Solstice

Caption:A girl dressed in a wedding dress attends the celebrations of the Orthodox feast Eniovden (Midsummer Day) in the town of Asenovgrad, some 150kms (90 miles) east of the Bulgarian capital Sofia, Sunday, June 24, 2007. Every year the young girls from the town and neighbouring villages gather to celebrate Eniovden (Midsummer Day) by wearing wedding dresses according to tradition.

Hmmm...I know in Slovakia that a number of "pagan" practices remain in the celebration of decidedly Orthodox feasts...this seems to correlate with the Nativity of St. John so I wonder if there is more at play here than we know from the brief caption.


Comments

Anonymous said…
Nativity or conception of St. JtB

sf
3:43 PM
Anonymous said…
forgot the ?
3:44 PM
fdj said…
Nativity
9:12 PM
Anonymous said…
Pre-Christian Midsummer festivities attached to the Nativity of St. John are common East and West. There are many customs that overlap with Pentecost customs, such a as decorating with greens and flowers and weaving wreaths. In Roman Catholic countries it is customary to bless boats and water for the on the 24th.The date of the Nativity was likely chosen to correspond to the Summer Solstice as the date of our Lord's Nativity corresponds with the Winter Solstice. There are many customs that overlap with Pentecost customs, such a as decorating with greens and flowers and weaving wreaths. In Roman Catholic countries it is customary to bless boats and water on the 24th. The was taken very seriously among Polish Catholics. When I was a child, I was never allowed to go swimming prior to the blessing of water on the 24th of June.

It's interesting to note that only our Lord has a perfect 9 month period from conception to birth (March 25 to December 25). St. John is one day more (September 23 to June 24) and the Mother of God is is one day less (December 9 to September 8).

In Christ,

FrC+
5:11 PM
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