What does the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos mean? A tradition full of deep meaning - "Freedom for the birds!" Miracles made by icons

Annunciation 2019 is celebrated on April 7 (March 25 old style). In the Orthodox Church, this holiday is called the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos. It refers to the great twelve events of the annual liturgical cycle. The celebration is timed to coincide with the proclamation of the Virgin Mary by the Archangel Gabriel of the good news of her conception of the Son of God.

In the Orthodox Church, this holiday symbolizes the redemption of Eve's sin by mankind.

history of the holiday

Saint Mary was brought up in the church and made a promise to God to remain a Virgin. She lived modestly in Nazareth with the named husband, a distant relative, the old man Joseph. Once the Archangel Gabriel entered her house and made a speech, which he began with the words: "Hail, Blessed One!" He informed the Blessed Virgin about a great miracle - her conception of the future Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.

The first mentions of the Annunciation date back to the 2nd century. This event became official in the 6th century, when the Byzantine emperor Justinian set the date of the holiday for March 25 (April 7 in the new style).

Traditions and rituals of the holiday

On the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, services are held in churches. On this day, church leaders wear a blue vestment. All-night vigils are held in churches, which begins with Great Compline. Services have liturgical features depending on the days of the week. If the Annunciation and Easter coincide (Cryopascha), then the canons of the holidays are combined.

It is customary among the people on this day to go to churches, pray, give alms and do charity work. On this holiday, the tradition of releasing birds (pigeons) is widespread. People believe that in the Annunciation they reach the guardian angels and inform them of all the good deeds that have been done during the year.

Believers prepare the Annunciation salt on April 7. To do this, the hostesses take a bag into which each of the family members pours a pinch of salt. It is calcined in a fire and stored in a secluded place. The Annunciation salt is used as a talisman. Its miraculous properties are capable of curing diseases. If it is not used up within a year, then the next holiday it is burned in a fire. Prosphora and consecrated water, which parishioners bring from the solemn service, are especially powerful.

On the Annunciation, believers make a pilgrimage to holy places. On this holiday, Orthodox relics are able to empower a person. Christians believe that on this day heaven opens, and the Lord hears the prayers and requests of a person. People make wishes and ask heavenly powers about help in big matters.

The ancient Slavs had a custom to kindle large bonfires on a holiday. They threw all old things and objects into the fire. It was believed that in this way all troubles, illnesses and misfortunes were burned in the fire.

What can you eat at the Annunciation

Annunciation 2019 falls on Great post before Easter. On this holiday, the Orthodox Church gives the easing of fasting. Parishioners can eat fish. If the Annunciation falls on Holy Week (the last week before Easter), then an exception is made - fish should not be eaten. Meat, dairy products are excluded from the diet on this day.

What not to do on the Annunciation

Among the people, the Annunciation is considered a great religious holiday. On this day, there are bans on everyday activities.

On April 7, it is not recommended to sew, knit, embroider, braid, cut, dye, or comb. This sign is associated with the belief that people have long believed that a person's life is a thread that can be controlled by the Lord himself or guardian angels. On the day when heaven opens, it is easy to confuse the threads of life, change the fate of the family and loved ones.

On April 7, one should refrain from heavy physical labor. Housewives try to prepare food on the eve of the Annunciation, so that on the holiday they will be free from household chores. Bad omen it is considered to lend money, distribute something from home, otherwise you can give peace, health and well-being. You should not put on new things on this day, so as not to spoil them. The holiday should not be spent in vanity, anger, anger and irritation. The church does not recommend marrying on this day - this is a period of abstinence and repentance.

Signs and beliefs

• Frosts on the Annunciation foreshadow a rich harvest.
• If the swallows have not arrived by April 7, then the spring will be cold and late.
• If a wife on this holiday calls her husband "beloved" forty times, then love and peace awaits the family for many years.
• If you bury a piece of the Annunciation prosphora in the garden, then the land will give a rich harvest.
• The wish that will be made for the Annunciation will come true in the near future.

The Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos belongs to the great twelve feasts of the Orthodox Church. On this day, believers abstain from work, household chores, quarrels and offenses. Parishioners visit churches, make pilgrimages to holy places. This religious holiday is considered to be the best period for harvesting salt, consecrated water and prosphora, which will serve as amulets throughout the year.

In ancient times, different names were given to the feast of the Annunciation: the conception of Christ, the Annunciation of Christ, the Beginning of Redemption, the Annunciation of the Angel of Mary. About where and how the feast of the Annunciation first appeared, nothing is known. It is only known that in 560 the emperor Justinian indicated the date of the celebration of the Annunciation - March 25 (April 7 in the new style).

The name of the holiday - the Annunciation - conveys the main meaning of the event associated with it: the proclamation of the good news to the Virgin Mary of the conception and the birth of Her Infant Christ. This holiday belongs to the twelve non-passing holidays and is celebrated every year on the same April day.
The main icon of the holiday can be considered a masterpiece by Andrei Rublev: an angel descends to the Virgin to announce the "Good News" to her. Archangel Gabriel brought the Virgin Mary the greatest news - the Son of God becomes the Son of man. Isaiah's prophecy is being fulfilled, the Theotokos answers with consent to the angel's message: "Let it be done to me according to your word." Without this free consent, God could not have become human. He could not be incarnated, since God does not act by force, does not force us to anything. Man has been given complete freedom to respond to God with consent and love.

Church Tradition says that at the moment when the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary, she was reading the book of the prophet Isaiah, just those words about the birth of the Messiah. “I am ready to become the last servant of the one who will be worthy to give birth to the Messiah,” she thought.

Some ancient customs are associated with the Annunciation among the people. They say that in the Annunciation "the bird does not build a nest, the maiden does not weave braids," that is, any work is considered a sin.

Annunciation to the Most Holy Theotokos

The Annunciation is one of the religious twelve-year holidays associated with the Christian tradition of the Archangel Gabriel, who announced the future birth of Jesus Christ by the Virgin Mary. Celebrated by believers on March 25 in a new style (April 7).
The Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos became an independent holiday in the middle of the 7th century, and served as a constant subject for religious painting.
The Annunciation is always a holiday in singular, that is, installed by Orthodox calendar on a strictly defined day. On this day, the Archangel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary the immaculate conception and birth of the son of Jesus Christ - the Son of God and the Savior of the world.
Until the age of 14, the Blessed Virgin was brought up in the temple, and then, according to the law, she had to leave the temple as she came of age, and either return to her parents or get married. The priests wanted to give Her in marriage, but Mary announced to them her promise to God - to remain a Virgin forever. Then the priests betrothed Her to a distant relative, the eighty-year old Joseph, to take care of Her and protect Her virginity. Living in the Galilee city of Nazareth, in the house of Joseph, the Blessed Virgin Mary led the same modest and secluded life as at the temple.
When the time came for the Son of God to become man, there was no holier and more worthy Virgin Mary in the whole world. Shortly before the Annunciation, according to legend, about four months, Mary was betrothed to Joseph and lived in Nazareth in his house. The Archangel Gabriel was sent to this house, he announced to her the secret of the incarnation of God from her. Gabriel told her the words that the Church repeats daily in prayer:
“Rejoice, Blessed One, the Lord is with You! Blessed are you in wives! - said St. The archangel appeared to the Virgin in Nazareth, in the house of Joseph, to whom she was betrothed to keep her virginity. - You have found grace from God. And now you will conceive and give birth to a Son and you will call His name Jesus (Savior). He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. " Mary, remembering Her vow not to marry, said to the archangel: "How will it be when I am not married?" The Archangel answered: “The Holy Spirit will come upon You, and the power of the Most High will overshadow You; therefore, he who is born by thee will be holy and will be called the Son of God. " "I am the servant of the Lord, let it be for me according to your word!" - Mary answered then to the archangel. And the archangel departed from her.
Learning that Mary was expecting a baby, Joseph wanted to let her go, but the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said: “Joseph, son of David! Do not be afraid to accept Mary your wife; for that which is born in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you will call His name Jesus; for He will save His people from their sins ”
No word remains powerless for the Lord, and Mary soon gave birth to the Baby Jesus. The gospel of Luke 1: 26-35

It was a day like a day, quite ordinary:
Vanity was boiling all around
But with an inaudible gait
An angel entered the house to Mary.
He exclaimed: “Hail Mary!
The Lord blessed you! -
And about the birth of the Messiah
The messenger of God announced:
“He will be called the Son of God
And he will reign forever.
The one who believes will be saved.
May the man be happy! "

The Annunciation is the conception of Jesus Christ. By the action of the grace of God in the bosom of Mary, a new human life began. Christians know the laws of biology, and that's why they talk about the Miracle. The miracle is not so much that the Virgin, who did not know her husband, began to bear the child, but that God himself identified Himself with this child and with everything that will happen in His life. God doesn't just take possession of Virgo. Through the Archangel Gabriel, the Almighty, Master and Lord asks for the consent of Mary. And only after her consent, the Word becomes flesh.
At the Annunciation, the Most Pure Virgin Mary is glorified, thanks are pronounced to the Lord God and veneration is given to his messenger, the Archangel Gabriel, who served the sacrament of salvation.
The Feast of the Annunciation glorifies the inseparable and unmerged union of two natures in Jesus Christ - the Divine with humanity.
King Solomon, who received from God all the light of wisdom for the study of the secrets of nature, after having surveyed everything that is in heaven and on earth - the past, present and future - decided that there is nothing new in the world under the sun. But in the Annunciation to the blessed Virgin Mary, God created a completely new work, which has never happened in the past centuries and will never be in the future.
Humanity has been waiting for this day for more than five thousand years. The divine and prophetic books spoke of the coming into the world of the Savior. And the long-awaited hour has come. This happened in March, at the same time when the creation of the world was completed. By the will of heaven, the good news of the birth of the Son of God did not come to the learned nobility, but to the modest town of Nazareth, to the poor house of the carpenter Joseph. This worthy man was entrusted by the priests with the fatherly guard of the Virgin Mary brought up in the temple, who made a vow to preserve her virginity. Both of them belonged to an impoverished royal family.
According to legend, once Mary was thinking about the prediction of the ancient prophet Isaiah that the Savior should miraculously born from Immaculate Virgin who did not know her husband. As if in response to the thoughts of the Blessed Virgin, the Archangel Gabriel quietly appeared before her and said: “Rejoice, grace-filled!

SIGNIFICANCE AND SENSE OF THE HOLIDAY

"Annunciation" means good, joyful, good news. In fact, this is the same as the "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 Bible says, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary and announced the forthcoming birth of Jesus Christ - the Son of God, who will take on the sins of the whole world.
From April 7 (March 25, O.S.) to January 7 (December 25, O.S.), i.e. before the birth of Christ - exactly nine months.
The event in question happened, according to Scripture, four months after Mary's betrothal to a distant relative, the eighty-year-old elder Joseph (Mary, who announced her desire to remain a Virgin and devote herself to God, was entrusted with his care).
Mary lived in the house of Joseph in the city of Nazareth, led a modest and pious life there, just like at the temple, where she was brought up before. And then one day, when the Virgin was reading the Holy Scriptures, an angel appeared to her and addressed the following words: “Rejoice, Gracious One, the Lord is with You; blessed are You among wives. " Archangel Gabriel announced to her that she had found the greatest grace - to become the mother of the Son of God. Mary was embarrassed by these words and asked how a son could be born to a woman who did not know a husband. Gabriel replied: “The Holy Spirit will come 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. "

It is noteworthy that, having learned the will of God, the Virgin Mary showed deep faith and humility, answering: “Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word ”(Luke 1, 28-38).
The Church believes that on this day the Gospel story begins: along with the good news, the beginning of the salvation of the human race was laid.
The Church began to celebrate the Annunciation no later than the 4th century. Initially, the holiday was called differently ("The Conception of Christ", "The Beginning of Redemption", "Annunciation of the Angel to Mary"), in the 7th century it was given the name "The Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos."

Why are white doves launched on the Annunciation?

Since ancient times, the white dove has represented peace and good news. In addition, the dove is a symbol of the blessed action of the Holy Spirit, and the snow-white wings are at the same time a symbol of the purity of the Virgin Mary herself. By tradition, the Church brings the Mother of God “as a gift” defenseless birds.
In the post-Soviet history of the Russian Orthodox Church, this custom was revived in 1995, and today in many churches, after the Liturgy, white doves are released into the sky.
Interestingly, before the 1917 revolution, the birds that the Patriarch released into the sky above the Kremlin's Cathedral of the Annunciation were bought on Okhotny Ryad. Today, the pigeons launched by the Patriarch are raised by the Sports Pigeon Federation. After these pigeons soar into the sky, after some time they gather in groups and then return to their nurseries in the capital and the Moscow region.

Lenten indulgences

Please note that the church charter allows those who are fasting on the feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos to eat fish.

Materials from the sites Patriarchia.ru, Pravmir.ru were used.

For Orthodox Christians on April 7, the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos. Sinter figurines of larks

The Annunciation is a good day when the Archangel Gabriel brought the Virgin Mary the good news about the coming birth of the Son of God Jesus Christ and that She was chosen to become the mother of the Son of God.

The Blessed Virgin Mary was gifted to elderly parents, the righteous Joachim and Anna (Comm. 9 September) for their unceasing and tearful prayers. Upon reaching the age of 14, when, according to the Jewish law, Her stay in the temple was to end, the Most Holy Mary was betrothed to the righteous eighty-year old Joseph, a poor carpenter from the clan of David, who was entrusted with keeping Her virginity.

The Archangel Gabriel, sent by God, appeared to her and greeted her with the words: “Rejoice, grace-filled, the Lord is with you; blessed are You among wives. " (Luke 1:28)

And the Angel said to Her: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for You have found grace with God; and behold, you will conceive in your womb, and you will bear 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. - Mary told the Angel; how will it be when I don’t know my husband? The Angel answered Her: The Holy Spirit will come 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 ... Then Mary said: Behold, the Servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word. And the angel departed from her ”(Luke 1, 28-38).

Thus, in the depths of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Blessed Fruit arose - the God-Man Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who took upon Himself the sins of the whole world.
If we talk about folk traditions, then on the feast of the Annunciation, it was customary to release birds from their cages to freedom. In this regard, it was crowded before the holiday at the bird markets. Parents went there with their children to buy birds and on a holiday, after Divine Liturgy, release them.

For this day, figurines of larks from lean dough were baked, paper figurines of angels were cut out and glued in honor of the Archangel Gabriel.

Let us remind you that on April 28 the Orthodox people call the entrance of the Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem " Palm Sunday”, Great Easter this year is celebrated on May 5th.

ANNUNCIATION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD

(From Wikipedia - the free encyclopedia)

The Annunciation, Fra Beato Angelico, 1430-1432, Prado. In the background - the Archangel Michael expels Adam and Eve from Paradise after the Fall (from the consequences of which Jesus conceived at this moment will save mankind). Maria is interpreted as a "new Eve"

Annunciation (Church-Slavic. Annunciation; tracing Greek. the announcement by the archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary of the future birth of Jesus Christ in the flesh from her.
Celebrated on March 25th. The Russian Orthodox Church and other churches using the Julian calendar celebrate the Annunciation on April 7 Gregorian calendar(in the XX-XXI centuries). In Orthodoxy, it is one of the twelve holidays.

ACCORDING TO THE CANONIC GOSPELS

The events of the Annunciation are described by the only evangelist - the Apostle Luke. In his Gospel, he reports that in the sixth month after the conception of Saint John the Forerunner by righteous Elizabeth, Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth to the Virgin Mary with the news of the forthcoming birth from her of the Savior of the world:
The Angel, coming in to Her, said: Hail, Blessed One! The Lord is with You; blessed are you between wives. She, seeing him, was embarrassed by his words and wondered what kind of greeting it would be. And the angel said to her: do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace with God; and behold, you will conceive in your womb, and you will bear 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 for ever, and his kingdom will have no end.
(Luke 1: 28-33)

According to a number of theologians, the words of the Archangel Gabriel - "Rejoice, Gracious One" - became the first "good" news for mankind after the Fall. Theophylactus of Bulgaria, in his interpretation of the Gospel of Luke, writes: “Since the Lord said to Eve: 'In sickness you will give birth to children' (Genesis 3:16), now this disease is resolved by the joy that the Angel brings to the Virgin, saying: Rejoice, Graceful One! Since Eve was cursed, Mary now hears: blessed are you. "
Doubting (according to Gregory of Neocaesarea, fearing a violation of her virginity), Mary asked the angel a question: "How will it be when I don't know my husband?" To which the angel promised a seedless, mysterious conception - “The Holy Spirit will find on You, and the power of the Most High will overshadow You,” and then, in confirmation, “that no word will remain powerless with God,” gave the example of her relative Elizabeth.
Mary, seeing the will of God in the words of the angel, utters very significant words: “Behold, the Servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word. " It is believed that at the moment the Virgin Mary uttered these words, her immaculate conception of Jesus Christ took place. Nikolai Cabasila comments on these words:
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 Most Holy Virgin. Without the consent of the Immaculate, 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 instructed and convinced the Holy Virgin, He accepts Her in the Mother and borrows from Her flesh, which She gladly provides to Him. As He voluntarily incarnated, it was also pleasing to Him that His Mother would give birth to Him freely and of Her own free will.
By her humility and consent, according to Athanasius the Great, 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 sorts write and do what he wants "

According to apocryphal sources

The history of the Annunciation is reflected in the apocryphal texts. He is described in the following apocryphal of the 2nd century: "The Proto-Gospel of Jacob" and "The Book of Christmas Blessed Mary and the Savior's childhood ”(also known as“ The Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew ”). Apocryphal texts do not change the general story about the appearance of Mary the Archangel Gabriel with the news of the birth of the Savior from her, but they add to this story a number of details that formed the iconography of this holiday.
According to the apocrypha, it fell to Mary by lot to weave a new curtain of purple for the Jerusalem temple. Going to fetch water, she heard a voice at the well, saying to her: “Rejoice, gracious one! The Lord is with You; blessed are You among wives. " Not seeing anyone nearby, she was frightened and returned home (this plot is sometimes also called the "pre-annunciation" - that is preparatory stage to the Annunciation itself.) Sitting at the spinning wheel, Mary saw an angel who put her to rest with the words: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace from God and you will conceive to His glory." (The story of the Old Testament Rebekah, who gave Eliezer to drink, sent by her future fiancé Isaac, is considered the prototype of the scene at the well).
The apocryphal also emphasizes the mysterious form of conception, and to the question of Mary "Will I conceive from the living God and give birth like any woman gives birth?" the angel replies: "Not so, Mary, but the power of the Most High will overshadow You." After the angel left, Mary finished spinning the wool and took it to the high priest, who blessed it, saying: "God has magnified your name, and you will be blessed in all nations on earth."
Church tradition also says that the Virgin Mary, at the moment the angel appeared to her, read a passage from the book of the prophet Isaiah with his prophetic words: "Behold, the Virgin will receive in her womb, and give birth to a Son." For this reason, in the scene of the Annunciation, the Virgin Mary is sometimes depicted with an open book.
The Annunciation is also mentioned in the Qur'an (3: 45-51, 19: 16-26), where this plot does not have such a meaning, since in Islam Jesus is not God, but a prophet.
[edit] Adjacent plots

Meeting of Mary and Elizabeth

The episode of the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary by the Archangel Gabriel, according to the Gospel of Luke, was preceded by Gabriel's visit to the barren Zechariah, married to a relative of Mary Elizabeth, during which the messenger promised an elderly couple the birth of the future John the Baptist. And after the Annunciation, the Mother of God went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was preparing to leave household chores due to her pregnancy. There was a meeting between Mary and Elizabeth, during which Elizabeth became the second, after the angel, and the first of the people to tell Mary about the coming share of her baby and uttered the words that became part of many prayers: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! " (see Ave Maria, Song of the Most Holy Theotokos).

Joseph the Betrothed:

According to the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 1: 19-24), the Archangel Gabriel appeared in a dream to Joseph the Betrothed, the husband of the Virgin Mary, who learned that before their betrothal she had become pregnant and who wanted to "secretly let Her go." Gabriel reassured Joseph, saying: “Do not be afraid to receive Mary your wife, for what is born in her is of the Holy Spirit; She will give birth to a Son, and you will call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. " After that, as the evangelist narrates, "Joseph took his wife and did not know her."

Symbolic meaning

Starting at least from the 2nd century, the Annunciation was seen as the first act in Christian history redemption, in which the obedience of the Virgin Mary balances the disobedience of Eve (interpretation of Irenaeus of Lyons). Mary becomes the "new Eve." In the text of the famous hymn Ave maris stella (9th century), it is said that the name Eva is an anagram of the word Ave, with which Gabriel addressed the “new Eve”. In other words, to name Eve meant to mention Mary. Jerome deduced a succinct formula: "death through Eve, life through Mary." Augustine wrote: "through a woman - death, and through a woman - life."
It is believed that God sent the archangel with the good news on the same day on March 25, when the Creation of the world took place (for more details on the number, see below) - thus, mankind was given a second chance.
The mysterious conception of the Virgin Mary, according to the teachings of the Orthodox Church, refers to the great mystery of piety: in it, mankind presented as a gift to God his purest creation - the Virgin, capable of becoming the mother of the Son of God, and God, having accepted the gift, responded to him with the gift of the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Feast of the Annunciation

The modern name of the holiday - Εὐαγγελισμός (“Annunciation”) - began to be used not earlier than the 7th century. The ancient church called it differently:
in Greek: ἡμέρα ἀσπασμοῦ (day of greeting), ἀγγελισμός (announcement), ἡμέρα / ἑορτή τοῦ εὐαγγελισμοῦ (day / feast of the Annunciation), χαιρετισμοῦ (goodness), χαιρετισμός (from the beginning of the angelic greeting) );
in Latin: annuntiatio angeli ad beatam Mariam Virginem (Annunciation of the Angel to the Blessed Virgin Mary), Mariae salutatio (Greeting to Mary), annuntiatio sanctae Mariae de conceptione (Annunciation of the conception of Saint Mary), annuntiatio Christi (Annunciation of Christ) ( Conception of Christ), initium redemptionis (Beginning of redemption), festum incarnationis (feast of the Incarnation).
The full name of the Feast of the Annunciation in the Russian Orthodox Church is defined in the Menaion: "The Annunciation of Our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary." It should be noted that in the Greek and Church Slavonic languages ​​the word "Annunciation" requires after itself the genitive case, when translated into Russian, both genitive and dative, that is - "Annunciation to the Most Holy Lady Our Lady and Ever-Virgin Mary." Usually in modern editions the first option is used, obviously not without the influence of the Church Slavonic language, however, the use of the second is also known.
The current official name of this holiday in the Roman Catholic Church - Annuntiatio Domini Iesu Christi ("Annunciation of the Lord Jesus Christ") - was adopted after the Second Vatican Council. Prior to that, the variant was used: Annuntiatio beatae Mariae Virginis ("Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary"

Determination of the date and history of the establishment of the holiday

For the first time, the date March 25 appears in the writings of Western authors of the 3rd century - Tertullian and the holy martyr 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 date of the Annunciation and Easter.
There are two approaches to determining the date of the Annunciation:
Connection with the date of the Nativity of Christ: March 25 is exactly 9 months away from December 25, which, no later than the 4th century, was universally accepted as the date of the Nativity of Christ.
Connection with the date of the creation of man: a number of church authors (Athanasius the Great, Anastasius of Antioch) believe that the Annunciation and the conception of Jesus Christ took place on March 25, since on this day, according to one group of legends, God created man, and man, burdened with original sin, must be recreated at the time in which it was created (that is, the atonement began).

The establishment of this holiday in Constantinople is attributed approximately to the middle of the 6th century as a consequence of the process of "historicization" of the Gospel celebrations in the liturgical calendar, but there is no certainty in this matter. Thus, Gregory of Neocaesarea (III century) has a "Conversation on the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos" and John Chrysostom in his writings calls the Annunciation "the first holiday" and "the root of the holidays"; it can be assumed that the Church had already celebrated the Annunciation at this time. The celebration of the Annunciation is evidenced by the building in Nazareth, on the site where the Annunciation is believed to have happened, by the Equal-to-the-Apostles Empress Elena at the beginning of the 4th century of the Basilica of the Annunciation. At the same time, at the beginning of the 8th century, the Armenian author Grigor Arsharuni wrote that the holiday was established by Saint 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 on the Annunciation had been written before him. In the 7th century, the Annunciation began to be celebrated in Rome and Spain; Gaul accepted it only in the 8th century.
In the 6th century, Roman the Sweet Songwriter wrote the kontakion (in the early understanding of the term) of the Annunciation. The hymnography of the holiday was supplemented in the 8th century by the creations of John Damascene and Theophanes, Metropolitan of Nicea, who compiled the canon of the holiday in the form of a dialogue between the Virgin Mary and the Archangel Gabriel.

Other dates for the celebration of the Annunciation

The celebration of the Annunciation on March 25 is common, but not generally accepted. There are several liturgical rites in which this holiday, which in its meaning precedes the Nativity of Christ, refers to the pre-Christmas period:
In the Ambrosian rite, the Annunciation of the Mother of God is celebrated on the last (sixth) Sunday of Advent, that is, on a Sunday between December 18 and 24.
In the Spanish-Mosarabian rite, according to some sources, the Annunciation is prescribed to be celebrated twice - except for March 25, a holiday with this name (Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary) is indicated for December 18, that is, exactly one week before the Nativity of Christ. This date is the main one, the celebration on this day was officially confirmed in 656 by the Tenth Toledo Cathedral, since the date March 25, traditional for the Christian world, fell on Lent or Easter period. The celebration of the Annunciation on March 25 is not indicated in any of the known handwritten Mosarabian sources, however, in the Liber Ordinum Episcopal de Santo Domingo de Silos (XI century), it is prescribed to commemorate the Conception of the Lord on this day. In the first printed missal of Cardinal Jimenez (1500), the celebration of the Annunciation of Blessed Mary is indicated for both December 18 and March 25, which was probably done under the influence of the Roman rite. In the new (reformed) Spanish missal, the date of March 25 is not marked by any memory, and the celebration of "Saint Mary" is scheduled for December 18. In terms of its content, this holiday is a kind of forefeast of the Nativity of Christ, the theme of the annunciation of the angel of St. Virgo is not developed, and the main theme of prayers and hymns on this day is the Incarnation.
In the East Syrian rite, there is a whole six-week period of the Annunciation, which includes four Sundays before and two after the Nativity of Christ. The Annunciation itself is dedicated to the second of the pre-Christmas Sundays.

Celebration

In the Orthodox Church

The Church in the East at different times considered the Annunciation to be both the Mother of God and the Lord's Day. At present, it is one of the twelve great holidays and usually refers to the Mother of God feasts, which is why liturgical vestments are assigned to it. blue.
In the Jerusalem charter, currently adopted in the Greek and Russian Churches, the Annunciation has one day of the forefeast and one day of the afterfeast, on which the Cathedral of the Archangel Gabriel is celebrated. Forefeast and afterfeast are postponed if the Annunciation occurs during Holy Week or Bright Week.
The date of the holiday falls between the Thursday of the 3rd week of Great Lent and the Wednesday of Bright Week inclusive, that is, during the period of the singing of the Lenten or Colored Triodion.
A number of liturgical features for the period of the singing of the Lenten Triodus bring it closer to the feast of the Nativity of Christ and the Baptism of the Lord. So, if the feast of the Annunciation occurs on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday of some week of the fourth week (part of Great Lent until Friday of the sixth week, the eve of Lazarus Saturday), as well as on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday of Holy Week, then the all-night vigil begins Great Compline, and not Vespers, as usual; if the holiday falls on the Week (Sunday) or Monday of the fourth month or any day of Bright Week, then the all-night vigil is performed in the usual manner, that is, it begins with the great Vespers; All-night vigil begins in the morning, if the Annunciation is on Great Friday (Friday of Holy Week) or Great Saturday. At Matins the Great Doxology is sung when the feast falls on Saturday or Fasting Week; on other days it is read; does not rely on the Bright week at all.
When the Annunciation happens on Easter, there is no polyeleos, but the canon of the Annunciation is combined with the Easter canon, and after the sixth canon of the canon, the Gospel readings of the Annunciation are read (at Matins Luke 1: 39-49, at the liturgy Luke 1: 24-38).
The special significance of the feast of the Annunciation is emphasized by the fact that the 52nd Canon of the Sixth Ecumenical Council established that on the day of the Annunciation, in spite of Great Lent, a full liturgy should be performed. According to the Typicon, according to general rule serve the liturgy of John Chrysostom, and if the holiday falls on Lenten Sunday (Week), as well as Thursday or Saturday of Holy Week, then the liturgy of Basil the Great. If the Annunciation happens on Good Friday, then - as the only exception for of this day- the liturgy should be performed (according to the Typicon, the liturgy of John Chrysostom is served).
On the Annunciation (if it does not fall on Passion Week), along with the feast of the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem, the statute permits the consumption of fish, wine and oil. According to the Greek typicon, the celebration of the Annunciation, if it falls on Good Friday or Saturday, is postponed to the first day of Easter.
Liturgical texts, in addition to describing the very event of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, also speak of the incomprehensibility of the Nativity of the Savior from the Mother of God, and Mary herself is compared with the "bush" and "ladder" from the vision of Jacob. Through festive chants, the church conveys the following dogmatic provisions to believers: thanks to the birth of the Savior from the Mother of God, heaven is again united with earth, Adam is renewed, Eve is freed, and all people become partakers of the Divine. The canon of the holiday glorifies the greatness of the Most Holy Theotokos, who took God into herself, and also contains indications of Old Testament prophecies about the incarnation of the Son of God.

Gymnography

Annunciation, 18th century, Patmos. Gabriel gives the Virgin Mary a scroll with words of greeting, God the Father is visible above and the Holy Spirit emanating from him in the form of a dove
The modern hymnographic form of the services of the feast of the Annunciation largely goes back to the Studios' charter and has a commonality with the service of the Sabbath of the Akathist (Saturday of the 5th week of Great Lent).
Greek original Modern Church Slavonic translation
Troparion of the holiday Σήμερον τῆς σωτηρίας ἡμῶν τὸ κεφάλαιον, καὶ τοῦ ἀπ ’αἰῶνος μυστηρίου ἡ φανέρωσις Διὸ καὶ ἡμεῖς σὺν αὐτῷ, τῇ Θεοτόκῳ βοήσωμεν Χαῖρε Κεχαριτωμένη, ὁ Κύριος μετὰ σοῦ. This day is the salvation of our leader, and also from the sacrament of the manifestation; The Son of God, the Son of the Divine, is, and Gabriel is the good fortune. The Mother of God and I, too, cry out: Rejoice, gracious, the Lord is with You!
Kontakion of the holiday Ἀλλ ’ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον ἐκ παντοίων με κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοφι The chosen warrior is victorious, as if he were freed from the wicked, let’s graciously describe Thy servant, Mother of God, but as if she had a holding invincible, from all the heavens, be free, let Thee be free!
The kontakion of the holiday is often attributed to Roman the Sweet Songwriter, but in reality the modern text is later (although it retains the original ending Χαῖρε, Νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε) and is the prototype (first kontakion) of the Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos. By ancient custom The Russian Church, in the churches of the Russian liturgical tradition, it is also customary to sing it at the First Hour with the prayer "Christ, True Light", although it is not in the statutory sequence.
The Gospel words of the Archangel Gabriel and the righteous Elizabeth formed the famous prayer - the Song of the Most Holy Theotokos: “Virgin Mary, rejoice, Blessed Mary, the Lord is with You; blessed are you in women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, as you gave birth to our souls ”. This prayer is a part of the cell (home) prayers of believers, and is also a troparion for Sunday Vespers.

The public holiday of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary is significant Christian holiday... On this day, the heavenly messenger Gabriel informed Mary that she would be the Mother of the son of God. The angel greeted her with the phrase "Gracious Hail", after which he informed Mary that grace from God had descended on her and she was called to give birth to the Son of the Most High. Theologians claim that this was the first good news for mankind after the severance of ties with the Almighty due to the Fall. After the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin, humanity began another, bright era.

To understand what the holiday of the Annunciation means, you need to understand some historical facts. What does it mean for Mary to give birth to Jesus? First of all, it became a manifestation of the gift of goodwill that God has endowed people with. According to theologians, moral freedom is a quality that elevates a person above soulless nature. Thus, the sincere consent of the Virgin Mary allowed the Holy Spirit to overshadow her, "without incinerating the maiden's womb." The development of the fetus took place according to all natural laws, and Mary obediently carried the Baby until his birthday.

On the day of Gabriel's appearance to Saint Mary, the ancient prophecy of Isaiah came true that a woman would give birth to a son, whose name would be Emmanuel, which is interpreted as “God with us”. On this day, the Holy Spirit entered the womb of Mary and conceived a son, whose vocation was to free the world from the power of the devil and sin.

The very name of the celebration - the Annunciation - conveys the main meaning of the good news associated with it: Mary's message about her conception of the Divine Infant. This holiday belongs to twelve historically important Orthodox holidays after Easter. All “twelve great feasts” are dedicated to important events in the earthly life of the Mother of God and Jesus.

When is the Annunciation celebrated?

Catholics and Orthodox use different dates for the feast of the Annunciation. Protestants and Catholics celebrate the holiday on March 25. There are several interpretations of the occurrence of this particular date:

1. Direct connection with the day. December 25 is the date of birth of Jesus. If you subtract exactly nine months from this date, you get the date March 25.
2. Date of creation of the person. Many church authors believe that the conception of Jesus and the appearance of Mary Gabriel was on March 25, since on that day the Most High created man. This day was to be the beginning of man's redemption from original sin.
3. Equinox day. Such a day is traditionally considered the day of the creation of the world, therefore, redemption should begin precisely at the moment of the vernal equinox.

The Orthodox Church of Russia took the Julian calendar with a different reckoning as a basis, so they celebrate the Annunciation on April 7.

Celebration of the Annunciation

This holiday falls on the week of Easter celebrations, or on the days of Great Lent. This determines the type of liturgy. If the Annunciation fell on Lent, then its rules are slightly weakened and on this day you can eat fish. If the holiday falls on the period of Holy Week, then fasting is observed as strictly as before. If the Annunciation is celebrated on a day (this conjunction is called "Kiriopasha"), then along with Easter chants, the Annunciation is sung.

There are also many folk traditions... People kindle fires - "burn the winter" and "warm the spring." Rags, garbage, manure, and straw are burned in bonfires. People believed that in the Annunciation, the sky was open for requests and prayers, so in the evening people peered into the sky in search of a large star. When the star was visible, it was necessary to shout out: "God, give me glory!"

On Orthodox icons, it is customary to depict the Archangel Gabriel holding a flower in his hands - a symbol of good news. It was he who was granted by God to bring people joyful, or in other words - good news. Therefore, the archangel Gabriel is always a welcome guest. But he brought the best news for all people in the world two thousand years ago, to the still very young Virgin Mary. The Messenger of God announced that the Savior of the world would be incarnate from Her womb. It is with these words of his that the history of the holiday of the Annunciation begins.

The betrothal of the Blessed Virgin Mary

In ancient Judea, people grew up early. Adults were considered to have already reached the age of fourteen. So the Blessed Virgin Mary, having barely parted with her childhood, and brought up from an early age in the church, had to, according to the law, either return to her parents or get married. But the vow of eternal virginity, once given, closed the way for Her to simple family happiness. From now on, Her life belonged only to God.

Her mentors, the priests of the temple where Her childhood and youth passed, found a simple and wise decision: the Virgin Mary was betrothed to a distant relative, an eighty-year old man named Joseph. Thus, the life of the young is financially secure, and the vow given to Her to the Lord has not been broken. After the marriage ceremony, Mary settled in the city of Nazareth in the house of her betrothed. It was under this title that Saint Joseph entered the Holy Scriptures - the guardian of the purity and virginity of the future Mother of God.

The Archangel Gabriel Appears to the Virgin of Nazareth

The Blessed Virgin lived in a new house for four months, devoting all Her time to prayer and reading. Holy Scripture... It was at this pious occupation that the messenger of God, the archangel Gabriel, caught her. Under the rustle of his wings, he announced to the amazed Virgin about the greatest mission entrusted to her by the Creator of the universe.

This event was named - the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos. The history of the holiday cannot be complete if you do not pay attention to why the Lord stopped His choice on Her. The answer is simple - her exceptional purity, integrity and devotion to God set Her apart from a great many other girls. For such a great mission, a righteous woman was required, who was not equal from the creation of the world.

Readiness to fulfill the will of the Creator

To understand the full meaning of the event described in the Gospel, it is important to take into account another side of what happened. In this case, as always, the Lord grants his creation - man full of action... Pay attention to how important it is for the Archangel Gabriel to answer the Virgin Mary and her voluntary consent. There is not even a hint of any compulsion here.

The Messenger of God speaks of conception, which must be done in spite of human nature, which cannot but cause a skeptical reaction, but the power of Mary's faith is so great that She unconditionally believes everything she heard. The question of how She can conceive, who has not known her husband, is reduced only to the desire to know the particulars of the future. Her readiness to fulfill her destined is evident from every line describing the great Biblical event - the Annunciation.

Holiday history, briefly about the most important

This event has become the subject of study by many scientists. As is evident from their writings, which are centered on the history of the Annunciation, simple logical reasoning was used to establish the date of the celebration.

If we consider the moment of the Immaculate Conception precisely the day when the Virgin Mary, in response to the words of the Archangel Gabriel, answered: "Let it be done according to your verb," ​​then it is quite natural that this day should be separated from the day when Jesus Christ was born, that is, from the holiday Christmas, nine months. It is easy to calculate that such a day for Orthodox Christians is March 25 for Westerners.

Discoveries of Saint Helena Equal to the Apostles

The Feast of the Annunciation, whose history goes back to antiquity, according to historians, began to be celebrated in the 4th century, although images of the scene of this event were discovered during excavations of the catacombs dating back to the 3rd and even 2nd centuries. In the IV century, the most important event in the life of the entire Christian world took place - Equal-to-the-Apostles Helen discovered the places of earthly life of Jesus Christ and began the construction of churches in the Holy Land.

Naturally, this was the reason for an increased interest in everything related to Christmas, Resurrection and all other events of the Savior's earthly life. It is not surprising that it was during this period that the emergence of the holiday was celebrated. Thus, the history of the holiday of the Annunciation has a direct connection with the discoveries of this great ascetic.

Celebration of the Annunciation in Byzantium and the West

Going further in chronological order, it should be noted that the history Orthodox holiday The Annunciation has its origins in Byzantium. In the 7th century, he firmly entered the number of the most celebrated days. church calendar... However, it must be admitted that in the historical documents of the two previous centuries there are separate mentions of him, but, apparently, we are talking only about isolated cases.

In the Western tradition, the history of the Feast of the Annunciation begins at about the same period as in the Eastern Church. Sergius I (687-701) included it among the three main holidays dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was celebrated quite solemnly and was accompanied by a festive procession through the streets of Rome.

Historical names of this holiday and its status

It is curious that this holiday was not always called the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos. The history of the holiday also remembers other names. For example, in the writings of some ancient authors, it is referred to as "Greeting Day" or "Annunciation". The name that is used today comes from the Greek word "evangelismos". It is first found in historical documents of the 7th century.

During that period, the holiday was considered equally as the Lord's and the Mother of God, but the time has made its own changes. If in Orthodox tradition East, he still remains one of the major events years, then in the West its role has somewhat narrowed, leaving him only a place for a minor holiday.

Celebration of the Annunciation in the Orthodox world

In the tradition of the Russian Orthodox Church, he is one of the twelve, great, non-passing holidays. As during the services of other Theotokos feasts, the clergy on this day is supposed to be dressed in blue. A number of circumstances can be named that indicate that absolutely special meaning in the Orthodox Church has the feast of the Annunciation.

History in particular indicates how much attention was paid to him by the Church Fathers. At the 6th Ecumenical Council, held in 680 in Constantinople, a document was adopted according to which on the day of this holiday, despite the fact that it falls on the calendar during the period of Great Lent, the liturgy of John Chrysostom is served, and not the Presanctified gifts, which is an indication of its exceptional value.

The Annunciation writes about the importance of the holiday in his writings and He calls it "the first holiday" and even "the root of the holidays." Today, on this day, the weakening of fasting is prescribed. In particular, eating fish and oil (oil) is allowed. Among the people, he is one of the most beloved, carrying peace and joy, because it is based on the good news, that is, the message filled with the Grace of God.

Revival of Orthodox culture in Russia

Nowadays, when after many decades of state atheism Orthodox Church took its rightful place again, many of our compatriots were filled with the desire to return to the spiritual origins of their people and learn as much as possible from what until recently was closed to them. In particular, the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos is of great interest among them. The history of the holiday, traditions and rituals - everything becomes the subject of inquisitive study.

Another important aspect modern life is learning the basics Orthodox culture among children. This is important in order not to repeat the tragic mistake of the past, when whole generations in our country grew up and entered life in isolation from the faith of their ancestors. And in this regard, work is underway today. Many Bible events and holidays are presented in a version that is understandable for children.

Teaching the basics of Orthodox culture to children

This also applies to the holiday of the Annunciation. The history of the holiday for children is presented in such a way that, despite the adapted nature of the text, the meaning of the event itself remains unchanged and understandable to the child. This is, of course, the difficulty of the task. The history of the feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, briefly but meaningfully set forth, should be most graciously deposited in the child's mind.

An invaluable role in the revival of Orthodox culture is played by Sunday schools organized today at many churches. By the way, their program also includes familiarizing students with the feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos. The history of the holiday for children and adults attending these classes is of great interest, since many have heard about it, but have a very vague idea of ​​its content.

Folk traditions on the day of the Annunciation

For a long time, the people have established traditions associated with this holiday. Since it falls in the spring month, then, naturally, many of them are associated with the beginning of field work. There was a tradition according to which, on the day of the holiday, the grain prepared for sowing was poured into a tub, and, having placed the “Annunciation” icon on top, they recited a special prayer for the granting of a bountiful harvest. In it, the peasants turned to the Most Holy Theotokos and Her Eternal Son with a request to bless the grain, "imbued in the mother - the earth."

There were also traditions that were clear echoes of paganism. Among them was, for example, this. In the evening on the eve of the holiday, cabbage heads of the last year's harvest were taken from cellars or storerooms. They, secretly from everyone, were laid on the ground near the road along which they were going to go to church the next day. And the next day, returning after mass, it was necessary to pick up the heads of cabbage, find seeds in them and plant them in the garden along with fresh seedlings. It was believed that in this case a rich harvest of cabbage, which is not afraid of any frosts, would be born.

The ancient worship of our pagan ancestors to fire and its purifying power found expression in one of the popular Annunciation traditions. This refers to the custom according to which old clothes, shoes, bedding and the like were burned on this day. The living quarters and outbuildings were fumigated with smoke. Special attention was given to livestock, which was also carefully fumigated, hoping thereby to protect it from all evil spirits.

Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary- the great twelveth holiday, celebrated, dedicated to the remembrance of the announcement by the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary of the upcoming birth of Jesus Christ by her. Total value the words "Annunciation" are good, joyful, good news.

This holiday gives us one more time to remember the proclamation of the future universal joy by the Archangel Gabriel to the Most Holy Mary. This significant event is described only in the Gospel of Luke: “In the sixth month the Angel Gabriel was sent from God to the city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to the Virgin, betrothed to a husband named Joseph, from the house of David; the name of the Virgin: Mary. The Angel, having entered to Her, said: Rejoice, Blessed One! The Lord is with You; blessed you are between wives. She, seeing Him, was embarrassed by His words and wondered what kind of greeting it would be. And the angel said to her: Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace with God; and behold, you will conceive in your womb, and you will bear 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 for ever, and his kingdom will have no end. Mary said to the Angel: How will it be when I do not know my husband? The Angel answered Her: The Holy Spirit will come 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; behold, also Elisabeth, thy relative, who is called barren, and she conceived a son in her old age, and she is already six months old; for with God no word will remain powerless. Then Mary said: behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word. And the Angel departed from Her ”(1, 26 - 38). When Joseph learned that Mary was expecting a child, he was embarrassed and wanted to let her go. But the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said: “Joseph, son of David! Do not be afraid to accept Mary, your wife, for what is born in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins ”(Luke 1). Joseph obeyed the Angel and, together with Mary, began to wait for the miraculous birth of the Son of God, the Savior of the world.

Annunciation is considered by the church to be the third most important holiday after Easter and Christmas. Church celebration of it has a different duration and depends on whether it falls before Lazarus Saturday or after. If it precedes it, the festive service in the church is held for three days, if it coincides, then within two, and if March 25 falls on Holy or Easter week, it is celebrated for one day. When Easter falls on this date, the Annunciation Liturgy is first served and only then the Easter Liturgy is celebrated. The day on which this coincidence occurs is called "kiriopasha", that is, "dominant", "real" Easter. On the holiday itself, the liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is celebrated in the church, which differs from other services of Great Lent in its special solemnity. The troparia of the canon of this church service represent the conversation between the Archangel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary, and in the course of it it is proclaimed: "This is the day of our salvation, and the appearance of the sacrament from the light of the sacrament," since the Church lays the foundation for the salvation of the human race in the Annunciation and the Conception of Christ.

The bright feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos is celebrated by the church, presumably from the 4th century. Perhaps it originally originated in Asia Minor or Constantinople, and then spread throughout the Christian world. Among the ancient Christians, this holiday had a different name: the Conception of Christ, the Annunciation of Christ, the Beginning of Redemption, the Annunciation of the Angel to Mary; and only in the 7th century it was given the name "ANNUNCIATION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD" in the East and West. The Feast of the Annunciation in the Orthodox world has been solemnly celebrated since the middle of the 7th century, and in Russia this holiday began to be celebrated only in the 10th century, that is, together with the adoption of Christianity. And it is believed that on this day, in addition to the great message of the Angel, Mary's conception of Jesus Christ took place.

In the popular calendar, the Annunciation was one of the most revered holidays. At the Annunciation of the Virgin, the people in Russia developed various customs, beliefs, traditions. Also, the people accepted the Annunciation as the beginning and holiday of spring, the beginning of a new agricultural year, they say that nature wakes up on the Annunciation. The people, who considered the Annunciation to be the beginning of spring, said: "The pike breaks the ice with its tail", "Spring overcame the winter." It is considered a great sin for the Annunciation to be engaged in any business, to work. The well-known proverb: "A bird does not build a nest at the Annunciation, and the maiden does not weave braids," was supported by a strict prohibition on braiding and combing hair, otherwise the chickens could spoil the crops by "combing" the beds. Even according to old observations in nature, any creature feels a great holiday and tries to do nothing.
With the Annunciation holiday, various signs and proverbs appeared among the people: "If on the day of the Annunciation there is wind, frost and fog - by a fruitful year", "On the Annunciation, rain - rye will be born", "On the Annunciation, frost - harvest on milk mushrooms", - to the harvest of nuts, to the warm summer "," What is the Annunciation you will spend, the same is the whole year "," A cuckoo without a nest for cursing him for the Annunciation. "

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