Major Christian holidays and fasts. Major Christian holidays

Easter is called the holiday of holidays by Christians. At the heart of this main church is the legend of the miraculous resurrection of Jesus Christ, crucified on the cross by the verdict of the Jewish Sanhedrin court. The idea of ​​resurrection is central, therefore, a special role is assigned to the holiday in honor of this event.

Among the great twelfth Orthodox holidays, the day of the Nativity of the Lord Jesus Christ (January 7th) stands out. The significance of the birth of the Savior of the world still cannot be overestimated, because, according to the teachings of the Church, it was through the Incarnation that man was saved and the latter was reconciled with God. Historically, in Rus', the celebration of the Nativity of Christ found its reflection in certain folk festivals called Christmas time. People went to visit each other and sang songs glorifying the born baby Christ. The emerging practice of dressing up a spruce for this holiday and crowning the top of the tree with a star testified to the gospel story about how the star led the wise men from the East to the birthplace of the Savior. Later, in Soviet times, spruce became an attribute of the secular New Year, and the star symbolized not the Star of Bethlehem, but a symbol of Soviet power.

Another significant holiday of the Orthodox calendar is the day of the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan (January 19th). On this day, water is consecrated in Orthodox churches, for which millions of believers come every year. The historical significance of this celebration for the people's consciousness is also reflected in the practice of dipping into the Epiphany hole. In many cities of Russia, special fonts (Jordans) are being prepared, in which, after the consecration of water, people reverently plunge, asking God for the health of soul and body.

Another important holiday of the Orthodox Church is the Day of the Holy Trinity (Pentecost). This holiday is celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter. In the people, this celebration is otherwise called "Green Easter". This naming was the result of a folk tradition to decorate temples with greenery on the feast of the Holy Trinity. Sometimes the Orthodox practice of commemorating the departed is mistakenly associated with this day, however, historically, according to church instructions, the departed are commemorated on the eve of Pentecost - on Trinity, and the feast of the Holy Trinity itself is not the day of the departed, but the triumph of the living.

Among the common traditions of Russian culture associated with Orthodox holidays, one can note the consecration of willow and willow branches on the twelfth celebration of the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem. The Gospel testifies that before the entrance of the Savior into Jerusalem, directly to perform the feat of the Cross, people met Christ with palm branches. Such honors were offered to ancient rulers. The miracles of Jesus and his preaching aroused special love and reverence for Christ among the ordinary Jewish people. In Russia, willow and willow branches are consecrated in memory of this historical event (for lack of palm trees in most cases).

The feasts of the Theotokos occupy a special place in the church calendar. For example, the day of the Nativity of the Mother of God, the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Assumption of the Mother of God. A special reverence for these days was expressed in putting aside all worldly fuss and striving to dedicate the day to God. It is no coincidence that in Russian culture there is an expression: "On the day of the Annunciation, the bird does not nest, and the maiden does not weave braids."

Many great Orthodox holidays are reflected not only in folk traditions, but also in architecture. So, in Rus', many churches were erected, which are historical monuments, consecrated in honor of the great Christian holidays. There are many Russian Assumption Cathedrals (in honor of the Dormition of the Mother of God), Churches of the Nativity of Christ, Holy Entry Churches, Intercession Churches and many others.

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Consecrated Time of the Church: : church new year and peace circle. In the calendar, this day is marked as the beginning of the indiction. Christians did not want to share the beginning of the new year on the same day with the followers of Confucius, Allah, Buddha, so they decided to consider September 14 (September 1, O.S.) the beginning of the Orthodox New Year. The feast of the Church New Year was established by the holy fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, who decided to begin the reckoning of the church year on September 1/14. The first day of the annual liturgical circle opens the “entrance of summer”, and the service of this day is of a festive nature, the culmination of which is the Gospel read at the liturgy, which tells about the beginning of the preaching of Jesus Christ after His Baptism and temptations from the devil in the desert. According to legend, this happened on the first day of the Jewish holiday of the harvest, which was celebrated on September 1-8. In the Gospel we hear the Savior preaching to us the coming of the favorable “year of the Lord.” On this day, Jesus Christ began preaching the Kingdom of God and for the first time witnessed the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies about the coming of the Messiah (the Son of God) and thus about the end of the Old and the beginning of the New Testament.
Righteous Joshua (XVI century BC).
Martyrs Callists and brothers of her martyrs Evoda and Hermogenes .
martyr Aifala deacon.
Martyrs 40 fasting virgins and a martyr Ammuna deacons, their teachers.
Reverend Simeon the Stylite and his mother Martha . Simeon the Stylite (5th century) became famous as a man of a selfless lifestyle. He discovered a new kind of asceticism. Wanting to test his spiritual strength, faith in God, he built a 4-meter-high pillar on the mountain with a platform on top, surrounded it with a wall, and read sermons to numerous pilgrims from this "mountainous" place. Then Simeon settled on a pillar in a small cell, indulging in intense prayer and fasting. Gradually, he increased the height of the pillar on which he stood. His last pillar was 40 cubits (16 meters) high. He spent 80 years in enhanced monastic deeds, of which 47 stood on a pillar. His life was well known in Rus', they learned from him to endure in the name of a holy cause the numerous difficulties of human existence. According to an ancient tradition, it was believed that on this day it is necessary to do charitable deeds, to be merciful. In Muscovite Rus', not a single beggar was left without abundant alms on this day, and even prisoners in dungeons were presented with gifts.
Flight Seed Day (Semyon, Simeon Stylite, Semyon the pilot, pilot, seeing off the summer, Semyon's day, Semyon's day, the first autumns, Indian summer, meeting of autumn, apiary day, onion day, ambush, end of summer, beginning of autumn, last sowing). The first meeting of autumn, the end of the young Indian summer and the beginning of the old one. Many beliefs and rituals were associated in the old days with this day. And it is not surprising, because in pre-Petrine Rus', September 1 was considered the beginning of a new year. In 1700, Peter I moved the celebration of the New Year from September 1 to January 1. Gradually, the holiday lost its former meaning, but many customs remained in the life of the peasants. For example, cockroaches and flies were buried in the villages on September 14th. They put them in a coffin carved from turnips or rutabagas and carried them with weeping and lamentations to bury them as far from home as possible. The rest of the houses drove the flies out of the house "a fly on a fly, fly to bury the flies." This custom has its roots in pagan times and is associated with the veneration of Belbog, the lord of all insects.
Another important custom was to extinguish an old fire and make a new one. The old men went out into the yard and rubbed two pieces of wood against each other until they began to smoke. A smoldering tree was fanned by a girl or daughter-in-law, and then a candle was set on fire from a flaring fire. This fire kindled the furnace. The next morning the coals were fanned again. So the fire was maintained in the furnace all year. On this day, four-year-old boys were put on horses. This custom came from ancient times and was associated with the transition from infancy to adulthood. September 14 was called Indian summer in the villages because at this time various agricultural work began (hemp scutching, flax urinating, etc.), which were usually performed by women in the open air. The so-called sit-ins began with Semyon, when they worked in the huts in the evenings. The first day of sittings was celebrated as a family holiday. All relatives met in the house of the eldest in the family. From the pilot (September 14) to Guria (November 28), in the old days time was set aside for wedding weeks.
From this day on, moles and mice move from fields to houses and gardens.
Signs of the weather on September 14: If Marfa is dirty, the autumn will be rainy. Indian summer (begins on September 14) is rainy - autumn is dry, and Indian summer is dry - autumn is wet. The drier and warmer September is, the later winter will come. If the cones on the spruce grew low, it will be early frost, and if at the top, real cold will come only at the end of winter.

Great Orthodox holidays: a list with dates, explanations and traditions.

In addition to Easter as the dominant Christian holiday, in our culture there are 12 more great Orthodox holidays, called the Twelfth. What are these holidays and how are they traditionally celebrated? You will learn about this from this article.

Hierarchy of holidays in orthodox Christianity

Easter - a sign of the eternal victory of life over death - is one step above the rest in this hierarchy of holidays. This is the most important holiday of the Christian tradition. Further along the hierarchy are the non-twelfth great and twelfth Orthodox holidays. In total, 17 holidays fall into the category of great holidays. The non-twelfth great dates include the following:

1. The Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos is a holiday that falls on October 14 in the orthodox world. Associated with the vision of St. Andrew the Fool of Constantinople. At the hour when Constantinople was under siege, the Mother of God appeared to Andrew, stretching a veil over the city from her head, the city was saved.
2. Circumcision of the Lord - while we celebrate the last New Year holidays on January 14, a service is being held in the church in memory of this event, as well as in honor of Basil the Great, one of the so-called Fathers of the Church.
3. The Orthodox Church celebrates the Nativity of John the Baptist (Baptist) on July 7 - this is the day that we know as Ivan Kupala. It is associated with the miraculous birth of John the Baptist six months before Jesus.
4. The day of the holy supreme apostles Peter and Paul, which is popularly known simply as Peter's Day, is celebrated on July 12. Officially, on the Day of Peter and Paul, the memory of the acceptance of martyrdom by the apostles is honored, and for the common people this day symbolizes the full transition to summer.
5. The beheading of John the Baptist in Russian tradition is celebrated on September 11th. On this day, they remember the martyrdom of John the Baptist, and also commemorate the soldiers who fell in the battle for the fatherland.

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

In orthodox tradition, the birth of the Virgin Mother is celebrated on September 21st. Her parents, Joachim and Anna, have already come to terms with the idea of ​​not leaving offspring - it is believed that both were already over 70 when Maria was born. Her birth is associated with Joachim's stay in the desert, where he retired to ask the Lord for procreation. In a dream, an angel appeared to him and announced that he would soon have a daughter. And the truth is - returning to the city, Joachim met Anna, hurrying to meet him with good news.

This holiday is called to glorify the Mother of God as the protector and intercessor of all people before God. In the folk calendar, it is associated with the arrival of autumn, harvesting and the end of all summer work.

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

This holiday is associated with one of the main Christian symbols - with the cross on which the Son of God passed the test of death. And its appearance was facilitated by the Byzantine Empress Elena in the middle of the 4th century. Already at a rather advanced age (according to historians, she was about 80 years old), the mother of Emperor Constantine decides to go to Jerusalem in search of lost Christian relics. As a result of excavations on Mount Golgotha, they found not only a cross, but also a cave in which Christ was buried.

The date of the celebration was set in September 335 - after the Church of the Resurrection of Christ was consecrated in Jerusalem. The Orthodox world celebrates on September 27th by observing a strict fast and not doing hard work. People also believe that it is from this day that birds begin to fly south, and snakes crawl into burrows for the winter.

Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Orthodox Feast of the Entry into the Temple is celebrated on December 4th. It is dedicated to an episode from the life of the Virgin Mary - at the age of three, pious parents brought her to the Temple in Jerusalem to fulfill God's covenant - to dedicate her daughter's life to God. In all interpretations of this story, they say that little Mary entered the temple with unusual confidence, as if she already knew that she would play a great role in this religion. Maria did not return home to her parents - she lived in the temple until the age of 12, until the angel Gabriel brought her news of the extraordinary fate that was bestowed on her.

In folk tradition, this holiday is called Introduction. It was associated with the arrival of winter - it was from this day that winter festivities and sleigh rides began. It was also worth forgetting about field work until spring - the peasants believed that it was better not to disturb the land after the Introduction.

Nativity

Of all the twelve great Orthodox holidays, Christmas is considered the most significant. In the Western tradition, it is customary to celebrate it on December 25, and in our country it is on January 7.

The birth of Jesus took place in the city of Bethlehem, the hometown of Joseph. He arrived here with the pregnant Maria, but there was no room for them in the hotel. The travelers had to settle down in a cave. When Mary felt the approach of childbirth, Joseph hurried in search of a midwife. He managed to find a woman named Salome, together they went back to the cave. The first thing they saw in the cave was a bright light flooding the entire space. Gradually, the light faded away - and Mary appeared with a baby sitting in her arms. At this time, a star of extraordinary brightness rose over Bethlehem, announcing the world about the arrival of the Son of God.

It is believed that every great Orthodox holiday gives birth to kindness in the heart, but especially Christmas. On Christmas Eve, it is customary for the whole family to gather at the festive table - according to folk tradition, twelve dishes should be on it.

Historians believe that it is not known for certain what time of year Jesus was born. It is believed that the date of the great Orthodox holiday of Christmas is associated with more ancient holidays dedicated to the winter solstice (December 21 or 22). This holiday is preceded by a forty-day fast, starting on November 27th.

Epiphany

The second most important holiday of the Orthodox Church after Christmas is the Baptism of the Lord. It is celebrated on January 19 - we all know about the folk tradition of swimming in the hole on this day. However, the church and historians unanimously argue that this tradition is not as ancient and primordial as it seems, but only acquired a mass character in the 80s - as a symbol of the country's return to religion.

This feast is associated with an episode in the life of Christ, which is traditionally considered the beginning of his ministry. At the age of 30, Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River. The person who baptized the Son of God was John the Baptist. When Christ came ashore, the Holy Spirit descended on him in the guise of a dove, and from heaven came the voice of God the Father, announcing the appearance of God the Son. Thus, the Lord manifested himself in his trinity. Therefore, Baptism among the great holidays of the Orthodox Church is also known as the Epiphany. In the Catholic tradition, the Epiphany is associated with Christmas and the offering of the Magi.

Meeting of the Lord

From the Old Slavonic language, the Meeting can be interpreted as the word “meeting” - the church believes that it was on this day that mankind met with Jesus Christ. This great Orthodox holiday is celebrated on February 15 - forty days after Christmas. On this day, Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus to the temple for the first time, where he was received by St. Simeon the God-bearer. There is a separate legend about Simeon - he was one of the seventy scholars who translated Holy Scripture from Hebrew into Greek. The entry about the Virgin, who should conceive and give birth to a son, embarrassed Simeon, he decided to correct the mistake of an unknown scribe: it was the Wife who should give birth, and not the Virgin. But at that moment, an angel appeared in the room and said that this would indeed happen one day. The Lord will not let the elder die until he sees this miracle with his own eyes. When the day finally came to meet the baby Jesus, Simeon was already about 360 years old - all his life the righteous old man was waiting for a meeting with the human incarnation of God.

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Feast of the Annunciation is a symbol of hope and expectation. On this day, April 7, they celebrate the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel by Mary, who brought her good news with the words: “Rejoice, Blessed One! The Lord is with you; Blessed are You among women, ”this line subsequently entered many prayers dedicated to the Mother of God. As a moving feast, the Annunciation is often included in the number of Orthodox holidays during Lent. In this case, those who fast are incredibly lucky - in honor of the holiday, a slight indulgence in the form of animal food is allowed (only not meat, but fish).

Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem

There is still a week left until Easter, and the world is already beginning to celebrate and honor the memory of the deeds of Christ in this week. This date is popularly known as Palm Sunday - a great Orthodox holiday. On this day, Jesus solemnly entered Jerusalem, choosing a donkey as a riding animal - as a sign that he had arrived in peace. The people met him as the Messiah, laying palm branches on the road - later they became the main symbol of this holiday. Since palm trees do not grow in our latitudes, the branches were replaced with willow ones.

Many folk traditions are associated with this day. It was customary to sanctify willow branches in the church, and then keep them in the house all year long so that good luck and prosperity would not leave it. They also lightly hit each other with a willow, saying: “I don’t beat - the willow beats.” Since this Orthodox holiday is celebrated modestly during Great Lent, the main meal of the feast could be fish, but not meat.

Ascension of the Lord

When Easter is over and another forty days have passed, Orthodox Christians celebrate Ascension. This day is one of the great twelfth holidays of the Orthodox Church. The image of Christ ascended to heaven recalls the predominance of the ideal divine nature over the imperfect human. Until this day, you can congratulate all Orthodox on the holiday of Great Easter with the words "Christ is Risen!", But after the end of the Ascension holiday, the church already forbids Christ.

Having resurrected, Jesus Christ preached for another forty days, and then gathered his apostle disciples and ascended to heaven, bequeathing that he would appear a second time (this is considered a promise of the second coming) and that the Holy Spirit would also descend on the apostles - this happened ten days later.

Day of the Holy Trinity

Another ten days pass after Ascension and fifty after Easter, when the orthodox world celebrates the next great Orthodox holiday. In a simple way, it is also called the Trinity, Pentecost. The event that led to the appearance of this holiday is the indulgence of the Holy Spirit on the apostles. When all twelve were assembled, a gust of wind suddenly came up and enveloped the apostles in flames. The Holy Spirit spoke so brightly. From that day on, the disciples of Jesus gained the ability to understand hitherto unknown languages ​​and dialects, and most importantly, to speak them. This blessing was given to them in order to spread the word of God throughout the world, so the apostles went to preach in the countries.

In the folk tradition, the Trinity completed the series of spring holidays - after it the summer season already began. They prepared thoroughly for this holiday - a few days before it, the housewives cleaned the house, trying to get rid of unnecessary things, and the garden and vegetable garden were cleared of weeds. They tried to decorate their homes with bunches of herbs and flowers, as well as tree branches - it was believed that this would bring good luck and prosperity to all its inhabitants. In the morning we went to the church for the service, and in the evening the festivities began. Young people were ordered to be careful these days - after all, mermaids and mavkas came out of the forests and fields to lure guys into their networks.

Transfiguration

The Feast of the Transfiguration is associated with a small episode in the life of Christ. Taking with him three disciples - James, John and Peter - Jesus ascended Mount Tabor for the sake of conversations and prayers. But as soon as they reached the top, a miracle happened - Jesus ascended above the earth, his clothes became white, and his face shone like the sun. Next to him appeared the images of the Old Testament prophets Moses and Elijah, and from heaven came the voice of God, announcing the son.

The Transfiguration is celebrated on August 19. This great Orthodox holiday in the folk tradition is called the Apple Savior (the second after the Honey). It was believed that from this day autumn begins to come into its own. Many of the customs of this day are associated with the harvest of apples and fruits in general - before the Savior, the fruits were considered immature. Ideally, the harvest should have been blessed in a church. Then apples could be consumed without restrictions.

Assumption of the Virgin

The feast of the Assumption of the Virgin is associated with the end of the earthly life of the Virgin Mary and the ascension of her soul and body to heaven. The word “assumption” can be interpreted more like “sleep” than “death” - in this regard, the name of the holiday reflects the attitude of Christianity to death as a transition to another world and testifies to the divine nature of Mary herself.

This great Orthodox holiday is celebrated on August 28, although it is not known exactly in which year and on which day the Virgin Mary passed away. In folk tradition, this day is called Obzhinki - it is associated with the end of the harvest.

Righteous Joachim and Anna lived in the city of Nazareth. Both of them lived to old age, but had no children. They fervently prayed that the Lord would give them a son or a daughter, and made a promise - if a child was born to them, to dedicate him to the service of God at the temple. The Lord heard their prayer: they had a daughter, whom they named Mary.
The Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos is celebrated on September 21 (8).

Troparion, voice 4th:
Your Nativity, Virgin Mary,
bring joy to the whole universe:
For out of Thee has risen the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God,
and breaking the oath, giving a blessing,
and abolishing death, giving us eternal life.

Kondak, voice 4th:
Joachim and Anna reproaches of childlessness,
and Adam and Eve are freed from mortal aphids,
Most pure, in thy holy birth.
This is what your people celebrate,
rid of the guilt of sins, always call Ty:
barren fruits gives birth to the Mother of God and the nurse of our life.

2. Entry into the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Introduction). When the Virgin Mary was three years old, Joachim and Anna fulfilled their promise and brought Her to the Temple in Jerusalem. The High Priest met the Virgin Mary at the entrance and, at the instigation of the Holy Spirit, led Her into a special place, into the holy of holies, where he himself could enter only once a year. The Virgin Mary remained to live at the temple and spent most of her time in prayer and reading sacred books.
The Blessed Virgin Mary lived at the temple until the age of 14. After that, according to the law, She had to return to her parents or get married. But Joachim and Anna had already died by that time, but the Virgin Mary did not want to get married, as she had promised to remain a virgin. Then the priests betrothed Her to a distant relative, the eighty-year-old Elder Joseph, to take care of Her as if they were his daughter. Joseph lived in Nazareth: he was a poor man and was engaged in carpentry.
The Entry into the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos is celebrated on December 4 (November 21).

Troparion, voice 4th:
The day of God's favor is prefiguration
and man's salvation preaching:
in the temple of God the Virgin appears clearly,
and proclaims Christ to all,
That and we will loudly cry out:
Rejoice, watching the Builder's fulfillment.

Kondak, voice 4th:
Holy Church of the Savior,
precious palace and the Virgin,
sacred treasure of the glory of God,
today he is brought into the house of the Lord,
grace co-leading, even in the Divine Spirit,
The angels of God sing to the south:
This is a heavenly village.

3. Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-38)

(Annunciation). When the Virgin Mary lived with Joseph, the Archangel Gabriel was sent to Her from God to tell the good news about the birth of the Savior of the world from Her. He appeared to her with the following words: "Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women." The Virgin Mary was embarrassed and thought: what does this greeting mean? The archangel continued: “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found grace with God; You will give birth to a Son and call Him Jesus." The Virgin Mary asked in bewilderment: “How can this be when I am not married”? The Archangel answered Her: “The Holy Spirit will find upon You and the power of the Most High will overshadow You, therefore the Holy One being born will be called the Son of God.” The Virgin Mary humbly said: "I am the servant of the Lord, let it be for me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
The Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos is celebrated on April 7 (March 25).

Troparion, voice 4th:
The day of our salvation is the main thing,
and a hedgehog from the age of mystery is a manifestation,
The Son of God The Son of the Virgin happens,
and Gabriel proclaims grace.
At the same time, we will cry out to the Mother of God with him:
rejoice, blessed one, the Lord is with you.

Kondak, voice 8:
Chosen Governor is victorious,
like getting rid of the evil ones,
thanksgiving, let us describe Thy servants, Mother of God:
but as if having an invincible power,
free us from all troubles,
Let's call Thee: Rejoice, Bride Unbetrothed.

4. Christmas (Luke 2:1-21)

(Christmas). The Roman Emperor Augustus ordered that a national census be made in the Judean land subordinate to him. To do this, every Jew had to go to register in the city where his ancestors lived. Joseph and Mary went to the city of Bethlehem to record. Here they could not find a place in the house, because on the occasion of the census a lot of people gathered in Bethlehem, and stopped outside the city in a cave where the shepherds drove their cattle into a bad pagoda. Here at night the Blessed Virgin gave birth to the Baby, swaddled Him and laid Him in a manger.
On the night of the Nativity of Christ, the shepherds of Bethlehem grazed their flocks in the field. Suddenly an angel appeared to them. The shepherds were afraid. But the angel said to them, “Don't be afraid! I proclaim to you great joy: on this night the Savior of the world was born and here is a sign for you: you will find the Infant in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. At this time, many angels appeared in heaven, who praised God and sang: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.”
When the angels disappeared, the shepherds began to say: "Let's go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has announced to us." They came to the cave and found Mary, Joseph and the Child lying in the manger. They bowed to Him and told Joseph and Mary what they had seen and heard from the angels. On the eighth day after his birth, he was given the name Jesus.
Christmas is celebrated on January 7 (December 25).

Troparion, voice 4th:
Your Christmas, Christ our God,
Ascension of the world, the light of reason,
serving the stars in it
learning from a star
You bow to the Sun of Truth
and lead you from the height of the East:
Lord, glory to You!

Kondak, voice 3:
The Virgin today gives birth to the Substantial,
and the earth brings a den to the Unapproachable:
Angels with shepherds glorify
the wolves travel with the star:
for us, for the sake of being born a Young Child, the eternal God.

5. Meeting of the Lord (Luke 2:22-39)

(Candlemas). The Jews had a law that the first son on the fortieth day after his birth should be brought to the temple for consecration to God. In this case, they sacrificed: the rich - a lamb and a dove, and the poor - two pigeon chicks. When Jesus Christ was forty days old, the Virgin Mary and Joseph brought Him to the Temple in Jerusalem, and since they were poor, they sacrificed two doves. On the same day, Elder Simeon came to the temple, to whom it was predicted that he would not die until he saw Christ the Savior. He met Mary with the Child and, taking Him in his arms, said: "Now I can die in peace, because my eyes have seen the Savior of the world."
In the temple there was a widow Anna the prophetess, 84 years old, who told those present that this Infant is the Savior of the world.
The Presentation of the Lord is celebrated on February 15 (2).

Prayer of St. Simeon the God-bearer,(sung at Vespers, 1st part of the Vespers):
Now you release your servant, Lord,
according to thy word in peace;
as my eyes have seen your salvation,
hedgehog prepared before the face of all people,
light into the revelation of tongues
and the glory of your people Israel. (Luke 2:29-32).

6. Baptism of the Lord (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:32-34)

(Baptism). When Jesus Christ was 30 years old, He went to the Jordan River to John the Baptist to be baptized by him. John at first refused, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?" But Jesus said to him in answer, "Leave it, we need to fulfill all righteousness." Then John baptized Him. When Jesus Christ came out of the water, the heavens suddenly opened over Him and the Spirit of God descended on Him in the form of a dove, and the voice of God the Father was heard from heaven: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Since the Holy Trinity appeared during the Baptism of the Lord, this feast is also called Theophany.
The Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on January 19 (6). On this holiday, in the church, water is consecrated twice. The first time after the Liturgy, which is served on the day before the feast. This water is called "Evening Water". The second time on the day of the holiday after the Liturgy, the procession is performed, which is called the "Journey to the Jordan." During this procession, water is consecrated, which is called "Epiphany Water".

Troparion, voice 1:
I am baptized in the Jordan, O Lord,
Trinity appearing worship:
The voice of your parents testifies to you,
calling Thy beloved son:
and the Spirit, in the form of a dove,
know your verbal statement:
appear Christ God,
and the world is enlightened, glory to Thee.

Kondak, voice 4th:
Thou hast appeared today to the universe,
and your light, O Lord, shines upon us,
in the mind of those who sing you:
Thou hast come, and Thou hast appeared, the unapproachable Light.

7. Transfiguration of the Lord (Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36)

(Transformation). Shortly before His suffering, Jesus Christ took with Him three of His disciples: Peter, James and John, and went up with them to Mount Tabor to pray. While He was praying, the disciples fell asleep. When they woke up, they saw that Jesus Christ was transformed: His face shone like the sun, and his clothes were white as snow, and Moses and Elijah appeared to Him in glory and talked with Him about the suffering and death that He had to endure in Jerusalem . When Moses and Elijah were leaving Jesus Christ, Peter exclaimed, “Lord! good for us here; Let's make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." Suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and they heard a voice from the cloud: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; Listen to him." The disciples rushed to the ground in fear. Jesus Christ came up to them, touched them and said, "Get up, don't be afraid"! The disciples stood up and saw Jesus Christ in his usual form.
The Transfiguration of the Lord is celebrated on August 19 (6).

Troparion, voice 7:
Thou hast been transfigured on the mountain, Christ God,
showing your disciples your glory, as if I could:
May Your eternal light shine on us sinners,
through the prayers of the Mother of God, Giver of Light, glory to Thee.

Kondak, voice 7:
Thou hast changed on the mountain,
and like a container for your disciples,
Your glory, O Christ God, I saw:
Yes, when they see Thee crucified,
ubo understand suffering freely,
the world is preaching
for you are truly the Father's radiance.

8. Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-17; Mark 11:1-19; Luke 19:29-48; John 12:12-19)

(Palm Sunday). Six days before Easter, Jesus Christ left Bethany for Jerusalem. Halfway along the road, at his request, the disciples brought a donkey with a colt to him so that He could ride on them. They covered them with their clothes and Jesus Christ sat down and went to Jerusalem. And as He rode, a multitude of people came out of Jerusalem to meet them. Some took off their clothes and spread them along the road; others cut palm branches, carried them in their hands or threw them along the road, and all exclaimed loudly: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the Highest! Especially the children zealously and joyfully greeted the Savior and even in the temple shouted to Him: “Hosanna to the Son of David!”
The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem is celebrated Sunday, the week before Easter. During the service, a willow is blessed and distributed (instead of palm branches). This happens during Lent, before Holy Week. On this day, students usually take communion with their parents and teachers.

8a. Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-11; Luke 24:1-12) (John 20:1-18; Corinthians 15:3-5)

(The Resurrection of Christ. Resurrection. Easter of Christ). On the first day after Saturday, early in the morning, Jesus Christ rose from the dead. At the same time, there was a strong earthquake. An angel of the Lord came down from heaven; his appearance was like lightning, and his robe was white as snow. He rolled away a stone from the door of the tomb and sat on it. The warriors standing on guard fell to the ground from fear and became as dead, and then, having come to their senses, fled. Some of them came to the chief priests and told what had happened. The high priests gave them money and taught them to say that at night, when they were sleeping, the disciples of Jesus Christ came and stole His body.
Feast of Feasts, Resurrection of Christ, Easter, celebrated on the first Sunday after the first spring full moon between April 4 (March 22) and May 8 (April 25). At midnight (Saturday to Sunday) the Easter Matins are served, followed by the Liturgy. After these services, Great Lent ends and you can break the fast (there is a modest, non-lenten one). Easter is celebrated for seven days.

Stichera at the beginning of Matins, voice 6:
Your Resurrection, Christ the Savior,
Angels sing in heaven:
and vouchsafe us to the earth
Praise Thee with a pure heart.

Troparion:
Christ is risen from the dead
correct death by death,
and those who are in the tombs, belly-gifts.

9. Ascension of the Lord (Mark 16:15-19; Luke 24:46-53; Acts 1:2;4-26)

(Ascension). On the fortieth day after the resurrection from the dead, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to His disciples and told them to stay in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit. Then He led them out of the city to the Mount of Olives, and, raising His hands, blessed, and when He blessed, He began to ascend into heaven. Finally, a light cloud hid Jesus Christ from the sight of the disciples. They looked at the sky for a long time. Suddenly two angels in white robes appeared to them and said: “Men of Galilee! why are you standing and looking at the sky? This Jesus who ascended into heaven will come in the same way as you saw Him ascend into heaven.” The disciples bowed to the ascended Lord and joyfully returned to Jerusalem.
Ascension of the Lord is celebrated in fortieth day after Easter, always Thursday.

Troparion, voice 4th:
Thou hast ascended in glory, Christ our God,
joy he created by the disciple,
the promise of the Holy Spirit,
the former blessing announced to him:
for you are the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world.

Kondak, voice 6:
Hedgehog about us, having fulfilled the look,
and even on earth uniting the heavenly,
Thou hast ascended in glory, Christ our God,
no way away, but staying relentless,
and cry out to those who love You:
I am with you, and no one is with you.

10. Descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles (Acts 2;14:23)

(Holy Trinity. Trinity. Pentecost). On the fiftieth day after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the apostles with the Mother of God and other believers were together and prayed. At the third hour from the beginning of the day, a noise was suddenly heard from the sky, as if from a strong wind, and filled the whole house where they were, and fiery tongues appeared and rested on each of them. Everyone was filled with the Holy Spirit and began to praise God in different languages, which they did not know before.
In Jerusalem at that time there were many Jews who came from different countries on the occasion of the feast of Pentecost. Hearing the noise, they gathered near the house where the apostles were, and were surprised that simple, unlearned people speak different languages. Then the apostle Peter spoke and explained to the people that they had received the Holy Spirit from Jesus Christ, who was crucified but rose from the dead. Those who heard this sermon were touched in their hearts and asked Peter: “What shall we do”? Peter answered them, “Repent and be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. And that day about three thousand people were baptized.
The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles signifies the end of the New Testament and the beginning of the apostolic preaching and the history of the Christian Church. Incidents before the Descent of the Holy Spirit are described in the Gospel, and the Descent itself and after in the book of the Apostle.
The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles is celebrated on fiftieth day after Easter and is called the day of the Holy Trinity or Pentecost. The Holy Trinity always happens on Sunday and is celebrated for three days. During the whole week there is no fast, that is, Wednesday and Friday are not fast; therefore it is called "solid".

Troparion, voice 8:
Blessed are you, Christ our God,
Even wise are the fishermen of the manifestations,
sending down on them the Holy Spirit,
and by those catch the universe,
Lover of mankind, glory to Thee.

Kondak, voice 8:
Whenever the languages ​​\u200b\u200bof the fusion,
dividing the tongues of the Most High:
when you give out tongues of fire,
in connection the whole vocation:
and in accordance we glorify the All-Holy Spirit.

11. Assumption of the Mother of God

(Dormition). After the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Mother of God lived in Jerusalem in the house of the holy Apostle John the Theologian. She was informed of her dormition three days in advance by the archangel Gabriel. Then, according to Her desire, all the apostles, except for Thomas, were miraculously gathered to Jerusalem by the power of God. At the hour of her death, an extraordinary light shone in the room where the Mother of God was; The Lord Jesus Christ Himself appeared and accepted Her most pure soul, and the apostles buried Her body in the Garden of Gethsemane, in the cave where the bodies of Her parents and the righteous Joseph were buried. Three days later, the Apostle Thomas arrived and wished to bow to the body of the Mother of God. But when they opened the cave, they did not find a body there. The apostles were perplexed. Suddenly, the Mother of God Herself appeared to them and said: “Rejoice! I will always be your prayer book before God.”
The Assumption of the Mother of God is celebrated on August 28 (15).

Troparion, voice 1:
At Christmas, you kept your virginity,
in the dormition of the world did not leave you, Mother of God,
Thou hast reposed to the stomach, Mother of the essence of the Belly,
and by your prayers you deliver our souls from death.

Kondak, voice 2:
In prayers, the unsleeping Mother of God,
and in intercession immutable hope,
coffin and mortification will not hold back:
as if it were Mother Belly,
to the Belly, transcend into the womb, inhabiting the ever-virgin.

12. Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord

(Exaltation). The first Christians were ancient Jews and experienced great persecution from Jewish leaders who did not follow Jesus Christ. The first Christian martyr, the holy Protomartyr Stephen, was stoned to death for preaching a Christian. After the fall of Jerusalem began, many times worse, the persecution of Christians by the pagan Romans. The Romans were against Christians, since the Christian teaching was the exact opposite of the customs, mores and views of the pagans. Instead of selfishness, it preached love, put humility in place of pride, instead of luxury, taught abstinence and fasting, eradicated polygamy, contributed to the emancipation of slaves, and instead of cruelty called for mercy and charity. Christianity morally elevates and purifies man and directs all his activities towards good. Christianity was forbidden, severely punished, Christians were brutally tortured and then killed. So it was until 313, when Emperor Constantine not only freed Christians, but also made Christianity the state faith.
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross is celebrated on September 27 (14).

The Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord, the last of the twelfth feasts, is described in the textbook of the Law of God as follows:
Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The persecution of Christians continued for about three hundred years, and ended only under the emperor Constantine the Great, who himself accepted the Christian faith. His mother, the pious Queen Elena, went to Jerusalem to find the cross on which the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified.
The queen was told that the cross of Christ was buried in the ground, and a pagan temple was built on that spot. When, by order of Elena, they broke down the building and began to dig the ground, they found three crosses and near them a plaque with the inscription: "Jesus Christ of Nazarene, King of the Jews."
To find out which of the three Crosses of the Lord, they began to lay them on the deceased. No miracle happened from two crosses, but when they laid the third cross, the dead one was resurrected, and thus they recognized the cross of the Lord.
Everyone who was at the same time wanted to see the holy cross. Then the Patriarch of Jerusalem Macarius and Empress Elena stood on an elevated place and erected a cross, and the people bowed to him and exclaimed: “Lord, have mercy!”

Troparion(Voice 1)
Save the Lord, Your people,
and bless thy inheritance,
Orthodox Christian victory
bestowing on the resistance,
and Thy keeping by Thy Cross domicile.

In Russian(translated by AMN)
Save the Lord, your people,
and bless thy inheritance,
victory for orthodox christians
bestow on enemies
and Thy keeping by Thy Cross domicile.

Kontakion(Voice 4)
Ascended to the Cross by will,


rejoice in your power Orthodox Christians,
giving them victories for comparisons,
aid to those who have, Your weapon of peace,
invincible victory.

In Russian(translated by AMN)
Ascended to the Cross by will,
to your namesake your new residence
grant Thy bounties, O Christ God:
rejoice with your power Orthodox Christians,
give them victory against their enemies,
aid to those who have Your weapon of peace,
invincible victory.

Church holidays are important dates for Christians, for which it is customary to prepare prayerfully, observe fasting, and then come to the solemn liturgy with communion in the temple. Some Orthodox holidays, such as the Dormition, seem strange to people who are far from church life. Why do Christians celebrate death? We will try to tell you about the essence of church holidays in this article.

The calendar of non-transferable church holidays is known:

Passing church holidays, in turn, are constantly celebrated on different days. We have compiled a table for the nearest dates:

What is a church holiday?

Rejoice always in the Lord; and again I say: rejoice ( Phil. 4:4–7 .)

What is an Orthodox holiday? Secular people often ask this question when entering the path of church life. Many worldly holidays are accompanied by noisy feasts, dances and songs. How are church holidays different from them?

The Lord called us not for suffering, but for salvation and eternal life, which, in itself, is already a reason for joy. Therefore, even when we weep, repenting of our sins, it is a great joy. After all, we have One who is ready to accept our repentance. Orthodox holidays are enclosed in the quiet joy of unity with God. These important dates are designed to remind us of the events of the Gospel, they are associated with ancient Christian traditions and allow us to temporarily escape from worldly fuss in order to devote one more day of the year to communion with God. During a church holiday, a liturgy is served in the temple, and we praise the history of our Salvation by Jesus Christ, recalling certain events of Holy Scripture or the lives of Orthodox saints.

Church holidays are divided into passing and non-moving. The date of non-transferable holidays never changes and is celebrated on the same day every year. Transitional Orthodox holidays do not have a fixed date and depend on the date of the celebration of Easter. It is because of the date of the celebration of Easter that the Church calendar usually moves. The date of the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ is calculated according to the solar-lunar calendar. It is usually celebrated on the nearest Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox (March 21). The Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council decreed this order as early as 325.

There are twelve most important church holidays. They are called "twelfth" or sometimes "twelve". Easter is not included in this list, as the most important Orthodox holiday, standing separately, outside of any categories.

• Nativity
• Epiphany
• Candlemas
• Annunciation
• Palm Sunday
• Ascension
• Trinity
• Transfiguration
• Dormition of the Blessed
• Exaltation of the Holy Cross
• Nativity of the Virgin
• Introduction to the Temple of Our Lady

• Protection of the Holy Mother of God
• Circumcision of the Lord and the memory of St. Basil the Great
• Nativity of John the Baptist
• Commemoration of the Chief Apostles Peter and Paul
• The Beheading of John the Baptist
• Holy memory. Nicholas
• Transfer of relics of St. Nicholas in the Italian city of Bari.

With the advent of new saints, the list of Orthodox holidays is also replenished.

Holidays in the Orthodox calendar

Twelfth Feasts of the Theotokos

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Not far from Jerusalem is the city of Nazareth. It was in this city that the righteous and already elderly spouses Joachim and Anna lived. For a long time the Lord did not give them children. At the time of their lives, this was considered a shame, because children were considered a blessing from God. Once the High Priest did not even accept Joachim's sacrifice, accusing him of having obviously done something wrong before God, since the Lord does not give him children. Joachim prayed to the Lord to grant him and his wife a child. Anna considered herself guilty of a childless marriage. She also turned to God with a request to give them and Joachim offspring and promised to bring the child as a gift to God, to serve Him. Then a Heavenly Angel appeared before her and said: “Your prayer has been heard. You will give birth to a blessed daughter. For her sake all the generations of the earth will be blessed. Through her, salvation will be given to the whole world and she will be called Mary.

In those days, only the birth of a male baby was considered a blessing from God. Even in the Holy Scriptures, people are counted only in male units. But the girl that Anna will give birth to will be the Most Holy Theotokos, the mother of Christ.

Joachim, meanwhile, hastened to the Golden Gate of Jerusalem after a forty-day fast in the mountains. He had to see his wife Anna, because in the mountains an angel appeared to him too. Embracing him at the gate, Anna said, “Now I know that the Lord has blessed me.”

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the first twelfth Orthodox holiday in the church year, which begins on September 14 according to the new style. The Mother of God served the cause of Salvation by giving birth to the Son of Man, from whom a new era and a new chronology began. With the Savior, the Lord revealed to us that the main law in our life should be the law of love, the ability to sacrifice in the name of love. The earthly path of the Mother of God was filled with sorrows, she stood at the Cross of the Lord and, together with the Savior, experienced the agony of the Cross.

But the world rejoiced at her birth, on the day of the Nativity of the Mother of God, our intercessor before the Gods was born, through prayers to which great miracles are performed.

Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Entry into the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos is one of the main church holidays dedicated to the earthly life of the Mother of God. In addition to the Introduction, the Nativity of the Virgin and the Assumption of the Virgin are also celebrated. These holidays are based on Holy Tradition. The feast of the Annunciation is based on the Gospel events, when the Angel of the Lord appeared to announce the conception of Christ.

In addition to these main holidays, other Orthodox holidays are also celebrated - the holidays of the miraculous icons of the Mother of God, the Intercession (this day is especially loved by the people) and many other days that reflect our love for the Most Holy Theotokos. The introduction of the Virgin Mary into the temple is a special date that has no analogues among other church holidays. Holy Tradition tells that as soon as the Virgin Mary was three years old, her parents Joachim and Anna took her to the temple in order, according to the vow given to the Lord, to raise her in Divine grace. This vow was fulfilled in gratitude for the gift of a child. It did not mean that the child took a vow of monasticism or a special ascetic life, but his upbringing was no longer done by his parents, but by the servants of the temple. This is a sign of the highest trust in God.

In Jerusalem at that time there was one temple, in the altar of which the Ark of the Covenant was once kept. In the same temple there was a special theological school, where boys and girls dedicated to God were brought up. The Virgin Mary was met by the high priest Zacharias. He played an important role in the Old Testament Church and was an indisputable moral authority for believers. Without outside help, the Virgin Mary climbed all fifteen steps leading to the sanctuary, barely crossing the threshold of the temple. Those who saw it perceived the ascent as a miracle. Despite the body of the baby, the Mother of God was already perfect in soul. She entered the temple joyful and triumphant, as in her own home.

The high priest Zechariah led the girl to the holy of holies of the temple, where he himself could enter only once a year. He immediately saw that before him - not an ordinary child. Staying in the temple, the Virgin Mary admired everyone with the fullness of her virtue, being at the same time humble and meek. This was another step on the way to the appearance of the Savior in the world, so believers so honor this significant date and distinguish it among many Orthodox holidays.

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (March 25/April 7)

The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the twelfth Orthodox holiday.

It was called differently among the first Christians: the Conception of Christ, the Annunciation of Christ, the Beginning of Redemption, the Annunciation of the Angel of Mary, but in the 7th century in the East and West they began to call it the same - the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos.

This day brought joy to the whole world and became the beginning of our Salvation, a blessing for all people. On this day, God united with mankind and in the person of the Virgin Mary all the prophecies of the Old Testament about the Son of Man were fulfilled. In the whole world then there was no holier and more worthy of the Virgin Mary. She had been living in the temple for twelve years when the high priest told her that when she reached the age of majority, she should leave the temple, get married, and move into her husband's house. The Virgin Mary humbly replied that she had made a vow to devote her life to the Lord and did not want to break her vow of chastity. The high priest cannot force the Virgin to break her vow to God, so he gathered the clergy of the temple to pray and ask God to reveal His will. An angel appeared to the high priest Zarakhriy with instructions to take unmarried husbands from the house of David and ask them to bring their rods, to which of them the Lord will show a sign, he will become a husband for the Virgin Mary.

When the High Priest gathered the wands, he began to pray that the Lord would reveal his will. At night, the rods were left in the temple, and the next day, Joseph's rod blossomed. Joseph was a relative of the Virgin Mary, led a righteous life, he was already over 80 years old, he lived as a widow and had adult children. The Virgin Mary moved from the temple to Nazareth, but remained to live in solitude and silence, preserving her virginity. The Most Pure Virgin continued to live for God, to do household chores. While God sent the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary.

The Virgin Mary knew the prophecies about the coming of the Messiah and about the Blessed Virgin who would become His mother. She prayed to minister to this woman, but this woman turned out to be herself.

“Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you; Blessed are You in wives, ”the Virgin Mary heard these words from the archangel who appeared to her. These words confused her, and she remained silent. But the archangel Gabriel comforted her with the words that the Lord would give the Son the throne of David. The Virgin Mary did not know a husband, but the power of the Most High overshadowed her, and she conceived when the light of the Spirit of God overshadowed her. The sacrament of the incarnation of the Son of God has come to pass. Chosen from all generations, the Virgin Mary contained within herself the treasure of grace and gave man the opportunity to hope for salvation.

Meeting of the Lord (February 2/15)

The church holiday of the Presentation of the Lord is based on an amazing miraculous event that took place in Jerusalem in the 1st century AD. According to tradition, on the fortieth day after birth, all Jews had to bring their first sons to the temple for consecration to God. In gratitude, it was customary to bring a sacrifice to God - a ram, an ox, doves. An important role was played by what the family could afford.

This law was established in memory of the liberation of the Jewish people from Egyptian slavery. Then the Lord saved Israel's firstborn from destruction.

Parents brought Jesus Christ to the Jerusalem temple, as required by the law, as soon as He was forty days old, to present before God. Joseph and Mary could not afford to make a costly sacrifice, as they did not live well. They sacrificed only two baby pigeons. At that time, a pious elder, Simeon the God-bearer, lived in Jerusalem. At the suggestion of the Spirit of God and the prophetess Anna, he came to the temple, as the Holy Spirit promised Righteous Simeon that he would not die until he saw the Messiah. He was already 360 years old. According to the Tradition of the Church, he was one of those who translated the Old Testament from Hebrew into Ancient Greek. He knew the Scriptures well and waited with faith for Christ the Savior. Although, at first he doubted the possibility of fulfilling the prophecy that the Savior would be born into the world from an earthly woman. He even wanted to blot out these prophecies in Scripture, but the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and held him back, confirming the truth of these words - “Believe what is written!”.

Seeing the baby Jesus at the door of the temple, he exclaimed with great joy: “This is God, Concurrent with the Father, this is the Eternal Light and the Lord Savior!” As promised by the Lord, the Divine Infant appeared to him with the Blessed Virgin and righteous Joseph. Simeon's heart trembled, he praised the Lord in prayer. The elder saw the One Who was promised by the Lord to people, the fullness of times came. He could leave this world, for the prophecy was fulfilled.

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin (August 15/28)

This holiday seems paradoxical to those who are not familiar with Orthodox church holidays. Why do we celebrate death? But we know the words “Do we live, we live for the Lord; If we die, we die for the Lord.” Even the Apostle Paul said: “For me, life is Christ and death is gain.”

The last thing we know about the earthly path of the Virgin Mary from the Gospel is the words that the Lord addresses to the Mother from the cross. Words about His beloved disciple, John the Theologian: “ Geno! behold, thy son“. These words, of course, applied to all mankind.

The beloved disciple of Christ took the Virgin Mary to him. Holy Scripture does not convey to us information about the Assumption of the Mother of God, but Church Tradition stores for us information about the life of the Mother of God after the Resurrection of Christ.

So, the Mother of God lived in the house of John the Theologian. She often retired to pray to her Divine Son. On one of these days, the archangel Gabriel again appeared to her to announce that in three days the Blessed Virgin would depart to the Lord. The Mother of God accepted these words with great joy in anticipation of a meeting with God. The only thing she asked was to give her the opportunity to say goodbye to the apostles, the disciples of Christ, who brought the message of Salvation to the world. Miraculously, the apostles, who were far from Jerusalem, were transferred there to say goodbye to their Heavenly Mother. The Mother of God consoled the apostles in their grief and said goodbye to each of them.

But the Dormition of the Mother of God was not an ordinary parting of the soul with the body. At the hour of her death, the heavens opened up and those present saw Christ with the angels and the reposed righteous. The Blessed Virgin was as if immersed in a dream, therefore her repose is called the Dormition, that is, sleep. And behind this dream, glory and awakening in the Kingdom of Heaven were expected. The soul of the Virgin Mary, accompanied by angelic singing, ascended to Heaven.

During the burial of the body of the Virgin, one Jewish priest was filled with anger towards the Mother of Jesus Christ and decided to overturn the body of the Virgin Mary on the ground. But as soon as he touched the bed of the Blessed Virgin, the Angel of the Lord appeared with a sword and cut off his hands. The priest prayed to the apostles for help. The Apostle Peter replied that the Lord, through prayers to His Mother, could grant him healing. Priest Athos put his hands to the place of cutting off, offering prayers to the Mother of God. His prayer was heard, and he followed the bed of the Virgin Mary, glorifying the Lord and the Mother of God.

The Apostle Thomas did not have time to see the burial of the Mother of God and was very sad, wanting to say goodbye to her. When on the third day the apostles opened the tomb for him, the body of the Mother of God was not in it, but she herself appeared to them in Heavenly Glory, surrounded by many angels with the words: “Rejoice, for I am with you all the days.”