Korochun is a Slavic holiday celebrated at the winter solstice. It is said to be the day the Black God, Czernobog, and other dark spirits are at their most powerful. On this longest night of the year, Hors, the “old sun,” becomes smaller and dies as he is defeated by the Black God. Then Hors is resurrected the next day as the “new sun,” Koleda.
Korochun has become associated with honoring and worshiping one’s ancestors. Western Slavic traditions on Korochun include lighting fires in cemeteries to warm their loved ones, organizing feasts to feed and honor the dead, and burning wooden logs at crossroads to light the spirits’ way.
