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Walpurgis Night Bonfire in Sweden, 2006. Photo by David Castor, Wikimedia Commons. |
The night of April 30 is a major celebration, especially in central, northern and eastern Europe. The vigil of the Fire Feast of Belteinne, it was a time that the followers of the old ways would gather to begin their Belteinne celebrations.
Today it is a major folk holiday in many countries. Although there are certain aspects of some local celebrations that are negative holdovers (e.g. the burning of witch effigies in the Czech Republic), for the most part the celebration is a positive continuity with its Mediaeval and much older roots.
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| Sint-Walburgakerk, built 1641, was the Jesuit church of Bruges. Photo by LimoWreck, Wikimedia Commons. |
On the Byzantine Christian Calendar, there are several commemorations on April 30, including:
- Holy Apostle James, the brother of St. John the Theologian
- St. Donatus, Bishop of Euroea in Epirus
- Martyr Maximus of Ephesus
- Opening of the Relics of St. Nicetas, Bishop of Novgorod
- Translation of the Relics of St. Sabbas, abbot of Zvenigorod Monastery
- St. Clement the Hymnographer, abbot of the Studion
- Neomartyr Argyra of Prussa
- Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Of the Passion" (Strastnaya)
- Repose of Schema-abbess Martha (Protasieva), disciple of St. Paisius Velichkovsky (1813)
- Repose of Bishop Ignatius (Brianchaninov) (1867)
- St. Cynwl, Hermit
Most importantly, Walpurgisnacht and Belteinne (more tomorrow on this) are the actual correspondences with Pascha (April 24 in 2011)!
In all instances, this is yet another example of how a modern monotheistic tradition (Christianity) was meant to harmoniously blend with the older wisdom traditions. The kinder, gentler monotheism of Alexander the Great and Emperor Julian II also point to this, still a vibrant possibility today.
Enjoy the feast!
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