Every year on July 20, the holiday of the Old Slavic deity is celebrated – Peruna. The date of the celebration is associated with prayers for the end of the rainy season and the lowering of water underground due to the ripening of grain.

Who is Perun?

Lightning is a powerful and revered god of thunder and fertility, protector of warriors and enforcer of justice.

• The Orthodox Church replaced the pagan Perun with the biblical prophet Ilya the Thunderer, who knew how to subdue lightning and thunder. Accordingly, the Feast of Perun was replaced by the Day of Elijah (celebrated on August 2).

How did you spend this day?

Previously, on July 20, our ancestors prayed to the pagan god near the Perun trees – old oaks. Eating bull, rooster or boar meat was also a mandatory ritual.

Ancient Slavs believed that during Saint Peruna evil spirits turn into animals. That is why, in order not to anger Perun, pets were not allowed in the house that day.