What is this event?

Annunciation of the Holy Mother of God – one of the 12 most important holidays celebrated by Christians. Believers of Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate it every year on April 7. The Annunciation does not depend on such a great holiday as Easter, nor does it take place independently of Great Lent.

Christians believe that it was on this day that the Immaculate Virgin Mary received good news from the messenger of God – Archangel Gabriel, who informed her that she had conceived immaculately from the Holy Spirit and would give birth to the son of God, who would be called Jesus Christ. During the birth of the Christian faith, this day began to be celebrated annually and was called Annunciation of the Holy Mother of God.

How did the idea of ​​celebrating the Annunciation come about?

According to theologian scholars, Christians began to celebrate this holiday at the beginning of the 4th century AD. And already in the 6th century, believers began to consider it one of the most important.

The holy scriptures claim that at the age of 3, the parents gave the Virgin Mary to the Jerusalem temple for upbringing. When the girl turned 14 years old, the high priest chose a husband for her – an honest carpenter from Nazareth, named Joseph. After Mary married Joseph, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to her, who announced to her that she would give birth to the savior of the world – Jesus Christ. Later, an angel appeared in a dream to Joseph and confirmed the news about the birth of the Son of God by Mary. He also gave instructions to the head of the family on how to protect the future child from persecution and destruction.

Traditions and customs on the day of the Annunciation

There are many rituals that are observed during the celebration of this holiday. Our ancestors also believed that if we celebrate this day according to beliefs and traditions, then life will be happy and joyful throughout the year. Previously, the celebration of the Annunciation Day of the Most Holy Theotokos was not limited exclusively to divine service in the Church. On this day there were loud festivities with dances and interesting games.

One of the biggest events of the day Annunciation release of birds was considered. Older people said that by releasing a bird, you can enjoy happiness all year round. Hence the tradition of releasing pigeons after the marriage ceremony at a wedding.

Young people jumped over the bonfire, which cleansed themselves of all kinds of bad thoughts and actions accumulated over the previous year. With all the evil, the bonfire burned the failures associated with it. Old straw used to cover the bed was also burned for purification. Various herbs were also smoked, and outer winter clothes were fumigated with smoke.

It was also believed that washing with water from melted snow can cure any ailments. Therefore, sick and elderly people took snow, melted it and washed themselves.

Another tradition of the holiday, which took root in simple families for a long time, is to call your husband “sweetie” throughout the day. If a woman utters this word, addressing her faithful, at least 40 times, she will ensure love and harmony in the family and ward off the appearance of a mistress.

While visiting the church, believers tried to buy prosphora, which protects against diseases, envy, theft and poor harvest. It is also important to sanctify water in the church, as it acquires healing power.

Another ancient tradition for the day Annunciation – burn table salt. According to the traditions of our ancestors, burnt salt helps with serious diseases. Salt, which was kept on a hot pan for 10-15 minutes, had a magical effect.

Ash, what a day Annunciation remained in the furnace, was not thrown away, it was used to fertilize sick and weak plants.

Prohibitions that Christians follow on this day

Taboos for work and various activities apply to almost all church holidays and Annunciation is no exception. On this day, it is necessary to abandon any household chores and heavy physical and mental tasks. Everything must be done in advance.

Sewing and knitting are especially prohibited on this day. Our ancestors believed that the thread is a symbol of human destiny. If it is cut off or circumcised on a big church day, then a person’s life can be cut short, or the fate of the whole family can be ruined. Therefore, during major holidays, people did not sew anything, did not heat the stove and did not perform other, even the most important household chores.

It was strictly forbidden to Annunciation and the day before this holiday to do sowing work. And in general, any work on the land was considered a great sin, which could deprive the whole family of the harvest.

In ancient times, on April 7, girls did not even braid braids on this day, they did their hair on the eve of the holiday. Plaiting braids on the Annunciation, the girl condemned herself to a difficult fate, a lonely and even short life. There is another opinion, why you can not weave braids on the Annunciation. This is how girls protect their hair. After all, in the past, a braid was not only a symbol of beauty, but also testified to the health of its owner. Guys first of all paid attention to healthy girls with long and thick braids.

According to tradition, people wore their best clothes on all church holidays. However, with the Annunciation, everything was different. People believed that new clothes on this day could tear and spoil. Therefore, in order to look beautiful on the Annunciation, our grandmothers wore new clothes on the eve of the holiday.

Natural signs for the Annunciation

In ancient times, people paid great attention to natural phenomena and omens, because they indicated the future harvest and the need to make certain preparations. Omens for major church holidays were interpreted the most. There are a number of natural signs on Annunciationwhich had certain interpretations.

1. If no swallows are visible in the sky on April 7, this indicates a cold and late spring.
2. Frosts at night indicated a generous harvest of spring wheat varieties, and it is also worth waiting for a mushroom year.
3. It’s warm and sunny outside, but there’s not a single cloud in the sky? It is necessary to prepare for a stormy summer.
4. Rain on the Annunciation – to a dry summer, and a stormy day – to a good harvest of nuts.
5. If the sky is overcast on the night of April 7, chickens will lay poorly throughout the year.

Postcards for the Annunciation

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When will we celebrate? Annunciation?