In the article we will talk about what is St. George's Day, what is the history of this holiday, and also about who it is celebrated in honor of. St. George, which in Russia was called St. George's Day, is associated with many of us with the history of serfdom. And indeed, this holiday was special for the peasants. None of them had a question: "What is St. George's Day?" Its significance to them was enormous. Are you intrigued? Read this article, and you will learn what St. George's Day is in the history of our country.
When St. George's Day was celebrated, how was it connected with serfdom
This holiday was celebrated on November 26 in the old style, and on December 9 in the new style. In the period from the 16th to the 17th century, it fell on December 6th.
Briefly answer the question of what is St. George's Day for Russian peasants, as follows. Firstly, it was on this day that the landowners paid off with them. The calculation was based on the results of the harvest, when the fiscal year ended in the village. It was from Yegoriev’s day, as Yuryev’s day was called, that the word “deceive” came from, which meant dishonestly paying. Secondly, just then it was allowed to leave the landowner. In the 15th century, peasants knew very well what St. George's Day is, because on this holiday they could freely leave their land and go to another landowner. For this, however, it was required to pay the debts of the former landowner, as well as the fee for the use of the land allotment and yard (elderly). Those who lived 4 or more years with the landowner paid in the case of the transition "all old." Others, who were subordinate to him for less than four years, gave only a part, depending on how much time they spent with him. We will tell you about what is St. George's Day in the history of Russia for the coming years.
Judges of Ivan III and Ivan the Terrible
After the Russian lands were united under the rule of the Moscow prince, a single order was established throughout the state. In 1497, the Code of Law was adopted (under Ivan III). In accordance with it, the right of peasants to leave the landlords during the year was limited. Now they could leave them only after the end of field work, that is, a week before St. George's Day and another 7 days after. The Law Book of 1550, published under Ivan the Terrible (his portrait is presented above), retained the right to "exit." That is what the right of St. George's Day is - the opportunity to leave the landowner.
Reserve Years Mode
The word "commandment" in translation means "prohibition." Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich, on the initiative of B. Godunov, forbade the peasants from passing from one master to another on St. George's Day. But not always, but only in certain years when scribe books were created in which an inventory of the land fund and population was presented. This ban was unexpected for Russian peasants. The following saying appeared: "Here you are, grandmother, and St. George's Day!"
"Lessons of Summer"
However, the peasants could still hide from the landowners. Even in the reign of Fedor Ivanovich, in 1597, a decree was issued on the lesson years. It was the first to indicate the term for the search for runaway peasants. He was 5 years old. This time was called "lesson years." If during his landlord did not find a peasant, did not apply to the petition for his search, the right to him was lost for him. The fugitive peasant was legally assigned to the new owner. The "lesson summers" extended not only to the burdensome peasants, who turned out to be attached to the ground for 5 years, but also to their wives and children who had not previously fell under the "reserved summers". Moreover, any transition of the peasant was considered flight. Whoever committed it was subject to return with property and family.
Boris Godunov subsequently canceled this term, then introduced it again. After some time, serfdom was abolished, and the inhabitants of our country forgot about what St. George's Day is in history. Today, not everyone can tell about this holiday. However, in the culture of our country, his echoes have survived to this day.
So, we answered the question: "What is St. George's Day?" The definition of this holiday, as you know, is associated with the name of St. George. But we have not yet talked about this very saint. We suggest you get to know him better.
Brief biography of George
This saint was born in Beirut (Belit) in the 3rd century BC. e. His parents were rich people. Despite the persecution of Christians at the time, they raised their son in the traditions of faith. George was a handsome, strong and brave young man. Like many of his peers, he decided to enter the military service of Diocletian, the emperor, who lived from 284 to 305 g. e. Soon he earned the favor and respect of the ruler of the Roman Empire. Diocletian, however, persecuted Christians. Once George could not stand this and convicted the emperor of injustice and cruelty. He said that he was one of his favorites, and meanwhile George the Christian, like those whom Diocletian persecutes. Of course, this act meant death for a brave youth. The emperor, convinced that he would not deny Christ, ordered George to be cut off his head. This happened in Nicomedia in the year 303.
George Memorial Day
The day of memory of George-Yuri is a purely Russian holiday. He is not in other Orthodox Churches. The memory of the warrior George, who suffered under the faith, who lived under the emperor Diocletian, is celebrated in a new style on May 6. Among many Orthodox peoples, for example, among the southern Slavs, George is the patron saint of farmers. Everyone knows that he committed the killing of a snake, depicted on the Moscow coat of arms.
The miracle of the serpent
Each of you must have seen the image of St. George sitting on a white horse and striking with a spear a serpent wriggling on the ground. It illustrates the event that occurred after the death of St. George. According to legend, not far from the place where this saint was born, in the city of Beirut, he lived in a lake of snakes. He often devoured the local population. In order to satisfy his hunger, the inhabitants began to regularly bring him a girl or a young man who had been chosen by lot. The lot once fell on the daughter of a man who ruled this area. The girl was taken to the lake and tied here. She was terrified of the appearance of the monster. When the snake began to approach her, a young man suddenly appeared on a white horse. He pierced the monster with a spear and thus saved the girl. Of course, this young man was George, the holy great martyr. By this miraculous phenomenon, he put an end to the extermination of girls and boys within Beirut. George turned to Christ the population of this country, whose inhabitants used to be pagans.
Symbols in the miracle of the serpent
This story is called the miracle of George about the serpent. It recalls the folklore stories of various countries about the heroes and heroes who defeated the monster. However, the victory of the saint, with all resemblance to them, was more spiritual than physical. It is no accident that the image of a hero hitting a snake is often explained allegorically. The princess saved by him represents the Church, and the serpent symbolizes paganism. The fact that George is depicted on a horse is also no accident. This symbolizes the victory over the "ancient serpent", that is, the devil. The victory over the dragon, as well as the fact that George was a warrior by profession, became the reason for worshiping him as the patron saint of the army.
Resurrection of the ox
But, in addition to killing the snake, he was revered for another act. George once met a poor peasant on his way. This man has a single ox. George asked God with his prayer to revive the ox. The peasants interpreted the victory over the snake as an opportunity to pray to this saint with a request for protection from the bites of poisonous snakes attacking cattle, as well as from predatory animals in general.
Memory of the saint
Since the 10th century, the name "Yuri" and "George" has become widespread in Russia. Yaroslav the Wise, the son of Vladimir, who baptized Russia, was named George in baptism. Yaroslav, in honor of his patron, built the St. George Church in Kiev, located in Veliky Novgorod Yuriev Monastery, and also founded the Baltic city of Yuriev. The church, located in Kiev (pictured above), was destroyed and rebuilt several times during the Middle Ages. It was finally destroyed only in 1934. Today, only the name of the alley in Kiev, located near the Golden Gate (Georgievsky Lane), recalls this church. Nowadays, the city of Yuriev belongs to Estonia. It was renamed Tartu. And the Yuriev Monastery located in Veliky Novgorod (in the photo below) is still valid today. It is one of the main attractions of this city. Thanks to him, many of our compatriots recall what St. George's Day is.
The definition of history given by the teacher, or just an interest in the traditions of our country prompted you to get acquainted with this holiday? We hope that in any case you have found the necessary information. We can talk for a long time about what St. George’s Day is in Russia, but we tried to select only the most important information.