All Norway celebrates Jonsoksdag, also called St. John's Day, St. Hans Day, or
Midsummer Day, June 24th. In pagan times, celebrants believed that starting fires on Jonsok would protect both people and animals from illness; the fires would strengthen the sun. In early Christian times, religion adopted this pagan holiday. Jonsok night because a time for contemplation and midnight mass. When the country embraced the Lutheran faith, the celebration remained virtually unchanged; a Lutheran service was held at midnight that included communion. Today Jonsoksdag has lost most of its spiritual significance. It is still celebrated as a time to share with family and friends. on the Valdres Samband Website |