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Phillip Black

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Re: Traditional Celebrations - June
6/21/2008 2:49:39 PM

Hello Anamaria,

Thanks you for Sharing with us some of the Wonderful Traditions of your Country.  The more I read, the more I realize how much I have missed by not visiting sooner.  I simply must find a way to correct that very soon. 

Have A Beautiful Day,

Phil

“There may be trouble all around, but I am calling you to a place of peace. Be still and know that I am God. Come to Me, and I will give you wisdom, strength, and grace for everything you face." Psalm 46:10
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Re: Legends of JUNE
6/21/2008 6:18:00 PM
Hello AnaMaria,

Your story are always captivating.  I love this forum.  Thank you for sharing Romania with us and thank you for my Sanziana I will cherish it.

God Bless
Gaby
Allow me to give you back
a Sanziana to protect you all year long also.


God Bless Everyone
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Jo Anne Green

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Re: Traditional Celebrations - June
6/21/2008 8:03:48 PM
  
Sunny Greetings from California, Anamaria!

Thank you for sharing the Romanian traditions and customs.


I find that traditional June celebrations in Romania are so fascinating. I wish I could be there to observe.

Until next time --

Keep Safe, Keep Smiling!

JoAnne Green 
Principal/International Risk Management Advisor

Integrity + Experience + Dependability

Sunburst International Risk Managementwww.InternationalRiskManagement.comSunburst Worldwide Insurance Serviceswww.WorldwideMedicalPlans.com
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Ana Maria Padurean

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Re: Legends of JUNE
6/23/2008 8:26:57 AM
Hello Georgios ;-)

Thank you for your extra to this thread. It is interesting how even with the distance we have so much in common
(I mean Swedish and Romanian people - this time)

Sânziană is the Romanian name for gentle fairies who play in important part in local folklore, also used to designate the Galium verum or Cruciata laevipes flowers. Under the plural form Sânziene, the word designates an annual festival in the fairies' honor. Etymologically, the name stands for sân (common abbreviation of sfânt - "saint", "holy") and zână (a word used for fairies in general).

People in the western Carpathian Mountains and other parts of Romania celebrate the Sânziene holiday annually, on June 24. This is similar to the Swedish Midsummer holiday, and is believed to be a pagan celebration of the summer solstice in June. According to the official position of the Romanian Orthodox Church, the customs actually relate to the celebration of Saint John the Baptist's Nativity, which also falls on June 24.

- from Wikipedia -


 
click!

Every year, on June 24, Romanians mark the Sanziene's celebrations (Midsummer Night or Summer Solstice)  This night it is believed to be magic; miracles are possible, beneficial forces and malefic ones as well, reaching their apogee. In Moldova, Orthodox Christians are praying at the relics of St. John The Baptist, from Suceava, hopping they'll be protected of  troubles and diseases.

Sorry I couldn't find a better video for you, but have a Field of Sanziene instead to protect you ;-)

With friendship,
Anamaria


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Ana Maria Padurean

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Re: Traditional Celebrations - June
6/23/2008 9:08:08 AM
Hello Dimi :-)

I'm so happy to see you; seams we were too busy lately as we didn't met too much!
Its an honor for me to have the chance to exchange our traditions and celebrations with you.


Sânziene rituals


The folk practices of Sânziene imply that the most beautiful maidens in the respective village dress in white and spend all day searching for and picking Gallium verum. They are instructed to remain alone and unseen, especially by any males. Using the flowers they picked during the day, the girls create wreaths as floral crowns which they wear upon returning to the village at nightfall. They are then supposed to have turned into sânziene fairies, and dance in circle around a bonfire, into which all remains of the previous harvest are thrown. People are prevented from speaking to the girls during this ceremony, as it is presumed that the sânziene spirits possessing them might otherwise be angered or distracted.

In some regions, the girls may keep the wreaths until the following year's Sânziene. This, they believe, ensures fertility for their family's land. In addition, if they place the wreath under their pillow the night right after Sânziene, it is possible that they would have a premonition of the man they are to marry (ursitul, "the fated one"). Another folk belief is that during the Sânziene night, the heavens open up, making it an adequate time for making wishes and for praying, as God is more likely to listen.

In some areas of the Carpathians, the villagers light then a big wheel of hay from the ceremonial bonfire and push it down a hill. This has been interpreted as a symbol for the setting sun (from the solstice to come and until the midwinter solstice, the days will be getting shorter).

Hope you enjoy my little addition :-)
Wish you a wonderful Summer.
Anamaria

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