Quiet week after Pentecost. Greenery, birch trees, wreaths, circles. This is Green Weeks — an ancient Slavic holiday mixed with Pentecost week by Christianity. The main day is the Seventh (Thursday on the seventh week after Easter). In 2026, the Seventh falls on May 28. On this day, birch trees are honored, the deceased " заложные" (those who died unnatural deaths) are remembered, fortunes are told. Paganism and Orthodoxy are intertwined so closely that it's indistinguishable. But the atmosphere is pure, green, spring-like.

What are Green Weeks

Green Weeks (also known as Russianala Week, Kletchal Week) are the transition from spring to summer. In the folk calendar, they follow Pentecost (in 2026, Pentecost is on May 24, and Green Weeks are from May 25 to May 31). The main days: the Seventh (Thursday, May 28), Pentecost Saturday (memorial, May 30) and Holy Spirit Day (Monday, June 1).

On these days, according to beliefs, mermaids, malki, and bogatyras become active. The souls of deceased ancestors come to the world of the living. Therefore, they remembered, appeased, decorated homes with greenery. In Christian tradition — a continuous week after Pentecost, there is no fasting, you can celebrate, but still, it is not worth sinning.

The Seventh is the most magical day. In it, fertility rituals, girls' divinations, and memorials for "improper" ancestors (those who died unnatural deaths) are intertwined.

Birch Tree — the Main Tree of the Seventh

In the Seventh, girls went into the forest, chose a young birch tree, twisted wreaths on it (twisted branches into a ring, without breaking). Then they danced in circles, sang songs, kissed through the branches (the "kumlenie" ritual). Several days later, on Pentecost, they came to "develop" the wreaths — to see if they had dried out or not. If dried out — to illness, scattered — to parting, green — to marriage this year.

The birch tree was decorated with ribbons, scarves, beads, danced around it. Then "burned the birch" — threw it into the water or twisted the branches to call rain. Another meaning — farewell to spring and the welcome of summer.

In the Polesie, they made a "cuckoo" — a figure of a cuckoo made of grass or fabric, which was placed on a branch and then burned. It was believed that this would accelerate marriage.

Memorials on the Seventh: "Zalozhny" Ancestors

The Church commemorates the deceased on Pentecost Saturday (May 30). But the people — on the Seventh, Thursday. On this day, they remembered the "заложные" — those who died unnatural deaths: drowned, suicides, unbaptized children, wizards, murdered, those who died without repentance. In Orthodoxy, they cannot be chanted and commemorated in the church. But the people were sorry: they believed that such souls become mermaids or malki, suffer.

On the Seventh, they went to the cemetery, laid eggs, kvass, blinis, pies on the graves, poured vodka. Especially they worried about those who drowned. They arranged "mermaid farewells": boys dressed up as mermaids, ran around the village, chased the audience. It was believed that if you did not remember, mermaids would tickle to death in the field.

In some regions, memorials were celebrated joyfully: with songs, dances, fights. The Church did not approve of this.

Girls' Divinations on the Seventh

The most popular are on wreaths and birch trees. In the daytime, they twisted a wreath, in the evening they released it into the water. If it sank — to misfortune, if it floated — to happiness. Where it will float — from there will be a bridegroom. Another divination: on the night of the Seventh, they hung a towel over the window. In the morning, if it's wet — there will be a wedding, dry — wait another year.

Divination on branches: they plucked a birch branch and put it under the pillow. If a boy dreams — to marriage. If devils dream — beware. Divination on grass: they intertwined two grasses, put them under the threshold. Who steps over first — that will be the wife.

Many divinations are related to mermaids: girls went into the wheat, listened. If you hear laughter — mermaids are nearby, they will tell you your fate. You cannot show mermaids your beauty — they will carry you away. Therefore, on the Seventh, they tried not to let their hair down, not to wear bright clothes.

How to Celebrate the Seventh Today

In cities, traditions are almost forgotten. But you can revive them. On May 28, 2026 (Thursday), go to the park with birch trees. Twist a wreath from the branches (do not break, carefully). Dance in circles to the songs of the "Ivan Kupala" group or folk music. Kiss through the wreath with a friend — this is "kumlenie," the strengthening of friendship.

Remember the "заложные" — those who were forgotten. Light a candle in the church (officially on Pentecost Saturday, but you can also light for the dead on the Seventh). Do not forget those who drowned, hanged, killed. If you believe — go to the graves with blinis.

If you have children, tell them about mermaids and malki. Ask them to draw a birch tree. Bake "sparrows" out of dough (even though it's not Maslenitsa, but you can).

The main thing is not to confuse the Seventh with Pentecost. Pentecost is a church holiday, and the Seventh is a folk one. Priests do not forbid, but warn: pagan rituals do not replace prayer.

Superstitions and Proverbs

"On the Seventh, on the holy week, mermaids walk on the ground." "Do not go into the forest on the Seventh alone — mermaids will tickle." "If it rains on the Seventh, it will be a good mushroom harvest." "As the Seventh goes, so goes the whole year."

"The Seventh adorns the birch, and Pentecost breaks it." "Who does not twist a birch on the Seventh will remain a bachelor." "On the Seventh, the earth is the birthday girl." "The Seventh is a girls' holiday."

Superstition: if you meet a drowned man (in a metaphorical sense — learn about someone's death) on the Seventh, you must cross yourself three times and give alms. Otherwise, the mermaid will carry you away.

The Seventh and Orthodoxy: Conflict or Synthesis

The Church tried to eradicate the Seventh. As early as the 16th century, the Stoglav Council forbade "demonic games" around birch trees. But the people did not listen. In the end, the tradition transformed: rituals were moved to Pentecost week, and the Seventh became a local holiday that is not celebrated everywhere.

Today, priests advise: you can decorate the house with birch branches in memory of the holiday, but do not worship them. It's not a sin to plait wreaths, the main thing is not to give them a magical meaning.

Most Russians do not know about the Seventh. In vain. It is beautiful, ecological, and fun.

The Seventh in Culture

In literature: in Melnikov-Pechersky's "In the Forest" the seventh rituals are described in detail. In Nekrasov's poem "Who is Living Well in Russia" there are lines about mermaids. In Kuprin's "Olesya" — divinations on the birch tree.

In painting: Borisov-Musatov's painting "The Seventh" (1906) — girls in white, birch trees, mist. In Malavin's "Circle" — bright scarves, Russian beauty.

In cinema: the film "Mermaid" (1997, director Khotinenko) — scenes of seventh festivities.

In music: the song "The Seventh" by the folk group "Balagan Limited" (album "Green Weeks").

Conclusion: a green festival we have forgotten

The Seventh is not magic. It is love for nature, for birch, for life. It is a day when you can stand still for a minute and feel how the earth awakens after a long winter. Even if you don't plait wreaths, just go out on May 28, touch a birch, make a wish. And maybe the mermaids will help. Or not. But your mood will definitely improve.

Happy holiday, green and bright.

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