The Church celebrates many religious holidays. On September 11, Christians of the world who preach Orthodoxy celebrate a great holiday - the Day of the beheading of John the Baptist, one of the closest associates of Jesus Christ. It was he who predicted the appearance of the Son of God, and then performed the ritual of baptism in the sacred waters of the Jordan.
History of the holiday
The Orthodox holiday of September 11 is far from a reason for fun. But it so happened in Russia that not only holidays are celebrated, but also mournful days.
John the Baptist was imprisoned by order of the ruler of Galilee. The reason for the ruler's anger was his public accusation of adultery by the Forerunners. And it was true. Having abandoned his legitimate wife, the daughter of the king of Arabia Aretha, he began to openly cohabit with the wife of his blood brother Herodias. The king's mistress turned out to be a vindictive woman.
At Herod's birthday feast, Herodias danced in front of the guests. And she pleased both the king and the guests with her dances. And therefore Herod promised her to fulfill any of herdesire, whatever it may be. Herodias, taught by her mother, asked the king for the head of her offender. Herod could not refuse her request and gave the order to cut off the captive's head and serve it to the festive hall on a platter. The request of Herodias was fulfilled - the girl received the head of John the Baptist.
Menu of the day
In memory of such a tragic event, the church established the Orthodox holiday on September 11, as well as the strictest fast. It is forbidden to eat meat food, dairy products, eggs and fish dishes, i.e. everything is modest. Such severe restrictions are a tribute to the memory of the death of John the Baptist.
Traditions
Ivan Fasting (the second name of the holiday) was also celebrated as a "turnip" holiday. After all, from that day the harvesting of turnips began. But you can’t sing and have fun on this day.
September 11 is a great Orthodox holiday, which is usually celebrated only with Lenten food. On this day, you need to treat the poor and the poor, as well as wandering pilgrims.
The day is very revered by the people. And today it is categorically impossible to cook food from round vegetables, because they resemble the severed head of a saint. Many things are forbidden on this day. In particular, you can not harvest cabbage, pluck poppy heads, dig potatoes and remove apples from branches.
It's a big sin to take a knife, an ax and a shovel today.
On the Orthodox holiday of September 11, you can collect roots. On this day, beets and carrots are traditionally harvested because they are fully ripe. But you can do this by reading special prayers. The only wayone can carry out the necessary work and not offend the saint. Without this, garden work could not be carried out.
The church holiday of St. John the Lenten is a turning point in the usual life for peasants. It became the last day of field work. It was from that day that the harvesting of pickles began, which were supposed to feed the family all the long winter. On September 11, according to tradition, the opening of the autumn fair trading took place.
After the festive church service ended, it was customary to go to the market. The necessary purchases were made there, as well as new clothes were purchased. In the afternoon, life returned to the usual course for the villagers.
Folk omens
The Orthodox holiday of September 11 - the day of commemoration of John the Baptist - ended the summer. According to the old calendar, it fell on August 29th. They said about him that Ivan the Lenten came and took the summer away.
Special attention was paid to the behavior of birds, as it was believed that they predict the weather. A swan flying across the sky promised snow, but a goose promised rain. A crane wedge flying south promised a short autumn and early snow. If the starlings were in no hurry to fly away, then a dry autumn was expected, without rain. Flocks of rooks flying almost above the ground predicted good weather.
In September, the Orthodox celebrate several more important dates:
- September 14th is Church New Year.
- September 21 - the birth of the Blessed Virgin.
- September 27 is the celebration of the day of the Ex altation of the Holy Cross.
