онлыне

 

Subsequently, with the introduction of the Christian religion as a state religion in Russia (the so-called "baptism of Russia"), the rite of caroling was adapted to the celebration of Christmas. Priests and monks created new religious carols with biblical images, which also gained great popularity among the people. Prominent composers undertook the processing and restoration of carols: Mykola Lysenko, Stanislav Lyudkevich, and others. In carols, according to tradition, all members of the family were honored: the master, the mistress, the boyfriend, the girlfriend. The caroling was combined with a corresponding theatrical performance, dances, and music. They caroled in groups, having previously distributed responsibilities: chieftain "birch", "star", "mihonosha" and "ryajeni". Metropolitan Vasyl Lypkivskyi described Christmas carols as follows in his Christmas sermon "The Meaning of Christmas Carols":

Carols and Christmas carols were extremely popular ritual songs among the people. Carols are sung from December 25 to January 7. They were timed to Christmas. And donations - before the New Year (according to the old style - January 14).
Christmas carols are the oldest folklore genre. They preserve the memory of the old tribal era and are associated with the winter turning of the sun into summer, which was called the holiday of Kolyada. It was celebrated on December 25 (old style), when the night was the longest. Nature seemed to freeze at this time. It was believed that the sun was eaten by the evil Korochun - a dark Slavic deity. The goddess of the sky Kolyada was giving birth to a new sun, a little Bozhich.

В двенадцать священных ночей родился золотоликий Божич - молодое Солнце - Дажбог, серебряный Ясн-Луна и святая Богиня-Мать воды Дана, а значит и все живущее на земле. "Бог-Коляда приходит в мир со светом и добром, победив зло и тьму. В Рождестве солнца Коляды - праздник света Дажбога, великий праздник Жизни, праздник Предков, праздник Счастья и Воли. Все сущее на земле: человек, весь растительный и животный мир почитают бога Коляду, опекуна молодого Божича-Солнца, встречая рождение света Дажбожьего Святым ужином, Святыми мыслями и Святым единством душ.