Quiet week after Pentecost. Greenery, birch trees, wreaths, circles. This is Green Weeks — an ancient Slavic holiday that Christianity mixed with Pentecost week. The main day is七一 (Thursday on the seventh week after Easter). In 2026,七一 falls on May 28. On this day, birch trees are honored, the dead " заложные" (those who died not by their own hand) are remembered, fortunes are told about the future. Paganism and Orthodoxy are intertwined so closely that it's impossible to tell. But the atmosphere is pure, green, spring-like.

What Are Green Weeks

Green Weeks (also known as Russianala Week, Kletchala Week) is 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:七一 (Thursday, May 28), Pentecost Saturday (memorial, May 30) and Spirit Day (Monday, June 1).

On these days, according to beliefs, mermaids, mавки, and birch goddesses become active. The souls of ancestors come to the world of the living. Therefore, they remembered, flattered, decorated houses with greenery. In Christian tradition — a continuous week after Pentecost, there is no fasting, one can celebrate, but still, it is not worth sinning.

七一 is the most magical day. In it, fertility rituals, girls' divination, and memorials for "incorrect" dead (those who died not by their own hand) are mixed.

Birch Tree — The Main Tree of七一

On七一, girls went into the forest, chose a young birch tree, wove wreaths on it (twisted branches into a circle, not breaking them). Then they danced circles, sang songs, kissed through the branches (the ritual of "kumlenie"). A few days later, on Pentecost, they came to "develop" the wreaths — to see if they had dried up or not. If dried up — to illness, if unbraided — to parting, if green — to marriage this year.

Birch trees were decorated with ribbons, scarves, beads, danced around them. Then they "burned the birch" — threw them into the water or bent the branches to call rain. Another meaning — farewell to spring and the meeting of summer.

In the Polesia region, they made a "kukushka" — 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 speed up marriage.

Memorials on七一: "Zalozhny" Dead

The Church commemorates the deceased on Pentecost Saturday (May 30). And the people — on七一, Thursday. On this day, they remembered the "заложные" — those who died not by their own hand: drowning victims, suicides, uncircumcised 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 mавки, suffer.

On七一, they went to the cemetery, laid eggs, kvass, blini, pies on the graves, poured vodka. Especially they cared for those who drowned. They organized "rusalki farewell": boys dressed as mermaids, ran around the village, chased the audience. It was believed that if they did not remember, the 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' Divination on七一

The most popular are divination on wreaths and on birch trees. During the day, they wove a wreath, in the evening they let it float. If it sinks — to misfortune, if it floats — to happiness. Where it will float — from there will be the groom. Another divination: on the night of七一, they hung a towel over the window. In the morning, if it's wet — there will be a wedding, if it's 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 twined two grasses, put them under the threshold. Whom will step first — she will be the wife.

Many divinations are related to mermaids: girls went into the rye, listened. If you hear laughter — mermaids are nearby, they will tell your fate. You cannot show mermaids your beauty — they will take you. Therefore, on七一, they tried not to let their hair down, not to wear bright clothes.

How to Celebrate七一 Today

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

Remember the "заложные" — those who were forgotten. Put a candle in the church (officially on Pentecost Saturday, on七一 — you can simply put up for the repose). Do not forget those who drowned, hanged, killed. If you believe — go to the graves with blini.

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

The main thing is not to confuse七一 with Pentecost. Pentecost is a church holiday, and七一 is a folk one. Priests do not prohibit, but warn: pagan rituals do not replace prayer.

Proverbs and Sayings

"On七一, on the sacred week, mermaids walk on the ground." "Do not go into the forest on七一 alone — mermaids will tickle." "If it rains on七一 — to a good mushroom harvest." "As七一 is, so the whole year will be."

"七一 adorns the birch, and Pentecost breaks it." "Who does not weave a birch on七一, will remain a bachelor." "On七一, the earth is the birthday girl." "七一 is a girls' holiday."

Omens: if you meet a drowning victim on七一 (in the figurative sense — learn about someone's death), you must cross yourself three times and give alms. Otherwise, the mermaid will take you.

七一 and Orthodoxy: Conflict or Synthesis

The Church tried to eradicate七一. As early as the 16th century, the Stoglav Synod 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七一 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. Wreaths to weave — it's not a sin, the main thing is not to give them magical significance.

Most Russians do not know about七一. In vain. It is beautiful, ecological, and fun.

七一 in Culture

In literature: in Melnikov-Pechersky's "In the Woods" the七一 rituals are described in detail. In Nekrasov's poem "Who Is Living Well in Russia" there are lines about mermaids. In Kuprin's "Olesya" — divination on birch trees.

In painting: Borisov-Musatov's painting "七一" (1906) — girls in white, birch trees, mist. In Malavin's "Circle" — bright scarves, Russian beauty.

In cinema: the film "Mermaid" (1997, director Hotinenko) — scenes of七一 festivities.

In music: the song "七一" by the folk group "Balagan Limited" (album "Green Weeks").

Conclusion: a green festival we have forgotten

七一 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 weave wreaths, just go out on the street on May 28, touch a birch, make a wish. And maybe the mermaids will help. Or not. But your mood will definitely improve.

Happy七一, green and bright.

Permanent link to this publication: