Superstition is a religious prejudice, which is a belief or practice, it is a way to “negotiate” with fate and influence what usually depends only on chance.
Russians have many different superstitions. Someone says that he does not believe in them, and someone continues to believe from generation to generation.
крести́ть // покрести́ть to baptize
крести́ться // покрести́ться to get baptized
крёстный, крёстная godfather, godmother
Креще́ние Baptism, or Epiphany day
Baptism is a church rite, when a person is “churched”, becomes a part of the Church.
But today is about the holiday. Epiphany is a church holiday celebrated every year on January 19.
If you are studying Russian, then you already know that there are two forms for "YOU". And at first it was unusual and difficult for you to remember. For Russian people, this also was strange and unusual in the beginning.
In Russian culture the family has always played a very important role. Not by chance in the language the word family - СЕМЬЯ consist of the words 'семь' and 'Я' (seven I). Of course, this is not the real origin of the word, but we like it very much :)
So family is the basis of society.
For a long time, 4 generations of the family lived in one house - children, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents.
Victory Day (May 9) in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945).
In Russia and in some post-Soviet republics, Victory Day is celebrated on May 9 since 1945.
The Act of unconditional surrender of Germany was signed on 8 May at 22 hours 43 minutes (in Moscow it was already May 9 at 0:43).
On May 9, 1945, Joseph Stalin made a speech on the radio, in which he congratulated the Soviet people with victory in the Great Patriotic War. Here is a small excerpt from his speech: "Comrades! The Great Patriotic War ended with our complete Victory! The war period in Europe ended. A period of peaceful development began. With the Victory you, my dear compatriots and compatriots! Glory to our heroic Red Army, who defended the independence of our Motherland and won victory over the enemy! Glory to our great people, the victorious people! Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in battles with the enemy and gave their lives for the freedom and happiness of our people!"
After Stalin's speech, people went to the centers of cities and congratulated each other with the Victory! It was the happiest and long-awaited day for all. There was no parade on this day. The soldiers have not returned from the front yet. But everyone was happy.
The first
military parade on Red Square was held on June 24 in 1945. The next parade took
place only 20 years later in 1965 and after it was passed almost every year
on May 9 in Hero cities.
It's difficult to get to the parade itself now, but the rehearsals can be seen a few days before the parade.
Every year, soldiers of various troops, military equipment (old and modern) and aircraft equipment (sometimes they cancel flights of airplanes due to bad weather) take part in the parade through Red Square.
Victory Parade 2021 you can watch online ↙
After the
parade, people lay flowers - usually carnations - to the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier (in Moscow), to monuments of glory and military valor, to memorials. Everyone congratulate veterans,
participants of the Great Patriotic War.
Since 2012,
a new tradition (or a new parade)is hold - the action "Immortal Regiment",
in which people carry portraits of their relatives,
grandfathers and great-grandfathers.
The action "Immortal regiment" appeared in Tomsk. Every year new cities and countries take part in this action. Participants in the action carry portraits of their relatives who fought, were in the rear, were captured or were born during World War II. All this symbolizes the participation of those in the parade on Victory Day. Today, the action "Immortal Regiment" already takes place in 80 countries, anyone can take part in it.
Another
important symbol is the St. George ribbon. A few days before the
holiday the symbol is given to eneryone on the streets of
cities not only in Russia, but all over the world.
There is one more tradition - a Minute of Silence at 7 pm (TV and radio broadcast) - a
tribute to the memory of those who perished during the Great Patriotic War.
Before a moment of silence, the announcer reads military verses and remembers
the dead in the war.
The day
ends with a festive salute (fireworks) at 22 o'clock. Pictures from pixabay.com, moypolk.ru.
