Dzheorguyba (osset. Djeorguyba) — autumn holiday in honor of the Ossetian dzuar Uastirdzhi, one of the heroes of the Nart epic. This is the largest holiday among Ossetians, timed to coincide with the completion of agricultural work.
Celebrations begin on Monday, and on the Sunday before the start of the holiday, according to tradition, each family sacrifices some animal (bull, sheep) to God. This pre-holiday day is called «galergavden».
Ossetians honor their Dzuars (saints), but a particularly honorable place in the pantheon of Ossetian saints, is occupied by Uastirdzhi — patron of men, travelers, defender of the weak and disadvantaged, teacher of youth. Ossetians, no matter where he is, and no matter what he does, will definitely enlist the support of Uastirdzhi. At the table, traditionally, the first toast (address) is said to the Almighty (Styr Huytsau), the second to his messenger Uastirdzhi. The head of the family entrusts his family and family to his guardianship and asks for prosperity, peace and happiness for everyone. Neighbors, friends, and relatives always come to each house during the week.
In the pantheon of Ossetian deities Uastirdzhi —, the only one who communicates with the people leads the same lifestyle as a simple highlander. He is a mediator between God and people. Place of residence Uastirdzhi — heaven. Before the god «Huytsau», he stands up for poor and offended people and asks him for all sorts of gifts for them.
People have endowed their beloved deity with the best human qualities to show their good disposition, calling him «Golden Uastirdzhi», «Great Uastirdzhi», «Golden-winged Uastirdzhi». In their imagination, he appears as a tall, slender, gray-bearded man riding a white horse. Women, not daring to pronounce his name, turn to him «Lagty dzuar» — « Patron of men», but they do not complain about it, because their men are also travelers and warriors under the eye of Uastirdzhi, and the well-being of their husbands — is the key to peace and prosperity in the family.
In Ossetia there is no gorge, no village where there is no sanctuary in honor of Uastyrzhi. Particularly famous are Rekom, Nyhas, Kob, Khurkhor, Dzivgis, Khetag Grove, the Digor Uastirdzhi sanctuary and the Jer sanctuary.
Uastirdzhi was so revered by his ancestors that even the month on which his holiday fell was called «Dzheorguybayi may» — month Djeorguyba. Since the holiday lasts a week, this week is called «Week of Worship of Uastirdzhi».
This week it is not customary to slaughter poultry, put fish, pork and products made from them on the table. Pork should not be present on the table when offering prayer to God — Styr Khutsau, Huastirdzhi and other saints. It is not customary to consume these products per week Djeorguyba at all.