Despite the fact that in recent years the religion began to occupy in our lives quite important and more and more people are turning to the church, many of them sincerely considered themselves Orthodox Christians, rather uncertainly oriented in such important for the believer attributes as the church calendar.While the date of the main Orthodox holidays are known to all, the dates of many other holidays for some parishioners, especially the youth, remains a mystery.
place on October 14 in the Orthodox calendar
Not everyone is aware of what religious holiday celebrated on October 14 in the Russian Orthodox Church.Parish priest of any patiently explain what this day is celebrated one of the biggest festivals of light.It is called a triumph - Protection of the Blessed Virgin.
Why celebration takes its name
very name of the festival is closely intertwined with its history and meaning.Outstretched cover, which the Virgin holds in his hands as a bedspread, a wide band - omophorion, designed to protect the faithful from various afflictions, troubles, evils and enemies.This holiday is considered by church canons throned and celebrated only in the Russian Orthodox Church.Therefore, October 14 Orthodox holiday and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, her intercession and protection.
History of celebration of the Holy Virgin
event, which owes its origin to October 14 Orthodox holiday, happened at the beginning of the X century AD in the then capital of the Byzantine Empire - Constantinople (Constantinople).They were pagan times in Russia before her christening Prince Vladimir had to pass more nearly a century.In 911, the Prince of Kiev, Oleg Prophetic nicknamed for his penchant for divination (magic, witchcraft), joining Russia and Kiev Rus of Novgorod and stood at the head of the Slavic tribes, led the troops to the conquest of the Byzantine Empire.Warriors barbarians under his leadership sought to capture Constantinople, but they only managed to ravage and plunder its surroundings.
Frightened residents of the capital have taken refuge in the temple, where he kept the robes - Robe of the Holy Virgin, her head cover and belt particles.The temple at the time was the only refuge for the townspeople.
diligently and faithfully the people prayed at the Holy Virgin Mary Reese, asking her about saving and expulsion of barbarians.At this time in the Church of the Holy Fool Andrew appeared with his disciple Epiphanius.Praying lasted several days, and one day, just on the night of October 14, Epiphany saw the phenomenon of the Virgin with John the Baptist and John the Evangelist.Our Lady of the first as it was in the air, then began to pray together with the faithful, and by removing the head omofor-veil hid them all present in the church, protecting them from enemy attack.
next morning, Prince Oleg ordered his troops to retreat from the city and hastened to divert them from the Byzantine Empire, and not having achieved victory.Thus, the Immaculate Virgin interceded for the faithful, and not give offense to the Christian people to the Gentiles!
Why celebrate the holidays October 14 in Russia
Since the above event on 14 October in Byzantium became celebrated annually as a celebration of the Virgin, her intercession for the entire Orthodox world.But the Byzantine Empire fell and disappeared from the face of the Earth as a state many centuries ago.Slowly began to fade and the tradition of celebrating October 14 as an Orthodox holiday in these areas.Residents of Turkey, has a Muslim state, have little interest in the development of the history of Christianity in their country in the past century, and almost do not know what religious festival October 14 Orthodox Christians mark.
in Greece, in another world center of Orthodoxy, for unknown reasons on October 14 as the feast of Our Lady and her intercession never caught on and has not been approved by the canons of the Church as a triumph.Despite the fact that the Greek Orthodox Christians are quite sensitive to such events in the history of Christianity, they have not taken on October 14 as an Orthodox holiday.
In the second half of the XII century, to the reign of Bogolyubsky Christian faith in Russia to conquer the increasingly strong position.Andrew Bogolyubskii being a Russian prince and devout Christian, drew attention to the episode in the history of the Byzantine period in the development of Christianity.According to a special decree of 1164 in Russia and began the annual observance of October 14 as the feast of the Holy Virgin.
Why this festival has become one of the favorite for the Russian Orthodox Christians
If you ask Russian Orthodox Christians, a religious festival is one of their favorites, you can often hear the answer, that on October 14 - the feast of the Virgin.Those who are alien to the tradition, wonder, can not understand the reasons for the love of the Russian people as the most the Blessed Virgin Mary and her relationship to an initiate holidays October 14th.
From the time of ancient pagan Rus notable for their pride and self-will and always aspired to independence and freedom, not only physical, but also their views.Never any force failed to Prince Vladimir baptized Rus and inculcate the spirit of Christianity in Russia if Russian soul is not reached instinctively religion of light, love and kindness, not recognized the Mother of God and the Son of it as their home, as the defender and protector of the Russian land, notI felt the constant presence of the Mother of God in the heart.Russian man can not be forced to take in the faith that does not take his soul, it can not be forced to celebrate those holidays that he was not to their liking.
But despite the special decree Bogolyubsky, nobody in Russia is not planted specifically the worship of the Virgin and her holidays.The soul of the Russian people responded rather on the real attitude of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the common people, in her love for every human being, and not on the historical fact that once happened in ancient Byzantium.And so the Russian people are not afraid to entrust her soul and yourself entirely.Because also honors her as his own mother and asks her fashion icons with forgiveness, pardon, blessings and assistance.
Russian Orthodox Christian in the air needs to protect her in her patronage, and always with faith and hope, looking at her image with omophorion, over the outstretched asking for protection.This faith makes life easier, helps to experience difficulties, does not give a place in the hearts of malice and hatred.Therefore, the Russian people and love to celebrate October 14 - the feast of the Virgin.Only Russian man can forgive the offenders and observe faithfully the canons prescribed by the Orthodox Church.In response, the Holy Mother of God October 14 every Russian will have mercy and give her motherly love.
Caring Lady of the Russian land
Since ancient times the Blessed Virgin Mary is considered the protector of Russian lands.Russian people call her Mother, and firmly believe that their dedication and love of the Mother of God tells them the same motherly love and reliably covers the protective veil of their homeland.
It is difficult to enumerate all the wonders that were created by it on Russian soil.No country in the world can boast the patronage of Our Lady.
particular concern she showed for Russia when the latter threatened to foreign invaders, to give protection to the Russian troops.As once in the distant Constantinople Russian people, following the example of the early Christians prayed before the icons it if their city were in danger of ruin and destroy invaders.No one has throughout history could not conquer, conquer and destroy Russia, shelter cover Dame.And it is unlikely the great generals and brave Russian soldiers would be able to win the fierce battles only because of its prowess, if not asked for help and protect Advocate.Always before Russian troops were carrying images of the saints, of Christ the Savior and always Virgin.
Help the Blessed Lady of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War
Even when Hitler's troops tormented Russia, ordinary Russian people, soldiers and priests of the few surviving wonder of churches and temples, secret from the agents of the Soviet counter-intelligence and the KGB, prayed to the Virgin and askedher help.
After the war and the rest of his life Russian soldiers carried the memory of that moment when, in November 1942, in the night Stalingrad sky appeared to them the face of the Virgin, although not all of them at the time knew what a religious festival on October 14, celebrated by Orthodox Christians.From that time it began to fracture during the war and the expulsion of the Nazis from Soviet soil.
Army Hitler, at that time the strongest in the world, conquered and trampled all over Europe, has failed to break through to the Volga, could not break the spirit of the Russian soldiers, inspired vision Advocate Protecting.
What was seen in the skies over Stalingrad was documented.Several dozen soldiers witnessed their testimony in writing.According to eyewitnesses who managed to find a few decades after the war, a vision that he was fortunate enough to behold, it has become for them a real shield not just in war but also in life after it.None of these people in the future are not affected by the Stalinist repression.
Russian traditions associated with the celebration of October 14
What religious holiday celebrated on October 14 to meet many interesting traditions, know, of course, those Orthodox Christians who regularly attend church.These traditions are as a church and a people's, invented by the Russian people, fun-loving and fun.
One of the main traditions is that over the entrance door to the house have to hang an icon of the Holy Virgin.It is believed that if you do not meet this condition, the house will remain unprotected by both evil people and vulnerable to unclean spirits.
In this holiday you need special care and attention to be sick people, poor, lonely old people, orphans, widows.In earlier times, this day they gave gifts, mostly clothes.Pious people believed that taking care of those in need of help and make their lives happier.
to enlist the help of the Mother of God for the whole family, you the eve of October 13 the whole family through a sieve to sprinkle holy water, while reading the Mother of God a special prayer.
believed that the Blessed Virgin Mary in October 14 celebrations helps young girls, unmarried women and widows, to determine the further destiny and to find a husband.Therefore, for them, this day has a special significance.Those who want to get married this year, come to the church before the start of the holiday, light candles before the icon of Intercession of the Theotokos, and pray for the happiness of marriage and family life.
still many interesting traditions, rituals, fortune-telling and folk to take due to the holidays October 14th.And as in any other religious holiday, that day can not do homework everyday, and you need to go to church as a family and to ask Mother for protection and intercession.At home, it is best to devote time to reading holy books, talking about the Savior and His Mother, saints, upright quiet prayer and spiritual enlightenment.
