Abstract
<jats:p>The article examines issues related to the introduction of calendar age into the cultural practices of Russians. Chronological age calculation was practically not used in folk culture. Age stages were marked by traditional rituals. Calendar accounting of the age of each parishioner was conducted by the church. Birth, baptism, marriage and death data were recorded in metric records. Decrees of government bodies were crucial for disseminating the concept of calendar age among the general populace, as their implementation required precise knowledge of it. In Soviet times, a new population registration system was created. All documents related to the registration of major events in the lives of citizens, the church had to transfer to the new bodies. However, during the civil war and the anti-religious campaign, most of the church archives were lost. Not all citizens knew their exact age. To resolve this issue, special commissions were created to determine age by appearance. Knowledge of calendar age was becoming increasingly necessary for the execution of various documents. At the same time, the number of events associated with calendar age was increasing: the beginning of schooling, obtaining a passport, coming of age, the beginning of retirement age, etc. The authorities tried to give some of them the character of a holiday. The birthday was the last of all significant dates to become a personal holiday. Gradually, calendar age became an integral part of the lives of Soviet citizens.</jats:p>