Church Orthodox holidays are divided into great, medium and small. The great ones include Easter, the Twelves and the Non-Twelfths. On these days, services in churches are held with particular solemnity.
Easter
Easter (the full church name is the Holy Resurrection of Christ) is the most important and brightest event in the Christian church calendar. The date of the holiday is unique for each year, determined according to the solar-lunar calendar and falls between April 4 and May 8. Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ after the crucifixion. On this day, it is customary to attend services, bless Easter cakes and colored eggs in churches, set a festive table, and organize festivities. People greet each other with the words: “Christ is risen!”, to which they are supposed to respond: “Truly he is risen!”
Twelfth holidays
Twelfth holidays - 12 most important holidays of the Orthodox calendar, dedicated to the events of the earthly life of Jesus Christ and the Mother of God. They are divided into two categories: non-transient and transitory.
Twelfth Immovable Holidays
The twelfth immovable holidays have a fixed date, falling on the same date every year.
Christmas - January 7
The holiday was established in honor of the birth of Jesus Christ. On this day, it is customary to attend services, set the festive table, go from house to house and sing carols. People greet each other with the words: “Christ is born!”, to which they are supposed to respond: “We praise Him!” The holiday is preceded by a 40-day Nativity fast.
Epiphany (Holy Epiphany) - January 19
The holiday was established in honor of the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. On this day, it is customary to bless water in churches and swim in an ice hole.
Presentation of the Lord - February 15
The holiday was established in memory of the meeting of Simeon the God-Receiver with little Jesus in the Jerusalem Temple during the rite of dedication to God. The meeting took place on the 40th day after the birth of Jesus. On this day it is customary to pray, go to church, and bless candles.
Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - April 7
The holiday is dedicated to the announcement by Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary of the conception and future birth of the Son of God. On this day, it is customary to attend services, consecrate bread in churches, give alms, and do charity work.
Transfiguration of the Lord - August 19
The holiday is dedicated to the memories of the Divine Transfiguration of Jesus before his disciples during prayer on Mount Tabor. On this day, it is customary to bless apples, pears, and grapes in the church, and to honor the memory of deceased relatives.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - August 28
The holiday is dedicated to the memory of the Dormition (death) of the Mother of God. On this day, believers go to church, pray to the Most Holy Theotokos, bless bread, and give alms. The holiday is preceded by the Assumption Fast.
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary - September 21
The holiday was established in honor of the birth of the Virgin Mary - the mother of Jesus Christ. On this day it is customary to attend church, pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and do charity work.
Exaltation of the Holy Cross - September 27
The full name of the holiday is the Exaltation of the Honest and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. It was erected in honor of the discovery of the Cross on which Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem near Mount Golgotha. On this day, it is customary to observe strict fasting and pray for your health and the health of loved ones.
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the Temple - December 4
The holiday is dedicated to the introduction of little Mary - the mother of Jesus Christ - into the Jerusalem Temple for dedication to God. On this day, a solemn service is held in churches, parishioners pray to the Virgin Mary.
Twelfth Moving Holidays
The twelfth moving holidays have a unique date for each year, which depends on the date of Easter and moves with it.
Palm Sunday (Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem)
The holiday is celebrated a week before Easter. Dedicated to the solemn appearance of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem on the eve of His martyrdom and death. On this day, it is customary to bless the willow in the church, to whip family members with branches, saying: “I don’t hit, it’s the willow that hits!” or “Willow whip, beat me to tears!”
Ascension of the Lord
The full name of the holiday is the Ascension of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ. Celebrated on the 40th day after Easter. The holiday commemorates the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. On this day, it is customary to attend services in churches, pray, and give alms.
Trinity Day (Pentecost)
Celebrated on the 50th day after Easter. The holiday was established in honor of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles and the Virgin Mary. On Trinity, it is customary to attend a solemn service in the church, decorate churches and houses with tree branches, cover the floor with fresh grass, have a festive dinner, and organize festivities and fairs.
Non-Twelfth Holidays
Non-twelfth holidays - 5 great holidays of the Orthodox Church, dedicated to the birth and death of John the Baptist - the baptizer of Jesus Christ, the apostles Peter and Paul, the appearance of the Mother of God, the circumcision of the Lord.
Circumcision of the Lord - January 14
The holiday was established in remembrance of the Jewish rite of circumcision performed on the baby Jesus. On this day, festive services are held in churches, people go home, sing sowing songs and wish the owners well and prosperity.
Nativity of John the Baptist - July 7
The full name of the holiday is the Nativity of the honest, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John. Dedicated to the birth of John the Baptist - the baptizer of Jesus Christ. On this day, people attend services and bless water, herbs and flowers in the church.
Holy Apostles Peter and Paul - July 12
The holiday is dedicated to the memory of the transfer of the relics of the holy apostles Peter and Paul. On this day, fishermen pray for successful fishing, fairs and celebrations are held.
Beheading of John the Baptist - September 11
The holiday is dedicated to the memory of the martyrdom of John the Baptist - the baptizer of Jesus Christ. On this day, it is customary to attend services and observe strict fasting.
Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary - October 14
The holiday was established in honor of the appearance of the Virgin Mary to Saint Andrew the Fool. On this day, it is customary to visit churches and pray to the Most Holy Theotokos for health, intercession, and a happy family life.
Medium and small Orthodox holidays are distinguished by less solemnity of worship.
Everyday are not holidays in their essence. These are the days of remembrance of saints.
Orthodox fasts- periods of abstinence from food of animal origin.
By duration, posts are divided into multi-day and one-day ones. There are 4 multi-day and 3 one-day fasts per year. Also, every Wednesday and Friday are fast days (there is no fasting on these days during continuous weeks). Fasts vary in severity, up to complete abstinence from food.
Solid weeks- weeks in which there is no fasting on Wednesday and Friday. There are 5 such weeks in a year.
All Souls Days- days of general remembrance of dead Christians. There are 8 such days in a year.
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on September 21st according to the new style. The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was established by the Church in ancient times; the first mention of it dates back to the 4th century.
Holy Scripture says almost nothing about the birth and circumstances of the childhood of the Most Holy Theotokos; church Tradition has preserved news of this for us.
In the Galilean city of Nazareth, a descendant of King David, Joachim, lived with his wife Anna. The entire life of the couple was imbued with love for God and people. Until they were very old, they did not have children, although they constantly prayed to God to give them a child. Childlessness in Old Testament times was considered a punishment from God, therefore Joachim, as a person displeasing to God, was not even allowed to make sacrifices in the temple. Righteous Anna also suffered reproach (shame) for her barrenness. The couple made a vow: if they had a baby, they would dedicate it to God. For their patience, great faith and love for God and each other, the Lord sent Joachim and Anna great joy - at the end of their lives they had a daughter. At the direction of the angel of God, the girl was named Mary.
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the first fixed feast of the annual liturgical cycle. This is explained, first of all, by the spiritual significance of this event: with the birth of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Incarnation and salvation of people became possible - the Virgin was born, worthy of becoming the Mother of the Savior. Therefore, according to the expression of church hymns, the birth of the Virgin Mary became joy for the whole world.
Troparion of the holiday: Thy Nativity, O Virgin Mother of God, joy was proclaimed (announced) to the whole universe: from Thee has risen (because from Thee has risen) the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God, and having destroyed the oath, He gave (gave) a blessing, and having abolished death, the gift of ( gave) us eternal life.
Kontakion of the holiday: Joachim and Anna were freed from the reproach of childlessness (reproach for childlessness), and Adam and Eve were freed (freed) from mortal aphids (destruction, destruction as a result of death), Most Pure One, in Thy holy Nativity. Then Thy people also celebrate the guilt of sins (the burden of sin), having been delivered (having been delivered), always calling upon Thee (exclaiming to Thee): the barren (barren) gives birth to the Mother of God and the nourisher of our life.
Introduction to the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on December 4th. The exact date of the establishment of the feast of the Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary is unknown, but already in the 8th–9th centuries the holiday was celebrated in many Churches of the Orthodox East.
Church tradition reports that in fulfillment of the vow made by the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary to dedicate the child to God, at the age of three the Blessed Virgin was taken to the Temple of Jerusalem. On the way to the temple, She was preceded by young maidens with lamps. There were 15 large steps in front of the temple entrance. The parents placed young Mary on the first of these steps, and at that moment a miraculous event happened: alone, not supported by adults, She climbed the high, steep steps.
The High Priest met the Most Pure Virgin and, by the inspiration of God, did an unusual thing that surprised everyone: having blessed the Virgin, He led Her into the Holy of Holies. According to the law, it was allowed to enter this part of the temple only once a year and only to the high priest. The extraordinary introduction of the Blessed Virgin into the temple shows that She herself will become a living temple for God the Word.
The Virgin Mary lived and was raised at the temple until she was fourteen years old - the age of majority.
Troparion of the holiday: Today (now) the favor of God is the transfiguration (foreshadowing), and the preaching of the salvation of people (sermon about the salvation of people): in the temple of God the Virgin clearly appears and announces Christ to everyone. That we too will cry out loudly (we will cry out loudly); Rejoice, fulfillment of the Creator’s vision (fulfillment of the Divine plan for us)!
Kontakion of the Feast: The Most Pure Temple of the Savior, the valuable Chamber and the Virgin, the sacred Treasure of the glory of God, is today introduced into the house of the Lord, sharing the grace that is in the Divine Spirit (carrying with Him grace in the Divine Spirit), and the Angels of God sing (It) The village is heavenly.
Christmas
The great event of the Nativity of Christ is celebrated by the Church on January 7 (new style). The establishment of the celebration of the Nativity of Christ dates back to the 1st century of Christianity.
The circumstances of the birth of the Savior are told in the Gospel of Matthew (chap. 1–2) and the Gospel of Luke (chap. 2).
During the reign of Emperor Augustus in Rome, a nationwide census was carried out in Judea, as one of the Roman provinces. Every Jew had to go to the city where his ancestors lived and enroll there. Joseph and the Virgin Mary came from the family of David and therefore went from Nazareth to the city of David, Bethlehem. Arriving in Bethlehem, they could not find a place for themselves in an inn and stopped outside the city, in a cave where shepherds drove their cattle in inclement weather. In this cave at night, the Son of the Savior of the world was born to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She swaddled the Divine Child and placed Him in a manger, where the shepherds put food for the livestock.
The Bethlehem shepherds were the first to learn about the birth of the Savior. That night they grazed their flocks in the field. Suddenly an angel appeared before them and said to them: “Do not be afraid! I proclaim to you great joy, which will be not only for you, but also for all people: today a Savior has been born in the city of David (that is, Bethlehem), who is Christ the Lord. And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” At the same time, a numerous heavenly army appeared with the angel, glorifying God and crying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2.8-14). The shepherds, hastening, came to the cave and saw Mary, Joseph and the Baby lying in a manger. They bowed to the Baby and told about what they had seen and heard from the Angels. Mary kept all their words in Her heart.
On the eighth day after the birth of the Child, His Mother and Joseph, according to the law, gave Him the name Jesus, as indicated by the angel.
Joseph and the Most Holy Mother of God with the Infant Jesus were still remaining in Bethlehem, when the Magi (scholars, wise men) came to Jerusalem from a distant country in the east. They bowed to the Child and presented Him with gifts: gold, incense and myrrh (precious fragrant oil). All the gifts of the Magi are symbolic: they brought gold to Christ as the King (in the form of tribute), incense - as to God (because incense is used during worship), and myrrh - as to a Man who was about to die (because at that time the dead were anointed and rubbed with fragrant oils). Tradition has preserved the names of the Magi, who later became Christians: Melchior, Gaspar and Belshazzar.
In the Incarnation, God's love and mercy for sinful people was revealed. The Son of God humbled Himself, humbled Himself, put aside the greatness and glory inherent in Him as God, and accepted the living conditions of fallen humanity. Sin once made people enemies of God. And so God Himself became Man in order to renew human nature, deliver people from the power of sin and reconcile them with Himself.
Believers prepare for the worthy celebration of the Nativity of Christ by fasting for forty days. A particularly strict fast is held on the day before Christmas - it is called Christmas Eve; on this day, according to the Church Charter, it is supposed to eat sochivo (wheat with honey).
Troparion of the holiday: Thy Nativity, Christ our God, has risen up the worldly light of reason (enlightened the world with the light of the knowledge of the true God): in it (through the Nativity of Christ) those serving the stars (the Magi) learned by the star (were taught by the star) to bow to Thee, the Sun of Truth, and Lead to You, from the heights of the East (to know You, East from above), Lord, glory to You!
Kontakion of the holiday: The Virgin today gives birth to the Most Essential (Eternally Existing) One, and the earth brings a den to the Unapproachable One, Angels and shepherds praise, and the Magi (magi) travel with the star: for for our sake, a young youth (little Youth), the Eternal God, was born.
Epiphany or Epiphany
The Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ is celebrated by the Holy Orthodox Church on January 19th. Until the 4th century, Epiphany was celebrated by Christians simultaneously with the Nativity of Christ; this single holiday was called Epiphany.
The circumstances of the Baptism of the Lord are described in all four Gospels (Matt. 3.13–17; Mark 1.9–11; Luke 3.21–23; John 1.33–34).
At the time when Saint John the Baptist preached, called the people to repentance and baptized, Jesus Christ turned thirty years old, and He, like other Jews, came from Nazareth to the Jordan to John the Baptist to be baptized. John considered himself unworthy to baptize Jesus Christ and began to restrain Him, saying: “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me? But Jesus answered him: leave me now (that is, do not hold me back now) because this is how we need to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3.14–15). “To fulfill all righteousness” means to fulfill everything required by the Law of God and to show people an example of doing the will of God. After these words, John obeyed and baptized the Lord Jesus Christ.
After the baptism was performed, when Jesus Christ came out of the water, the heavens suddenly opened up (opened) above Him; and Saint John saw the Spirit of God, who in the form of a dove descended on Jesus, and from heaven the voice of God the Father was heard: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3.17).
After Baptism, Jesus Christ went out to public service and preaching.
The Baptism of the Lord was a harbinger of the church Sacrament of Baptism. Jesus Christ, by His life, Death and Resurrection, opened the Kingdom of God for people, into which a person cannot enter without Baptism, that is, birth of water and the Spirit (Matthew 28.19–20; John 3.5).
The Feast of Epiphany is called Epiphany, since at this moment God revealed (showed) people that He is the Most Holy Trinity: God the Father spoke from heaven, God the Son incarnate was baptized, and God the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove.
The special feature of this holiday is two great blessings of water. The first happens on the eve of the holiday (on Christmas Eve), and the other happens on the very feast of the Epiphany. In ancient times, on the day of Epiphany, Jerusalem Christians went to the Jordan River to bless water - a place especially associated with the Baptism of the Savior. In this regard, in Rus', the Epiphany procession is called the procession “to the Jordan”.
Troparion of the holiday: In the Jordan I am baptized to You, O Lord, (when You were baptized in the Jordan) Trinity adoration appeared (then the mystery of the Holy Trinity was revealed on earth with particular clarity). For the voice of the parents (the voice of God the Father) testified to You (testified of You), calling Your Son beloved (calling You beloved Son), and the Spirit, in the form of a dove (in the form of a dove), informed your word statement (confirmed the testimony of God the Father) . Christ God has appeared (appeared), and the world has enlightened (enlightened), glory to Thee.
Kontakion of the holiday: Thou hast appeared this day (now) to the universe, and Thy light, O Lord, has been marked (imprinted) on us, in the mind (reasonably) singing Thee: Thou hast come, and Thou hast appeared, the Unapproachable Light.
Candlemas
The Presentation of the Lord is celebrated by the Church on February 15th. This holiday has been known in the Christian East since the 4th century.
The circumstances of this event are described in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 2.22–39). The word "meeting" means "meeting."
Forty days passed after the Nativity of Christ, and the Most Holy Theotokos, together with righteous Joseph, brought the Infant Jesus to the Jerusalem Temple to fulfill the Law of Moses. According to the Law, every first-born male must be brought to the temple on the fortieth day to be dedicated to God (if this is the first-born from the tribe of Levi, he was left at the temple for upbringing and future service; parents bought the first-born from other tribes for five coins). On the fortieth day after giving birth, the mother of the baby had to make sacrifices for purification (women from poor families usually brought two pigeon chicks).
In the temple, the Baby was met by the elder Simeon, who came there at the inspiration of the Spirit of God, and the prophetess Anna, who lived at the temple.
Righteous Simeon, to whom God promised that he would not die until he saw the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises about the Savior of the world, took the Baby into his arms and recognized the Messiah in Him. At this moment, Simeon the God-Receiver, turning to Christ, uttered prophetic words: “Now you are releasing Your servant, O Master, according to Your word in peace: for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all people, a light for the revelation of tongues and the glory of people. of your Israel." (Luke 2.29–32).
The righteous elder predicted to the Blessed Virgin Mary the heartache that She had to endure, compassionate with Her Divine Son in the feat of His earthly life and death on the Cross.
After this meeting, Anna the prophetess announced to all Jerusalem about the birth of the Savior.
Troparion: Rejoice, blessed Virgin Mary, for from You has risen the Sun of Truth, Christ our God, enlightening those who are in darkness (enlightening those in the darkness of error): rejoice and you, the righteous elder, are received into the arms of the Liberator of our souls, who gives us resurrection.
Kontakion: You sanctified the womb of the Maiden with Your birth, and blessed the hand of Simeon, as befitting, having preceded it (as it should have been, having warned him), and now You have saved us, O Christ God, but pacify the life in battle (pacify discord) and strengthen the people (whom ) you have loved, O One who loves mankind.
Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on April 7th. The first mention of the celebration of the Annunciation dates back to the 3rd century.
The circumstances of the Annunciation are described in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1.26–38).
When the time predetermined by the Creator arrived, the Archangel Gabriel was sent to the Blessed Virgin with the good news of the imminent birth of the Son, who will be the Son of the Most High and will be called Jesus. Mary asked how all this could be fulfilled if She remained a virgin? 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 who is to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1.35). Obedient to the will of God, the Virgin listened to the messenger with meekness and said: “Behold, the Servant of the Lord; Let it be done to me according to your word" (Luke 1.38).
God could not accomplish the salvation of man without the consent and participation of man himself. In the person of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who agreed to become the Mother of Jesus Christ, all creation responded with consent to the divine call to salvation.
The Day of the Annunciation is the day of the Incarnation: in the womb of the Most Pure and Immaculate Virgin, God the Son took on human flesh. The chants of this holiday emphasize the incomprehensibility of the mystery of the incarnation and birth in the flesh of the Lord Jesus Christ for the human mind.
Troparion of the feast: The day of our salvation is the main thing (now is the beginning of our salvation), and the manifestation of the sacrament from the ages (and the manifestation of the mystery predetermined from the ages): the Son of God is the Son of the Virgin (the Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin), and Gabriel preaches grace. In the same way, we will cry out to the Mother of God (exclaim): Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Kontakion of the holiday: To the chosen victorious Voivode (To You, the chosen Military Leader), as having got rid of the evil (having gotten rid of troubles), we sing thanksgiving to You (we sing a song of gratitude and victory to You) Thy servants, Mother of God, but as (as) having an invincible power, from all Free us from troubles, let us call You: Rejoice, Unbrided Bride.
Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem
The first mention of the celebration of the Entry into Jerusalem by the Christian Church dates back to the 3rd century.
This event is described by all four evangelists (Matt. 21.1–11; Mark 11.1–11; Luke 19.29–44; John 12.12–19).
This holiday is dedicated to the memory of the solemn Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, where the Lord entered to suffer and die on the cross. Six days before the Jewish Passover, Jesus Christ made a solemn entry into Jerusalem to show that He is the true King and goes to death voluntarily. Approaching Jerusalem, Jesus Christ sent two of His disciples to bring Him a donkey and a colt, which no one had ever sat on. The disciples went and did as the Teacher commanded them. They covered the donkey with their clothes, and Jesus Christ sat on it.
In Jerusalem they learned that Jesus, who raised four-day-old Lazarus, was approaching the city. Many people, gathered from everywhere for the Easter holiday, came out to meet Him. Many took off their outer garments and spread them for Him along the way; others cut palm branches, carried them in their hands and covered the path with them. And all the people who accompanied and met Him exclaimed in joy: “Hosanna (salvation) to the Son of David! blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord (i.e., worthy of praise, coming in the name of the Lord, sent by God) the King of Israel! Hosanna in the highest! (Matthew 21.9)
After the solemn entry into the city, Jesus Christ came to the Temple of Jerusalem and drove out all those who were selling and buying. At the same time, the blind and lame surrounded Christ, and He healed them all. The people, seeing the power of Jesus Christ and the miracles He performed, began to glorify Him even more. The high priests, scribes and elders of the people were jealous of the people’s love for Christ and looked for an opportunity to destroy Him, but did not find it, because all the people persistently listened to Him.
Passion Week begins at the Entrance to Jerusalem. The Lord comes to Jerusalem by His will, knowing that he is going to suffer.
The solemn entry of the Lord into Jerusalem is celebrated by the Church on the last Sunday before Easter. This holiday is also called Palm Sunday or Vai week (in the Church Slavonic language “vai” is a branch, “week” is a Sunday day). During the all-night vigil in the church, the branches are consecrated (in some countries - palm branches, in Russia - flowering willow branches). The branches are a symbol of Christ's victory over death and a reminder of the future general resurrection of the dead.
Troparion of the holiday: Before Your Passion, assuring us of the General Resurrection (before Your Passion, assuring us that there will be a General Resurrection), You raised (resurrected) Lazarus from the dead, O Christ our God. In the same way, we, like youths (like children), bearing signs of victory (carrying branches as a sign of the victory of life over death), to You, the Conqueror of death, we cry (exclaim): Hosanna in the highest, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Kontakion: On the throne in heaven (seated on a throne in heaven), carried on the earth by lots (and on earth walking on a colt), O Christ God, the praise of angels, and the chanting of children, you received (accepted) those calling to You: blessed Thou shalt call forth Adam to come!
Easter – Holy Resurrection of Christ
Easter is the oldest holiday of the Christian Church. It was established and celebrated already in the 1st century, during the life of the holy apostles.
The Holy Scriptures do not describe the Resurrection of Christ itself, but numerous testimonies about the appearances of the Risen Christ to the disciples (Matthew 28.1–15; Mark 16.1–11; Luke 24.1–12; John 20.1–18). Sacred Tradition says that the Most Holy Theotokos was the first to know the news of the Resurrection of Christ.
The Gospels tell us that on the third day after the Crucifixion, the Myrrh-Bearing Women went to the cave in which Jesus was buried to complete the burial rite. Approaching the coffin, they saw that the huge stone that covered the entrance to the cave had been rolled away. Then they saw an Angel who told them that Christ was no longer among the dead, He had risen.
A little later, the Lord Himself appeared to Mary Magdalene, and then to the other Myrrh-Bearing Women. On the same day, the Risen Lord appeared to the Apostle Peter, then to the two apostles going to Emmaus, then, passing through closed doors, to the eleven apostles who were staying together.
Among the annual holidays, the Resurrection of Christ is the greatest and most joyful; it is “a holiday and a triumph of celebrations.”
Another name for the holiday is Easter. This holiday received this name in relation to the Old Testament Easter (from the word “passover” - “passing, passing by”). Among the Jews, this holiday was established in honor of the deliverance of the Jewish firstborn from death during the tenth Egyptian plague. An angel passed by Jewish houses because their doors were anointed with the blood of a sacrificial lamb. In the Christian Church, this name (Easter) acquired a special meaning and began to mean the transition from death to life, from earth to heaven, which became possible for believers thanks to the Sacrifice of Christ.
The Holy Resurrection of Christ is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on the first Sunday after the spring full moon, always after Jewish Easter. Christians prepare for this holiday during a long and especially strict Lent.
The festive service is celebrated with special solemnity. Long before midnight, believers come to the temple and listen to the reading of the book of the Acts of the Holy Apostles. Before midnight, the Easter procession leaves the church and goes around it accompanied by quiet singing: “Thy Resurrection, O Christ the Savior, the angels sing in heaven, and grant us on earth with a pure heart to glorify Thee.” All those praying walk with lighted candles, just as once upon a time the Myrrh-Bearing Women with lamps walked early in the morning to the tomb of the Savior.
The procession stops at the closed western gates of the temple, as if at the doors of the tomb of Christ. And here the priest, like the angel who announced the myrrh-bearing women about the Resurrection of Christ, is the first to proclaim victory over death: “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and giving life to those in the tombs.” This troparion is often repeated at the Easter service, as well as the exclamations of the clergy: “Christ is Risen!”, to which the people respond: “Truly He is Risen!”
The solemn celebration of the Resurrection of Christ continues for a whole week, called Bright Week. These days, Christians greet each other with the words: “Christ is Risen!” and the response words: “Truly He is Risen!” At Easter there is a custom of exchanging painted (red) eggs, which serve as a symbol of the new, blissful life revealed from the Savior’s tomb.
Church services preserve the Easter mood in believers even after Bright Week - Easter hymns are sung in churches until Easter and the Ascension of Christ. During the liturgical year, every seventh day of the week is also dedicated to the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is therefore called Little Easter.
Troparion: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death (having conquered) and giving life to those in the tombs (giving life to those in the tombs, i.e., the dead).
Kontakion: Even though you descended into the grave, Immortal, (even though you descended into the grave, Immortal), you destroyed the power of hell and resurrected you, like a conqueror, O Christ God, who told the myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice! and by Thy apostle grant (bestow) peace, grant (give) resurrection to the fallen.
Ascension of the Lord
The Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on the fortieth day after Easter.
The establishment of the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord dates back to the deepest antiquity and refers to holidays that, like Easter and Pentecost, were established by the apostles themselves.
The Ascension of the Lord is described in the Gospel (Mark 16.9–20; Luke 24.36–53) and in the book of Acts of the Holy Apostles (Acts 1.1–12).
On the fortieth day after the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, the disciples gathered in one house. Jesus Christ appeared to them and talked with them, saying: “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day; and repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this (Luke 24.46–48). Go into all the world and preach the Gospel (that is, the news of the Resurrection of Christ and the teaching of Christ) to every creature” (Mark 16.15). Then the Savior told the disciples that he would soon send them the Holy Spirit; Until this time, the disciples were not supposed to leave Jerusalem. Talking with his disciples, the Savior went out with the apostles to the Mount of Olives. There He blessed the disciples and, as He blessed them, began to move away from them and ascend into heaven, and soon a cloud hid Christ from the eyes of the apostles.
Having ascended, the God-man Jesus Christ sat at the right hand of God the Father. Sitting “at the right hand,” i.e., “on the right, on the right hand,” means special honor, special glory. The Ascension of Christ into heaven shows the purpose of human life: union with God and life in the glory of the Kingdom of God. It is important that not only the soul, but also the human body participates in this glory. In the Ascension of Christ, human nature was planted at the right hand of the glory of God, that is, glorified.
The angels, who appeared to the disciples immediately after the Ascension, consoled the apostles, amazed and saddened by the new separation from the Teacher, reminding them that the Lord would come again - in the same way as he ascended to heaven.
After His Ascension into heaven, Christ the Savior did not abandon the believers. He invisibly and inseparably abides in the Church.
Troparion: Thou art ascended in glory, O Christ our God, having created joy as a disciple, by the promise of the Holy Spirit, by the former blessing communicated to them, for Thou art the Son of God, the deliverer of the world (when through Thy blessing they were completely convinced that Thou art the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world) .
Kontakion: Having fulfilled your concern for us (fulfilling the plan for our salvation), and having united those on earth (earthly) with the heavenly, you ascended in glory, Christ our God, in no way departing, but remaining persistent (not leaving those living on earth, but remaining inseparably with them), and crying out (calling out) to those who love Thee: I am with you, and no one is against you (no one is against you)!
Pentecost
The descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on the fiftieth day after Easter.
The holiday in memory of the event of the descent of the Holy Spirit was established by the apostles. They celebrated it annually and commanded all Christians to especially honor this day (Acts 2.14, 23).
On the fiftieth day after the Resurrection of Christ, all the apostles, together with the Mother of God and other disciples, unanimously remained in prayer and were in the same upper room in Jerusalem. Suddenly a sound came from heaven, as if from a rushing strong wind, and filled the whole house where the disciples of Christ were. Tongues of fire appeared and rested (stopped) one on each of them. Everyone was filled with the Holy Spirit and began to praise God in different languages that they did not know before.
The Jews then had the great holiday of Pentecost in memory of the giving of the Sinai legislation (the establishment of the Covenant between God and the people). On the occasion of the holiday, many Jews gathered in Jerusalem, coming from different countries. Hearing the noise, a huge crowd gathered near the house where the disciples of Christ were. All the people were amazed and asked each other: “Are not these all Galileans who speak? How do we each hear our own dialect in which we were born... do we hear them speaking in our own languages about the great deeds of God? (Acts 2.7-11) And some said in bewilderment: “They were drunk with sweet wine” (Acts 2.13).
Then the Apostle Peter, standing up, said that the apostles were not drunk, but that the Old Testament prophecy about the granting of the gifts of the Holy Spirit to all believers had been fulfilled. The Holy Spirit was sent to the apostles by the Risen and Ascended Jesus Christ. Peter's sermon had such an effect on those who heard it that many believed in the Lord Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God. Peter then called on them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, so that they too could receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:36–37). Those who believed in Christ willingly accepted baptism; there were about three thousand of them that day.
The Feast of Pentecost is called the birthday of the Church. From the day of the descent of the Holy Spirit, the Christian faith began to spread rapidly, the number of believers increased day by day. The apostles boldly preached to everyone about Jesus Christ, the Son of God, about His suffering for us and the resurrection from the dead. The Lord helped them with numerous miracles that were performed by the apostles in the name of Jesus Christ. To perform the Sacraments and preach, the apostles appointed bishops, presbyters and deacons. The grace of the Holy Spirit, clearly taught to the apostles in the form of tongues of fire, is now given invisibly in the Orthodox Church - in the holy Sacraments through bishops and priests who are the direct successors of the apostles.
The Day of Pentecost is also called the Day of the Holy Trinity, sometimes simply - the Trinity. On this day, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity openly revealed Himself - the Holy Spirit, who created the Body of the Church of Christ, poured out His gifts on Christians and united with them forever. The day after Pentecost is dedicated to the special glorification of the Holy Spirit and is called the Spiritual Day.
The doctrine of the Holy Trinity has a deep moral meaning for believers. God is Love, on the day of Pentecost, divine love was poured into the hearts of believers by the Holy Spirit. The service for the Feast of the Holy Trinity teaches Christians to live in such a way that in their mutual relationships a grace-filled unity in love is realized, the image of which is shown by the Persons of the Most Holy Trinity.
Troparion: Blessed are you, Christ our God, who are wise fishermen (who made fishermen wise), sending down the Holy Spirit to them, and with them you caught (drew to faith) the universe (the whole world): Lover of mankind, glory to Thee.
Kontakion: When the Most High descended (when the Most High descended during the construction of the Tower of Babel, mixed languages), dividing the languages (peoples), He divided the nations; When He distributed the fiery tongues into unity, we all called (when He distributed the fiery tongues, He called everyone to unite), and accordingly we glorify the All-Holy Spirit.
Transfiguration
The Transfiguration of the Lord Jesus Christ is celebrated on August 19th. The holiday was established no later than the 4th century.
The event of the Transfiguration of the Lord is described by the evangelists Matthew and Luke (Matthew 17.1–13; Luke 9.28–36) and the Apostle Peter (2 Pet. 1.16–18).
Shortly before His suffering, Jesus Christ took three disciples - Peter, James and John, and went up with them to a high mountain to pray. According to legend, this was Mount Tabor. While the Savior was praying, the disciples fell asleep from fatigue. When they woke up, they saw that Jesus Christ had been transformed: His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white and shining. At this time, two Old Testament prophets appeared on the mountain - Moses and Elijah. They talked with Christ about the suffering and death that He had to endure in Jerusalem.
At this, extraordinary joy filled the hearts of the disciples. Peter exclaimed with feeling: “Lord! It’s good for us to be here; If you want, we will make three tabernacles (that is, tents) here: one for You, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and they heard from the cloud the voice of God the Father: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; Listen to him! (Luke 9.33–35) The disciples fell to the ground in fear. Jesus Christ approached them, touched them and said: “Rise up and do not be afraid.” The disciples stood up and saw Jesus Christ in his usual form. When they came down from the mountain, Jesus Christ commanded not to tell anyone about what they saw until He rose from the dead.
On Mount Tabor, the Lord Jesus Christ, having been transformed, showed the glory of His Divinity. God opened the eyes of the apostles, and they were able to see the real greatness of their Divine Teacher, as far as a person can see it. Having witnessed the Transfiguration, the apostles during Holy Week had to understand that the Lord, who has divine power and authority, suffers and dies according to His will.
Troparion: Thou art transfigured on the mountain, O Christ God, showing to Thy disciples Thy glory, as unto man (as far as they could see it). May Your ever-present light shine upon us sinners too, through the prayers of the Mother of God, Light-Giver, glory to You!
Kontakion: You were transfigured on the mountain, and as the host of your disciples (as far as your disciples were able to contain), they saw your glory, O Christ God: so that when (so that when) they see you crucified, they will understand the suffering freely, peace ( to the world) they preach that You are truly the Father’s radiance.
Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on August 28. The first mention of Christians celebrating the Dormition of the Mother of God dates back to the 4th century.
The Gospel says nothing about the earthly life of the Mother of God after the Ascension of the Savior. Information about Her last days was preserved by Church Tradition.
The Apostle John the Theologian, according to the will of the Lord Jesus Christ, took the Mother of God into his home and took care of Her until Her death. The Blessed Virgin Mary enjoyed general reverence in the Christian community. She prayed with Christ's disciples and talked with them about the Savior. Many Christians came from far away, from other countries, to see and listen to the Blessed Virgin.
Until the persecution launched by Herod Antipas against the Church, the Most Pure Virgin remained in Jerusalem, then she moved with the Apostle John the Theologian to Ephesus. While living here, She visited the righteous Lazarus in Cyprus and Mount Athos, which she blessed as Her destiny. Shortly before her death, the Mother of God returned to Jerusalem.
Here, the Ever-Virgin often stayed in those places with which the most important events in the life of Her Divine Son were connected: Bethlehem, Golgotha, the Holy Sepulcher, Gethsemane, the Mount of Olives - there She prayed fervently, again and again experiencing the events with which they were associated. The Most Holy Theotokos often prayed that Christ would quickly take Her to Himself into heaven.
One day, when the Most Holy Mary was praying like this on the Mount of Olives, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Her and announced that in three days Her earthly life would end and the Lord would take Her to Himself. The Most Holy Mother of God was incredibly happy about this news; She told the Apostle John about her and began to prepare for her death. There were no other apostles in Jerusalem at that time; they went to different countries to preach about the Savior. The Mother of God wanted to say goodbye to them, and the Lord miraculously gathered all the apostles to Her, except Thomas. The Mother of God consoled the disciples, promising not to abandon them and all Christians after Her death and to always pray for them.
At the hour of her death, an extraordinary light illuminated the room where the Mother of God lay; The Lord Jesus Christ Himself, surrounded by angels, appeared and received Her most pure soul.
The solemn transfer of the Most Pure Body from Jerusalem to Gethsemane began. Peter, Paul and James, together with the other apostles, accompanied by many people, carried the bed of the Mother of God on their shoulders. The sick received healing from Her fragrant body.
The Jewish high priests sent their servants to disperse the procession, kill the apostles and burn the body of the Mother of God, but the angels struck the blasphemers with blindness. The Jewish priest Athos, who tried to overturn the bed of the Mother of God, was punished by an angel who cut off his hands, and received healing only after sincere repentance. Those who were blind also repented and received their sight.
Three days after the burial of the Mother of God, the late Apostle Thomas arrived in Jerusalem. He was very upset that he did not have time to say goodbye to Her. The apostles, who themselves were in sadness, opened the coffin to give Thomas the opportunity to say goodbye to the Mother of God. Great was their amazement when they did not find the body of the Mother of God in the cave.
The apostles' concerns about the fate of the body of the Most Pure Virgin Mary were soon resolved: during evening prayer they heard angelic singing and, looking up, saw the Mother of God in the radiance of heavenly glory, surrounded by angels. She said to the apostles: “Rejoice! I am with you all the days." This is how the Lord Jesus Christ glorified His Mother: He raised Her up before all people and took Her to Heaven with Her most holy body.
The Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos is a holiday colored at the same time by sadness about the end of Her life's journey and joy about the union of the Most Pure Mother with the Son. On the day of the blessed death of the Mother of God, all humanity found a Prayer Book and Heavenly Intercessor, an Intercessor before the Lord.
The Church calls the end of the earthly life of the Most Holy Theotokos Dormition (sleep), and this is associated with a new experience of death after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. For a person who believes in Christ, death becomes a sacrament of birth into new life. Physical death is like a dream, during which the deceased await the general resurrection from the dead at the Second Coming of Christ (1 Thess. 4.13-18).
Christians prepare for the Feast of the Assumption by fasting for two weeks (from August 14), as strict as Lent.
Troparion: At the Nativity (at the birth of Jesus Christ) you preserved your virginity, at the Dormition you did not forsake the world, O Mother of God; You reposed to the belly (passed on to eternal life), Mother of the essence of the Belly (being the Mother of Life, that is, Christ), and through Your prayers you delivered our (eternal) souls from death.
Kontakion: In the prayers of the never-sleeping Mother of God and in intercession (intercession), the immutable hope, the grave and mortification (death) were not restrained (were not restrained): like the Mother of the Belly, repose to the belly, indwelling the ever-virgin womb (Christ, who dwelt in Her virgin womb, resettled Her as the Mother of Life to eternal life).
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
This holiday is one of the great holidays and is celebrated on September 27th. It was installed in the 4th century in memory of the Finding of the Lord's Cross.
One of the first Christian historians, Eusebius of Caesarea, describes this event and its background as follows. Emperor Constantine the Great, being a pagan still inclined to accept Christianity, became convinced of the power and glory of the Cross of Christ. One day, on the eve of a decisive battle, he and his entire army saw the sign of the cross in the sky with the inscription: “By this, conquer.” The next night, Jesus Christ Himself appeared to the emperor with the Cross in his hand and said that with this sign the emperor would defeat the enemy; and ordered to arrange a military banner (gonfalon) with the image of the Holy Cross. Constantine fulfilled God's command and defeated the enemy. After the victory, the emperor took Christians under his protection and declared the Christian faith dominant in the Byzantine Empire. When imp. Constantine abolished execution by crucifixion and issued laws promoting the spread of the Church and the establishment of the faith of Christ.
Experiencing feelings of reverence for the Cross of the Lord, Constantine the Great wished to find the Venerable Tree of the Cross of the Lord and build a temple on Calvary. In 326, his mother, Queen Helena, went to Jerusalem in search of the Cross of the Lord.
According to legend, the place where the Holy Cross was found was indicated under the ruins of a pagan temple by an elderly Jew, who later converted to Christianity with the name Kyriak. Near the Place of Execution they found nails, a tablet with an inscription in three languages, which was nailed over the Head of the crucified Christ, and three crosses. In order to find out which of the three crosses is the Cross of the Lord, some evidence about it was needed. And this testimony was revealed by the miraculous power of the Cross: according to the testimony of many historians, a woman who was dying was healed by the touch of the Cross of the Lord.
In reverent joy, Queen Helena and all those who were with her paid veneration to the Cross. But a lot of people gathered, and not everyone could venerate the Venerable Tree of the Cross of the Lord, and not everyone could even see it. Then Patriarch Macarius of Jerusalem, standing in a high place, began to raise (erect) the Holy Cross, showing it to the people. The people worshiped the Cross, exclaiming: “Lord, have mercy.”
This is where the holiday of the Exaltation of the Honest and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord began, which was established in the year of its discovery.
For their merits and zeal for the spread of the Christian faith, Constantine the Great and his mother Helen received the title of saints equal to the apostles, that is, equal to the apostles.
This holiday is marked by strict fasting in remembrance of the Savior's Passion on the Cross.
Troparion of the holiday: Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thy heritage (heritage), granting victories against the enemy (over enemies) and preserving Thy residence (Christian society) through Thy Cross.
Kontakion of the holiday: Having ascended to the cross by will (ascended on the cross according to His will), to the namesake of Your new residence (who bear Your name, that is, Christians) grant Your bounty, O Christ God; We rejoice in Thy power, giving (giving) victories to us in comparison (over enemies), Thy help, a weapon of peace, an invincible victory (may we have Thy help - a weapon of reconciliation and an invincible victory - the Cross).
Christian holidays are an important part of the Christian cult, days of church celebrations associated with the celebration of the most significant biblical and historical persons and events for Christians. They can be divided into general Christian and general Christian confessional ones. confessional. General Christians are recognized by the Orthodox, Catholic and some Protestant churches. They arose in the first centuries of Christianity, and this determined the breadth of their distribution. These include, first of all, Christmas and Easter. General Christians are recognized by the Orthodox, Catholic and some Protestant churches. They arose in the first centuries of Christianity, and this determined the breadth of their distribution. These include, first of all, Christmas and Easter. Confessional are characteristic of only one of the three Christian movements or individual confessions. Confessional are characteristic of only one of the three Christian movements or individual confessions.
Christmas January 7 Christmas is one of the main Christian holidays associated with the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated by the Catholic Church on December 25, and in Orthodoxy on January 7. On this day, more than two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world promised by God, was born in Bethlehem. Coming to earth, Christ was not greeted with honor, nobility and wealth. He didn’t even have a cradle, like all children, and there was no shelter. He was born outside the city, in a cave, and was placed in a manger, where they put food for animals. The first guests of the divine Infant were not kings and nobles, but simple shepherds, to whom the Angel announced the Nativity of Christ.
Epiphany January 19 The Feast of the Epiphany is one of the most ancient holidays of the Christian Church. The word “baptize”, “baptize”, means in Greek “immerse in water.” Water is the beginning of life. It is from water fertilized by the life-giving Spirit that all living beings will come into being. Where there is no water, there is a desert. Baptism is the beginning of the restoration of the original image of God in fallen man. The great mystery accomplished in baptism does not reach consciousness immediately. Baptism makes us “one branch” with Christ, as if grafting us into Him. In the water of baptism, the source of new life, a person dies to sin and is resurrected to God. The Lord Himself, being sinless, did not need repentance, but accepted baptism, laying the foundation for the great sacrament through which a person enters the church. When the Savior accepted baptism, the revelation of all Three Persons of the Holy Trinity to the world took place: God the Son was baptized in the waters of the Jordan, God the Holy Spirit descended on Him from heaven in the form of a dove, God the Father testified about the Son: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." On Epiphany Eve and on the very day of the holiday after the liturgy, a great consecration of water is performed in churches, after which it becomes a great shrine that heals mental and physical ailments. Even the snow that falls on this day is considered special for Epiphany.
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is one of the oldest holidays of the Christian Church and is celebrated on February 2 (15). “Meeting” (Staroslav) – “meeting”. This is a holiday in honor of the meeting of the righteous Simeon with the Messiah - the child Christ, who was brought to the temple to be dedicated to God. What does the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord teach us? First of all, the truth that God is faithful in all His words and promises. He also promised Adam and Eve that He would send a Savior to the earth for them and the entire human race, which came true. Secondly, the feast of the Presentation teaches us that the Lord Himself comes to meet those who do righteousness or those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because He came to earth in order to fulfill all the righteousness of God. Presentation of the Lord
Maslenitsa This ancient folk holiday is not assigned to a specific date on the calendar. Maslenitsa refers to the holidays associated with Easter. Maslenitsa is celebrated for a whole week on the eve of Lent, which lasts seven days until Easter. The name of the holiday arose because this week, according to Orthodox custom, meat was already excluded from food, and dairy products can still be consumed - people bake butter pancakes, and therefore cheese week is called Maslenitsa. Maslenitsa is the most joyful holiday. Each day of the week has its own name, and these names indicate what is supposed to be done on that day. Monday - meeting Tuesday - flirting Wednesday - delicacy Thursday - revelry Friday - mother-in-law's evenings Saturday - sister-in-law's get-togethers Sunday - forgiven day
Annunciation The day of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was celebrated on March 25 according to the old style (April 7), was considered a particularly great holiday in Rus'. The word annunciation means: good, joyful news, the news that the liberation of the human race from sin and eternal death has begun. The Gospel of Luke () tells how the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary with the news that She had been chosen to become the Mother of the Son of God. The Most Holy Virgin humbly accepted the will of God. In ancient times, this holiday was called the Day of the Incarnation. On this day it was customary to release birds into the wild. This tradition symbolizes the liberation of the soul from sins and the holiness of thoughts on such a bright holiday. The Annunciation is considered a holiday of spring and general prosperity in nature. There are many folk signs associated with the holiday: on this day you cannot do any homework. Even “the bird does not build a nest on this day,” people said. It is believed that sinners are not tormented in hell on Annunciation and Easter.
Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) This is a holiday in honor of the entry of Christ into Jerusalem. This is a holiday in honor of Christ's entry into Jerusalem. Celebrated on the last Sunday before Easter. Celebrated on the last Sunday before Easter. On this holiday, believers come with branches of willow, willow, willow, or other trees that are the first to bloom in the spring. On this holiday, believers come with branches of willow, willow, willow, or other trees, which are the first to bloom in the spring. The celebration of the Lord's entry into Jerusalem is designed to encourage believers to open their hearts for the teachings of Christ.
EASTER For the Orthodox, this day is the Feast of Feasts and the Triumph of Feasts: it is the main holiday in Orthodoxy. Nothing can compare with it in its power of influence on the minds and souls of parishioners, in its beauty and solemnity. Easter always falls on spring days, when the regenerating nature itself contributes to human triumph, inspires the people, infects them with optimism and vigor. During the Great Seven-Week Lent, people should reflect on their lives, repent of their sins, cleanse themselves of spiritual filth, and renew themselves internally. The final week of Lent is called Holy Week, since during this week the Passion of the Lord is remembered - the suffering of Jesus Christ before execution, the agony of the cross and burial. The whole life of God the Son, everything He created on earth, passes before believers. On Saturday, the final preparations for the feast of the Resurrection of Christ are being made. The house is already shining with cleanliness, the lush Easter cakes smell fragrant, the Easter curds are turning pink, and the painted Easter eggs are pleasing to the eye. The food is brought to the temple to be blessed - the next day these dishes will decorate the festive table. Before midnight the religious procession begins. Holy Saturday is replaced by Holy Sunday of Christ. "Christ is risen!" - “Truly risen!”
Elderly people dreamed of dying on Bright Week, when, according to legend, the gates of heaven are open. They believed that you could become healthy and beautiful if you washed your face with water in which a colored egg was dipped. Many folk customs are associated with Easter. The girls, believing that God becomes especially kind on the Bright Resurrection of Christ, turned to him with a secret request: “Resurrection of Christ! Send me a single groom!” From Easter until the Ascension, even the stingiest people did not refuse alms to the poor - they believed that on these days Christ could appear in the form of a beggar to test how much a person honors God’s commandments, whether he is merciful, whether his soul is pure, whether his thoughts are good ?
Trinity On the fiftieth day after Easter, Christians celebrate the Feast of the Holy Trinity. The biblical legend tells that it was on this day that the Holy Spirit descended on the disciple-apostles. They acquired the ability to speak other languages, previously unknown to them. This was an order from God the Father to bring the message of Christianity to all peoples and languages, from now on they can prophesy and perform miracles. At the site of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, the first Christian temple was built, and this day began to be solemnly celebrated. On Trinity Sunday, churches and houses are decorated with birch branches and flowers. At church services they also stand with flowers in their hands. This symbolizes the renewal of people by the power of the Holy Spirit who descended from heaven, just as all nature is renewed in spring and summer. The people of Rus' have always loved Trinity Day, and the festivities stretched throughout the seventh week after Easter. She was also called Semitskaya. Noisy games, walks in the forest, fortune telling and rituals associated with marriage, which only girls could perform in the absence of men of any age.. The most respected tree on Trinity is the birch. The ancient Slavs believed that birch has a special vitality, the tree is light and clean, and it dresses in green before anyone else.
Ascension The holiday is established in memory of the mythical ascension of Jesus Christ to heaven. It is celebrated on the 40th day after Easter, between May 1 and June 4, old style. According to the Gospel narratives, after his martyrdom, Christ miraculously resurrected and ascended to heaven. This event took place on the 40th day after the resurrection of Christ. Many peoples had myths about the ascension of the gods in the distant past. The ancient gods, dying, ascended to heaven, finding their place among other gods. With its content, the holiday gives believers the idea of the frailty of earthly life and directs them toward Christian asceticism in order to achieve “eternal life.”
Transfiguration of the Lord Transfiguration of the Lord, the mysterious transformation described in the Gospels, the appearance of the Divine majesty and glory of Jesus Christ before three closest disciples during prayer on the mountain; holiday of the Christian Church (Transfiguration of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, in Russian folk tradition is also called the Apple Savior or the Second Savior). The Transfiguration of the Lord, the mysterious transformation described in the Gospels, the appearance of the Divine majesty and glory of Jesus Christ before three closest disciples during prayer on the mountain; holiday of the Christian Church (Transfiguration of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, in Russian folk tradition is also called the Apple Savior or the Second Savior). Gospels of Jesus Christ Christian Gospels of Jesus Christ Christian Orthodox celebration (in the XX-XXI centuries) takes place on August 19 (August 6 according to the Julian calendar). The Catholic Church celebrates August 6 (if August 6 falls on a weekday, the celebration may be moved to the following Sunday). In the Armenian Apostolic Church the holiday is moving from June 28 to August 1. The Orthodox celebration (in the 20th-21st centuries) takes place on August 19 (August 6 according to the Julian calendar). The Catholic Church celebrates August 6 (if August 6 falls on a weekday, the celebration may be moved to the following Sunday). In the Armenian Apostolic Church the holiday is moving from June 28 to August 1. Orthodox August 19 Julian calendar of the Catholic Church August 6 Armenian Apostolic Church Orthodox August 19 Julian calendar of the Catholic Church August 6 Armenian Apostolic Church
Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary This is a holiday in memory of the death of the Virgin Mary, mother of Christ. This is a holiday in memory of the death of the Virgin Mary, mother of Christ. Celebrated on August 15 (28). The Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a holiday of the Orthodox and Catholic churches dedicated to the memory of the death (dormition) of the Mother of God. According to church tradition, on this day the apostles, who had preached in various countries, miraculously gathered in Jerusalem to say goodbye and bury the Virgin Mary. Orthodox Catholic Church of the Mother of God Church Tradition Apostles Jerusalem
References Almazov S., Pitersky P. Holidays of the Orthodox Church. M., Belov A. When the bells ring. M., Emelyakh L. Origin of Christian sacraments. M., Emelyakh L. Mysteries of the Christian cult. L., Ranovich A. Origin of Christian sacraments. M.-L., List of references Almazov S., Pitersky P. Holidays of the Orthodox Church. M., Belov A. When the bells ring. M., Emelyakh L. Origin of Christian sacraments. M., Emelyakh L. Mysteries of the Christian cult. L., Ranovich A. Origin of Christian sacraments. M.-L., 1931.
Great Orthodox holidays: list with dates, explanations and traditions.
In addition to Easter as the main Christian holiday, in our culture there are 12 more great Orthodox holidays, called the twelve. What are these holidays and how are they traditionally celebrated? You will learn about this from this article.
Hierarchy of holidays in Orthodox Christianity
Easter - a sign of the eternal victory of life over death - is one step above the rest in this hierarchy of holidays. This is the most important holiday in the Christian tradition. Further along the hierarchy follow the non-twelfth great and twelfth Orthodox holidays. In total, 17 holidays fall into the category of great ones. The non-twelfth great dates include the following:
- The Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a holiday that falls on October 14 in the Orthodox world. Associated with the vision of Constantinople Saint Andrew the Fool. At the hour when Constantinople was under siege, the Mother of God appeared to Andrew, spreading a veil from her head over the city, the city was saved.
- Circumcision of the Lord - while we celebrate the last New Year holidays on January 14, a service is being held in the church in memory of this event, as well as in honor of Basil the Great, one of the so-called Fathers of the Church.
- The Orthodox Church celebrates the Nativity of John the Baptist (Forerunner) on July 7 - this is the day that we know as Ivan Kupala. It is associated with the miraculous birth of John the Baptist six months before Jesus.
- The Day of the Holy Chief Apostles Peter and Paul, which is popularly known simply as Peter's Day, is celebrated on July 12. Officially, on the Day of Peter and Paul, the memory of the martyrdom of the apostles is honored, but for the common people this day symbolizes the complete transition to summer.
- The beheading of John the Baptist in Russian tradition is celebrated on September 11. On this day, they remember the martyrdom of John the Baptist, and also remember the soldiers who died in the battle for the fatherland.
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
In the Orthodox tradition, the birth of the Virgin Mother is celebrated on September 21. Her parents, Joachim and Anna, had already come to terms with the idea of not leaving offspring - it is believed that both were already over 70 when Maria was born. Her birth is associated with Joachim’s stay in the desert, where he retired to ask the Lord for continuation of the family. An angel appeared to him in a dream and announced that he would soon have a daughter. And it’s true - returning to the city, Joachim met Anna, hurrying towards him with good news.
This holiday is intended to glorify the Mother of God as the protector and intercessor of all people before God. In the folk calendar it is associated with the arrival of autumn, harvesting and the end of all summer work.
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
This holiday is associated with one of the main Christian symbols - the cross on which the Son of God passed the test of death. And its appearance was facilitated by the Byzantine Empress Helen in the middle of the 4th century. Already at a fairly advanced age (according to historians, she was about 80 years old), the mother of Emperor Constantine decides to go to Jerusalem in search of lost Christian relics. As a result of excavations on Mount Golgotha, they found not only a cross, but also a cave in which Christ was buried.
The date of celebration was set in September 335 - after the Church of the Resurrection of Christ was consecrated in Jerusalem. The Orthodox world celebrates September 27 by observing strict fasting and not engaging in hard work. People also believe that it is from this day that birds begin to fly south, and snakes begin to crawl into holes for the winter.
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the Temple
The Orthodox holiday of Entry into the Temple is celebrated on December 4th. It is dedicated to an episode from the life of the Virgin Mary - at the age of three, pious parents brought her to the Jerusalem Temple to fulfill God's covenant - to devote the life of their daughter to God. In all interpretations of this story, they say that little Mary entered the temple with unusual confidence, as if she already knew that she would play a great role in this religion. Maria never returned home to her parents - she lived in the temple until she was 12 years old, until the angel Gabriel brought her news of the extraordinary fate that had been granted to her.
In folk tradition, this holiday is called Introduction. It was associated with the arrival of winter - it was from this day that winter festivities and sleigh rides began. It was also worth forgetting about field work until spring - the peasants believed that it was better not to disturb the land after the Introduction.
Christmas
Of all twelve, the great Orthodox holiday of Christmas is considered the most significant. In the Western tradition it is customary to celebrate it on December 25, but in our country it is celebrated on January 7.
The birth of Jesus took place in the city of Bethlehem, Joseph's hometown. He arrived here with the pregnant Maria, but there was no room for them in the hotel. The travelers had to camp in a cave. When Mary felt the birth approaching, Joseph hurried to find a midwife. He managed to find a woman named Salome, and together they went back to the cave. The first thing they saw in the cave was a bright light filling the entire space. Gradually the light faded away - and Mary appeared with a baby sitting in her arms. At this time, a star of extraordinary brightness rose over Bethlehem, notifying the world of the arrival of the Son of God.
It is believed that every great Orthodox holiday gives birth to kindness in the heart, but Christmas especially. On Christmas Eve, it is customary for the whole family to gather around the festive table - in folk tradition, there should be twelve dishes on it.
Historians believe that it is not known for certain at what time of year Jesus was born. It is believed that the date of the great Orthodox holiday of Christmas is connected with more ancient holidays dedicated to the winter solstice (December 21 or 22). This holiday is preceded by a forty-day fast, starting on November 27.
Baptism of the Lord
The second most important great holiday of the Orthodox Church after Christmas is Epiphany. It is celebrated on January 19 - we all know about the folk tradition of swimming in an ice hole on this day. However, the church and historians unanimously claim that this tradition is not as ancient and primordial as it seems, and only acquired a mass character in the 80s - as a symbol of the country’s return to religion.
This celebration is associated with an episode in the life of Christ, which is traditionally considered the beginning of his ministry. At the age of 30, Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River. The man who baptized God's Son was John the Baptist. When Christ came ashore, the Holy Spirit descended on him in the guise of a dove, and the voice of God the Father was heard from heaven, announcing the appearance of God the Son. Thus, the Lord revealed himself in his trinity. Therefore, Epiphany, among the great holidays of the Orthodox Church, is also known as Epiphany. In the Catholic tradition, Epiphany is associated with Christmas and the offering of the Magi.
Presentation of the Lord
From the Old Church Slavonic language, Meeting can be interpreted as the word “meeting” - the church believes that it was on this day that humanity met Jesus Christ. This great Orthodox holiday is celebrated on February 15 - forty days after Christmas. On this day, Mary and Joseph brought little Jesus to the temple for the first time, where Saint Simeon the God-Receiver received him. There is a separate legend about Simeon - he was one of the seventy scholars who translated the Holy Scriptures from Hebrew into Greek. The entry about the Virgin, who should conceive and give birth to a son, confused Simeon, he decided to correct the mistake of the unknown copyist: it was the Wife who should give birth, not the Virgin. But at that moment an angel appeared in the room and said that this would really happen one day. The Lord will not allow the old man to die until he sees this miracle with his own eyes. When the day finally came to meet the baby Jesus, Simeon was already about 360 years old - all his life the righteous old man had been waiting for a meeting with the human incarnation of God.
Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Feast of the Annunciation is a symbol of hope and expectation. On this day, April 7, they celebrate the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel by Mary, who brought her good news with the words: “Rejoice, full of grace! The Lord is with You; Blessed are You among women,” this line was subsequently included in many prayers dedicated to the Mother of God. As a moving holiday, the Annunciation is often wedged into the number of Orthodox holidays during Lent. In this case, those who fast are incredibly lucky - in honor of the holiday, a small indulgence in the form of animal food is allowed (not meat, but fish).
Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem
There is still a week left until Easter, and the world is already beginning to celebrate and honor the memory of the deeds of Christ during this week. This date is popularly known as Palm Sunday - a great Orthodox holiday. On this day, Jesus solemnly entered Jerusalem, choosing a donkey as a riding animal - as a sign that he had arrived in peace. The people greeted him as the Messiah, laying palm branches on the road - they later became the main symbolism of this holiday. Since palm trees do not grow in our latitudes, the branches were replaced with willow ones.
Many folk traditions are associated with this day. It was customary to consecrate willow branches in the church and then keep them in the house all year long so that good luck and prosperity would not leave it. They also lightly hit each other with the willow, saying: “I don’t hit, it’s the willow that hits.” Since these Orthodox holidays during Lent are celebrated modestly, the main dish of the feast could be fish, but not meat.
Ascension of the Lord
When Easter is over and another forty days have passed, Orthodox Christians celebrate the Ascension. This day is one of the great twelve holidays of the Orthodox Church. The image of Christ ascending to heaven recalls the predominance of the ideal divine nature over the imperfect human nature. Up until this day, you can congratulate all Orthodox Christians on the holiday of Great Easter with the words “Christ is Risen!”, but after the end of the Ascension Feast, the church prohibits making Christ.
Having resurrected, Jesus Christ preached for another forty days, and then gathered his disciples-apostles and ascended to heaven, bequeathing that he would appear a second time (this is considered a promise of the second coming) and that the Holy Spirit would also descend on the apostles - this happened ten days later.
Trinity Day
Another ten days pass after the Ascension and fifty after Easter, when the Orthodox world celebrates the next great Orthodox holiday. Simply put, it is also called Trinity, Pentecost. The event that led to the appearance of this holiday was the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles. When all twelve were assembled, a gust of wind suddenly came and enveloped the apostles in flames. The Holy Spirit declared itself so clearly. From that day on, Jesus’ disciples gained the ability to understand hitherto unknown languages and dialects, and most importantly, to speak them. This blessing was given to them in order to spread the word of God throughout the world, so the apostles went to preach throughout the countries.
In folk tradition, Trinity completed the series of spring holidays - after it the summer season began. They prepared thoroughly for this holiday - a few days before it, housewives cleaned the house, trying to get rid of unnecessary things, and the garden and vegetable garden were cleared of weeds. They tried to decorate their home with bunches of herbs and flowers, as well as tree branches - it was believed that this would bring good luck and prosperity to all its inhabitants. In the morning they went to church for services, and in the evening the festivities began. Young people these days were instructed to be careful - after all, mermaids and Mavkas came out of forests and fields to lure guys into their nets.
Transfiguration
The Feast of the Transfiguration is associated with a small episode from the life of Christ. Taking with him three disciples - James, John and Peter - Jesus ascended Mount Tabor for conversations and prayers. But as soon as they reached the top, a miracle happened - Jesus ascended above the earth, his clothes became white, and his face shone like the sun. Next to him, the images of the Old Testament prophets Moses and Elijah appeared, and the voice of God was heard from heaven, announcing a son.
The Transfiguration is celebrated on August 19. This great Orthodox holiday in folk tradition is called the Apple Savior (second after Honey). It was believed that from this day autumn begins to come into its own. Many customs of this day are associated with the harvest of apples and fruits in general - before the Savior, the fruits were considered unripe. Ideally, the harvest should have been blessed in the church. Then apples could be consumed without restrictions.
Dormition of the Virgin Mary
The celebration of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary is associated with the end of the earthly life of the Virgin Mary and the ascension of her soul and body to heaven. The word “dormition” can be interpreted more as “sleep” than “death” - in this regard, the name of the holiday reflects the attitude of Christianity towards death as a transition to another world and testifies to the divine nature of Mary herself.
This great Orthodox holiday is celebrated on August 28, although it is not known for sure in what year and on what day the Virgin Mary passed away into another world. In folk tradition, this day is called Obzhinki - it is associated with the end of the harvest.
Christianity, like any religion, on certain days of the calendar honors saints or celebrates events in the life of the church. Christian holidays are rooted in ancient ritual traditions associated with specific stages, types of economic activity, and the annual astronomical or calendar cycle. Conventionally, they are divided into pan-Christian (recognized by the Orthodox, Catholic, and most Protestant churches) and confessional (celebrated only by individual denominations). The most important of them relate to the twelve feasts - the twelve most important holidays after Easter, which the church celebrates with solemn services.
Christmas. This is one of the main holidays of Christianity associated with the birth of Jesus Christ. In Catholicism it is celebrated on December 25, in Orthodoxy (belongs to the twelve holidays) on January 7. Establishing itself in different countries, this holiday absorbed the rituals and customs of other religions and folk holidays, acquiring new features that corresponded to Christian dogmas.
The very tradition of Christmas has its origins in primitive cultic actions. The main role in its dogmatic sense the church assigns to the teaching about the birth of Jesus Christ, who appeared to atone for the sins of people, to show humanity the path to salvation. Indeed, in Ancient Egypt, for example, on January 6 they celebrated the birthday of the god of water, vegetation, and owner of the afterlife, Osiris. In Ancient Greece, the birth of Dionysus was celebrated on the same day. In Iran, on December 25, they celebrated the birth of the god of the sun, purity and truth - Mithra.
In Kievan Rus, the holiday of the Nativity of Christ came along with Christianity in the 10th century. and merged with the ancient Slavic winter holiday - Christmastide (lasted for 12 days - from December 25 (January 7) to January 6 (19). The Orthodox Church tried in every possible way to replace them with the holiday of the Nativity of Christ, but the holidays and customs existing among the Eastern Slavs were so deeply rooted that it was forced to combine church holidays with folk ones. Thus, the church combined carols with the gospel story about the star of Bethlehem, which announced the birth of Christ. “Pagan” carols turned into the walking of Christoslavs with a star from house to house. Children were widely involved in glorifying Christ. The believers thanked them with gifts.
Since 1990. Christmas Day is an official holiday in Ukraine.
Baptism of the Lord (Vodokhrischa, Blessing of the Waters, Epiphany). It is one of the main holidays in Christianity. In Orthodoxy it belongs to the twelve holidays. Catholics celebrate on the 6th, Orthodox on January 19. It was introduced in memory of the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. It is also called the Epiphany, because, according to the Gospel, during Jesus’ baptism, God the Holy Spirit descended from heaven in the form of a dove.
In Christianity it was introduced in the 2nd half of the 2nd century, and was first celebrated together with the Nativity of Christ. In Art. IV This day began to be celebrated separately. The Church views it as a “holiday of enlightenment” of peoples, since, according to teaching, it was with baptism that Jesus began to enlighten them with the light of the gospel truth.
This holiday has always been celebrated very solemnly. Its main rite is the blessing of water in the church and in the ice hole. A procession of the cross went to the ice hole, and solemn prayers were held. The blessing of water in churches continues to this day.
Sprinkling with water existed in many pre-Christian religions. By spiritualizing natural phenomena, people also spiritualized water as an important source of life. Christianity in the early stages of its development did not know the rite of baptism; it borrowed it somewhat later from ancient cults, which assigned an important role to the ritual of “cleansing” a person from any “filth” or “evil spirits” with the help of water. According to ancient beliefs, water cleansed people from “evil spirits,” “demons.” Therefore, ancient peoples had a custom of spitting water on newborns.
Candlemas. It is celebrated as one of the twelve holidays on February 15 on the occasion of the meeting (presentation) of the righteous Simeon with the baby Jesus, whom his parents brought to the Jerusalem Temple on the fortieth day after birth to present to God. It was then that Simeon predicted to Jesus his messenger mission as the Savior of people. This is stated in the Gospel according to. Luke. By introducing the holiday, the church cared not only about spreading the ideas of Christianity, but also about “truth to facts” in the biography of Christ, emphasizing the obligation of believers to bring babies to church within 40 days after birth. In addition, the church tried to protect Christians from ancient cults, since the Romans in February served “purification”, repentance, and fasted, believing that before the start of spring field work it was necessary to “cleanse themselves from sins” and “evil spirits” by making sacrifices to spirits and gods. The main cleansing ritual took place on February 15, when people with torches in their hands drove out the evil spirits of winter cold and disease.
Supporters of Orthodoxy did not recognize Candlemas for a long time. Later they gave it the meaning of a holiday of purification. This is exactly how it appeared in Rus', establishing itself mainly as a church holiday. In the popular consciousness, Candlemas marked the end of winter and the beginning of spring household chores, as evidenced by the popular belief: “At Candlemas, winter meets summer.”
Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. This twelfth holiday is celebrated on the last Sunday before Easter. Its everyday name is Palm Sunday, before the day of Holy Week, dedicated to the “mention of the suffering of Christ.”
According to the calendar, it is directly adjacent to Easter and does not have a fixed date. It was introduced in Art. IV. as an important stage in preparation for Easter. It is based on the biblical legend about the entry of Jesus Christ with the apostles into Jerusalem, accompanied by the performance of miracles. The people joyfully greeted the Son of God with palm branches.
In Rus', the ritual significance of palm branches is transferred to willow branches, which bloom at this time and, according to popular belief, protect against evil spirits. The celebration of the Lord's entry into Jerusalem is intended to encourage believers to open their hearts to Christ's teachings about the resurrection and eternal salvation, as did the inhabitants of Ancient Jerusalem.
Ascension of the Lord. It is celebrated on the fortieth day after Easter. And the very moment of the ascension to heaven of Christ, resurrected after his execution, completes his earthly biography. It is very common in everyday life and remains strictly ecclesiastical. Its content generates in believers the idea of the frailty of earthly life and directs them towards Christian asceticism in order to achieve the “eternal.”
Christian theology claims that the ascension of Christ opens the way for the righteous to heaven, to resurrection after death. This idea existed long before the advent of Christianity. Beliefs in the ascension to heaven of people, heroes and gods were common among the Phoenicians, Jews and other peoples.
Trinity (Pentecost). A holiday established in honor of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Christ on the fiftieth day after his resurrection, as a result of which they spoke in different languages that they did not know before. It is called upon to focus the attention of believers on the voice of the church, which carries “God’s word”, to attract them to preach Christianity to other “languages,” that is, to other nations. Celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter. In Orthodoxy it belongs to the twelve holidays.
The concept of the divine trinity existed long before Christianity. In the process of the formation of the Christian religion, the need arose to connect it with the stories of the Old Testament. Therefore, in the New Testament books, Christ is presented as the son of the Hebrew god Yahweh, as a hypostasis of the one God, which was evidenced by the step of Christianity from polytheism to monotheism. Accordingly, Christianity borrowed many Jewish holidays, including the Feast of Pentecost. Among the ancient Jews, it arose with their transition to agriculture and was associated with the completion of the harvest, which lasted “seven weeks,” that is, seven weeks, accompanied by the offering of bread from the new harvest to local field spirits and deities. Christianity gave him a new justification.
In most Eastern Slavs, the holiday of the Trinity merged with the local holiday of Semik (another name is “Trinity”), borrowing its everyday meaning. The ancient Slavs associated semik with the completion of spring work, trying to appease the spirits of vegetation during the period of flowering and harvest. An important element of the Orthodox holiday of Trinity is the commemoration of the spirits of deceased relatives (funeral Saturday). In Ukraine since 1990. Trinity Sunday is an official holiday.
Saved. This is one of three holidays dedicated to the Savior Jesus Christ. It is based on the Gospel story of the transfiguration of Christ, who at the end of his earthly life led his disciples (Peter, James, John) to the mountain and during prayer completely changed: his face shone, his clothes became white, shiny, and a voice from heaven confirmed his divine origin. Christian teaching claims that Jesus wanted to strengthen the faith of his disciples and prove to them that he was truly the Son of God.
It is with this event that the Feast of the Transfiguration (“Apple Savior”), which is celebrated on August 19, is associated. On this day, they not only glorify Jesus Christ, but also sanctify apples and other fruits (according to popular custom, they can be consumed since then).
An important feature of the Savior, like many other holidays, is the combination of Christian pathos with calendar rituals and customs of cleansing from evil spirits. For example, during the “honey” celebration (“makovei”), which takes place on August 14, fresh honey is blessed in the church. Established in 1164 in honor of the Byzantine victory over the Muslims. This day is especially revered in Russian Orthodoxy, since it is believed that it was on August 14 that the Grand Duke of Kiev Vladimir was baptized. The third - "grain" saving - is celebrated on August 29, coinciding with the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter sowing. Christianity connects it with the honoring of the miraculous image of Christ, imprinted on a towel and handed over to Abgar, the king of Edessa.
In many parishes, the Feast of the Savior is also patronal (temple).
Exaltation of the Holy Cross. One of the twelve holidays dedicated to the cult of the Cross as a symbol of the Christian faith. The church connects several events with the cross. According to legend, the Roman Emperor Constantine, before one of his largest battles, had a vision: a cross illuminated in the sky with the inscription “With this conquer!” That same night, Jesus Christ himself appeared to the emperor in a dream and advised him to take into battle a banner with the image of a cross. Constantine did so, in addition, he ordered his legionaries to paint the sign of the cross on their shields. Constantine was victorious in the battle and from then on believed in the miraculous power of the cross, although historical facts show that to commemorate the victory, Constantine ordered the minting of coins with the image of pagan gods, which he believed helped him in the battle against his enemies.
The Church established this holiday in memory of the receipt by the mother of the Roman Emperor Helen in the 4th century. the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. So that the people could see it, the cross was raised (erected) on Mount Golgotha, where Christ was executed, and in the place where the cross was found, a temple was built, the consecration of which took place on September 13, 335.
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross is solemnly celebrated on September 27. It is accompanied by magnificent rituals. During the service, a cross decorated with flowers is brought out and placed in the middle of the temple. The ceremony is accompanied by ringing and church chants.
Believers revere the cross as a symbol of Christianity as a symbol of redemption, suffering and salvation, believing that every person, like Christ, must overcome his own “way of the cross.”
Mother of God holidays. They cover the holiday in honor of the Virgin Mary - the mother of Jesus Christ (Theotokos). These are the Nativity of the Theotokos, the Entry into the Temple of the Theotokos, the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Feast of the Dormition, the Intercession (the first four belong to the Twelves) and many holidays in honor of the “miraculous” icons of the Theotokos.
In the honoring of Mary the Mother of God, there are traces of veneration by the ancient peoples of the goddess of the earth, who gave birth to the savior, God's son - the god of vegetation. The creation of the image of the Christian Mother of God was influenced by the ideas of the ancient Egyptians about the goddess Izidu. Christianity depicts the Mother of God as the “queen of heaven,” a winged celestial being “shrouded in the sun.” On her head is a wreath of twelve stars. The ancient Egyptian goddess Isis was also depicted as the queen of heaven, believing that she gave birth to a divine son, the savior Horus. The Christian Mother of God has common features with the goddess of the Syrians and Phoenicians, Astarte.
Ancient peoples worshiped these goddesses, considering them deities of the fertility of the earth and livestock, and intercessors of agriculture.
The church also borrowed the idea of the virgin birth from pre-Christian religions. According to the myths of the peoples of the Ancient East, Mithra, Buddha, and Zoroaster were born from immaculate mothers. It was these myths that served to create the Christian legend about the “immaculate conception” of the Virgin Mary.
Nativity of the Virgin Mary (Malaya Prechistaya). The church associates it with the ancient agricultural autumn holidays, timed to mark the end of the harvest. On this day, it is emphasized that the Mother of God is a great righteous woman, a helper and intercessor of people, the patroness of agriculture, who with the “birth of Christ” took the first step towards their “eternal salvation.” Celebrated on September 21st.
Introduction to the Temple of the Virgin Mary. Connected with the tradition of three-year-old Mary being brought up in the Jerusalem Temple. By establishing this holiday, the church primarily pursued the goal of convincing parents of the need to bring their children to church at an early age. Celebrated on December 4th.
Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is celebrated on the occasion of Mary receiving news from the Archangel Gabriel that she will give birth to a child from the Holy Spirit. In Rus', the church associated this holiday with the beginning of spring field work ("blessing" of seeds, etc.) and signs of the future harvest. Celebrated on April 7th.
First Most Pure One. The Church celebrates it as the day of remembrance of the Mother of God. The church interpretation of this holiday is much reminiscent of ancient Syrian legends about the death of Cybele, the goddess of fertility. In Rus', the holiday of the Assumption merged with the ancient Slavic pagan holiday of harvesting and sacrificing bread and fruits to the spirits. Celebrated on August 28th.
Intercession of the Virgin Mary. This holiday is associated with a vision of the Virgin Mary, which allegedly appeared in 910 in the Blachernae Church of the Virgin Mary in Constantinople. During the night service, the holy fool Andrew, who was canonized, and his disciple Epiphanius allegedly saw the Mother of God, surrounded by angels and saints, appearing above them, praying for the salvation of the world from troubles and suffering, with a white veil spread over everyone.
The holiday came to Rus' along with Orthodoxy; the church used it to supplant the autumn pagan holidays that were held at the end of field work. It is celebrated on October 14th.
In Ukraine, the holiday of the Intercession is very respected; it has absorbed the traditional veneration of women, mothers, and the feminine principle in general, personified in the image of the mother earth. The Ukrainian Cossacks had a special attitude towards this holiday.
Easter (Easter). This is one of the most significant Christian religious holidays. It was established by the first Christians in memory of the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Historically, the holiday comes from the custom of some ancient peoples of the Middle East (Babylonians, Egyptians, Jews), who were engaged in cattle breeding, to sacrifice lambs and calves from the first litter to the spirits during the spring holiday. They believed that this would appease evil spirits, and they would no longer destroy livestock and send diseases to them. With the transition to agriculture, bread, cakes, fruits, etc., baked from the grain of the new harvest, were offered as an atonement sacrifice to the spirits. These agricultural holidays merged with cattle Easter and adopted its name. they were united by the hope of the miraculous good power of deities who die and are resurrected.
Christianity borrowed this tradition, embodying it in the doctrine of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. But the main idea - God's self-sacrifice for people - has been preserved. The religious essence of the ritual remained the same as thousands of years ago: by making a sacrifice to cleanse people from evil, illness, misfortune and tragedy.
The idea of salvation, at least after death, became widespread, especially among the common people. The image of Christ, who voluntarily accepted martyrdom, seems to call for enduring earthly suffering. As Christian teaching established itself and developed, it developed the ceremony of celebrating Easter, and from the 2nd century. this holiday has become one of the main ones.
The week before Easter is called Great, or Passionate, because its days are associated with the Passion of the Lord. Particularly important days begin on Thursday, which is called “clean”. It is associated with the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the apostles.
The material embodiment of the resurrection are Easter eggs (in Ukraine - krashenki, pysanky) a symbol of life, spring, sun, in Christianity a symbol of the atonement of human sin.
In Kievan Rus, the celebration of Easter was introduced in the 10th century. Here it merged with local Slavic spring holidays. In the spring, before the start of agricultural work, the ancient Slavs held a festival of the sun, which “resurrects”. In those days, they made sacrifices to the spirits and deities of vegetation, and sought to satisfy the spirits of deceased ancestors. Christian Easter absorbed many of the ancient Slavic religious rituals, including public family meals in which bread, cheese, eggs, smoked meat and the like were prepared.
Since in early Christianity the celebration of the resurrection of Christ coincided with the Jewish Passover, at the Councils of Nicaea (325) and Constantinople (381) it was decided to celebrate Easter on the first Sunday after the full moon, which occurred either on the day of the vernal equinox (March 21), or after him. But it was obligatory to celebrate Passover on a different day than the Jews. According to the lunar calendar, the spring full moon falls on the same date, behind the solar calendar on different dates and even on different days of the week. Therefore, Easter does not have a precisely established calendar. It is celebrated within 35 days.
To more accurately determine the date of Easter for each year, appropriate calculations were made, which are called Easter. In Orthodoxy they have remained unchanged to this day. In Catholicism, the formula for these calculations has undergone some changes, so both churches do not always celebrate Easter on the same day.
