Quiet week after Pentecost. Greenery, birch trees, wreaths, dances. This is Green Week — an ancient Slavic holiday that Christianity mixed with Pentecost week. 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 not by their own hand) are remembered, fortunes are told about the future. Paganism and Orthodoxy are intertwined so closely that it is impossible to distinguish them. But the atmosphere is pure, green, spring-like.

What are the Green Weeks

Green Weeks (also known as Russian Week, Kletch 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 the Spirit Day (Monday, June 1).

On these days, according to beliefs, mermaids, mavki, and bogatyrinas become active. The souls of the deceased ancestors come to the world of the living. Therefore, they were remembered, appeased, and the houses were decorated with greenery. In Christian tradition — a full 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, rituals of fertility, girl's fortunes, and memorials for "improper" deceased (those who died not by their own hand) are intertwined.

Birch — the main tree of the Seventh

On the Seventh, girls went into the forest, chose a young birch, wound wreaths on it (twisted branches into a ring, without breaking them). Then they danced in a circle, 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 they had dried up, it meant illness, if they had unraveled, it meant parting, if they were green, it meant marriage this year.

The birch was decorated with ribbons, scarves, beads, and dances were held around it. Then they "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 region, they made a "koukushka" — a figure of a cuckoo from grass or fabric, which they planted on a branch and then burned it. It was believed that this would accelerate marriage.

Memorials on the Seventh: "improper" deceased

The Church commemorates the deceased on Pentecost Saturday (May 30). But the people — on the Seventh, on Thursday. On this day, they remembered the "improper" deceased — those who died not by their own hand: 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 mavki, suffer.

On the Seventh, they went to the cemetery, laid eggs, kvass, bliny, pies on the graves, poured vodka. Especially they took care of those who drowned. They organized "mermaid farewells": boys dressed up as mermaids, ran around the village, chased the spectators. It was believed that if they 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.

Girl's fortunes on the Seventh

The most popular are fortunes on wreaths and on birch trees. During the day, they wound a wreath, in the evening they sent it into the water. If it sinks, it means misfortune, if it floats, it means happiness. Where it floats, there will be a bridegroom. Another fortune: they hung a towel over the window on the night of the Seventh. If it is wet in the morning, there will be a wedding, if it is dry, wait another year.

Fortune-telling on branches: they plucked a birch branch and put it under the pillow. If a boy dreams, it means marriage. If devils dream, beware. Fortune-telling on grass: they plaited two grasses, put them under the threshold. The one who steps over first will be the wife.

Many fortunes are related to mermaids: girls went into the rye, listened. If you hear laughter, mermaids are nearby, they will tell your fate. You should not show mermaids your beauty — they will take 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 birches. Plait a wreath from the branches (do not break them, carefully). Lead a circle to the songs of the group "Ivan Kupala" or folk music. Kiss through the wreath with a friend — this is "kumlenie," strengthening friendship.

Remember the "improper" ones — those who were forgotten. Light a candle in the church (officially on Pentecost Saturday, on the Seventh — you can simply light a candle for the repose). Do not forget those who drowned, hanged, were killed. If you believe — go to the graves with bliny.

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

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

Proverbs and sayings

"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 rain mushrooms." "As the Seventh goes, so the whole year goes."

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

Omens: if you meet a drowned man (figuratively — learn about someone's death) on the Seventh, you need to cross yourself three times and give alms. Otherwise, the mermaid will take you away.

The Seventh and Orthodoxy: conflict or synthesis

The Church tried to eradicate the Seventh. As early as the 16th century, the Stoglav Synod forbade "demonic games" around birches. But the people did not listen. As a result, the tradition transformed: the 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 is 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. But in vain. It is beautiful, ecological, and fun.

The Seventh in culture

In literature: Melnikov-Pechersky's "In the Woods" describes the seventh rituals in detail. In Nekrasov's poem "How Well to Live in Russia" there are lines about mermaids. In Kuprin's "Olesya" — fortunes on birch trees.

In painting: Borisov-Musatov's painting "The Seventh" (1906) — girls in white, birches, fog. In Malevich's "Circle Dance" — bright scarves, Russian beauty.

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

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

Conclusion: a green holiday that 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 do not plait wreaths, just go out on the street on May 28, touch the 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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