A week after Bright Easter, Orthodox people celebrate the cheerful, bright holiday Krasnaya Gorka or Antipaskha. It is believed that this day is associated with renewal, the beginning of a new, joyful life, love.
Celebration of general fun
Krasnaya Gorka is a holiday with a century-old history. In Ancient Russia, it was celebrated by young people who, immediately after the snow melted from the mountains, organized various festivities, round dances with games and songs. Young people dressed up in their best shirts and caftans, rode down the mountains, had fun, organized various competitions and dances. Hence the name of the holiday Krasnaya Gorka - "red" - from the beautiful places and people, the slide - from the place where festive flirting and festivities took place.
On the same day, young girls and young women, taking something edible, gathered at their favorite places on the street, a forest glade, a hillock and sang spring songs, calling, inviting spring. Therefore, among the people, the holiday had a different name - "klikushi".
By the way, spending a day at home on Krasnaya Gorka was considered a bad omen. Those who did not have fun with everyone on the holiday may not be lucky during the year, and luck will bypass them, our Slavic ancestors were sure. Therefore, everyone tried to take part in the festive celebrations on this day, which is no coincidence. After all, it was on this day that a guy or a girl could look after a couple for themselves and even confess their feelings to each other. Boys and girls had to be as quick as possible, otherwise their place could be replaced by someone else, faster and more liberated. So that no one else had time to intercept the candidate for future spouses, the girls in every possible way attracted attention to themselves with bright beautiful clothes, hairstyles and singing. It is not for nothing that it is said that in war and in love, all methods are good.
Shouting "Bitter" at Krasnaya Gorka
The Red Hill holiday is not only a day of fun and entertainment. By tradition, they went to woo that day. On the same day, in the old days, there was a peak of weddings. This was due, first of all, to the fact that fasting was ending, and in churches and temples after a nine-week break, the first rituals of the sacrament of marriage began to be held. It was believed that the union concluded on this holiday will be strong, long and happy.
Many newlyweds follow this good tradition at the present time. In the registry offices these days, as a rule, a large number of wedding celebrations are held with congratulations, oaths of allegiance to each other and the exchange of wedding rings by spouses. Then, to the shouts of "Bitter!" the young seal their union with a kiss.
Antipaskha
The Red Hill holiday is also called Antipaskha. It is celebrated a week after Easter - the Bright Resurrection of Christ. Anti-Easter is also called the week of renewal. Also on this day in churches, temples, monasteries remember and honor the Apostle Thomas, who was not there when the other apostles saw the risen Christ. Thomas said that until he saw the Savior himself, he would not believe in His resurrection. Although, most likely, he longed to personally see the risen Christ, and not to hear this joyful news from others. The expression "Unbeliever Thomas" came from this Thomas and denotes a person who doubts even what he saw with his own eyes.
