Annunciation - one of the revered holidays in Christianity.He timed event that happened in the days of the Gospel, namely the appearance of the Virgin Mary in front of the Archangel Gabriel, who told her about the future birth of his son.Since the Annunciation is a symbol of the good news to all people.
Background Annunciation
In those days, girls are brought up to fourteen years at the temples, and on reaching this age are usually married off or returned to their parents.And for the Virgin Mary came to find a decent man, but she made the decision to remain a virgin and dedicate his life to serving the Lord.
Priests attend to her wishes, and an eighty-year old man was betrothed to Joseph.So she moved to Nazareth and went to live in his house.Joseph guarded her chastity, she lived modestly and lonely as before in the temple.
Four months later, it happened a phenomenon of the Archangel Gabriel, who is known for her that she would be the mother of God's Son.Not knowing her husband, the virgin Mary accepted the will of God.It is believed that if the Mother of God had such faith, if for some reason abandoned the words of the Archangel, the conception would not have happened.This shows a very important moment for the people.Faith has a very large effect, without it nothing can happen.
At that moment happened very Immaculate Conception.Of course, at this point there are many skeptics, but believers are called this time only as a miracle.
Now, in honor of this event in many cities there is a temple of the Annunciation.
Customs at the Annunciation
This day is very significant for Christian believers.His character can be called a flying bird that traditionally run on the Annunciation.It meant freedom, any, but most importantly - the search for God's kingdom.It is also customary to read the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.The church held vigil starting a special evening service.
Also on this day is forbidden any work.It was said that even the bird nests are not Vietnamese, girl braid does not spin.
also had to burn through the salt and add it to the dough from which various baked bakery products.They have given and family and pet.There was a sign that this salt helps to cope with the disease.
Annunciation - a day when nature wakes up from the winter and begin agricultural work.There was the consecration of all grains and seeds for planting.To do this, we bring the icon placed next to them and read the prayer.It was believed that this contributes to a rich harvest.
existing signs and superstitions for this holiday
There are also signs in the day - both natural and domestic.For example, in the presence of wind, fog or frost was told about a rich harvest.If rain watered the earth, it will be a good crop of rye if there was a frost, it's a fungus.But the storm foreshadowed a lot of nuts and warm summers.
The Annunciation can not give money to anyone in debt or ask.In the first case will be given to good luck, and the second - the whole year will pursue financial difficulties.
is not recommended at this day to do any manipulation of the hair, as this will weaken them, and they will fall.
was considered good luck for the next year to steal something.
healing power had that day unleavened bread taken in the temple.It kept the whole year and, where necessary, soaked a piece of a human patient.
Day celebration of the Annunciation
Feast of the Annunciation falls on March 25 in the Julian calendar and the Gregorian 7 April, which we use today.However, this number corresponds to the only Russian, Jerusalem, Ukrainian, Georgian and Serbian Orthodox Church still here and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic part, and so accepted the Old Believers.
by day this holiday BC exactly nine months.The day just before and after the Annunciation by him also committed festivities.They are canceled when they coincide with Holy Week or light.
If we talk about the Catholic and Protestant church, they have the holiday falls on March 25 on the modern Gregorian calendar.
Icon of the Blessed Virgin
Images of this event were found in the catacombs, which date from the II-III century, although the holiday was not installed before the IV century.
icon of the Annunciation located at the royal doors.It is surrounded by the four Evangelists.It has a symbolic meaning.There is carried out a comparison of the importance of the Annunciation of the Blessed Sacrament and of Christ, referred to in the Communion.By the way, that this icon is a representative of one of three types, which are in Russian iconography.It shows the Virgin Mary with the yarn, which is also symbolic.The meaning of this image with spinning that as a result, there is the flesh of Christ, while Virgin was pure and unspoiled.
Another type is the image of the Mother of God with the baby in the womb before he was born.Icon "The Annunciation of Ustyug" clearly illustrates this way of writing.
There is also another type of writing.This is the "Annunciation at the well of."Such an image can be seen on the walls of the temple.Its meaning is that God heard the voice of the mother out of the well, warning her about what would happen.It is now considered as if predblagovescheniem.
There are also attributes that may be present in the form of:
- lily - means chastity and purity, both spiritual and corporeal;
- spindle (red yarn), spinning wheel - the flesh of Christ;
- book;
- paradise branch that keeps the Archangel Gabriel;
- a beam of light;
- well - cleanliness;
- pitcher;
- swallow.
Prayer to the Mother of God
Annunciation is a great event in Christian history.It was good news that the possible salvation and redemption.The act of obedience to Mary as a perfect counterbalance once disobedience of Eve.
Obviously, this is why the icon to the prayers for various ailments for their healing, and if someone is in custody of any kind.The intercession of the Mother of God helps in time of onset of depression or grief.
Some temples built in honor of the Annunciation of the Virgin
Church of the Annunciation is in almost every city.There you can come to pray, to talk about their troubles and sorrows to ask for intercession.There are also those that are in poor condition and require rehabilitation, but this does not become less valuable.
For example, there is a temple in the village of Ryazan province caper.It is in a dilapidated condition, has the status of a cultural object.Its history goes back to the construction of 1752.
also has an ancient city of Tula operating temple of the Annunciation, the construction of which relate to 1692.During Soviet times, there were warehouses.Since 1990 he is an active recovery, which does not end with this day.
in the Komi Republic in Sizyabske is also famous church of the Annunciation.Year of construction refers to the years 1843-1854.
And this, of course, not all the famous buildings.In honor of this event built a sufficient number of temples and churches.
Temple Fedosino
first mention about the temple of the Annunciation Fedosino refer to the XVII century, when a wooden church was listed documents.She belonged to the Ascension Convent.
Now the temple is built of brick, as in the XIX century.Also around it once was a cemetery, which was demolished.The temple itself was destroyed many times, but always at the command of God to restore it.
If we talk about the Fedosino, then for a long time the village was prosperous, it was a school, develop their craft.Over time, all of this is not, and after the revolution, it does become a run-down village.
Over time, the site grew Fedosino buildings where relocated villagers.Restoration of the temple began in 1991 and continues to this day.Also, it was liberated and the miraculous icon of the Theodore Mother of God, on account of which one is already well-known miracle.
Basilica of the Annunciation of the Virgin
There are also numerous Annunciation Cathedral across Russia and neighboring countries.For example, the oldest building in Moscow, which was built in 1489.It has an interesting history - it several times destroyed and then rebuilt.It has ancient icons that are written even by Andrei Rublev.
Athens is also the Cathedral of the Annunciation, which is considered an important center of the Greek Church.It is also called Metropolitan.
this cathedral was built from 1842 till 1862.Nearby is the more ancient construction - Micro Metropolitan, which dates back to the XII century.
addition, Ukraine in Kharkov there is also a large Cathedral of the Annunciation.It is built in the Byzantine style, perhaps, is the only such temple in Orthodoxy.Its history is rather obscure origin, the first mention of it was about 1720 years.
Temple as many times subjected to fire, but rebuilt it again.Cathedral status received in 1914.
Thus, an event that happened in the Gospel times, are now embodied not only in the festive reverence, but also in-built facilities, icons, prayer.
