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Orthodox holiday of the Annunciation Holy Mother of God in 2016 they celebrate in the second week of April. “Hometown” will tell you about the Annunciation: what kind of holiday it is, what date it is celebrated in 2016, as well as the customs and traditions of this day.

Annunciation in 2016: what date?

The Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 2016 falls on Thursday, April 7. This date is constant and does not depend on the day of Easter.

Annunciation 2016: what kind of holiday is it?

According to Christian tradition, on April 7, at the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, they remember how the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. He brought the immaculate girl the news that through her earthly world the Savior, the Son of God, will come.

The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is, first of all, a spring holiday. In Rus', agricultural work traditionally began at this time. Therefore, church and folk customs and rituals were mixed in the minds of people.

On the Annunciation on April 7, birds specially captured for this holiday were released into the wild. It was believed that the birds would ask the Lord for mercy for the liberators.

Another tradition of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is baking prosphoras, that is, unleavened church bread. They were made specifically for each family member and then consecrated in the church. They ate prosphora on an empty stomach. Anyone who tasted such bread received health, happiness and prosperity. The crumbs from the consecrated prosphora were carefully collected and placed in animal feed and seeds. This helped the livestock to be healthy and fertile, and the harvest to be rich.

Annunciation: signs

On the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, April 7, people have been monitoring the weather since ancient times. It was these signs that were later described in proverbs and sayings. Here are some of them: " The Blagoveshchensk snow on the roofs will not melt until May 6 (Egoria), and severe frost by forty frosty mornings", "Annunciation without swallows - cold spring», « If it rains on April 7, it means the summer will be dry.", "If the night of the Annunciation is warm, spring is early and friendly."

It was also believed that on the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary on April 7, the sun has a special brilliance during sunrise. This can only be observed on “big” church holidays: Easter, Christmas and Peter’s Day.

Annunciation in 2016: prohibitions

On the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 2016, you cannot work around the house or in the field. Instead, it was necessary to pray and “invoke” spring. In Rus', on April 7, housewives tried not to light a fire in the hut. Violation of this prohibition could lead to a future fire.

The Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos in 2016 falls during Lent and is subject to all prohibitions and requirements of abstinence. Behavior should be humble and decent. You cannot eat meat, dairy products, etc., but you are allowed to eat fish.

Annunciation comes from the phrase “good news.” It was on this day that the Virgin Mary received the good news from the Archangel Gabriel about the future birth of Jesus Christ. Hundreds of thousands of Christians celebrate this day every year. When will the Annunciation be this year? We will tell you about this and the traditions of the holiday.

What date is Annunciation? Celebration and attributes

Traditionally, the Annunciation is celebrated on April 7 by Orthodox Christians and March 25 by Catholics. The date of the holiday does not change, since it is one of the main Christian holidays. In some traditions, it is customary to celebrate the holiday on other dates. This is observed:

Some of the Protestant Adventist movements that celebrate in last week December.
Some Protestants celebrate twice a year: March 25, December 18.
In the East Syrian rite, which implies a six-week Annunciation: 4 weeks before the feast of the Nativity of Christ, 2 weeks after it.

Annunciation, as one of the main church holidays, cannot do without attributes:

Lily. In all cultures white lily means purity. In this tradition, the lily is used as a symbol of Mary's purity, a symbol of her inner purity.
spinning wheel. When Mary met the archangel, she was preparing clothes for herself, the symbol of which is the spinning wheel. In some cultures, the spinning wheel has been replaced by the Book of Isaiah.
Palm branch. When Gabriel descended from heaven to Mary, he held a palm branch in his hands.
Ray of light. The Holy Spirit descended along a ray of light.

Customs for the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The main custom is a ban on work. Almost any non-idle action taken by a person is considered work: even cleaning and braiding girls’ hair. Associated with this belief beautiful legend. Since even animals cannot work on the Annunciation, they all rested. And only the cuckoo disobeyed this rule. As a result, not only was she unable to complete what she started, but she also forever lost the ability to build nests and create a family, so now the cuckoo has to lay her eggs in other people’s nests.

On the Annunciation, you are allowed to prepare simple food and pray, and observe certain rituals. So, it is necessary to fumigate winter clothes in order to cleanse the body of evil, and wash with melt water. Young people usually light fires and jump over them, which symbolizes the burning of sins accumulated over the winter. But if these customs are modern world are often overlooked, the tradition of giving freedom to birds remains. The day before the holiday, some people still catch birds in order to release them the next day.

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Annunciation signs

Despite the fact that Orthodox clergy denies the existence of signs, the feast of the Annunciation is still overgrown with them, which is associated with the pagan culture that flourished during the times Ancient Rus'. Since there is a lot of example, we have highlighted the most interesting ones:

It is forbidden to wear recently purchased clothes, as this will soon cause them to become unusable.
It is forbidden to comb your hair or perform other manipulations with it: this can confuse your destiny.
You can’t lend anything, because that’s how you can give it to a person family well-being. But paying off debts is a great thing that can increase your well-being.
On Annunciation, you cannot start new things, because they will not work out and will not bring good luck.
If the weather is good on Annunciation, then the summer will be stormy. If it rains, there will be drought in the summer.
Prosphora baked on the Annunciation is considered healing. And if you crumble it on the field, you will get an excellent harvest.
For happiness and health, salt is burned on a holiday and then used for its intended purpose.

The situation with children born on the Annunciation is interesting. In some cultures, such a child is considered lucky, while in others they believed that he would become a lost person.

07.04.2017 07.04.2017

On April 7, the Holy Orthodox Church prayerfully honors the great and joyful feast of the Annunciation Holy Lady our Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary. Annunciation means “good” or “good” news. The Feast of the Annunciation is celebrated in remembrance of the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the announcement to them of the mystery of the incarnation from Her of Jesus Christ - the Son of God and the Savior of the world.

Annunciation Event
Upon reaching adulthood, according to a custom that had the force of law, Holy Virgin Mary left the Temple of Jerusalem and was handed over to the elderly carpenter Joseph - the Betrothed, or the guardian of Her virginity. Joseph came from the same tribe as Her and took Her to him in order to be Her protector under the guise of marriage. Living in the Galilean city of Nazareth, in the house of Joseph, the Blessed Virgin most of spent time in solitude and silence, engaged in contemplation and prayer, reading Holy Scripture and handicrafts.
The events of the Annunciation are described by the only evangelist - the Apostle Luke.
According to the Gospel (Luke 1:26-38), in the 6th month after conception righteous Elizabeth St. John the Baptist, the Archangel Gabriel was sent from God to the city of Nazareth to the Blessed Virgin Mary with the joyful news that the Savior of the world would be born from Her. Entering Her, Gabriel said: “Rejoice, full of grace! The Lord is with You; Blessed are You among women." Mary was confused by the angel’s greeting and pondered its meaning, but Gabriel continued: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a Son, and you will call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High... and His Kingdom will have no end,” that is, the archangel announced in the same words in which the prophet Isaiah predicted this event long before him (Is. 7:14). According to a number of theologians, the words of the Archangel Gabriel - “Rejoice, full of grace” - became the first “good” news for humanity after its fall. St. Theophylact of Bulgaria (XI-XII centuries) in his interpretation of the Gospel of Luke writes: “Since the Lord said to Eve: “In illness you will give birth to children” (Gen. 3:16), now this illness is resolved by the joy that the Angel brings to the Virgin, saying: Rejoice, full of grace! Because Eve was cursed, Mary now hears: Blessed are you.”
Mary, in bewilderment (according to St. Gregory of Neocaesarea (3rd century), fearing a violation of her virginity) asked how the fulfillment of this promise was compatible with observing the virginal lifestyle chosen by Her: “How will this be when I don’t know a husband?” (Luke 1:34) The Angel answered Her that the incarnation of the Son of God would be accomplished by the miraculous action of the Holy Spirit: “The Holy Spirit will come upon You, and the power of the Most High will overshadow You; therefore the Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Here is Elizabeth, your relative, who is called barren, and she conceived a son in her old age, and she is already in her sixth month, for with God no word will fail” (Luke 1:35-37). Then Mary, seeing the will of God in the words of the angel, said with humility: “Behold, the Servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
Right Nicholas Kavasila (XIV century) comments on these words: “The Incarnation was not only the work of the Father, His Power and His Spirit, but also the work of the will and faith of the Blessed Virgin. Without the consent of the Immaculate One, without the assistance of Her faith, this plan would have remained unfulfilled, just as without the action of the three Persons of the Divine Trinity Themselves. Only after God has instructed and convinced the Holy Virgin does He accept Her as a Mother and borrow from Her flesh, which She joyfully provides to Him. Just as He became incarnate voluntarily, so it pleased Him that His Mother should give birth to Him freely and of Her own free will.”
By his submission and consent, according to St. Athanasius the Great (IV century), Mary expressed her confession of faith. He compares it to a tablet, “...on which the Scribe writes whatever pleases Him. Let the Lord of all write and do whatever he wants.” No word of the Lord remains powerless, and Mary soon gave birth to the Child Jesus (Luke 1:26-35).
Ap. indirectly mentions the event of the Annunciation. Paul: “When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His only begotten Son, who was born of a woman” (Gal. 4:4).
King Solomon, who received from God all the light of wisdom to explore the secrets of nature, after surveying everything that is in heaven and on earth - past, present and future - decided that there is nothing new in the world under the sun. But in the Annunciation to the grace-filled Virgin Mary, God created a completely new thing, which has never happened in past centuries and will never happen in future ones.
Humanity has been waiting for this day for more than five thousand years. The divine and prophetic books spoke about the coming of the Savior to the world. And the long-awaited hour has come.

Determination of the date and history of the establishment of the holiday
The name of the holiday - Annunciation - conveys main meaning a related event: the announcement to the Virgin Mary of the good news of the conception and birth of the Divine Infant Christ by Her. This holiday belongs to the twelve permanent holidays and is celebrated every year on the same April day.
The date of the Annunciation in both the West and the East is considered to be March 25 (old style, April 7 according to the new style). This date is exactly 9 months away from December 25 (old style), which has been since the 4th century. is considered the day of the Nativity of Christ.
For the first time, the date March 25 appears in the works of Western authors of the 3rd century - Tertullian and Schmch. Hippolytus of Rome as the day of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ according to the Roman calendar. This circumstance formed the basis of the Alexandrian and later Byzantine chronological systems, identifying the dates of the Annunciation and Easter.
Establishment of this holiday in Constantinople dates back to approximately the middle of the 6th century. as a consequence of the process of “historicization” of evangelical celebrations in the liturgical calendar, but there is no certainty on this issue. So, at St. Gregory of Neocaesarea there is a “Conversation on the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos” and St. John Chrysostom (IV-V centuries) in his writings calls the Annunciation “the first holiday” and “the root of the holidays”; it can be assumed that the Church was already celebrating the Annunciation at this time. The celebration of the Annunciation is evidenced by the construction in Nazareth, on the site where the Annunciation is believed to have happened, by the Equal-to-the-Apostles Empress Helen at the beginning of the 4th century. Basilica of the Annunciation. At the same time, at the beginning of the 8th century. Armenian author Grigor Arsharuni wrote that the holiday was established by St. Cyril I, Bishop of Jerusalem, in the middle of the 4th century. However, Bishop Abraham of Ephesus (between 530 and 553) testifies that not a single sermon dedicated to the Annunciation had been written before him. Ancient Georgian handwritten Lectionaries, reflecting the liturgical practice of Jerusalem in the 7th century, already contain a special feast of the Annunciation on March 25th. In the 7th century The Annunciation began to be celebrated in Rome and Spain; Gaul accepted it only in the 8th century.
In the VI century. St. Roman the Sweet Singer wrote a kontakion (in the early understanding of the term) of the Annunciation. By the end of the 7th century, this was already one of the most revered holidays in Constantinople. The hymnography of the holiday was supplemented in the 8th century. creations of St. John of Damascus (8th century) and Theophan, Metropolitan of Nicaea (14th century), who compiled the canon of the holiday in the form of a dialogue between the Virgin Mary and the Archangel Gabriel.
All Byzantine monuments of the 8th and subsequent centuries name the Annunciation among the most important holidays; his service invariably takes place on March 25th.
Conversations on the Annunciation of St. have been preserved. Sophronius of Jerusalem (VII century), St. Herman of Constantinople (VIII century), St. John of Damascus and many other later holy fathers and church writers.
In the West, information about the Feast of the Annunciation dates back to approximately the same time as in the East. From the writings of Western Church Fathers and writers, the words for the Annunciation are known, attributed to Latin authors of the 5th century. (Blessed Augustine of Hippo, Saints Peter Chrysologos and Leo I the Great) and subsequent centuries.
The Day of the Annunciation was often considered the day of the beginning of the church or even civil year, both in the East and in the West. The conviction that the historical date of the Resurrection of Christ coincides with March 25 led to the fact that this day was called “Kyriopascha” (Lord’s Day). Nowadays, Kyriopascha is the coincidence of the holidays of Easter and Annunciation that occurs every few years.

The event of the Annunciation in the patristic tradition
“Annunciation,” as stated above, means good, joyful, good news. In essence, this is the same as “Gospel,” because this word is translated from Greek as “good news.”
The Feast of the Annunciation is dedicated to the memory of the day when, as the Holy Scripture says, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary and announced the coming birth of Jesus Christ - the Son of God, who would take upon himself the sins of the whole world.
In Greek collections patristic words on different holidays, intended for liturgical use (patristic Lectionaries), there are usually 1 or 2 readings for the Annunciation: the first begins with the words “Again the joy of the gospel” (known under the names of St. John Chrysostom (IV-V centuries) and St. Gregory of Neocaesarea, and the second - the word St. Andrew of Crete (VII-VIII centuries) “Today there is joy for all.” In addition, there are manuscripts containing other patristic readings, for example, St. Gregory of Neocaesarea, St. Proclus of Constantinople (5th century), sermons attributed to Later authors also wrote words to St. Athanasius the Great and St. John Chrysostom, for example: St. Sophronius of Jerusalem, Patriarch of Constantinople, whose sermon “On the Annunciation” contains 2 dialogues of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Archangel and with the Righteous One. Joseph the Betrothed; St. Theodore the Studite (VIII-IX centuries); St. Nicholas Kavasila (XIV century); compares the words of Mary “let it be done to me according to your word” with the words of the Creator “let it be done” (Gen. 1:3), so that “the word of the creature brings down the Creator into the world”) and many others.
An essential element of the patristic works dedicated to the event of the Annunciation is its dogmatic aspect. In all the words on the Annunciation it is emphasized that the main event of the Annunciation is the accomplished incarnation of the Son of God; St. Theodore the Studite even calls the Annunciation not the Feast of the Theotokos, but the Feast of the Lord. Due to the close connection between the Annunciation, the Incarnation and the Nativity of Christ, some sermons could well have been written not to be read on the Annunciation, but for the feast of the Nativity of Christ (for example, the word of St. Proclus of Constantinople or the sermon of St. Leo the Great). The Holy Fathers often emphasize the role of the Blessed Virgin in the Annunciation and Her moral height; this side of the event is clearly expressed in the words of St. Gregory Palamas and St. Nikolai Kavasila. Some of the words inscribed with the name of St. John Chrysostom, as well as the word of St. Herman of Constantinople and the kontakion of St. The novels of the Sweet Singer are constructed in the form of a dialogue, and not only the Blessed Virgin and the Archangel, but also the righteous Joseph the Betrothed participate in the dialogues. Talking about greatest significance The Annunciation in history, the Fathers of the Church do not limit themselves to a dogmatic interpretation of the Gospel narrative - they often (for example, St. Theodore the Studite) draw practical moral conclusions from it.

Iconography of the holiday
Images interpreted as the “Annunciation” are already found in the paintings of the catacombs (Priscilla, 2nd half of the 2nd - 1st half of the 3rd centuries, Peter and Marcellinus, 2nd half of the 3rd - 1st half of the 4th centuries .). As the Annunciation, the scene is interpreted where a young man, whose hand is extended forward, standing in front of a woman sitting in a chair, addresses her with a speech. The plot context allows us to see the Annunciation in this scene, since similar images of wingless angels are known in the frescoes of the catacombs from the compositions “Appearance of the Angel to Tobias”, “Appearance of the Angel to Balaam”, “Appearance of the Trinity to Abraham”. Next in time is the composition of the Annunciation on the relief of the sarcophagus in Ravenna (after 400), where the angel is represented with large wings, with a staff in his left hand, and the seated Mother of God with a spindle and yarn falling into a basket at Her feet.
The scheme that developed in the early Christian period did not undergo significant changes in Byzantine, Balkan and Old Russian art and varies in icons, miniatures and monumental paintings of the 9th-12th centuries. In the 2nd half. XII century The composition is dominated by dynamic expressive features. The movement of the archangel becomes swift, the gaze of the Mother of God turned to him is searching. The composition is complemented by symbolic details. On the icon XII century from the VMC monastery. Catherine in Sinai, in the foreground there is a river with many birds and fish - a symbol of paradise. Behind the throne of the Mother of God, on the golden roof of the high chamber, where there is a nest with birds, there is a garden behind a fence with trees, flowers and birds - “The Prisoner City” - a symbolic image of paradise and the Mother of God (Song 4:12). Golden throne of the Virgin Mary, decorated precious stones both pearls and the building rising behind it with the curtain pulled back resemble the throne of King Solomon (1 Kings 10:18) - also a symbol of the Virgin Mary.
The desire to clearly illustrate the dogma of the Incarnation is most fully expressed in the Russian icon “The Annunciation of Ustyug” (12th century). In the heavenly segment, Jesus Christ is depicted sitting on fiery cherubs, with a ray emanating from His blessing right hand to the Mother of God. The baby in a girdle is painted in the same tones as the maforium (outer clothing; a long woman's veil that goes down from head to toe). The right hand of the Mother of God with a purple thread is raised to the chest, in her lowered left hand She holds a skein of yarn, the thread runs parallel to the figure of the Child, as if held at the shoulder right hand Mother of God. On the Sinai icon con. XII century Also next to the Baby, parallel to the figurine, is a thread that literally illustrates the idea of seeking the “clever scarlet of Emmanuel” - the flesh of Christ “from the pure and virgin blood” of the Mother of God.
The exceptional significance of the feast of the Annunciation, which Saints John Chrysostom and Athanasius of Alexandria call the first among others, was reflected in the location of this subject in church paintings in the altar or pre-altar area. This arrangement clearly demonstrates that through the Incarnation on earth of the Savior, the Son of God, heaven is opened for the human race. In the X-XI centuries. The Mother of God is depicted standing in front of the throne (catholicon of the Vatopedi monastery on Athos; St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv).
In the 12th century The Mother of God is usually depicted sitting on a throne against the backdrop of chambers, with yarn in her hands, half-turned towards the archangel (Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary of the Anthony Monastery in Novgorod (1125)). In the painting of the Novgorod Church of the Great Martyr. Theodore Stratelates on the Stream (late 14th century) depicts a brightly burning lamp in front of the Mother of God sitting on the throne - one of the symbols of the Mother of God, testifying to Her acceptance of the Divine fire.
In accordance with the fact that the Incarnation of the Savior opens the doors of heaven to humanity, the image of the Annunciation is placed on royal gates oh the iconostasis. The Annunciation scene is often combined with the image of Kings David and Solomon in the upper parts of the royal gates: the door leaf from the Church of the Hospital of the Virgin Mary in Ohrid (Macedonia) with the Archangel Gabriel and King Solomon (2nd half of the 14th century); gate from the village Bar (Bulgaria, late 16th century, Museum of the Transfiguration Monastery). In Rus', a different type of royal gate is being formed, where the Annunciation is placed at the top of the doors, and on the main door panel either St. Basil the Great and John Chrysostom, whose names are given to 2 Byzantine Liturgies, or 4 evangelists.
The veneration of the Feast of the Annunciation was also expressed in the dedication of numerous churches and monasteries. One of ancient temples in Rus' - the Church of the Annunciation on the Settlement in Novgorod (XII century). In honor of the Annunciation, gate churches were often consecrated (Church on the Golden Gate in Kyiv (11th century)).
It is noteworthy that in the Kaluga Metropolis many churches were consecrated in honor of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for example: the cathedral in Borovsk (XVIII-XIX centuries), the cathedral in Meshchovsk (XIX century), churches in Kozelsk (XIX century .), Meshchovsk (XVII century), p. Kurilovo, Zhukovsky district (XVIII century), as well as now inactive, but dedicated to the Holiday: With. Khokhlovo, Meshchovo district (XVIII century), the village of Zaborovka, Peremyshl district (beginning of the 20th century), the village of Andreevskoye, Ferzikovsky district (XVIII century) and others.

Why are white doves released at the Annunciation?
Since ancient times, the white dove has symbolized peace and good news. In addition, the dove is a symbol of the gracious action of the Holy Spirit, and snow-white wings are at the same time a symbol of the purity of the Virgin Mary herself.
IN pre-revolutionary Russia There was a custom, especially in Moscow, on Annunciation Day, as on the day of proclaiming freedom to the whole world, to release birds from cages to freedom. Doing any kind of work, even light work, on this day was considered a sin.
In the post-Soviet history of Russian Orthodox Church this custom was revived in the 90s of the 20th century, and today in many churches after the Liturgy white doves are released into the sky.

Great Lent becomes a serious test of the faith and strength of every believer who tries to observe necessary traditions. However, the Church provides for some relaxation of the strict conditions of Lent, noting great holiday Annunciation.

Those who fast will be able to diversify their meager diet by adding foods richer in animal proteins. The ban on entertainment that exists during fasting is also weakened. Thus, many people who are taking their first steps in mastering the main principles of the Christian faith are interested in when the Annunciation will take place in 2016.

The history of the holiday

People usually call this holiday the Annunciation. The Church celebrates the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary (Blessed Virgin Mary). The word “Annunciation” consists of two parts “annunciation + announcement”. In ancient times it meant “good news” or “good news.”

Maria lived in the temple until she was 14 years old, maintaining chastity. The monks decided to marry her off, but she wanted to devote herself to serving God. A solution was found: they decided to give Mary to 80-year-old Joseph, who was able to provide for her and keep her pure. Having moved to Joseph's house, Mary continued to live alone and very modestly.

Soon, while reading Scripture in a secluded room, Mary saw an Angel who told her extraordinary news. An angel announced the imminent birth of Mary as the Savior of all mankind, although she was perplexed as to how a girl who had not known a man could have a child. The Messenger of God called her Blessed among wives and announced the imminent descent of the Holy Spirit on her and the birth of the Son of God. This day is considered to be the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary.

Great Lent and Annunciation

The Annunciation in 2016 will be celebrated during Lent. All people observing this fast may wonder: continue to fast on the Annunciation or not? In this case, the Church recommends refraining from eating fish, but considers it completely permissible to use any vegetable oil. But other clergy believe that it is possible to eat fish, because the Annunciation in 2016 falls on Thursday.

Otherwise, the church gives the same recommendations. For the Annunciation, believers should go to church service and participate in collective prayer. The lighting of candles in honor of the great holiday, which significantly influenced the course of history, is also welcomed.

Date

The date of the celebration of the Annunciation remains unchanged. Every year this holiday is celebrated by Christians on April 7. However, catholic church holds services for the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary a little earlier on March 25th. This is due to the introduction of the Georgian calendar, which was not adopted Christian Church in the 13th century. It should be recalled that at that time some discrepancy was noticed church dates, according to lunar calendar, with the help of which Easter and other important holidays are calculated. Therefore, in the 13th century Christian faith divided into Orthodox and Catholics.

Celebration traditions

The Annunciation is considered one of the most significant church holidays, so nothing can be done on this day, including even simple work. The people even have a saying: “On Annunciation, girls don’t braid their hair, and birds don’t make nests.” During times early Christianity in Rus', the Annunciation had nothing to do with any affairs or concerns. People tried to avoid even the slightest housework. It was believed that even in the underworld, sinners were not tormented on this great holiday. If a trip to a future place of work was planned, the trip was canceled or postponed to another day. An old custom on this day is family gatherings to talk about the coming year and its fruits (harvest, livestock offspring, sowing, weather changes).

There was also a tradition of lighting fires outside. Young people happily jumped over these fires, starting cheerful songs, calling for the arrival of early spring. It was also customary to bake buns reminiscent of images of early birds arriving in the spring. Birds kept in cages were also released for the Annunciation. The girls even walked around the village and offered to buy the existing birds to give them freedom. In the evening, entire bird fairs were held, where birds were offered at a symbolic price.

Any work, including cooking, was not welcome at the Annunciation. But cooking simple dishes that required minimal time and physical effort was still allowed. At the same time, it was necessary to provide rest not only for ourselves, but also for all the livestock and poultry. There was even a saying about a cuckoo who disobeyed this rule and decided to build a nest on Annunciation Day. As a punishment, this bird still cannot build a nest, and is forced to place its eggs in the nests of other birds.

On this holiday it was possible to wash only with melt water. The traditional fumigation of the home and heavy winter clothing with various incense was welcomed.

Popular beliefs

When you know what date the Annunciation is in 2016, you can talk about folk signs, which have accompanied this holiday since ancient times and are not related to the Orthodox faith.

The ancestors believed that it was forbidden to dress or even try on clothes for the Annunciation. new clothes, otherwise it would inevitably quickly wear out, tear, or be damaged in some way. On this day, girls were forbidden to comb their hair, even if it was long and tangled hair. If a girl decided to break this ban, she risked remaining unmarried.

The weather at Annunciation also allowed us to make some forecasts. If it was warm and sunny, a very hot summer was expected, which could dry out the crops due to the lack of rain. If there was a thunderstorm or it was gloomy, people prepared to harvest a bad harvest.

The absence of swallows on this holiday indicated a cold and protracted spring, and frosty weather on the Annunciation spoke of the end of serious frosts and the beginning of a warm spring.

Annunciation(Church Glav. Annunciation; tracing Greek.Εὐαγγελισμός [τῆς Θεοτόκου]; lat. Annuntiatio-proclamation) The Feast of the Annunciation is celebrated in remembrance of the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the announcement to them of the mystery of the incarnation from Her of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Upon reaching adulthood, according to custom that had the force of law. The Most Holy Virgin Mary, although reluctantly, left the Temple of Jerusalem and was handed over to the elderly carpenter Joseph the Betrothed, or the guardian of Her virginity. Joseph came from the same tribe as Her and took Her to him in order to be Her protector under the guise of marriage.

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

Annunciation 2016 - April 7; Annunciation 2017 - April 7 ; Annunciation 2018 - April 7 ; Annunciation 2019 - April 7; Annunciation 2020 - April 7

Living in the Galilean city of Nazareth, in the house of Joseph, the Blessed Virgin spent most of her time in solitude and silence, engaged in contemplation and prayer, reading the Holy Scriptures and handicrafts.

Four months after the engagement, during Her prayerful reflections, Archangel Gabriel appeared before Her and said: “Rejoice, O Blessed One! The Lord is with You, blessed are You among women." The appearance of the Archangel did not frighten Mary, but his greeting confused her with its unusualness. Wanting to reassure Mary and assure her of the truth of his greeting, Archangel Gabriel informed Her that with Her deep humility She had acquired the greatest grace from God - to be the Matter of the Son of God.

For greater confirmation of the Most Pure Virgin, the Archangel announced to Her the secret of the incarnation of the Son of God in the same words in which the prophet Isaiah predicted about this event: “And you will conceive, in your womb, and give birth to a Son, and you will call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”

Mary did not doubt the words of the Divine Messenger, but showed bewilderment at how a son could be born to someone who had doomed herself to virginity. To clarify Her humble bewilderment, the Archangel revealed to Her the truth that he brought from Almighty God: “The Holy Spirit will come upon You, and the power of the Most High will overshadow You; therefore the Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” Having comprehended the will of God and completely surrendering herself to it, the Most Holy Virgin answered: “Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.”

In Rus', the Annunciation is considered a great holiday; in the old days, the year began with it. According to the pious belief of the Russian people, on this day, as on Easter, the sun “plays” and sinners are not tormented in hell. Due to its greatness, the Feast of the Annunciation is not canceled even if it falls on Easter.

The Church sings the holiday with significance: The day of our salvation is the greatest, and the sacraments have been revealed since the ages; Son God's Son There are virgins, and Gabriel preaches grace. In the same way, we cry out to the Mother of God: Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you. (Troparion, tone 4).

The Feast of the Annunciation, dedicated to the remembrance and glorification of the event described in the Gospel (Luke 1: 26-38), had various names among ancient Christians: “Conception of Christ”, “Annunciation of Christ”, “Beginning of Redemption”, “Annunciation of the Angel to Mary” , - and only in the 7th century was the name “Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary” forever adopted.

The establishment of this holiday dates back to ancient times. St. Athanasius (IV century), in his conversation on this holiday, calls it the first in a series of holidays and especially revered, since it recalls the beginning of the economy of people's salvation. In the 5th and 6th centuries, due to heresies that humiliated the face of the Mother of God and distorted the dogma of the incarnation of Jesus Christ, there were special incentives for the Church to magnify the celebration of the holiday; during this time, the celebration of the holiday was enriched with many hymns in which the mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God and the greatness of the Mother of God were revealed.

In pre-revolutionary Russia there was a touching custom, especially in Moscow, in Annunciation Day, as on the day of proclaiming freedom to the whole world, releasing birds from cages into freedom. Doing any kind of work, even light work, on this day was considered grave sin. But the legend that on this day, as on other great holidays, the sun shines at sunrise, you can check for yourself if you get up early.