The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the twelve the greatest Christian holidays that is of particular importance to all believers. It is one of the non -transitional holidays and is celebrated every year on March 25 (under the new calendar). This holiday symbolizes the beginning of the salvation of mankind and is one of the most important events in the Christian calendar.
The name "Annunciation" comes from the word "goodness", which means "good news". On this day, the event described in the Gospel of Luke, when Archangel Gabriel, appeared to the Virgin Mary in Nazareth, and announced to her that she would become the mother of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. It was the beginning of the embodiment of God's plan for the salvation of mankind.
It is interesting that in the first centuries of Christianity, the Annunciation had other names: "notification", "conception of Christ", "beginning of atonement." Finally, its official name was established in the VII century.
What is the content of the Annunciation holiday
The Blessed Virgin was raised at the temple for up to 14 years, and then she had to marry, as her parents had already died at that time. However, Maria gave God a promise to remain forever the Virgin. Therefore, the priests turned her away with a distant relative, an eighty -year -old old man Joseph so that he would take care of her and protected her virginity.
On the day of the Annunciation, the Virgin Mary read the sacred writing when she appeared archangel Gabriel and said, "Rejoice, graceful! The Lord is with you! In doing so, he reported that she would become the mother of God's Son.
The surprised Maria asked the angel how the son who did not know her husband could be born. To which the archangel Gabriel said: "The Holy Spirit will find you on you and the power of the Most High will be widening you, so the holy one will be born, will be called - the Son of God!". Grasping the will of God, the Blessed Virgin replied, "I am a servant of the Lord, let me be according to your word."
In Nazareth, at the place where the Archangel Gabriel predeed into the Virgin Mary, a temple was built in the memory of the Annunciation of the Virgin.
Traditions of Annunciation
On the day of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin, as well as in other great church holidays, every belief should try to delay their affairs and go to the temple to pray.
Despite the fact that at this time there is a multi -day fast fast, the church statute allows to eat fish and seafood on the day of the Annunciation.
In general, the Annunciation holiday should be held in a good mood, with joy and gratitude, with family and friends. This day, you should not argue, evil, deceive, be angry and annoying, as well as hard work (for the Annunciation even the bird does not nest).
Signs and customs for the Annunciation
The people of the Annunciation were called the "third meeting of spring" (after the Solting and forty martyrs). It is believed that spring has finally overcome the winter on this day, God blesses the earth and opens it for sowing. According to popular ideas, only after the Annunciation it was possible to begin field work. Earlier, to "bother" the land was considered a great sin.
This holiday of stork usually arrived from the trunks and began to roll the nests. There was a belief that the Earth opened for the Annunciation and snakes, ropes and other reptiles were opened from it. On this day, it has long been the custom of releasing birds: "To sing at large, God glorified and asked for happiness-happiness to those who released them." The owner releases the sun, in the sun, even the animals, even the dog and the cat expels into the yard - "to hear spring and care for themselves." The beekeepers are exposed to the yard of the hives that day.
The Annunciation was said to be just touched on which seeds or grains, so that it will now lose its seedlings and will never fertilize. It was not possible to put eggs under the chicken that day, because they will be slaughtered, or cripples will hatch.
The church is held in the church of this day. Then the beekeeper crumbles and pours it into honey, "to swarm the bees", and the sowing mixes with the ground and sows four corners of the field - "that the rainy cloud of field does not pass"; Proskut is buried in the ground, "so that the hail does not beat." The Annunciation Proskur, as well as the Epiphany and Street water, was kept in images.
It was believed that when the Annunciation, when walking on the water, the girl would find a flower of primrose, this summer she would marry. The snowdrop that will find the Annunciation heralds happiness. If you wash with water in which you put this snowdrop - you will be beautiful.
