Day***
• June 20, 2021 – Day of the Specialist of the Mine and Torpedo Service of the Russian Navy
• June 21, 2021 – Dog Handler Day
• June 22, 2021 – Day of Remembrance and Sorrow
• June 25, 2021 – Day of Friendship, Unity of the Slavs
• June 25, 2021 – Statistics Day (Statistician Day)
• June 27, 2021 – Russian Youth Day
• June 29, 2021 – Day of Partisans and Underground Workers
• June 30, 2021 – Day of the Inventor and Innovator - Sat

Summer Slavic holidays and rituals

Pagan and Slavic holidays in June

June 1st is Spiritual Day or the beginning of Rusalya Week

Spiritual Day begins on the first day of summer and continues throughout the week called Rusalya. From this day on, Marena lets her deceased ancestors out to visit Yav, and their Descendants invite them to their homes, placing birch branches in the corners, symbolizing Ancestral ties. However, people who are not dead, who committed suicide and who drowned are also activated along with them. Most often these are women and Mermaids. At this time, water most actively receives and conducts the energy of Prav, Silavi and Yavi. With its help you can recover, damage or learn something. As a requirement, clothes and towels were brought to the river banks for mermaid children, and so that spirits could not penetrate the body, they wore amulets with Overpowering grass.

June 19-25 Kupalo

This is the main summer pagan holiday among the Slavs - Solstice Day, Kolovorot. Many rituals are performed on this day - after all, the power of such a period is very great. The herbs collected at Kupala are of great value. The ardent fire of a fire cleanses people, and the water washes away all sorrows and illnesses from them. The feast, games and round dances with rituals continue from dawn to dusk. This is a Slavic cheerful and cheerful holiday, the symbol of which remains for the whole year in amulets with the Odolen-grass, the Fern Flower and the Colo of the Year.

June 23 Agrafena Swimsuit

This pagan ancient Slavic holiday opened the swimming season. In each house, healing bath brooms began to be prepared and a ritual heating of the baths was carried out for cleaning relatives - steaming, and subsequent charging - restoring health by plunging into open bodies of water. On the day of Agrafena Bathing, as on other Christmastides, girls of all ages went with praises and requests to present gifts: Slavic outerwear, shirts with embroidery, silver jewelry with protective symbols.

Pagan and Slavic holidays in July

July 12 Sheaf of Veles Day

On Veles Day, the heat begins to arrive and hay is cut for the cattle, and the first sheaves are formed, absorbing the fertile spirit of the fields. Therefore, demands and praises are brought to Veles, as the patron of agriculture and cattle breeding. Also on this day, Alatyr was also called, and Veles was asked to move it for a while and allow the souls of their ancestors to pass to Nav and find their peace there. On this Slavic summer holiday, Veles' chirs were applied to his idols, as well as personal and home amulets. Also on this day, prayers are offered in the Holy Fire.

Pagan and Slavic holidays in August

August 2 Perun's day

This ancient pagan Slavic holiday was dedicated to honoring and glorifying the God of thunder and lightning, Perun. On such a date, all men consecrated their weapons so that they would serve the owner faithfully, be sharp, and also cause rain after a long drought to save fields and harvests. Sacrifices and simply generous demands were made to Perun at the altar with an idol and a symbol: pastries, bread, kvass. Worn with the blessing of God, the ax of Perun or another Slavic talisman protected the owner in a foreign land and in difficult situations.

August 15 Spozhinki

Spozhinki, pozhinki or crimping is a pagan holiday of the ancient Slavs with the glorification of Veles and the cutting of the last harvest sheaves of grain. In each field, the last bunch of wheat was left and tied in the shape of Veles’s beard, as a sign of respect and understanding of all the great gift of agriculture given to him. Also at this time, they began to consecrate the collected honey, apples and grain on the Great Fire, and bring them as required along with bread and porridge to the Native Gods.

August 21st Stribog Day

This is a Slavic holiday in honor of Stribog, the lord of the wind and God who controls tornadoes and natural disasters. On this day they bring demands to assure their respect: scraps, grain or bread and ask for indulgence - a good harvest next year and whole roofs over their heads. Stribog is the brother of Perun and holds the seventy-seven winds in his fist, living on the island of Buyan. That is why the ancestors believe that he can convey a request or desire to the Native Gods and punish the offenders, no matter where they are.

July 2021

• July 01, 2021 – Marine and River Fleet Day*
• July 03, 2021 – Traffic Police Day (State Traffic Police Day of the Ministry of Internal Affairs)
• July 07, 2021 – Nativity of John the Baptist
• July 07, 2021 – Ivan Kupala (Kupala Night)
• July 08, 2021 – Day of Family, Love and Fidelity (All-Russian holiday)
• July 08, 2021 – Day of Peter and Fevronia of Murom
• July 08, 2021 – Russian Post Day**, Fisherman’s Day**
• July 10, 2021 – Day of the victory of the Russian army of Peter I over the Swedes in the Battle of Poltava (1709)
• July 15, 2021 – FIFA World Cup Final Russia 2018
• July 15, 2021 – Metallurgist Day***
• July 17, 2021 – Russian Navy Aviation Day (Birthday of Russian Naval Aviation)
• July 21, 2021 – Trade Workers Day****(Sat)
• July 24, 2021 – Cadastral Engineer Day
• July 25, 2021 – Day of the Investigative Officer of the Russian Federation (Investigator’s Day)
• July 26, 2021 – Parachutist Day
• July 27, 2021 – System Administrator Day (SysAdmin Day) - Fri
• July 28, 2021 – Day of the Baptism of Rus'
• July 28, 2021 – PR Specialist Day
• July 29, 2021 – Navy Day. Navy Day-Sun

Tolsur/December

Sӥzyl yuon/Autumn holiday. Completed the annual cycle of calendar rituals. Held at the end of November or December. They baked bread in the morning. Dressed in all white, the adult family members went out to the family bathroom. Pieces of bread were thrown into the fire, and a little beer and wine were also poured into the fire so that the bread would grow. While the adults prayed in the kuala, the children sat at the table and waited for the consecrated bread. They cut it up and gave each one a piece. The adults tried the sacred bread first. Prayer usually took place after lunch, so that “the sun could see” ( shundy med adoz ). In the evening we went to visit each other. We walked through the village from bottom to top.

First published in the magazine “Onboard”, issue “Winter 2020/2021”.

The editors of the magazine "Onboard" thanks the Ministry of National Policy of the Udmurt Republic for the material provided.

August 2021

• August 01, 2021 – Day of Remembrance of Russian Soldiers Who Died in the First World War
• August 01, 2021 – Cash in transit day
• August 01, 2021 – Logistics Day of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
• August 02, 2021 – Day of the Airborne Forces (Day of the Paratroopers)
• August 05, 2021 – Railway Worker’s Day*
• August 06, 2021 – Railway Troops Day
• August 09, 2021 – Victory Day in the Battle of Gangut – the first naval victory of the Russian Fleet
• August 11, 2021 – Sports Day** (Sat)
• August 12, 2021 – Air Force Day. Air Force Day
• August 12, 2021 – Builder’s Day**
• August 19, 2021 – Transfiguration of the Lord (11th Twelfth Feast). Apple Spas
• August 19, 2021 – Aviation Day (Russian Air Fleet Day)***
• August 22, 2021 – Day of the State Flag of the Russian Federation
• August 22, 2021 – Victory Day of Soviet troops in the Battle of Kursk (1943)
• August 22, 2021 – Kurban Bayram, in several regions of Russia this day is an official day off
• August 26, 2021 – Miner’s Day-Sun
• August 27, 2021 – Russian Cinema Day
• August 28, 2021 – Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary (12th Twelfth Feast)
• August 31, 2021 – Day of the Veterinary Worker of Russia (“Veterinarian Day”)

September 2021

• September 01, 2021 – Day of Knowledge. The official start date of the new academic year in Russian educational institutions is “Academic New Year!” , but the first day of school will start on September 3
• September 02, 2021 – Russian Guard Day
• September 02, 2021 – Day of the end of World War II
• September 02, 2021 – Oilman’s Day*
• September 03, 2021 – Day of Solidarity in the Fight against Terrorism
• September 08, 2021 – Day of the Novorossiysk Naval District of the Russian Navy
• September 08, 2021 – Financier Day
• September 09, 2021 – Tankman Day**
• September 09, 2021 – Surveyor’s Day**
• September 13, 2021 – Programmer’s Day (256th day of the year)
• September 14, 2021 – Old Slavonic New Year ( Ancient New Year ). Church New Year
• September 15, 2021 – Foundation Day of the Sanitary and Epidemiological Service (Sanitary Service Day)
• September 16, 2021 – Forest Workers Day***
• September 19, 2021 – HR Specialist Day (HR Manager Day)*** (Wed)
• September 21, 2021 – Nativity of the Virgin Mary (First Twelfth Feast)
• September 21, 2021 – Secretary’s Day***(Fri)
• September 27, 2021 – Exaltation (2nd twelfth holiday)
• September 27, 2021 – Teacher’s Day
• September 27, 2021 – Tourism Day
• September 28, 2021 – Nuclear Industry Worker Day
• September 30, 2021 – Mechanical Engineering Day - Sun
• September 30, 2021 – Russian Internet Day

Cuartolasi/May – Invojo/June

Gershid – lit.: plow soup/ Gyron bydton – lit.: end of sowing / Trochin – Trinity. Apparently, these rituals should be considered as different manifestations of a single idea about the need to carry out thanksgiving rituals in honor of the end of sowing and ensuring a new harvest. All these holidays were held at the beginning of Invozho - the days of the summer solstice. An obligatory part of the festivities were prayers: individual (in one’s own zone) and general (the whole village) with the sacrifice of large animals to the gods - a bull, a foal, etc. Sacrificial porridge or soup was cooked in a large cauldron. The food was consecrated, the gods were asked to increase the harvest and preserve it from pests. Just like in Gyryny Poton, one of the main moments of this holiday was horse riding. On this day, the village collected eggs in a special basket, turbans and pouches from young women, so that the most beautiful ones could be presented later to the winners of the races. The horse that came first during the race was fed sacrificial porridge. The holiday could end in one or two days, could last three or four days, or a whole week.

Gerber Another name for the Gerber holiday - kuarsur (beer festival in honor of the grass) is associated with the lush blooming of greenery at this time. After this, haymaking began. As on other calendar holidays, there was a traditional festive gathering of adults and youth celebrations.

October 2021

• October 01, 2021 – Day of the Russian Ground Forces
• October 01, 2021 – Day of the Elderly
• October 01, 2021 – Vegetarian Day (World Vegetarian Day)
• October 02, 2021 – All-Russian Day of Vocational and Technical Education ( Vocational Education Day )
• October 04, 2021 – Russian Military Space Forces Day
• October 4, 2021 – Civil Defense Day. Ministry of Emergency Situations Day
• October 05, 2021 – Day of Criminal Investigation Workers
• October 05, 2021 – Teacher’s Day in Russia . World Teachers Day
• October 06, 2021 – Russian Insurer Day
• October 7, 2021 – Teacher’s Day (in the USSR) – many still celebrate it now*
• October 07, 2021 – Day of the employee of the headquarters units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs
• October 12, 2021 – Personnel Officer Day (RF from USSR)
• October 14, 2021 – Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Pokrov Day - the beginning of the wedding season
• October 14, 2021 – Agricultural Worker’s Day**
• October 20, 2021 – Day of the Signal Corps of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
• October 20, 2021 – International Chef’s Day – Russian culinary experts celebrate
• October 20, 2021 – Air Traffic Controller Day
• October 21, 2021 – Food Industry Worker’s Day***
• October 21, 2021 – Road Workers Day***
• October 23, 2021 – Advertising Workers Day
• October 24, 2021 – Day of formations and special forces units
• October 25, 2021 – Customs Day of the Russian Federation
• October 28, 2021 – Judo Day (World Judo Day)
• October 29, 2021 – Day of employees of the private security service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs
• October 30, 2021 – Motorist Day. Road Transport Worker's Day - Sun
• October 30, 2021 – Mechanical Engineer Day
• October 30, 2021 – Birthday of the Navy
• October 30, 2021 – Day of Remembrance for Victims of Political Repression

Autumn Slavic holidays and rituals

Pagan and Slavic holidays in September

September 2nd Memorial Day of Prince Oleg

Russian Prince Oleg did a lot for his people: he concluded an agreement with Byzantium and established trade routes with duty-free sales, united the scattered Slavic Clans into the United Kievan Rus, gave a decent education to Rurik’s son Igor, and nailed his shield as a symbol of victory to the gates of Constantinople. Prophetic Oleg died due to the fault of his horse, as the wise Priests predicted. No matter how hard he tried to change the course of fate, it was impossible.

September 8 Rod and Mother in labor

This Slavic holiday is dedicated to the family and its well-being. On such a bright day, they glorify the Rozhanits: Lelya and Lada and the entire Family produced by them. After bringing the demands to the Native Goddesses, ritual games and ritual funerals of flies begin, symbolizing the rapid numbness of all insects and hibernation until spring. In addition to the feast for the whole house, close people exchanged gifts and amulets with Slavic symbols: Ladinets, Rozhanitsa, Rod and Rodimich, and also solemnly hung and placed the faces and idols of the Gods on the Altar.

September 14 First Autumn, Day of the Fiery Magus

On this day, farmers began to celebrate the First Autumns - Harvest Day and thank Mother Earth for it. It is also worth remembering the honoring of the Fiery Volkh - the son of Indrik the Beast and Mother Earth, the husband of Lelya, whose love withstood all obstacles and circumstances, and the wise, brave and pure image of the Volkh is clearly reflected in Slavic fairy tales in the main character Finist the Clear Falcon.

September 21st Svarog Day

On this September day, the Slavs celebrated the holiday of Svarog and praised him for the fact that he condescended and taught people crafts together with Veles, and gave the sacred Ax and Forge. Thus, the Russian Family could survive and get down to business in the autumn and winter. On this day, it is customary to slaughter chickens that have been fattened over the summer, and give the first one from the farmstead to Svarog as a requirement. Autumn viewings and weddings also began on this day, and the brothers gathered a huge number of young guys in the girls' huts. On this day, the closing of Svarga and the departure of the goddess Zhiva into it until spring also took place.

September 22 Lada Festival

Lada, as the Mother of God and the giver of family well-being, the patroness of all living things, deserved a holiday from the Slavs in honor of herself. At this time, they thanked her for the harvest and prosperity, as well as for sending her soul mate and creating a new family, they played weddings with ritual wedding rings, and also gave their grown daughters protective jewelry with Ladins as a talisman for the beauty and harmonization of women's destiny.

September 19-25 Radogoshch, Tausen, Ovsen or Autumn Equinox (New Year)

On this day, the results were summed up and the harvested crops and supplies made were counted. People praised the main God of Rod and Rozhanitsy and brought them generous demands in gratitude for their protection and help. In some territorial regions, the Slavs began to celebrate the Autumn Equinox with the closing of Svarga, the Festival of the Heavenly Blacksmith or the Rich Man, and all this time they had lavish feasts.

Pagan and Slavic holidays in October

On October 14, Intercession, with the introduction of Christianity, this holiday was celebrated in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her miraculous payment.

In folk tradition, this day marked the meeting of Autumn with Winter, and this holiday goes back very deeply. Popular beliefs associated the name itself with the first frost that “covered” the ground, indicating the proximity of winter cold, although the exact name of the holiday has not been preserved. The Day of the Intercession coincided with the complete completion of field work and serious preparation for winter.

October 30th Day of the Goddess Mokosh

On an autumn day they glorified Makosh, the one who spins human destinies, patronizes families and children in her, gives a happy bright hearth and helps to learn women's crafts: weaving, spinning, sewing, embroidery. Requirements were brought to her under the idols on the Altar or in the fields and rivers: sweet buns, coins and wheat as a symbol of prosperity. Also on this day, pre-embroidered amulets for the home, symbols and Slavic amulets-decorations were activated.

Pagan and Slavic holidays in November

November 2021

• November 04, 2021 – National Unity Day
• November 05, 2021 – Military Intelligence Day
• November 06, 2021 – Bailiff Day
• November 07, 2021 – Day of the October Revolution of 1917
• November 10, 2021 – Police Day. Day of employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia
• November 10, 2015 – Quality Day. Day of Quality Control Systems Workers** (Thu)
• November 11, 2021 – Day of Remembrance for those killed in the First World War
• November 11, 2021 – Economist Day
• November 13, 2021 – Day of the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense Troops of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
• November 15, 2021 – Day of the Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy
• November 15, 2021 – All-Russian Conscript Day
• November 16, 2021 – Designer Day
• November 17, 2021 – District Police Day
• November 17, 2021 – International Students Day
• November 19, 2021 – Day of Missile Forces and Artillery
• November 19, 2021 – Glass Industry Worker’s Day
• November 21, 2021 – Tax Authorities Day
• November 22, 2021 – Psychologist’s Day
• November 25, 2021 – Mother's Day of Russia (Mothers' Day) - Sun
• November 27, 2021 – Appraiser Day
• November 27, 2021 – Marine Corps Day