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| Pentecost Icon |
Each year
Romanian Orthodox Christians celebrate Pentecost Sunday or Rusalii as it is
called in the folk tradition, when The Holy Spirit descends upon Christ’s Apostles.
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| Pentecost Orthodox Icon |
It lasts for
two days and it is always celebrated 50 days after Easter.
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| Linden Flowers |
On the day of
Pentecost, Christians come to church and bring linden flowers or walnut leaves,
symbols of the tongues of fire that mark the descent of the Holy Spirit.
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| Blessing of Linden Flowers and Walnut Leaves |
These leaves
are blessed and distributed to the believers.
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| Linden Branches Protecting the Home |
Tradition
says that these blessed branches of walnut and linden flowers should decorate
the windows of the house and icons since they have protective powers against
the capricious Fairies or Rusalii.
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| Rusalii Pagan Fairies |
Another ancient
folk tradition in villages at Pentecost is a specific folk dance performed by
men "Căluşari".
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| Dance of Calusari |
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| Village Calusari |
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| Boys Calusari |
Farm animals are included in celebrations with adornments of summer flowers for good fortune.
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| Farm Ox adorned with Summer Flowers |
Feasts of cherries, wine, pastries and coliva a traditional Romanian wheat porridge are offered to friends and family.
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| Rusalii Feast |
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| Celebration of Summer Rusalii |
