The holiday itself, according to history, heralds a new era in the history of mankind, because according to legend, on this day the Archangel Gabriel came to Mary from Nazareth to announce to her the immaculate conception and the birth of the Son of God. What can and cannot be done on this day - read in our material.
The Feast of the Annunciation is celebrated exactly nine months before the Nativity of Christ and three weeks before Easter. At the same time, this holiday is celebrated every year at the same time - April 7 and does not depend on the church calendar. In addition, the Annunciation is considered one of the 12 most important Christian holidays. Many rules and beliefs are associated with this day in church traditions and folk beliefs.
What can and should be done during the Annunciation
On this day, the church is recommended to Orthodox believers to put aside all their affairs in order to visit the church and pray. On this day, you can work, but you can not overwork and forget about prayer. It is believed that on the Annunciation it is necessary to cleanse your soul of negativity, so you should not neglect the holiday.
In addition, on this day, an indulgence is allowed on the Lent menu and you can afford fish products if you follow the canons of fasting.
- On the Annunciation, it is allowed to tell fortunes for the future, since it is believed that today the divine forces themselves will show you the right path.
- You can wash and do other household chores.
- It is possible to perform baptism during the Annunciation, but usually on this day the clergy are busy holding a festive service and taking communion. Therefore, it is worth transferring the sacrament to another suitable day for this.
- Everything related to needlework, whether it be knitting, embroidery or other work, can be done if you devote due time to prayers and family.
- If on the Annunciation from morning to midnight you call your husband “dear” forty times, the whole year the husband will love and groom.
- Also on this day, you can “steal” something - for happiness. That is, take some small thing with you - a pen, pencil or other small things. They are believed to bring good luck.
- In addition, on this day you need to burn salt for happiness and health, and then scatter it in the wind - it is believed that this way you can get rid of diseases.
- On this day, funeral or memorial services and prayers are also held.
However, a number of prohibitions and prohibitions also apply to the Annunciation.
What not to do on the Annunciation:
- On this day, any household work is prohibited, as well as sewing and cooking. It is customary to finish all chores and cleaning the day before.
- On this day, it is advisable to stay at home and refuse to travel in order to be with your family and it is not recommended to borrow or borrow anything.
- In some regions, there is also a belief that new things should not be worn on the Annunciation, as they can deteriorate. And also not accepted to shave.
- On the day of the week that falls on April 7, no new business can be started throughout the year. They won't be successful.
- There is a belief that you can’t cut, dye or comb your hair on the Annunciation - you can confuse your fate.
- April 7, you can not work in the garden and cut trees. Many believe that it is on this day that the Lord blesses all plants so that they quickly sprout and turn green.
What date is the Annunciation celebrated in 2019? What is the history and background of this holiday? Read about it in the article Pravda-TV.
Annunciation in 2019 - April 7
The Beginning of Our Salvation
The Annunciation in Orthodoxy is included in the list of the twelfth holidays, that is, the twelve most important after Easter. Komsomolskaya Pravda tells when and how the Annunciation is celebrated in 2019 - one of the main holidays in Christianity
The feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos has long been one of the favorite holidays of the Russian people. Even “a bird does not nest on this day” - our pious ancestors used to say. On this day, the Virgin Mary heard the joyful news of the heavenly messenger that She was chosen to become the Mother of the Savior of the world. "Rejoice, Blessed One"- the Angel greeted Her, and these words were, in essence, the first good, “good” news for mankind after it broke its connection with God as a result of the fall. From the moment the Angel appears to the Most Pure Virgin, a new, bright page begins in the life of mankind.
The coincidence of the Annunciation and Easter is called Kyriopaskha, but this is extremely rare. The last time this happened was in 1991, and the next Kyriopaskha will happen only in 2075.
In a number of countries - both in the West and in the East - from the day of the Annunciation they counted the new year. Such a calendar was, for example, adopted in England until the middle of the 18th century.
Actually, the name of the holiday - the Annunciation - comes into use only from the 7th century (whereas the holiday itself is already celebrated four centuries earlier). Prior to this, the church designated it as “the day of greeting”, “announcement”, “Greeting of Mary”, “Conception of Christ”, “Beginning of redemption”, etc. And the full name of the holiday in Orthodoxy sounds like this: the Annunciation of the Most Holy Lady of Our Lady, and Ever-Virgin Mary.
Traditions: how they celebrated in the old days and today
church celebration
On the Annunciation, an all-night vigil is held in churches, which begins with Great Compline, and the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. The clergy put on blue vestments on the feast - it is this shade that is the symbol of the Virgin. During the service, everyone who came to the temple that day is told about the essence of the holiday and the appearance of an angel to Mary. By the way, church holiday canons, which are still performed on the Annunciation, were compiled as early as the 8th century. Yes, you can eat fish. Believers bake prosphora at home - unleavened small breads - and then illuminate them in the temple during the liturgy. Prosphora are made for each member of the family, and they must be eaten on an empty stomach. In the old days, crumbs from consecrated bread were also added to livestock feed and mixed with grain - it was believed that for a better harvest. And on the Annunciation in cathedrals and churches, after the service, birds are released from cages - as a reminder of freedom for each creation of God. This custom existed in Rus' for hundreds of years until the revolution and was revived in the 90s of the last century. In the Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, the Patriarch releases a flock of pigeons.
Folk customs for the Annunciation
Among the people, the holiday of the Annunciation was perceived, among other things, as a symbol of the arrival of spring. Therefore, traditions on this day are associated with future crops. The peasants illuminated the cooked grain: they placed an icon next to the tub in which it was stored, and said a special prayer for the bestowal of the harvest.
It was impossible to work or do housework. “The bird does not build a nest, the girl does not braid her braids,” - the saying is about the Annunciation. Even leaving on the road to work was considered a sin. Instead, the day should have been devoted to good deeds - for example, there was a custom to treat the needy on a holiday.
Signs for the Annunciation
Clear weather on the Annunciation portends a rich harvest and a warm summer. If on this day there is still snow, do not expect good shoots. And the rain promised good fishing and mushroom autumn.
It is impossible to put on new clothes for the Annunciation - it will not be worn, it will quickly tear.
To be healthy, you need to wash yourself with melt water on the Annunciation.
It is not worth lending to someone on this day and generally giving something from home, it was believed that this would result in losses in the future.
But if you make a wish in the Annunciation, it will certainly come true.
What can and should be done on this holiday?
The main thing that Orthodox believers need to do on this day is to go to church. In churches, prosphora (unleavened church bread) is baked, illuminated and given to people who have come to the service. They also illuminate water and salt. It is believed that they have a special power and help to recover faster from diseases.
The Annunciation is also considered a day of rest and freedom. In Rus', the holiday was called the Day of Rest. This is to the issue of limiting labor and work. It is better to spend the day in harmony with yourself and loved ones, do something pleasing to the soul, be humble, silent and turn your thoughts to God.
And on this day, it is customary to release birds from cages, more often pigeons or larks, so that they “ask” God for those who gave them freedom. On this day, our ancestors called for spring: they kindled fires, danced around them and sang, baked figurines of birds from dough.
What is allowed and what is not allowed for the Annunciation?
We bring to your attention a selection of answers to the most common questions about the Annunciation.
On this day, any housework, land work is undesirable: on the Annunciation, the bird does not build a nest, the maiden does not weave braids. Do not dig in the garden and especially sew, knit, weave. But going to work will not be a sin if your shift falls on the Annunciation. It's more about voluntary work. There is a belief that even sinners in hell stop being tortured and give them rest and freedom.
It is not customary to put on new clothes for the first time - it is quickly demolished. To lend or borrow money and things, even to loved ones. It is believed that this will lead to loss of health, peace, well-being.
In details:
Is it possible to eat fish on the Annunciation?
The Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos falls on the strictest post in the church year - Great. But in honor of this holiday, an indulgence is made in the gastronomic post - you can eat fish.
(Except for those cases when the Annunciation falls on Holy Week (as in 2018, the Annunciation coincides with the Great Saturday of Holy Week). In this case, the charter allows food with vegetable oil).
What can you eat for the Annunciation?
In honor of the feast of the Annunciation, an indulgence is made in the gastronomic rules of Great Lent - you can eat fish. Meat, eggs, milk are still excluded from the meal.
(However, there are exceptions: if the Annunciation falls on Holy Week (as was the case in 2018 - the Annunciation coincides with Great Saturday of Holy Week) - fish is not allowed.)
Is it true that nothing can be done on the Annunciation?
This is a folk tradition, the main goal of which, rather, is to find a reason to justify one's inaction, failure to fulfill certain obligations.
In fact, there is no ban and cannot be. The Church says that on the day of the Annunciation, like other major church holidays, every believing Christian should try to put aside his affairs for the sake of being in the temple and praying. Further, a person is endowed with freedom and the right to choose. As an independent mature person, each of us has the right to reason and choose for himself what is best for him to do, based on his own capabilities and resources.
Also, we should think about our personal attitude to the holiday.
When a solemn event is planned for one of our loved ones, don't we try to postpone all our affairs as much as possible and spend this day with them?
Do we feel the same about the Annunciation? Do we perceive the Annunciation as a holiday? For many, unfortunately, this is just another event in the life of the Church and nothing more. We do not associate this holiday with ourselves ...
But still, you should always look at the situation. After all, no one knows what circumstances you are in. What are your obligations to your family or to your employer?
In any case, the main thing is not to get bogged down in fuss, worries, anger, irritation, etc. If possible, put aside everything that can prevent you from meeting this Holiday with joy and gratitude.
Is it possible to marry the Annunciation?
This year, the feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos falls on the 4th week (week) of Great Lent, and as we know, this is a special period of repentance and abstinence. Therefore, the church does not bless marriages on this day.
In rare cases, it happens that the Annunciation falls on Bright Week (the week after Easter), but even during this period weddings are not performed in churches.
We can say that Bright Week and Holy Week are a single period in the center of which is Easter.
On Holy Week, the last days of Christ's earthly life are remembered, and on Holy Week, the Church glorifies and sings of His Resurrection!
Therefore, all the attention of the Church is riveted to this great event.
In any case, if you just want to sign in the registry office, then state registration has nothing to do with the Church, here you have the right to make your own decision.
But if it is important for you to follow church traditions, then you can get married starting from the first Sunday after Easter - this is Antipascha (Anti means the opposite), popularly called Red Hill. Then you can safely get married and celebrate the event in a proper way, without conflicting with Orthodox traditions.
Is it possible to make a commemoration for the Annunciation?
On the Annunciation, as well as on other important and honored by the Church holidays, funeral services and prayers are not performed.
A holiday is a time of joy, so one should not be sad and sad on such a day. Especially if it falls during the period of fasting, when a person already does some work on himself.
In the life of the Church, everything has its place and time. There are days of special commemoration of the departed, when special prayers are made for the departed. And on ordinary days, certain prayers are read for the repose of the soul during divine services.
But you can also pray for your relatives and friends of the deceased on your own any day.
Is it possible to wash on the Annunciation?
The answer is unambiguous - you can.
Similar questions “Is it possible to wash on the Annunciation?” as a rule, they give rise to various folk wisdom, which are more related to paganism than to Orthodoxy.
This implies that on a holiday, as on any other significant day for the Church, it is necessary, if possible, to leave all worries, all the fuss and pay attention to the main event, in this case, the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos.
The Annunciation (that is, the good news) is the day when the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary and announced to her the birth of the son of God Jesus Christ into the world. This is more than a worthy reason to put aside our less important affairs for the sake of temple attendance and prayer.
But if you walk around unwashed, this, of course, will give you a lot of inconvenience, irritation and all those unpleasant emotions that simply will not allow you to concentrate, and even more so to share the joy of this holiday with your loved ones.
Is it possible to work for the Annunciation?
In Rus', there was a tradition not to work on the day of the Annunciation. The peasants did not go to the fields, but devoted their entire time to the Orthodox celebration. But even then, in past centuries, and now, there is no prohibition to work as such. Another thing is that it is better to use the hours of this day for deeds of prayer and mercy. Go to the temple with the whole family, pray to the Lord and the Mother of God, share the joy of the holiday with other parishioners of the temple.
The Church also blesses on the Annunciation (as well as on other Orthodox celebrations) to help those who need it most. Visit your elderly relatives, go with volunteers to an orphanage, transfer a donation for an operation to a sick child.
Is it possible to embroider on the Annunciation?
In Rus', girls did not embroider on the Annunciation, because there was a tradition to put off all household chores for the sake of prayer and a joyful meeting of the holiday. In our time, this custom has been preserved only in part, but most often believers try to devote the whole day to God on April 7th. Go to the temple, gather the whole family at the festive table.
Is it possible to get a haircut on the Annunciation?
Doubt about whether it is possible to have a haircut on the Annunciation arose because of an old saying: "A bird does not nest, a maiden does not weave braids." This proverb, of course, is not a strict ban on having a haircut and combing your hair; rather, it says that on this important day for every Christian, it is worth putting aside all vain, everyday things and focusing on the meaning of the holiday. Read the Gospel, attend a church service, do something good for your neighbor, get together with your family and share joy with each other.
Is it possible to clean the house for the Annunciation?
In Rus', it was customary to do all the housework before the feast of the Annunciation, so that on April 7 (according to the new style) to wake up in a clean hut and not be distracted by the fuss. Believers both then and now try to devote this day to prayer and joyful fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ.
Is it possible to take communion at the Annunciation?
Of course, you can take communion at the Annunciation.
Is it possible to knit for the Annunciation?
Needlewomen in Rus' on the feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos put off their sewing and knitting until the evening. It was believed that on this day you can not do anything around the house.
In our time, the Church also recommends that Christians put aside worldly, vain deeds in order to dedicate this day to the Lord and the Mother of God. Pray at home and in the temple, do some good deed for your neighbor, gather relatives and friends at a solemn meal.
What can not be done on the Annunciation?
The Church does not give any specific prescriptions and prohibitions.
It is necessary to stop paying attention to signs, beliefs, which have nothing to do with the life and world of the Church.
Following contrived rules limits one's own freedom.
And in such a state, what kind of joy and gratitude can we talk about?
Orthodoxy is the religion of adults, mature people. No one is forcing or forcing us. We make our own choice. And only in this way can we consciously come to something, get deeply acquainted with traditions, with meanings.
When I understand the meaning for which I am doing something, then the attitude to what is happening will be completely different.
Is it possible to baptize on the Annunciation?
You can baptize on the Annunciation, as on any other day of the church year. The Sacrament of Baptism is performed on Lenten, on ordinary days, and on holidays. But on the twelfth and great holidays, the priests of many churches are very busy, so they may offer to postpone the baptism to another day. The date and time of the christening must be agreed in advance in a particular church or with a particular priest.
Is it possible to dig the earth before the Annunciation?
It is possible to dig the earth before the Annunciation, if weather conditions and soil conditions allow. There is no need to associate your household worries with the church calendar. The Annunciation is a non-transitory holiday, and, apparently, therefore, it is convenient for many to navigate precisely by its date. But do not forget that the day of the Annunciation is not the basis for building a schedule of agricultural work, but a reminder of the great event that marked the beginning of our Salvation.
Is it possible to plant before the Annunciation?
You can plant until the Annunciation. There is no need to associate the beginning of gardening with the church calendar. In these matters, you need to focus on climatic conditions, planting calendars, experience, etc. The church gives people more important guidelines than the date of sowing the beds. The church leads people for Christ. And even during the planting season, you should not forget about it.
Is it possible to put up a fence before the Annunciation?
You can put up a fence before the Annunciation. This and similar prohibitions (borrowing or lending, cutting or even combing your hair, putting on new clothes and starting new business on the Annunciation) are just superstitions. Moreover, among such absurd beliefs, there is even this: on the Annunciation, you must definitely steal something - and this will supposedly bring happiness. Sin cannot bring happiness. Belief in omens and superstitions is a sin that the saints have called to fear since ancient times. Relying on such "rules", a person completely forgets about God, His providence, His help and his own prayer.
Is it possible to cook on the Annunciation?
Of course, you can cook on the Annunciation. Otherwise, you risk being left alone and leaving your loved ones hungry.
The idea that it is impossible to cook on the Annunciation, apparently, originates in the folk "wisdom": "on the Annunciation, the bird does not build a nest, the maiden does not weave a braid." That is, it is assumed that nothing can be done on such a big holiday. In fact, the tradition of not working on holidays among our ancestors had a practical justification: holidays and Sundays should be dedicated to God, and not to daily fuss.
On the Annunciation, you can cook and do all the usual things, but at the same time you need to find time to go to the temple, pray and feel the meaning of this great and joyful event that marked the beginning of the entire gospel story.
Is it possible to sign the Annunciation?
You can sign the Annunciation, but, following the church rules, it is better to choose another day for painting.
The Annunciation always falls either on Great Lent or (very rarely) on Bright Week. These are special periods of the year when the sacrament of the wedding is not performed in the Church. The time of Great Lent is a time of repentance and prayer, Bright Week is the time of Paschal joy, the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ. Moreover, although weddings on the twelfth (that is, the main after Easter) holidays are not prohibited, they are usually not performed, as believers try to live this day with the Church, rejoicing in common joy.
If, for one reason or another, the newlyweds need to formalize their relationship in the registry office on the Annunciation, then they can do it. But the Church does not bless to celebrate a wedding, arrange a feast and start your married life from this very day.
Is it possible to clean the graves before the Annunciation?
You can clean up the graves before the Annunciation.
The Church does not have any strict instructions on which days it is necessary to put things in order on the graves of deceased loved ones. But believers do not go to the cemetery (with the exception of funerals) on major holidays, as well as on Holy Week and from Easter to Radonitsa, because during this period all the attention of a Christian is focused on the gospel events - the death of the Cross and the Resurrection of Christ.
During Lent, which usually falls on the Annunciation, there are three Sabbath days (Parental Saturdays) dedicated to the commemoration of the dead. On such days, you need to go and pray for them in the temple. But it is not forbidden to go to the cemetery after the memorial service. You can clean up the graves on any other day of fasting, but after Palm Sunday, they go to the cemetery only on Radonitsa - the day of special all-church commemoration of the dead, which falls on the second Tuesday after Easter.
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Annunciation Event
Only one evangelist, St. Luke, narrates about the appearance of the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary in the first chapter of his Gospel (see the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1, verses 26-38).
We present here his story with brief explanations. In the sixth month after Elizabeth's conception, St. John the Baptist Angel Gabriel, or the Archangel, as it is customary to call him, (the name Archangel is the highest angel) was sent by God to the little-known Galilean town of Nazareth to the Virgin Mary, betrothed to a husband named Joseph. The reader should pay attention to the fact that the Evangelist Luke does not say: "To the virgin who married," but to " betrothed husband” because the Virgin Mary was only formally, from the point of view of the law, considered the wife of Joseph, but was not his wife in reality. An ancient legend explains why this happened. Even before the birth of Mary, her parents, then childless, Joachim and Anna, made a vow, if they had a child, to dedicate him to the service of God. In their old age, God sent them a daughter, whom they named Mary. When Mary was three years old, her parents sent her to be raised at the Temple in Jerusalem. Living here for ten years in an atmosphere of prayer and contemplation, young Mary so ardently loved God that she, of her own free will, decided to devote herself entirely to Him and made a promise not to marry. When Mary was 14 years old, She could no longer stay at the temple, but had to either return home to her parents or get married. However, Her parents had already died a few years before. The high priest, knowing about her vow of virginity and wanting to help her fulfill her intention, formally betrothed Mary to her elderly relative, known for his righteous life - Joseph. At that time, Joseph was a widower and had a considerable family from his first marriage. He lived in Nazareth, located in the southern part of Galilee, where he worked as a carpenter (Mt. 13:55-56). So the good old man Joseph agreed to take care of his young niece. Both of them were descendants of King David and were waiting for the coming of the Messiah.
But back to the gospel story. Appearing to the Virgin Mary, the Angel Gabriel greeted Her: “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you!”“Blessed” means having received special love and favor from God. The appearance of the Angel and his extraordinary words confused Mary, and She began to think about their meaning. Reassuring Her, the Angel predicts to Mary about the birth of a Son from Her, who will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord will give him the throne of David his father, and he will reign in the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.
Video: Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - the Law of God.
The ancient kingdom of David, in which God Himself nominated kings, which was governed according to the laws of God, and in which all forms of civil life were imbued with the idea of serving God, was an image of the coming Kingdom of God. The main feature of the kingdom of David was not in its civil structure, but in its spiritual ideal - as a society striving to live according to the will of God. After the kingdom of David ceased to exist as a result of the invasion of Nebuchadnezzar six hundred years BC, his ideal continued to inspire the believing Jews, who were waiting for the coming of the Messiah-Savior. These included the Virgin Mary and Her parents, Elder Joseph, the parents of John the Baptist, the righteous Zechariah and Elizabeth, Elder Simeon the God-bearer, Anna the prophetess, the shepherds of Bethlehem, and many other simple and believing Jews. The prophets foretold that with the coming of the Messiah, the kingdom of David would be restored and transformed into the Messianic kingdom. Believers from many nations will pour into it, and it will last forever (see Isaiah 42:1-12, 54:12-14, Isaiah 2:2-3, Dan. 2:44, Dan. 7:13, Zech. 9:9-11).
Saint Mary, wishing to remain a Virgin, asks the Angel in bewilderment: "As it will be(that I will become a mother), when I don't know my husband? The angel comforts Her, explaining that Her vow will not be broken, as She will give birth to a Son in a supernatural way, without a husband. Here seedless conception will produce the Holy Spirit, by whose action “The power of the Most High shall overshadow Her”, that is, the Son of God Himself will descend into Her womb (according to the figurative comparison of the church song, the Holy Spirit, like a mysterious cloud that overshadowed the Old Testament tabernacle, at the moment of conception will descend on the Virgin, Ex. 40:34, Numbers 9:15). The Blessed Virgin did not demand evidence from the Angel, but the Angel Gabriel himself, in confirmation of the truth of his words, pointed out to her Elizabeth, who conceived the prophet John the Baptist in extreme old age, by the will of God. After all, nothing is impossible for God. The Virgin Mary, seeing the will of God in all this, humbly answered: “Behold, the servant of the Lord. May it be to me according to your word.”
The voluntary consent of the Virgin Mary to become the Mother of the Messiah was absolutely necessary for the incarnation of the Son of God, because God always guards the gift of free will with which He has endowed man. Moral freedom is the most valuable property that elevates us above soulless nature and above the animal world. Without it, we would be something like programmed robots, incapable of moral improvement. Being morally free, we can spiritually grow, improve and, thus, become like our Creator (in contrast to God, the devil seeks to deprive a person of the god-like property of freedom; he tries to enslave a person - first morally, and then physically). Thus, after the free consent of the Virgin Mary, the Holy Spirit overshadowed Her, and at that moment the greatest mystery took place, incomprehensible even to angels: body and rational soul. The further development of the Fetus in the virgin womb proceeded according to the natural laws of nature, and the Virgin carried the Infant in Herself until the day of His birth in Bethlehem (by the grace of God, the incomprehensible Miracle of the incarnation of the Son of God is, as it were, repeated at every liturgy, when the Holy Spirit descends on bread and wine, lying on the throne, and transforms them into the Body and Blood of Christ. Thus, in the sacrament of Communion, the Lord Jesus Christ unites us with His Divine nature).
The meaning of the Annunciation
On the day of the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, the ancient prediction of Isaiah was fulfilled that the Virgin would take in Her womb and give birth to a Son, Who would be called Emmanuel, which means “God is with us” (Is. 7:14). On this day, God entered the womb of the Virgin and became a man in order to free the world from sin and the power of the devil. The miracle of the conception of the eternal Child cannot be understood; it is the mystery of godliness, accessible only to faith (1 Tim. 3:16). In the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, the Church sees “saving our homeland”– i.e. Start our salvation. The Annunciation is the first ray of dawn after a long languid night. On this day, our world brought to God its best fruit, the brightest, the purest that it could only create - the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Lord accepted this gift of mankind and responded to it with the gift of the grace of the Holy Spirit. In the mysterious meeting of fallen humanity with the most good God, which took place in the pure heart of the Virgin Mary, the first unique triumphant sound of that angelic song is already heard, which, according to the conditions of earthly time, could be completely heard on earth only nine months later: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men."“Glory to God,” the Virgin Mary carried in her heart, and “peace to the earth” for this the Savior promised Her.
In the caution with which the Virgin Mary reacted to the greeting and promise of the Angel Gabriel, the holy fathers of the Church see a sign of a great virtue called “ prudence” (or “reasoning”). They contrast the wise caution of the Virgin Mary with the gullibility of Eve, who rashly obeyed the advice of the devil, who took the form of a serpent, and instead of happiness found grief.
The appearance of the Angel to the Virgin Mary is framed by two events: the conception of John the Baptist and the visit of St. Virgin Mary of the Righteous Elizabeth. During this visit, St. John the Baptist, an unborn six-month-old uterine baby, is the first to greet the Most Pure Virgin with his movements in the womb of Elizabeth. At this moment, the righteous Elizabeth is honored with the Holy Spirit and exclaims: "Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb" and then adds - “And whence is it to me that the Mother of my Lord has come to me!”(Luke 1:43). Here the righteous Elizabeth began her greeting with the same words with which the Archangel Gabriel ended his greeting. From these words of greeting, that wonderful prayer was created, which we hear so often in the temple: “Virgin Virgin! Rejoice, blessed Mary, the Lord is with you: blessed are you among women (among women) and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Yako (because) the Savior gave birth to our souls.”
The state of tenderness, holy, heavenly joy, in which the Virgin Mary was on the day of the Annunciation, is captured in the icon “Tenderness”. On it is the Virgin Mary - without the Child, with her arms crossed on her chest and with the words around the halo: "Rejoice, Bride of the Bride." In front of this icon, the Monk Seraphim of Sarov prayed on his knees for days and nights, before which he died.
Archangel Gabriel's first word of greeting was "Rejoice." And the feast of the Annunciation is above all a feast of quiet, heavenly joy! Joy over reconciliation with God and grace returned to earth. At the same time, the Annunciation is a celebration of the triumph of humility, purity and chastity, a celebration of unshakable faith in the omnipotence of God and the boundless Love of God for a perishing person.
From this feast, “the main point of our salvation”, that spring of “living water” begins, which later turns into a wide river and, finally, into a boundless sea of New Testament miracles, sacraments and the Grace of the Holy Spirit, by which the Lord, “giving the Spirit beyond measure” , so generously watered thirsty for the truth! The Annunciation is a celebration of the Marriage of Heaven and Earth, when the blue sky descends to the earth and combines with it. The Annunciation is a "blue" holiday! In the eyes of a believer, everything turns blue on this day, everything becomes cleaner and more transparent. The sky is getting bluer, deeper. The air and waters turn blue, reflecting the cloudless sky; the first flowers are blue - snowdrops and violets; At night, the stars are blue. Human souls also become blue, becoming able to perceive the heavenly music of this wondrous holiday.
The proverb, which claims that even a bird does not make a nest on the Annunciation, allegorically calls us on this day to put aside everyday fuss and direct our thoughts to Heaven, to joyful communion with God. According to an old Russian custom, on this day birds are released into the wild as a sign of the liberation of the human soul from sin.
“I became available for consolation” – (Pushkin writes, releasing the bird) – “why should I grumble at God; when I could give freedom to at least one creature!” Another poet, Tumansky, observing the released bird, writes: “She disappeared, drowning in the radiance of a blue day; and so she sang, flying away, as if praying for me.
Divine Liturgy of the Feast of the Annunciation in 2019
The Annunciation is celebrated on April 7 (March 25 according to the church calendar). Among the ancient Christians, the feast of the Annunciation had different names: “Conception of Christ”, “Annunciation about Christ”, “Beginning of Redemption”, “Annunciation of the Angel of Mary”, and only from the 7th century received the final name: “Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos”. The establishment of this holiday belongs to the deepest antiquity. More St. Athanasius the Great in the 4th century called it “the first in a series of holidays”, the beginning of the economy of saving people. In the 5th-6th centuries, in contrast to the Nestorian heresy, which humiliated the Virgin Mary, the solemnity of this holiday increased significantly (Nestorius incorrectly taught that the Blessed Virgin gave birth to a simple person, with whom the Deity united after his birth. The name “Theotokos” in relation to the Virgin Mary means that Jesus Christ at the moment of His conception in Her womb of the Virgin was the true Son of God. Therefore, the Virgin Mary carried in Her womb and later gave birth to the God-man. Both natures - Divine and Human - at the moment of conception united in the person of Christ and since then have not merged into Him and do not change in their essence).
In view of the fact that this holiday sometimes falls in the Lenten period, and sometimes in the Paschal period, its liturgical order is somewhat complicated. If the feast of the Annunciation happens on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday of any week of Great Lent, then the All-Night Vigil begins with Great Compline. If the Annunciation happens on Sunday or Monday, then the All-night Vigil is performed in the usual way, that is, it begins with Vespers (see our leaflet on the All-Night Vigil, number 38). When the Annunciation happens on Pascha, there is no polyeleos, but the canon of the Annunciation is combined with the Paschal canon, and after the sixth ode the Gospel is read.
In the stichera (songs of the all-night service) of the feast of the Annunciation, the story of the Annunciation of the Mother of God by the Archangel Gabriel is recalled and attention is drawn to the humility of the Virgin Mary. It is said about the incomprehensibility of the Nativity of the Savior from the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Mother of God is compared to a “bush” (a bush of thorns that burned in the Sinai desert and did not burn out, Ex. 3:2. Like this bush, the Virgin Mary remained unharmed, having taken God into Herself). Compared to the "ladder" seen by Jacob (the ladder that rested on the ground and reached heaven, Gen. 28:12). It is said that thanks to the birth of the Lord from the Mother of God, heaven is united with the earth, Adam is renewed, Eve is freed, and we become partakers of the Divine nature and the "church", i.e. temple of God. Heaven and earth are invited to triumph and rejoicing, because the Son of God, the throne of the Father, in His goodness dwells in a virgin's womb and takes on human nature. The following proverbs (excerpts from Old Testament books) are read at Vespers: Gen. 28:10-17, Ezek. 43:27, 44:1-4, Prov. 9:1-11, Ex. 3:1-8, Prov. 8:22-30. At the Vespers and the Liturgy of the Annunciation, the following prayer is sung, called the troparion.
Troparion of the Annunciation in 2019
In the canon at the Vespers (the canon is a part of the divine service, compiled according to a certain pattern, see below), it speaks of the indulgence of the incarnating Savior to people and points to the greatness of the Blessed Virgin, who accepted God into Herself. The prophecies and various indications of the Old Testament about the incarnation of the Son of God from the Wife are also mentioned, the power of the All-Holy Spirit, who overshadowed the Mother of God with His descent, is spoken of, and the brief but significant words of the Archangel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary are explained.
Before the reading of the Apostle, the following prokeimenon is sung at the liturgy: Bless day by day(daily) the salvation of our God. The Apostle (Heb. 2:11-18) expresses the idea that in order to save people, it was necessary for the Son of God to take on human flesh. The Gospel (Luke 1:24-38) tells of the appearance of the Angel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The next prayer is sung at the end of the canon and also at the liturgy instead of the song “It is worthy to eat” (which is why it is called “for (i.e. instead of) the worthy”).
Worthy
As if to the animate God’s casket, let the hand of the wicked never touch, but those who are faithful to the Mother of God, silently the voice of the Angel singing with joy, let them cry: Rejoice, Gracious, the Lord is with you. Earth, proclaim great joy; heavens, praise the glory of God.
The hand of the uninitiated (unclean) does not dare to touch You, the Animated Kivot of God. The mouths of the faithful, singing incessantly the greeting of the Angel to the Theotokos, exclaim in joy: Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
At the liturgy before communion, the following is sung:
involved
In established liturgical practice, when the Annunciation coincides with Easter, the light of the Good News feast does not fade even in the dazzling sea of the light of St. Easter and the music of the Archangel's voice are not drowned out by the jubilant sea of sounds of the symphony of the Resurrection of Christ. This is explained by the fact that the nature of the feasts of the Annunciation (“chapters And Zna" - the beginning of salvation) and the feast of the Resurrection of Christ (the final event in the salvation of the world) - the same!
Canon of the Annunciation
The canon for the feast of the Annunciation was written in the 8th century by Saints John of Damascus and Theophanes, Metropolitan of Nicaea. The Orthodox Church, in its liturgical practice, found it necessary to supplement this conversation with a special service explaining it - the canon of the Annunciation, which is an extended dialogue between the Virgin and the heavenly messenger.
Song 1
Irmos: I will open my mouth, and it will be filled with the Spirit; And I will speak the word of the Queen Mother, I will appear brightly triumphant and in joy I will sing of Her miracles (Psalm 44:2-10).
David, Thy forefather, Lady, may he sing to Thee, striking the spiritual lyre: Hear, daughter, the joyful voice of an Angel; for he proclaims unspeakable joy to you (Psalm 44:11).
Angel: In joy I cry out to Thee: incline Thy ear and listen to me, proclaiming the seedless conception of God; for you, the All-Pure One, have found such grace before God as no other woman has ever been honored with (Luke 1:30).
Mother of God: I would like to know the power of your words, Angel. Tell me more clearly: how will what you say come true? How will I conceive - a young virgin? And how can I become the mother of my Creator? (Luke 1:34).
Angel: You seem to think that my words are insidious; I rejoice, seeing Your caution. Dare, Lady, for when God pleases, the extraordinary is easily accomplished (Luke 1:29, 37).
Song 3
Irmos: Mother of God, a living and inexhaustible source! Spiritually affirm Thy singers, who created (this) triumph, and in Thy divine glory honor the crowns of glory.
Mother of God: There was no prince from the tribe of Judah, and the time has come when the aspiration of the peoples will appear - Christ. Explain, then, how can I give birth to Him, being a virgin? (Gen. 49:1; Luke 1:34).
Angel: Do you wish, Virgin, to learn from me the image of Your conception? But he is inexplicable! The Holy Spirit will accomplish it, overshadowing You with creative power (Luke 1:35).
Mother of God: My foremother, having accepted the suggestion of the serpent, is deprived of divine pleasure in paradise. Therefore I too, fearing a fall, am afraid of your strange greeting.
Angel: I, who stand before God, have been sent to proclaim to you the will of God. Why are You, O All-blameless One, afraid of me, when I myself am much more afraid of You? Why are You, Lady, terrified of me when I myself revere You?
Song 4
Irmos: Sitting in glory on the throne of the Divine, the most divine Jesus came on a light cloud, carried by an incorruptible hand, and saved those who called. Glory, O Christ, to Thy power (Isaiah 19:1; Psalm 46:9).
Mother of God: I heard the words of a prophet who in ancient times foretold that a certain sacred Virgin would give birth to Emmanuel. But I wish to know how the nature of mortals can endure union with the Divine? (Isaiah 7:14).
Angel: The bush, engulfed in flames and remaining fireproof, foreshadowed the miraculous sacrament taking place in You, Gracious, glorified by all; for even after birth you, pure, will always remain a virgin (Ex. 3:2).
Mother of God: Gabriel, the herald of the truth, illuminated by the radiance of God Almighty! Tell me the very truth: how can I give birth in the flesh to an incorporeal Word, keeping My purity intact?
Angel: With fear, as a slave before the mistress, I stand before You, with reverent awe now I look at You, Otrokovitsa. For like rain on a meadow, the Word of the Father will come down on you according to His good pleasure (Psalm 71:6).
Song 5
Irmos: All are amazed at Your divine glory. For You, the Virgin, who did not know marriage, had in the womb of the Most High God and gave birth to a flightless (eternal) Son, bestowing peace on all who sing of You.
Mother of God: I cannot fully comprehend the meaning of your words, for often there were miracles performed by Divine power, signs and images of the law. But a virgin has never given birth without a husband (Heb. 10:1).
Angel: You are surprised, Omnipotent. And truly, the miracle of Your conception is marvelous. For You alone will receive in the womb of the King of all who will be incarnate, and You will be represented by the sayings and divination of the prophets and the signs of the law (1 Tim. 3:16).
Mother of God: Incapable of anything and Invisible by anyone, how can he inhabit the womb of the Virgin, which He Himself created? And how will I conceive God the Word, without beginning (the Word is the Son of God. He is without beginning, i.e. has no beginning, like God the Father and the Holy Spirit) to the Father and the Spirit? (1 Tim. 6:16).
Angel: He Who promised to Your forefather David to raise the Fruit of Your womb to the throne of His kingdom, You, the beauty of Jacob, chose Himself alone in a reasonable village (Psl. 131:11, 46, 5; Lk. 1:32).
Song 6
Irmos: Transforming the three-day burial of the Lord, the prophet Jonah, praying inside the whale, exclaimed: Deliver me from corruption, Jesus, King of forces!
Angel: Divine joy has been given to you, Mother of God. To you, the Bride of God, all creation exclaims: Rejoice! For You alone, pure, are predestined to be the Mother of the Son of God (Luke 1:28).
Mother of God: Through me now let the condemnation of Eve be blotted out, through me let her debt be repaid; through Me, let this ancient debt be repaid with profit (Gen. 3).
Angel: God promised, Pure One, to the forefather Abraham that in his seed the nations would be blessed. Now through You this promise is fulfilled (Gen. 22:18; Gal. 3:16).
Song 7
Irmos: The God-wise youths did not serve the creature instead of the Creator, but, courageously trampling down the threatening fire, they rejoiced, singing: Blessed are You, the most glorified Lord and God of the fathers.
Mother of God: Announcing that the immaterial Light, through great mercy, is united with material flesh, you now proclaim to Me a joyful gospel, a divine sermon: Blessed, All-Pure, the fruit of Your womb (Luke 1:42).
Angel: Rejoice, Mistress of the Virgin, rejoice, all-pure, rejoice, receptacle of God; Rejoice, lamp of Light, restoration of Adam, redemption of Eve, holy mountain, bright sanctuary and chamber of immortality (Luke 1:28).
Mother of God: The influx of the all-holy Spirit cleansed my soul, sanctified my body, created me as a temple containing God, a God-adorned tabernacle, an animated sanctuary, and a pure Mother of Life (Luke 1:35).
Angel: I look at You as a bright candle and a well-appointed chamber. You, O Bride of God, like a golden casket, now accept the Giver of the Law, who deigned to deliver the corruptible human being through You (Heb. 9:4).
Song 8
Irmos: Hear, maiden, pure virgin. May Gabriel proclaim the original true will of the Almighty. Be ready to accept God, for through You the Uncontainable One began to live with mortals. Therefore, in joy, I cry out: All the creatures of the Lord, bless the Lord (Isaiah 25:1; Baruch 3:37).
- Every mind of mortals, - answered the Virgin, - is exhausted, trying to comprehend the words that you tell Me. I listen to your words, but in amazement I fear that by deceit, like Eve, you would not separate Me from God. However, I cry out: All the creatures of the Lord, bless the Lord and exalt Him for ever (Genesis 3:2).
“Here, your perplexity has already been resolved,” Gabriel says. “For You rightly called this matter incomprehensible with the words of Your mouth. Obey, then, and do not doubt it as a fiction, but believe it as an actual event, for I exclaim with joy: all the creatures of the Lord, bless the Lord and exalt Him forever.
“Such is the law of God for mortals,” replies the Immaculate One, “that birth comes from mutual love. But I do not know the pleasures of marriage at all: how can you say that I give birth? I'm afraid you're not lying. However, I exclaim: All the creatures of the Lord, bless the Lord and exalt Him forever (Luke 1:34).
“The words that You speak to me, Venerable One,” the Angel calls again, “refer to the ordinary birth of mortal people. I proclaim to You that the true God, in an ineffable and incomprehensible way, as He Himself knows, is incarnated from You, therefore I exclaim with joy: All the creatures of the Lord, bless the Lord and exalt Him forever (Luke 1:35).
“You are a broadcaster of truth to Me,” answered the Virgin. – For you have come as a herald of universal joy; and, since I am cleansed in the soul along with the body, let it be done to Me according to your word. May God dwell in me, to whom I cry out with you: All the creatures of the Lord, bless the Lord and exalt Him forever.
Song 9
Irmos: Let the hand of the uninitiated (unclean) not touch the animated ark of God (the ark, or the ark of revelation, was the place where God appeared to Moses; Numbers 7:89), but the lips of the faithful, singing incessantly the Angel’s appeal to the Mother of God, exclaim in joy: Gracious, Lord with by you.
Having incomprehensibly conceived God, You, the Lady, transcended the laws of nature: for You, and being corruptible by nature, did not experience in birth what is characteristic of mothers. Therefore, you deserve to hear: Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you (Ezek. 44:2).
Human language cannot explain how You exude milk, Pure Virgin. For You manifest a work that is alien to nature, exceeding the limits of the laws of birth. Therefore, you deserve to hear: Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you (Luke 2:7).
The Holy Scriptures mysteriously speak of You, Mother of the Most High. So Jacob in ancient times, seeing the ladder that represented you, said: this is the way of God, therefore you worthily hear: rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you (Genesis 28:13-19).
The bush and fire foretold the priest Moses a wondrous sign. Seeking its fulfillment in the aftermath of time, he said: I see this in the pure Virgin, to whom, as the Mother of God, let it be said: Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you (Ex. 3:3).
Daniel calls you a mental mountain; Isaiah - Mother of God; Gideon sees You in the form of a fleece (sheepskin, miraculously irrigated, Judg. 6:36-40), David calls You Holy; someone else - the gates; and Gabriel cries out to you: Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you (Dan. 2:35; Is. 7:14; Ps. 95:6; Ezek. 44:2; Luke 1:30).
So, the feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos is a joyful day for an Orthodox person. It was especially so for our pious ancestors, who fell in love with the Virgin Mary for Her virtues, so akin to the soul of a Russian person: humility, meekness and striving for the ideal. The Russian people dedicated many temples and monasteries to the Most Holy Theotokos and called their fatherland "The House of the Most Holy Theotokos." The Virgin Mary responded to the love of the Russian people for Her with Her heavenly help and many miraculous icons.
Every year on April 7, Orthodox believers celebrate the holiday - the Annunciation. According to biblical tradition, on this day the Archangel Gabriel came to Mary from Nazareth to announce that the Holy Spirit had miraculously descended on her, and the Virgin had carried the Son of God in her womb. The event is one of the 12 most important Christian holidays.
The people say "on the Annunciation, a girl does not weave a braid, a bird does not build a nest." The legend of the cuckoo is connected with this belief. The legend mentions that this bird does not have a home due to the fact that it deliberately violated the Lord's prohibition. Since then, she has been forced to throw her eggs into other people's nests and be persecuted by everyone.
There are a number of prohibitions on the Annunciation Day. It is forbidden:
To lend something or, conversely, to give money and things to strangers. Otherwise, you may lose your well-being, health, peace and peace in the family. This requirement should be strictly observed, even if the person asking you for something is well known and it is inconvenient for you to refuse him. It is important to ensure that nothing is taken from your home. Therefore, on April 7, it is undesirable to invite guests. The holiday is usually celebrated with family.
Sewing, weaving, knitting. Many peoples of the world associate a thread with life, so anyone who picks it up for work can confuse their fate, bring problems and troubles. Take care of your hair. You can not only cut your hair, wash your hair, but even comb it because of the danger of destroying your destiny. Hair may also fall out as a punishment.
Dress up in new clothes. New things will quickly break or irreparably deteriorate, and during the year there will be no opportunity to purchase others. Girls who violate the ban will not get married until the next Annunciation.
Don't start something new. Otherwise, there will be no success in business. The modern sign that serious things (construction, business, etc.) cannot be started on Monday had a different interpretation in the old days. Previously, it was believed that one should not take on any business on the day of the week corresponding to the past Annunciation. For example, if this celebration fell on Wednesday, then it was considered an unlucky day next year.
But what is possible?
People believe that on this day every prayer will be answered.
In the old days, they believed that if on this day a woman calls her husband 40 times "dear", then he will be affectionate and helpful all year.
It was believed that what this holiday will be like for you, this will be the whole year. Therefore, you should not take offense at the Annunciation, swear with the people around you. On the contrary - you need to spend a day in a good, bright mood.
For people who have pets, it is advisable to feed them well. Crumbs of consecrated prosphora should be added to food. Thus, the owner protects not only himself, but also his pets from diseases for the future.
And in conclusion. To believe in it or not, to follow all the rules or separate or completely ignore them is everyone's business. The main thing is to enjoy the day.
The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a non-transitory holiday and is celebrated annually on April 7th. On this day, an angel descended to the Virgin Mary with the good news that soon, through an immaculate conception, a son would be born to her. For Orthodox Christians, the date of April 7 means good news, therefore, despite Great Lent, the church makes an indulgence on the menu.
What can you do during the Annunciation
On this day, the Church recommends that Orthodox believers put aside their affairs in order to attend church or pray at home. There is no work ban on this day, but do not forget that prayers are very important during the holiday. They help cleanse the soul of negativity, so you should not neglect them.
On a holiday, in the strict menu of Great Lent, an indulgence is allowed, and believers can afford products with fish.
On the day of the Annunciation in folk traditions there are a lot of rites and rituals that have been observed for centuries. They help to achieve prosperity and well-being, bring good luck to life and get rid of the negative accumulated over the winter. Also during the Annunciation, you can tell fortunes for the future in order to know what to prepare for in the near future. However, priests urge to abandon fortune-telling and superstitions, which are not approved by the church.
Despite prejudice, during the holiday you can wash. The church does not prohibit hygiene procedures if they are necessary. You can also do laundry and do other household chores.
It is possible to perform baptism during the Annunciation, but usually on this day the clergy are busy holding a festive service and taking communion. Therefore, it is worth transferring the sacrament to another suitable day for this.
Everything related to needlework, whether it be knitting, embroidery or other work, can be done if you devote due time to prayers and family.
What not to do April 7
On the day of the holiday, work is prohibited if it is to the detriment of prayers and visiting the temple. It is impossible to idly spend time that can be used for necessary things, including caring for children and elderly relatives.
On the day of the Annunciation, weddings are not held and memorial services are not served in the church, so their dates should be moved to another time, having coordinated it with the clergyman.
During the holiday, the clergy urge not to abandon the usual daily routine, but to remember that on this bright day it is customary to rejoice at the good news.
House cleaning and other work aimed at creating coziness and comfort should be done in advance. If you do not have time for something, then you can freely do what you consider necessary. It is worth excluding entertainment events in noisy companies, the use of alcoholic beverages. You need to give up other addictions, foul language and conflicts.
On the day of the holiday, be sure to pray to the Higher Forces. Ask them for their blessings and thank them for being a part of your life. Prayer words will help to cope with problems, restore good spirits and get on the path to cleansing from sins.
The Annunciation 2020 is celebrated on April 7 (March 25, old style). In the Orthodox Church, this holiday is called the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos. It belongs to the great twelve events of the annual liturgical cycle. The celebration is timed to coincide with the announcement of the good news to the Virgin Mary by the Archangel Gabriel about the conception of the Son of God by her.
In the Orthodox Church, this holiday symbolizes the redemption by mankind of the fall of Eve.
The content of the article
history of the holiday
Saint Mary was brought up in the temple and made a promise to God to remain a Virgin. She lived modestly in Nazareth with her named husband, a distant relative - the old man Joseph. Once, the Archangel Gabriel entered her house and delivered a speech, which he began with the words: “Rejoice, Blessed One!”. He told the Blessed Virgin about a great miracle - the conception by her of the future Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.
The first mention of the Annunciation dates back to the 2nd century. This event became official in the 6th century, when the Byzantine emperor Justinian set the date for the holiday on March 25 (April 7, according to a new style).
Traditions and rituals of the holiday
On the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, services are held in churches. On this day, church mentors put on a blue vestment. Churches hold an all-night vigil, which begins with Great Compline. Services have liturgical features depending on the days of the week. If the Annunciation and Pascha coincide (Kriopaskha), then the canons of the holidays are combined.
On this day, it is customary for people to go to temples, pray, give alms and do charity work. On this holiday, the tradition of releasing birds (pigeons) to freedom is widespread. People believe that on the Annunciation they fly to the guardian angels and inform them of all the good deeds that have been committed during the year.
On April 7, believers prepare Annunciation salt. To do this, the housewives take a bag into which each member of the family pours a pinch of salt. It is calcined in the fire and stored in a secluded place. Annunciation salt is used as a talisman. Its miraculous properties can cure diseases. If it is not used up within a year, then on the next holiday it is burned in the fire. Prosphora and consecrated water, which the parishioners bring from the solemn service, have special power.
On the Annunciation, believers make a pilgrimage to holy places. On this holiday, Orthodox relics are able to empower a person. Christians believe that on this day the heavens open, and the Lord hears the prayers and requests of man. People make wishes and ask heavenly powers for help in big things.
The ancient Slavs had a custom to kindle large bonfires on a holiday. They threw all the old things and objects into the fire. It was believed that in this way all troubles, illnesses and misfortunes were burned in the fire.
What can you eat for the Annunciation
The Annunciation 2020 falls on Great Lent before Easter. On this holiday, the Orthodox Church gives a relaxation of fasting. Parishioners can eat fish. If the Annunciation falls on Holy Week (the last week before Easter), then an exception is made - fish cannot be eaten. Meat, dairy products are excluded from the diet on this day.
What not to do on the Annunciation
Among the people, the Annunciation is considered a great religious holiday. On this day, there are bans on everyday activities.
On April 7, it is not recommended to sew, knit, embroider, braid, cut your hair, dye your hair, comb your hair. This sign is associated with a belief according to which people have long believed that a person’s life is a thread that the Lord himself or guardian angels can control. On the day when the heavens open, it is easy to confuse the threads of life, change the fate of the family and loved ones.
April 7 should refrain from heavy physical labor. Housewives try to prepare food on the eve of the Annunciation, so that on a holiday they can be free from household chores. It is considered a bad omen to lend money, to distribute something from home, otherwise you can give away peace, health and well-being. You should not wear new things on this day, so as not to spoil them. The holiday should not be spent in fuss, anger, anger and irritation. The Church does not recommend marriage on this day - this is a period of abstinence and repentance.
Signs and beliefs
- Frosts on the Annunciation portend a rich harvest.
- If by April 7 the swallows have not arrived, then the spring will be cold and late.
- If a wife calls her husband forty times “beloved” on this holiday, then love and peace await the family for many years to come.
- If you bury a piece of Annunciation prosphora in the garden, then the earth will give a rich harvest.
- The wish that will be made on the Annunciation will come true in the near future.
The Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos is one of the great twelfth feasts of the Orthodox Church. On this day, believers refrain from work, household chores, quarrels and insults. Parishioners visit temples, make pilgrimages to holy places. This religious holiday is considered the best period for harvesting salt, blessed water and prosphora, which will serve as amulets throughout the year.
