A Slavic holiday has long been celebrated on August 2 – Perun’s Day.

Perun is the lord of the sky

Pagans considered Perun the all-powerful ruler of the sky, who owned thunder and lightning. Perun is the son of the ruler of all gods, Belaboga, the main god of the pantheon, the patron of the army and farmers.

People believed that thunder during a thunderstorm meant that winged golden horses rushed across the sky, carrying Perun in a golden chariot. And the lightning flashes from the fiery arrows with which he dispersed the evil force.

Warriors turned to the son of Bilobog in their prayers with the hope of receiving help in battles with enemies. Until this day, the peasants tried to prepare hay for the winter, harvest all the crops and prepare the fields for sowing winter crops.

Healing waters of rivers

It was believed that the water in the reservoirs becomes healing, capable of expelling shingles and all diseases. Therefore, people started the celebration by pouring water while standing on the ground barefoot. Also, on this day, they bathed for the last time, because after the holiday, the water in the rivers became very cold and you could find all sorts of unclean things in it.

Warriors brought gifts to the lord of thunder, which were burned after the victory in the ritual duel of Perun over Veles, and weapons were consecrated over the bonfire. Competitions and entertainment were also arranged, and young men passed tests to become soldiers.

How do you spend this day?

Ukrainians still support ancestral rites today. On this day, on the island of Khortytsia, prayers are held near the Perun oaks, competitions, demonstration duels are held, and ritual songs are sung.