On November 1st, Christians worldwide celebrate All Saints’ Day, a solemn holiday that holds special significance in Lithuania. This day is dedicated to honoring deceased family members and remembering the Saints of the Catholic Church.
While modern observances of this day involve visiting cemeteries, attending church services, and gathering with family, the roots of this holiday and some of its traditions can be traced back to ancient times. It is fascinating to see how these ancient traditions have intertwined with the Christian faith in Lithuania today. Even now, most Lithuanians refer to All Saints’ Day as “Vėlinės,” which was a pagan holiday that celebrated the souls of ancestors with feasts and rituals. Although it is unclear how this holiday was originally observed, it is known that the feasting and rituals occurred over the course of several weeks. In ancient writings, this extended ritual is referred to as "Ilgės" or "pangs of love or longings," reflecting its long duration. In Eastern Lithuania, this ritual was known as "Dziedu" days or "old men's days," in reference to beggars who were asked to pray for the souls of the departed.
The traditions associated with honoring the dead are deeply rooted in the belief
#lithuania
#dayofthedead
#vilnius
#velines
26 июл 2024
