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

What are the Green Weeks

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

On these days, according to beliefs, mermaids, mavki, and bogatyrinas are activated. The souls of deceased ancestors come to the world of the living. Therefore, they were remembered, flattered, and decorated houses 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 Seven is the most magical day. In it, fertility rituals, girl fortunes, and memorials for "incorrect" dead are mixed.

Birch Tree — the Main Tree of the Seven

In the Seven, girls went into the forest, chose a young birch tree, wound wreaths on it (twisted branches into a ring, without breaking). 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 dried up — to illness, scattered — to parting, green — to marriage this year.

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

In the Polesie, they made a "cuckoo" — 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 speed up marriage.

Memorials on the Seven: "Zalozhny" Dead

The Church commemorates the deceased on Pentecost Saturday (May 30). And the people — on the Seven, Thursday. On this day, they remembered the "zalomny" — those who died unnatural deaths: 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 mavki, suffer.

On the Seven, they went to the cemetery, put eggs, kvass, blinis, pies on the graves, poured vodka. Especially they were concerned about those who drowned. They organized "rusalka farewells": boys dressed up as mermaids, ran through the village, chased the spectators. It was believed that if you didn't 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 Fortunes on the Seven

The most popular are fortunes on wreaths and birch trees. During the day, they wound 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 a bridegroom. Another fortune: on the night of the Seven, they hung a towel over the window. In the morning, if it's wet — there will be a wedding, dry — wait another year.

Fortune-telling on branches: they plucked a birch branch and put it under the pillow. If a boy dreams — to marriage. If devils dream — beware. Fortune-telling on grass: they wove two grasses, put them under the threshold. Whom will step first — she will be the wife.

Many fortunes are related to mermaids: girls went to 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 away. Therefore, on the Seven, they tried not to let their hair down, not to wear bright clothes.

How to celebrate the Seven today

In cities, traditions are almost forgotten. But you can revive them. On May 28, 2026 (Thursday), go to the park with birch trees. Plait a wreath from the branches (do not break, carefully). Dance in 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 "zalomny" — those who were forgotten. Put a candle in the church (officially on Pentecost Saturday, on the Seven — you can simply light a candle for the repose). 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 mavki. Ask them to draw a birch tree. Bake "sparrows" from dough (even though it's not Maslenitsa, but you can).

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

Proverbs and sayings

"On the Seven, on the holy week, mermaids walk on the ground." "Don't go into the forest on the Seven alone — mermaids will tickle." "If it rains on the Seven — to a good mushroom harvest." "As the Seven is, so the whole year will be."

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

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

The Seven and Orthodoxy: conflict or synthesis

The Church tried to eradicate the Seven. 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 the Seven 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 magical significance.

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

The Seven in culture

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

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

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

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

Conclusion: a green holiday we have forgotten

The Seven 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 wakes up after a long winter. Even if you don't 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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