Quiet week after Pentecost. Greenery, birch trees, wreaths, circles. This is Green Week, an ancient Slavic holiday mixed with Pentecost week by Christianity. The main day is the seventh (Thursday on the seventh week after Easter). In 2026, the seventh falls on May 28. On this day, birch trees are honored, the dead " заложные" (those who died unnatural deaths) are remembered, fortunes are told. Paganism and Orthodoxy are intertwined so closely that it's indistinguishable. But the atmosphere is pure, green, springlike.

What Are the Green Weeks

Green Weeks (also known as the Klyachal Week) are the transition from spring to summer. In the folk calendar, they follow Pentecost (in 2026, Pentecost is on May 24, and Green Weeks are from May 25 to May 31). The main days are the seventh (Thursday, May 28), Pentecost Saturday (memorial, May 30), and the Spirit Day (Monday, June 1).

On these days, according to beliefs, mermaids, mawks, and bogatyrs become active. The spirits of ancestors come to the world of the living. Therefore, they remembered, flattered, decorated homes with greenery. In Christian tradition - a full week after Pentecost, there is no fasting, one can celebrate, but still, it is not worth sinning.

The seventh is the most magical day. In it, the rites of fertility, girls' fortunes, and memorials for "unrighteous" (those who died unnatural deaths) are intertwined.

Birch - the Main Tree of the Seventh

On the seventh, girls went into the forest, chose a young birch tree, twisted wreaths on it (twisted branches into a ring, not breaking). Then they danced in circles, sang songs, kissed through the branches (the "kumling" ritual). Several days later, on Pentecost, they came to "develop" the wreaths - see if they had dried out or not. Dried out - to illness, scattered - to parting, green - to marriage this year.

The birch was decorated with ribbons, scarves, beads, danced around it. Then they "burned the birch" - threw it into the water or bent the branches to call rain. Another meaning - farewell to spring and the welcome of summer.

In the Polesie, they made a "cuckoo" - a figure of a cuckoo from grass or fabric, which they placed on a branch and then burned. It was believed that this would speed up marriage.

Memorials on the Seventh: "Zalozhny" Dead

The Church commemorates the deceased on Pentecost Saturday (May 30). But the people - on the seventh, Thursday. On this day, they remembered the "zalomny" - those who died unnatural deaths: drowned, suicides, unbaptized children, wizards, killed, died without repentance. In Orthodoxy, they cannot be chanted and commemorated in the church. But the people pitied them: they believed that such souls become mermaids or mawks, suffer.

On the seventh, they went to the cemetery, put eggs, kvass, blini, pies on the graves, poured vodka. Especially they took care of those who drowned. They organized "rusalki farewell": boys dressed up as mermaids, ran around the village, chased the audience. It was believed that if they did not remember, the mermaids would tickle to death in the field.

In some regions, memorials were celebrated joyfully: with songs, dances, fights. The Church did not approve of this.

Girls' Fortunes on the Seventh

The most popular are fortune-telling on wreaths and on birch trees. During the day, they twisted a wreath, in the evening they let it float. If it sinks - to misfortune, if it floats - to happiness. Where it will float - from there will be a groom. Another fortune-telling: on the night of the seventh, they hung a towel over the window. In the morning, if it's wet - there will be a wedding, dry - wait another year.

Fortune-telling on branches: they plucked a birch branch and put it under the pillow. If a man dreams - to marriage. If devils dream - beware. Fortune-telling on grass: they wove two grasses, put them under the threshold. Who will step over first - she will be the wife.

Many fortunes are related to mermaids: girls went into the reeds, listened. If you hear laughter - mermaids are nearby, they will tell your fate. You cannot show mermaids your beauty - they will carry you away. Therefore, on the seventh, they tried not to let their hair down, not to wear bright clothes.

How to Celebrate the Seventh Today

In cities, traditions are almost lost. But you can revive them. On May 28, 2026 (Thursday), go to the park with birch trees. Twist a wreath from the branches (do not break, carefully). Dance in a circle to the songs of the "Ivan Kupala" group or folk music. Kiss through the wreath with a friend - this is "kumling," strengthening friendship.

Remember the "zalomny" - those who were forgotten. Put a candle in the church (officially on Pentecost Saturday, you can simply light it for the dead on the seventh). Do not forget those who drowned, hanged, killed. If you believe, go to the graves with blini.

If you have children, tell them about mermaids and mawks. Ask them to draw a birch tree. Bake "sparrows" from dough (even though it's not Maslenitsa, but you can).

The main thing is not to confuse the seventh with Pentecost. Pentecost is a church holiday, and the seventh is a folk holiday. Priests do not prohibit, but warn: pagan rituals do not replace prayer.

Maxims and Proverbs

"On the seventh, on the holy week, mermaids walk on the ground." "Do not go into the forest on the seventh alone - mermaids will tickle." "If it rains on the seventh, it will rain mushrooms." "As the seventh is, so the whole year will be."

"The seventh decorates the birch, and Pentecost breaks it." "Who does not twist the birch on the seventh will be a bachelor." "On the seventh, the earth is the birthday girl." "The seventh is a girls' holiday."

Legend: if you meet a drowned man on the seventh (figuratively - learn about someone's death), you need to cross yourself three times and give alms. Otherwise, the mermaid will carry you away.

The Seventh and Orthodoxy: Conflict or Synthesis

The Church tried to eradicate the seventh. As early as the 16th century, the Stoglav Synod prohibited "demonic games" around birch trees. But the people did not listen. In the end, the tradition transformed: rituals were moved to Pentecost week, and the seventh became a local holiday that is not celebrated everywhere.

Today, priests advise: you can decorate the house with birch branches in memory of the holiday, but do not worship them. It's not a sin to plait wreaths, the main thing is not to give them a magical meaning.

Most Russians do not know about the seventh. In vain. It is beautiful, ecological, and fun.

The Seventh in Culture

In literature: by Melnikov-Pechersky "In the Forests" describes the seventh rituals in detail. In Nekrasov's poem "Who Lives Well in Russia" there are lines about mermaids. In Kuprin's "Oles" - fortune-telling on birch trees.

In painting: the painting by Borisov-Musatov "The Seventh" (1906) - girls in white, birch trees, fog. In Malavin's "Circle" - bright scarves, Russian beauty.

In cinema: the film "Mermaid" (1997, director Khotinenko) - scenes of seventh celebrations.

In music: the song "The Seventh" by the folk group "Balagan Limited" (album "Green Weeks").

Conclusion: a green festival we have forgotten

The seventh is not magic. It is love for nature, for birch, for life. It is a day when you can stop for a minute and feel how the earth awakens after a long winter. Even if you don't twist wreaths, just go out on May 28, touch the birch, make a wish. And maybe the mermaids will help. Or not. But your mood will definitely improve.

Happy holiday, green and bright.

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