About Saint About Saint Jonas’ DayJonas’ Day

CustomsCustoms About the FernAbout the Fern

Duration of The Duration of The FestivalFestival

RitesRites LiteratureLiterature

FernFern A Fern a plant which was believed to bloom

at the midnight of Saint Jonas night. It was thought that the one who founds the blossom of the fern becomes clairvoyant who can see what others are thinking and understand what birds and animals say. If you want to find the blossom, you have to go alone and not to glance backwards when you are in a deep forest. When you are already in a forest and found the fern, you have to lay a handkerchief underneath it, circle a round with rowan stick, put a pot with a holy water and pray. Then a shiny ring will glint and fell on a handkerchief. While you wait for the fern to bloom, evil spirits will try to scare you, so you have to be brave and not to glance backwards. It is recommended to hide the ring under your cut skin in order not to loose it.

CustomsCustomsThe youth was jumping over the fire at the midnight. It was believed The youth was jumping over the fire at the midnight. It was believed

that if a young girl jumps over the fire holding boy’s hand, they will that if a young girl jumps over the fire holding boy’s hand, they will marry this year.marry this year.

Unmarried girls used to lay 2 wreaths in a river. It was believed that if Unmarried girls used to lay 2 wreaths in a river. It was believed that if wreaths separate from each other – a girl will divorce, if wreaths wreaths separate from each other – a girl will divorce, if wreaths touch each other – they will marry. There was also a tradition to lay touch each other – they will marry. There was also a tradition to lay one wreath with a burning candle on it and if wreath floats along the one wreath with a burning candle on it and if wreath floats along the river, the girl will marry. If wreath stays in one place, the girl will stay river, the girl will marry. If wreath stays in one place, the girl will stay unmarried for one more year.unmarried for one more year.

People say, that there was a time when people were worshiping People say, that there was a time when people were worshiping goodness Lada. They were lighting fires, jumping over them and goodness Lada. They were lighting fires, jumping over them and sacrificing white roosters in her honour.sacrificing white roosters in her honour.

Sick people used to have a wash in lakes and rivers in order to get Sick people used to have a wash in lakes and rivers in order to get better, strengthen their health on the Saint Jonas’ Eve.better, strengthen their health on the Saint Jonas’ Eve.

Rites

Some Saint Jonas’ ceremonies took place on the Rambynas hill next to the altar. There was fired “eternal fire” and sacrificed: ritual beverage, crops, animals. Sometimes there were sacrificed people too, usually they were enemies.

Fire, water and flora was honoured during Saint Jonas’ ceremonies. These three elements were the most important during Saint Jonas ceremonies.

Rambynas HillRambynas HillRambynas hill is on the right side of Nemunas. It is

about 45 metres above the sea level, but earlier it was much bigger.

In 1992 there was founded Rambynas regional park and the hill added to the registry of cultural values as a mythological subject.

In ancient times there was Skalvian Castle on the Rambynas hill, but in 1275 crusader took over and destroyed the castle.

Lots of festivals took part on the top of the hill as well as Saint Jonas’ festival.

About Saint Jonas’ DayAbout Saint Jonas’ Day

Saint Jonas’ (Saint Jonas’ ( Dew Holiday, “KupolDew Holiday, “Kupolė“, ė“, Midsummer day, St. John’s Day…) is Midsummer day, St. John’s Day…) is celebrated on 24celebrated on 24thth June. The first time this June. The first time this festival was mentioned in written sources festival was mentioned in written sources was in 1372.was in 1372.

In Kyburg itinerary it is said, that Dew festival In Kyburg itinerary it is said, that Dew festival was celebrated near the “was celebrated near the “RasųRasų” cemetery in ” cemetery in Kalneliai. Nowadays Saint Jonas’ festival Kalneliai. Nowadays Saint Jonas’ festival takes part on Rambynas hill next to the altar. takes part on Rambynas hill next to the altar.

Duration of the festival

According Strijkovsij this festival or its ceremonies used to start on May 25 and continue till June 25. Daukantas writes, that Dew festival was celebrated 14 days.

. . In some places it remained to celebrate Saint Jonas’ day from June 24 till 29 (Saint Peter’s Day).

Literature

• Pictures from: www.google.lt

• Content: lt.wikipedia.org/wiki ;

day.lt/straipsniai/jonines