A religious scholar told about the celebration of the summer solstice by the ancient Slavs

The summer folk festivals of the Slavs associated with the solstice have historically been integrated into the Christian tradition, which has led to their preservation and widespread dissemination in modern culture. Natalia Fominykh, a religious scholar, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, told Izvestia about this.

The religious scholar explained that the holiday cycle began with Agrafena Kupalnitsa Day (July 6, new style, June 23, old style), followed by the main day of Ivan Kupala (July 7, new style, June 24, old style), and the festive period ended with Peter's Day (July 12, new style, 29 June — in the old way).

"With the advent of Christianity, many pagan holidays were written into Christian ideology, into Christian history, the same thing happened with summer holidays, with the days of the summer solstice," Natalia Fominykh noted.

She clarified that Agrafena Kupalnitsa was associated with the memory of the Martyr Agrippina, Ivan Kupala — with the Nativity of John the Baptist, and Peter's Day — with the day of the Apostles Peter and Paul. As a result, according to her, two ideologies came together — pagan and Orthodox.

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Before Agrafena, the expert noted, it was not customary for Slavs to swim in open reservoirs because of the cold water, but by that day it was warming up and mass ablutions began.

"We went out in whole houses, villages, settlements, villages and took a dip — such a large group ablution took place on Agrafena," she said.

A special place was occupied by ritual practices where girls used enchanted water to attract the attention of young men, and young men, in turn, resorted to symbolic actions related to "purification" to attract sympathy. The expert added that Agrafena's day was marked by water and herbs, which were attributed healing properties. During this period, plants were harvested, rituals and conspiracies aimed at healing and well-being were carried out.

The feast of Ivan Kupala, in turn, combined the symbols of fire, water and nature. Fire was produced by friction, after which bonfires were lit, through which they jumped, making wishes. It was believed that in this way you can get rid of the effects of "dark forces" and ensure your well-being.

Special attention was paid to the rite of the "solstice" — the so-called fiery wheel, which was lowered from a hill into the water. This ritual, as the expert emphasized, symbolized harmony and unity of opposing principles.

"Our ancestors believed that in this way they show the unity, harmony, and balance of two very serious opposites in human life — fire and water," she concluded.

Read more in the Izvestia article:

"Summer Solstice — 2026: what secrets hides the longest day of the year"