| Vidovdan | |
|---|---|
Kosovo Maiden |
|
| Observed by | ethnic Serbs (Serbian Orthodox Christians) |
| Type | Christian, cultural |
| Significance | Veneration of St. Vitus |
| Date | June 28 Gregorian Calendar June 15 Julian Calendar) |
| Observances | Feast day (Slava) |
| Related to | Slava |
Vidovdan (Serbian Cyrillic: Видовдан) means: Vid's-Day, Day of Light, Day of Eye, is a Day in the glory of God of Vid or Svetovid (All-seeing God), the God who sees the whole world, according to Slavic mythology, whose feast is on June 28 (Gregorian Calendar, June 15 according to the Julian Calendar). This day represents to Serbs folklore and pagan tradition that has its roots in Slavic mythology. On the same day Serbian Orthodox Church is designated as a memorial day to Saint Prince Lazar and the Serbian holy martyrs who gave their lives to defend their faith during the epic Battle of Kosovo against Ottoman Empire on June 28, 1389.
The feast day is sacred to ethnic Serbs (Serbian Orthodox Christians), who transformed the pagan Slavic god of war, fertility and abundance "Svetovid"[1] (Vid) into the Sicilian martyr St. Vitus, who exorcized the evil out of Diocletian's son. This transformation took place at the time of the final christianization of the Serbs during the rule of Basil I (867–886) by the Byzantine missionaries Cyril and Methodius. Through the centuries, Serbian historical events such as the Battle of Kosovo became sources for spiritual strength and patriotism. It was not a coincidence that Gavrilo Princip assassinated the Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand at Vidovdan, triggering the First World War.[2]
Vid's-Day, colloquially known as the Day of light, is associated with many legends and folk traditions. On Day of Vid (Div), before sunrise, people visit the springs and wash their faces. When the sun appears, people turn to the East, cross themselves, and say: "Vid, Vid's-Day, what you see with the eyes with his hands to be created". Near the springs people tie red threads (red color symbolizes the sun, fire and life, and repels the evil eye).
After the Battle of Kosovo legends about the fairies called Rusalke were spread. These are young women and fiancee of Serbian soldiers killed during the battle. They appeared one day before Vidovdan (Vid's-Day), and roamed in the woods from sunset till dawn. They shouted all night and wept for the death of Prince Lazar and his knights. Fairies gather during the night next to forest stream and light a fire around which they dance naked. If a young Serb were to accidentally run into the fairies during this ritual, they would give him red wine to drink and turn him into a dragon, wanting him to avenge the death of Prince Lazar and his knights and to free the God of Vido (Sun).
Vidovdan has long been considered a date of special importance to ethnic Serbs and in the Balkans, with the following events each taking place on Vidovdan, but are expressed here in the Gregorian Calendar:
In Bulgaria it is called Vidovden (Видовден) or Vidov Den (Видов ден) and is particularly well-known in (Shopluk), the western part of the country.
Vidovdan was referred to in the song "Oro"; Serbia's entry in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest, performed by Jelena Tomasevic.
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