The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the revered holidays in Christianity. It is timed to coincide with an event that took place in the gospel times, namely the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel in front of the Virgin Mary, who informed her about the future birth of her son. Since then, the Annunciation has been a symbol of the good news for all people.
Prehistory of the Annunciation
In those days, girls up to the age of fourteen were brought up in temples, and upon reaching this age they were usually married off or returned to their parents. So for the Virgin Mary they were going to find a worthy husband, but she decided to remain a virgin and devote her life to serving the Lord.
The priests heeded her wishes and got engaged to the eighty-year-old elder Joseph. So she moved to Nazareth and began to live in his house. Joseph guarded her chastity, she lived modestly and alone, as before in the temple.
Four months later, the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel happened, who informed her that she would become the mother of God's Son. The virgin Mary, who did not know her husband, acceptedthe will of God. It is believed that if the Mother of God did not have such faith, if for some reason she had refused the words of the Archangel, then conception would not have occurred. This shows a very important point for people. Faith is very powerful, without it nothing can happen.
The Immaculate Conception itself happened at that moment. Of course, there are many skeptics on this score, but believers call this moment nothing more than a miracle.
Now in honor of this event in many cities there is a church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Customs for the Annunciation
This day is very significant for believing Christians. Its symbol can be called a flying bird, which, according to tradition, was launched at the Annunciation. It meant freedom, any, but most importantly - for the search for the Kingdom of God. It is also customary to read the liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. Vespers are held in the church, beginning with a special evening service.
Also, any work is prohibited on this day. It was said that even a bird does not nest, a girl does not braid.
It was also necessary to burn the s alt and add it to the dough, from which various bakery products were baked. They were given to both relatives and pets to eat. There was a sign that such s alt helps to cope with diseases.
The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the day when nature awakens from winter, and agricultural work begins. All grains and seeds were consecrated for planting. To do this, they brought an icon, put it near them and read a prayer. It was believed that this contributes to a rich harvest.
Existing signs and superstitions for this holiday
There are also signs on this day - both natural and household. For example, in the presence of wind, fog or hoarfrost, it was said about a rich harvest. If the rain watered the ground, then there will be a good harvest of rye, if there was a frost, then this is for mushrooms. But the thunderstorm foreshadowed a lot of nuts and a warm summer.
On the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, you can neither lend money to anyone nor ask. In the first case, luck will be given, and in the second, financial difficulties will haunt the whole year.
It is not recommended to do any manipulations with the hair on this day, as this will weaken them and they will fall out.
It was considered good luck to steal something next year.
Prosphora, taken in the temple, possessed healing power that day. It was kept for a whole year and, if necessary, a soaked piece was given to a sick person.
Annunciation Day
The Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin falls on the twenty-fifth of March according to the Julian calendar and on the seventh of April according to the Gregorian, which we use now. True, this number corresponds only to the Russian, Jerusalem, Ukrainian, Georgian and Serbian Orthodox churches, it also includes the Ukrainian Greek Catholic, and it is also customary among the Old Believers.
From the day of this holiday to the Nativity of Christ exactly nine months. On the day immediately before the Annunciation itself and after it, festivities are also celebrated. They are canceled when they coincide with the Passion orHappy Week.
If we talk about the Catholic and Protestant churches, then they have this holiday on the twenty-fifth of March according to the modern Gregorian calendar.
Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Images of this event were found in the catacombs, which date back to the 2nd-3rd century, although the holiday itself was established no earlier than the 4th century.
The Icon of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin is placed on the Royal Doors. She is surrounded by four evangelists. This has a symbolic meaning. Here an important comparison is made between the Annunciation and the Holy Gifts of Christ, which are spoken of in Communion. By the way, this icon is a representative of one of the three types that are in Russian iconography. On it, the Virgin is depicted with yarn, which is also symbolic. The meaning of this image with spinning is that as a result of this, the flesh of Christ appears, although the Mother of God was pure and virgin.
Another type of image is the Mother of God with the baby in the womb, when he was not yet born. The icon “Ustyug Annunciation” clearly illustrates this way of writing.
There is also another type of spelling. This is the "Annunciation at the well." Such an image can be seen on the walls of the temple. Its meaning is that the Mother of God heard a voice from the well, warning her of what would happen. This is now considered as a foreshadowing.
There are also attributes that may be present on the image:
- lily - denotes purity andpurity, both spiritual and bodily;
- spindle (red yarn), spinning wheel - the flesh of Christ;
- book;
- paradise branch held by Archangel Gabriel;
- beam of light;
- well - purity;
- jug;
- swallow.
Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a great event in Christian history. It was good news that salvation and redemption were possible. Mary's act of obedience seemed to counterbalance Eve's once-perfect disobedience.
Obviously, that is why prayers are offered to that icon for various ailments for their healing, and also if someone is in prison of any kind. The intercession of the Mother of God helps during the onset of despondency or in sorrows.
Some churches built in honor of the Annunciation of the Virgin
The Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is in almost every city. You can come there, pray, talk about your troubles and sorrows, ask for intercession. There are also those that are in a deplorable state and require restoration, but this does not become less valuable.
For example, there is such a temple in the Ryazan province in the village of Kolentsy. It is in a dilapidated state, has the status of an object of culture. Its construction history goes back to 1752.
Also in the city of Tula there is an old functioning church of the Annunciation, the construction of which dates back to 1692. At timesThe USSR had warehouses in it. Since 1990, its active restoration has been going on, which has not ended to this day.
In the Komi Republic in Sizyabsk there is also a famous Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The year of construction refers to 1843-1854.
And this, of course, is not all known buildings. A sufficient number of temples and churches have been built in honor of this event.
Temple in Fedosino
The first mention of the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Fedosino dates back to the 17th century, when a wooden church was listed in the documents. She belonged to the Ascension nunnery.
Now the temple is built of brick, as in the 19th century. Also around it was once a cemetery, which was demolished. The temple itself was destroyed many times, but it was always restored by God's command.
If we talk about Fedosino himself, then for a long time the village was prosperous, it had a school, developed its own crafts. Over time, all this was gone, and after the revolution it completely turned into a seedy village.
Over time, new buildings grew up on the site of Fedosino, where the villagers moved. The restoration of the temple began in 1991 and continues to this day. The miraculous icon of the Feodorovskaya Mother of God was also found, on account of which there is already one well-known miracle.
Cathedrals of the Annunciation of the Mother of God
There are also numerous Annunciation cathedrals throughout Russia and adjacent countries. For example, an ancient building in Moscow, which was built in 1489year. It has an interesting history - it was destroyed several times, then restored. It contains ancient icons painted by Andrey Rublev himself.
Athens is also home to the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin, which is considered an important center of the Greek Church. It is also called Metropolis.
This cathedral was built from 1842 to 1862. Nearby is an older building - Mikri Mitropoli, which dates back to the XII century.
Besides this, in Ukraine, in the city of Kharkov, there is also a large Cathedral of the Annunciation. It was built in the Byzantine style, perhaps the only such temple in Orthodoxy. Its history is rather vague, the first mention of it was around 1720.
The temple was also burned many times, but it was rebuilt. It received the status of a cathedral in 1914.
Thus, the event that happened in the gospel times is now captured not only in festive veneration, but also in built structures, icons, prayers.
