Day of the Great Martyr George the Victorious
Description:
Jurdjevdan is St.'s Day. George is considered the border between winter and summer. On this day, the Hayduks left their wintering places and went to the forest. Previously, new servants were recruited and released on this day.
After Christmas, Djurdjevdan is a holiday with a small number of folk customs in Serbia. For example, in the evening before Jurdzhevdan or early in the morning the next day, the doors, windows of the house and other buildings are lined with green branches from the nearest forest so that the year is productive and healthy. The wreaths that are made on this day are hung above the front door until the next day.
Sometimes people go to nature early in the morning for the “Jurdzhevdan meeting”: in the forest, on the clearing or on the river. Food and drinks are prepared for this. Songs, games and fun last until noon. They cook lamb meat on this day. The young on this day are girdled with rods of willows that were large as a willow, decorated with geranium so that there are health like it, nettle so that it drives away diseases, and zorei so that their soul smells like a seed.
In the morning, everyone takes turns washing up: children – to be healthy, girls – to compete for them guys, old people – to be healthy, the owner – to his house was safe, etc.
In order for cows to give more milk, children are given boiled milk for the first time on this day, and while they drink it, water is poured over the collar. Before Jurdzhevdan, many do not eat what was born only this year, and only on this day the first lamb is slaughtered.
Young people sometimes bathe before sunrise, so as not to get sick this year. They shoot at animals so that the livestock is as healthy as a gun. It is believed that as far as one hears one or another weapon of a person, so far from his home will be wolves and haiduks.
After Christmas, Djurdjevdan is a holiday with a small number of folk customs in Serbia. For example, in the evening before Jurdzhevdan or early in the morning the next day, the doors, windows of the house and other buildings are lined with green branches from the nearest forest so that the year is productive and healthy. The wreaths that are made on this day are hung above the front door until the next day.
Sometimes people go to nature early in the morning for the “Jurdzhevdan meeting”: in the forest, on the clearing or on the river. Food and drinks are prepared for this. Songs, games and fun last until noon. They cook lamb meat on this day. The young on this day are girdled with rods of willows that were large as a willow, decorated with geranium so that there are health like it, nettle so that it drives away diseases, and zorei so that their soul smells like a seed.
In the morning, everyone takes turns washing up: children – to be healthy, girls – to compete for them guys, old people – to be healthy, the owner – to his house was safe, etc.
In order for cows to give more milk, children are given boiled milk for the first time on this day, and while they drink it, water is poured over the collar. Before Jurdzhevdan, many do not eat what was born only this year, and only on this day the first lamb is slaughtered.
Young people sometimes bathe before sunrise, so as not to get sick this year. They shoot at animals so that the livestock is as healthy as a gun. It is believed that as far as one hears one or another weapon of a person, so far from his home will be wolves and haiduks.