Paper short abstract:

I would like to concentrate on two different Seto holidays held in August - Seto Kingdom Day and Dormition of the Mother of God. Although the first holiday has only short history and the other one is traditional Orthodox Church holiday, there is mental connection between them for modern Setos.

Paper long abstract:

Setos are an ethnic and linguistic minority in south-eastern Estonia and north-western Russia, mostly Orthodox Christians.

First Seto Kingdom Day was celebrated in 1994. The idea was borrowed from Norway, where descendants of 17th Century Finnish immigrants each year proclaim their Republic. Explanatory story of Seto Kingdom bases on Seto epic "Peko" created by traditional singer Anne Vabarna in 1927. On the request of a scholar she made old Seto god of fertility Peko a human being and king of Setos. As Peko is dead and resting eternally in cave under the Pskovo-Pechersky Monastery, in Seto Kingdom rules his regent. Election of the regent is central event of Seto Kingdom.

Dormition of the Mother of God (August 28th) is the main holiday of Pskovo-Pechersky Monastery. Before introducing of Seto Kingdom Day the Dormition was for Setos only a Church holiday. Now it is mentally connected with the Kingdom Day due to the legend of king Peko. Next to the monastery wall is growing an old oak that is nowadays named Peko's oak. Inside the monastery is an old bent iron bar used for fire alarm. It is called Peko's rib. A day before Dormition abbot of the monastery has official meeting with Seto delegation (the regent included). From 2008 in village Sigovo of Pechery region in the evening of Dormition is held festival named Family Meetings, visited by large number of Estonian Setos.

Kingdom Day is now central event of Seto ritual year, the regent has became leader of Setos.