so happened that many Christian Orthodox holidays were imposed on older pagan.This was done in order to make the people better and faster to get used to the new religion, adapted to changing needs and conditions of life.An example of these celebrations is the story of the wives-bearers.
Date celebration
Holiday Myrrhbearers - a special event in Christianity.Certain date he has not - it depends on how many falls in a given year, Easter.It celebrated the triumph of the third poslepaskhalnoe Sunday, on the 15th day after the day Easters.If an early Easter, the feast of the Myrrh-bearers came at the end of March or the first half of April.When later he says the church in late April or May.Gala is considered not only the Sunday, but the whole week afterwards.Among the people who believe in these days made congratulate mothers, sisters, grandmothers, aunts, daughters, husband.After all, the holiday Myrrhbearers considered in Christianity is feminine triumph.
Two Mary
We have heard the names of those who in the face of the Orthodox Church celebrates the female half of humanity.These are two Mary - one known to everyone Magdalene, a former sinner, repent of their debauchery and adopted as the main precepts of Christ and necessary for life.The second - the wife of Cleophas.According to various sources, it was a sister of the mother of Christ, or the wife of the brother of St. Joseph the Betrothed - the husband of Jesus' mother.Third biblical texts speak of her as a mother of the Son of God's family - James, Joses, Simon, Judas.There is also a holiday Myrrhbearers in memory of John, faithful disciple of Christ.She went to his other listeners in Galilee and secretly buried the head of John the Baptist, when that killed Herod.
Mother of the Apostles and sisters of Lazarus
highest honor the memory of the church deserved, and Salome.She - the mother of Jesus' apostles and disciples, James and John.She was also the first after the Magdalene Christ appeared at his resurrection.In various Gospels also mention the sisters Martha and Mary of Bethany was born - their Savior honored by the presence and preaching.But they believed in him after Christ was resurrected their brother Lazarus.And, of course, Susanna, which the Evangelist Luke says - it served as the Son of God "on behalf of his."Thanks to these individuals long to this day with a holiday greeting Myrrhbearers take pious and righteous Christian women.
about events
Many who do not know the history of the holiday, may wonder why the wives called myrrh bearers?How to understand this expression?We find the answer in the Bible, in the New Testament.It is a resident of the places where Jesus walked and taught.They are happy and hospitality privechali Christ in their homes, take it as my personal savior, serve Him, and went after him.When Jesus was crucified, these women had witnessed His suffering on Calvary.The next morning after the execution, when the body was removed from the crosses crucified and buried, they came to Jesus' tomb to anoint the body of His peace, as required by Jewish custom.Hence the name of celebration.Congratulation to the holiday Myrrhbearers also associated with the good news of the resurrection of Christ that brought these women to other people.After all, Jesus appeared to them after death on the cross.They first learned the truth about salvation and immortality of the soul from the gentle angel, point them to open the empty tomb.
spiritual and moral ties
myrrh-bearing women were revered in Russia especially.It is connected with the element of piety in Russian culture and spirituality.Morality and ethics, strict standards and requirements of Orthodoxy entered into the flesh and blood of the people, especially the female part.Simple peasant pole-noblewoman, representatives of merchant and petty bourgeoisie tried to lead a life of righteousness and fair, in the fear of God.Good deeds, donations to the needy, giving charity to the poor and charitable deeds for the needy - all of this was done with a special elation and the desire to please the Lord.What else is characteristic of Russian Orthodoxy, it's extremely chaste attitude toward the sacrament of marriage.Fidelity to one's word, the oath before the altar (ie, the covenant that I will Christ) in the old days is a hallmark of Russian women.The ideals of these people live in the now.Myrrh-bearing women differ gentleness, humility, patience, forgiveness.That's why they have become a role model.And the earth gave Christianity a lot of Russian saints and the righteous, blessed and martyrs, the glory of Christ to do good.Mother Matrona, Xenia of Petersburg, Fevronia of Murom, Abbess Catherine and many others worshiped by the people as the patron, assistant, Consolazione, healer, true followers of Christ's work.
Orthodox International Women's Day
Orthodox holiday Myrrhbearers not in vain considered to be international.His joy is celebrated in many countries around the world.This is not surprising.After a woman gives birth to a new life into the world, bringing to the world the idea of goodness and love, it is a homemaker, a support to her husband and children.In fact, who are the myrrh-bearing women?Conventional mother, sisters, spouses, but those who live according to the commandments of God.The most striking and significant sacrifice personified femininity, love and forgiveness is undoubtedly the Virgin.But other holy righteous and deserve everyone's respect and praise.That's why the beautiful half of humanity has two ceremonial events.This March 8, and the feast of Saints Myrrh-bearers.
ancient Slavic roots
As already mentioned, many Christian important dates connected to religious practice and the popular mind with the earlier pagan rites and rituals.The priests did not always agree with this statement, but ethnographic research proves the validity of such conjectures.As for the Christmas holidays is Christmas, midsummer night Ivano-togethers and many other magical days.It happened on a holiday Myrrhbearers.The Slavs it coincided with the end of youth festivals to Radunitsa.Often, it is the third poslepaskhalnoe resurrection in many places today's Russia, Ukraine and Belarus performs the rite of initiation or kumleniya.
Killing festivities
action was related to the ancient village of magic, sorcery, and the then new Christian symbols.For the ceremony was chosen "Trinity Tree" - a young birch forest glade, or on a large maple tree branch, which was introduced into the house.Trees decorated with ribbons, wreaths of wildflowers.The wreaths hung uzelochki with colored eggs and / or crosses.Women and girls gathered around birch and "kumilis": kissing criss-cross each other and exchanged through the wreaths and crosses Krashenki.Perstenki and were given necklaces, earrings and necklaces, scarves and belts.The essence of the holiday and this was, to a woman of the village or the village have become more friendly.In addition, around the birches circle dances, sang songs and always hearty meal.Unmarried girls wondered at "another heart," and family - about his future life.The main dish was fried, which was called "woman's."Generally, when the holiday myrrh-bearing women advancing, also spoke about it, "a woman's."Other names
holiday and its connection with Christianity
this day people had a lot of names.The main definition of them is indicated on the feminine.His and clicked "Babia yaishney", "Babia Bratchina", "Babia week", "Kumitnym" or "Zavivalnym" Sunday (from "curling" birches - weave its branches in the form of arches and braiding braid).What's interesting: almost none of Russian province was not a single regulation celebrations.In Pskov and Smolensk, Kostroma, and Nizhny Novgorod, as well as others, in its own stated "Indian Sunday," or feast Myrrh-bearers.The script always different.The only thing that unites them - the eve of the women went home, collected bread, pastries, eggs and other products for the general feast.The holiday is required to unmarried girls and their older cousin, first they went into the church to defend the mass.Once he ordered a general prayer for all the women of the village.Paying for it is not the money, and eggs, which is also included in the ritual Mironositskaya week.And in the evening festivities actually began: with dances and songs, and other paraphernalia of the holiday.And then followed by a feast.In regions where flax grown for a rich harvest was eaten often scrambled under a special plot.
Funeral motives
Among Mironositskaya days a week need to allocate time for the remembrance of the dead.For these purposes, each have to serve the general Prayers - mundane, for the late members of the church.In SATURDAY under Mironositskaya Sunday, in many localities visited the cemetery and the graves were left Krashenki.In this tradition also clearly echoes of pagan cults, such as ancestor worship.Played a role in the origin of the holiday and the deification of nature, the change of the seasons, as well as offensive agricultural pores.
«Mironositskaya" days today
Orthodox Women's Day is celebrated today in all Christian parishes in Russia and abroad.Sunday school teacher at churches prepare children concert for mothers, grandmothers, sisters.The songs, poems, short plays enacted scenes from the Holy Scriptures, they celebrate not only the biblical characters, saints, but just all women - continuer of the human race, the embodiment of peace, kindness, love.If Sunday schools operate workshops, the teachers with the students prepare small gifts for the guests.It is usually, frames and shelves under the icons, painted wood or burnt egg patterns, bags for prosforok and other beautiful and useful items, as well as themed paintings, appliques.Organized with the soul, such holidays left a deep imprint in the heart and have great educational and moral significance.
Temple celebrations
All Orthodox churches, churches and cathedrals in those days the solemn liturgy.From everywhere come to places of faith pilgrims to experience their community with the whole Church of Christ.Lay people attend services at least zealously than the Orthodox believers.Within the walls of the houses of God, in the examples of pious clergy, the wisdom of the Holy Scriptures, they seek and find support to help survive in our hard times and giving hope for the future.After the Divine Liturgy, the shepherds are turning to the congregation with a special word - pathetic sermon, which congratulates all women with bright, joyful holiday.
Church with respect and reverence not only refers to the biblical feat wives.Particular attention is paid to the Fathers his Word celebrated and unknown, humble hard worker Vera.Anyone who works in the spiritual field, the Christian arena, making a daily, sometimes imperceptible feat of the glory of God, addressed words of gratitude, the grace of the Lord's wishes, health and peace - in the hearts, in families, between people.In his sermons, pastors emphasize that without women's participation, without the support of women, their hard work for the good of the Church, Christianity would not have gained such wide circulation.In Russia, for example, in the era of atheism is women remained a stronghold of faith and indomitable courage.Therefore, although they are called weaker sex, their mission in the Orthodox Church is significant.This should always remember to be the personification of parishioners and spiritual purity, chastity, eternal bearers of Orthodox moral values.Women must fight for peace, and an example Myrrhbearers inspires them on this thorny path.
