Dormition of the Blessed Virgin: what can and cannot be done. Is it possible to work for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Christian rules, superstitions
The Feast of the Dormition in Russia is celebrated by the Orthodox August 28. The date is permanent - every year on the same day. In "new style" churches that live not according to the Julian, but according to the Gregorian calendar (in Greece, for example), it falls on August 15th.
On this day, as on other Mother of God holidays, the vestments of the priests are blue. You can wear a blue or blue dress to the temple - it will be beautiful.
What can you eat?
The Feast of the Assumption is one of the twelve most important and solemn in the Orthodox Church. In 2018 August 28, it falls on a Tuesday, so no post you can eat any food. If the holiday falls on Wednesday or Friday (of the year), then meat, dairy products and eggs are excluded from the meal, but fish is allowed.
What can not be done on the Dormition?
There are many superstitions: they say that you can’t work on the Assumption, walk barefoot, wear it, cut bread with a knife. Rather, one cannot believe in these signs, no matter what day of the year they refer to. Summing up, let's say what is possible and what is not possible on the Dormition:
- Baptized people can confess, take communion at the liturgy.
- You can wear something blue to the temple.
- In 2018, you can not fast - eat any food.
- You can arrange a family dinner in honor of the holiday.
- It is impossible forbidding to work, cook food or cut bread.
- You can’t read conspiracies (there is a superstition that an unmarried woman needs to read a conspiracy on this day) - the church does not welcome them, like on any other day of the year.
The history of the holiday - what happened on the Assumption
After the ascension of Christ, the care of the Virgin Mary was taken by the Apostle John the Theologian. At one time he preached in Ephesus(now in Turkey). Now, next to the ruins of the city, there is a house that is called the house of the Virgin Mary. It is a place of great pilgrimage for believers and the curious. After the excursion and inspection of the Ephesian Library, the people visit the house on a high hill surrounded by forest. Candles are burning in it, and next to it, in the courtyard, there are almost always pilgrims who sing psalms and akathists. Mostly in Latin.
Ruins of Ephesus Library, Turkey Tradition says that last days the Mother of God spent her earthly life in Jerusalem. Once, during a prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, the archangel Gabriel appeared and said that in three days the Lord would take her to him. She wanted to say goodbye to all the apostles who in those years preached all over the world and could not come together so quickly. However, a miracle happened: the angels “delivered” them on clouds to the bed of the Virgin. Only Thomas was absent. For his sake, the apostles opened a burial cave in Gethsemane, but they did not reveal the body of the Most Pure One there, making sure that she bodily ascended to heaven.
Icon of Theophanes the Greek
Perhaps the most famous icon depicting the event of the holiday is the icon by Theophanes the Greek (XIV century). It is now stored in Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. On the icon, the Blessed Virgin is dressed in crimson clothes, on her feet are purple shoes, which only emperors in Byzantium could wear. This emphasizes the fact that she is the mistress of the world and the queen of heaven. Christ holds in his hands a baby, personifying pure soul Mother of God. Around the bed are the mourning apostles. And the architectural details on the right and left indicate that everything happens indoors, in a room.
The main Assumption churches in Russia
Perhaps the most significant among the hundreds of temples dedicated to the Assumption are Vladimirsky Assumption Cathedral and Assumption Cathedral Moscow Kremlin. In Vladimir, the temple is famous for the fact that it was built in the pre-Mongolian period, in the 12th century. It became an architectural canon for a long time.
Assumption Cathedral in the Moscow Kremlin It was on his model that the same cathedral arose in the Moscow Kremlin in the 15th century, the murals of which are now admired by tourists. On August 28, there is a patronal feast, a liturgy is to be held.
Photo: Pixabay.com; ShutterStock/Fotodom.ru
The Assumption of the Virgin began to be celebrated only in the 5th century. In Rus', this holiday appeared along with Christianity, because it is one of the twelve main church celebrations. Every year on August 28, Orthodox churches in Russia celebrate this holiday.
History and meaning of the holiday
After the death of Christ, only the apostle John remained to look after the Virgin Mary, as for his mother. Such was the request and decree of Jesus Christ before leaving for Heaven. The rest of the apostles set off to wander the world in order to spread faith in Christ. Mother Intercessor herself already knew that she would soon meet her son. By divine intervention, the apostles returned to her home in Jerusalem.
First, an archangel appeared to her, who announced the approaching end of her earthly life. He said that she would soon be reunited with Christ and God the Father, entering His Kingdom. Around that time, all the apostles appeared to her, for whom she prayed tirelessly. When the time came, Heaven burst into a bright, blinding light, from which Christ appeared, surrounded by angels, archangels, and peaceful souls at rest. He himself came to take his Mother with him, so that they could reign together, hand in hand. After that, the Virgin Mary left this world. The body of Mother Intercessor soon disappeared from the coffin, in which only a pleasant fragrance remained. The tomb was opened, but the body was not found. It is believed that the Lord took both the body and the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Heaven.
This holiday is not mournful, but beautiful and symbolic. It shows us all the power of love and symbolizes the meeting of two worlds, the power of maternal feelings.
Traditions of the Dormition in 2018
For Christians, this day is a kind of analogue of Mother's Day. Men on this day congratulate mothers, grandmothers, present them with gifts. This may be the icon "Assumption of the Virgin" or some other image of the Mother of God. Mothers are given more attention on this holiday.
If the mother is no longer alive, then she is remembered with a kind word. Children go to church to pray to God for the repose of their mothers' souls or for their health.
At the very beginning of history Orthodox Rus' people followed some folk traditions. For example, housewives arranged a feast for their household members, prepared dishes from a recently harvested crop.
In that great holiday you can not clean the house, work in the garden, do laundry. folk rules They say that you can not use a knife on this day. That is why it is customary to break bread with your hands.
You can not quarrel with loved ones and commit bad deeds in relation to the surroundings. August 28 you can not go to church in a bad mood. They say that on great holidays, negative thoughts need to be driven out of your head, leaving room there only for something bright and kind.
On August 28, it was forbidden to walk barefoot in Rus': it was believed that this way you could attract trouble and get sick. You can’t wear uncomfortable shoes, because a popular sign says that all year a person who went to the Dormition in tight boots will be overcome by failure.
It is customary to pray for the Assumption in the temple and at home to certain icons. Prayers on this day have a special meaning because this great holiday symbolizes salvation and love. The Mother of God prayed tirelessly, so all Christians should pray for their happiness and the salvation of their souls.
Dormition Holy Mother of God- this is a special day for all Christians, because it is dedicated to the Mother of God. Namely: her dormition. It falls every year on August 28th. In the people it is also called the First Pure. Reports podrobnosti.ua
According to legend, on this day the apostles who preached in different countries, gathered in Jerusalem to say goodbye and perform the burial of the Virgin Mary, mother of the Savior Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church celebrates the Assumption of Mary on August 15th. The Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos coincides with the end of the Dormition Fast, which is considered strict.
Anyone who has fasted for two weeks can begin to eat a variety of foods. But, if the Assumption of the Virgin falls on Wednesday or Friday, then you need to wait another day. On this day, believers go to church to honor the memory of the Most Holy Theotokos. People will ask for help and protection from the Most Holy Theotokos.
Folk signs on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
After the Assumption, the Indian summer begins, which will last the whole of September. In ancient times they said: "See the Dormition, and meet the autumn." If a rainbow appeared in the sky on this day, autumn will be warm. And good weather for the holiday - Indian summer will be cool.
A lot of cobwebs symbolize that the winter will be frosty and with little snow. During this period, Ukrainians complete the harvest: the last sheaf was left in the fields on the Assumption, and seeds and ears of corn were brought to the church different breads for consecration. After the Feast of the Assumption, people began to gather mushrooms and nuts in the forests and store them for the winter.
What must be done on Assumption
Going to the temple for service In the old days, these days, ears of wheat from the new crop were brought to the church for consecration. Now this is not practiced. But the service on this day is special - solemn and festive. It is also necessary to put a candle by all means, while remembering all relatives and friends. Pray for children The Mother of God, as our ancestors believed, on this day especially sensitively listens to prayers for children.
Therefore, you need to ask the Virgin Mary for health for the kids, and for the happy fate of girls of marriageable age. Giving alms and feeding the poor on this day is considered a rule. Because on a day like the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, all people should feel joy and protection, including those who do not have financial stability.
Making preparations for the winter is not only possible, but necessary! It was believed that in the near future the garden would not have the variety of vegetables that could be prepared in reserve. Particular attention was paid to pickling cucumbers. And, of course, on this day you can get married. Accepting matchmakers and discussing the details of the upcoming wedding is a very good sign that promises a happy married life.
What not to do on this day
On this day, one should not pick up piercing and cutting objects, as well as cook food. Believers break bread with their hands, since a knife cannot be used.
You can’t walk barefoot on the Assumption. It was believed that in this way you can collect all the diseases. The dew on this day is the tears of nature that the Mother of God has left this world and cannot be with people and help them.
Also, you can not wear old or uncomfortable shoes on this day - to avoid problems in life. If you rub your leg on this day, then a difficult, full of problems and failures life awaits.
On this day, believers will ask the Most Holy Theotokos for help and intercession. Before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos they also pray:
about getting rid of the fear of physical death;
about the strengthening of faith;
in illnesses.
Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos: Prayer
Kontakion to the Most Holy Theotokos on the Day of Her Assumption
In prayers, the unsleeping Mother of God / and in intercessions, immutable hope / the coffin and mortification will not hold back: / as if the Mother’s Belly / to the stomach / cease / / into the womb of the ever-virgin.
Troparion
In the Nativity you preserved virginity, in the Assumption of the world you did not leave the Mother of God, you reposed to the Life, Mother of the life of the Life: and with Your prayers you deliver our souls from death.
Photos from open sources
Orthodox around the world 28 August celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin- one of the twelve great holidays (they are also called the twelfth).
The holiday was preceded by a strict two-week Assumption Fast, which lasted from August 14 to 27 (you can read everything you need to know about it).
Important:If August 28 falls on a Wednesday or Friday, believers are still not allowed to eat meat and dairy products - only fish.
In 2018, the Assumption is celebrated on Tuesday, so such restrictions will not apply.
Dormition - the last twelfth feast of the Orthodox Church year having interesting background and their traditions. What we will tell about now.
history of the holiday
Let's start with the term itself. The word "assumption" from Old Slavonic is translated as "peaceful death" or "sleep".
None of the four Gospels contains a description of the Assumption of the Mother of God (that is, there is no information about the time, circumstances of the death and burial of the Mother of God).
The information is mainly taken from non-canonical religious texts - Apocrypha.
Here is what can be gleaned from the legends:
After the ascension of Jesus Christ, according to his will, Mary remained in the care of the apostle John.
By the time of his death she lived in Jerusalem.
Once, during a prayer at the Holy Sepulcher, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Mother of God and said that in three days she will "depart to Christ God". According to church tradition, the apostles who preached in various countries miraculously gathered in Jerusalem to say goodbye and perform the burial of the Virgin Mary.
- The Mother of God was buried in the tomb of her parents, righteous Joachim and Anna. After the burial, the apostles closed the entrance to the cave with a stone. Currently, there is a church named after the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin. Pilgrims from all over the world come to this temple.
The Apostle Thomas did not have time for the funeral of the Virgin. He managed to get to Jerusalem on the third day after the burial. When the coffin was opened so that he could say goodbye to Blessed Virgin, bodies The Mother of God was no longer in it - only her shroud.
On the same day, the apostles all gathered together at a meal, and the Mother of God appeared to them, surrounded by angels, and said: "Rejoice! - for I am with you all the days".
Thus, the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos is considered a holiday, and not a reason for sorrow, becauseThe Mother of God was reunited with her son.
Assumption of the Virgin: Church Traditions
On this day, during the divine services, the priests dressed in blue clothes, since this color refers to the colors of Our Lady.
Festive services begin with an all-night vigil. In churches on August 27, on the eve of the Assumption to the faithful take out the shroud with the image of the Virgin. Is done with her procession around the church, after which all worshipers are anointed with oil. The holiday is also praised by a special akathist (chant).
Assumption of the Virgin: Folk Traditions
Among the people, the feast of the Assumption is also called the First Pure. During the autumn period there are three Pure Ones: "The first Most Pure rye sows, the second - waters with rain, and the third - covers with snow".
To the First Pure the harvest in the orchards has begun. Only winter varieties of apples and pears are left on the trees.
It is also believed that This best time for weddings. They say, "if you don't find a boyfriend before the Assumption, you won't get married until spring" or "you won't have time to look after the Assumption - you'll spend the winter in girls."
On this day, according to folk omens, do not wear old or uncomfortable shoes- this will help to avoid problems in life.
It is also considered that you can't walk barefoot in the dew- this threatens to "collect all diseases on itself", since it is on this day that the earth mourns for the Mother of God.
Moreover, on this day no one to quarrel with, you can’t cut food with a knife and you can’t stick anything sharp into the ground, because it needs to rest.
According to signs on the Dormition determined the nature of the coming autumn, as well as winters: "Hoarfrost on trees - to frost, fog - to thaw."
Often people, both far from the Church and believers, ask themselves whether it is possible to work for the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos. It happens that a person goes out to work in a large Christian church, but during the activity various problems begin (for example: things are not going well, trauma).
Thus, many begin to associate these coincidences with the fact that you can’t work, you need to relax and have fun. But let's figure out how to be in reality, how to make it really take place.
Some information about the Orthodox holiday
The Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos is one of the most important of the Twelfth. Many people think that dormition is death. Along with this, the question arises of how this can be a holiday. In fact, this is the transition from earthly life to the afterlife. The Most Holy Theotokos was originally chosen by God the Father. She lived her life piously, setting an example for all people, especially women and mothers. And people who please the Lord always come to the kingdom of heaven. The Most Holy Theotokos endured sorrows and sufferings on earth. She received great consolation when she passed into eternal life. Therefore, Her Dormition is a holiday for Christians. Every deeply religious person also wants to find paradise, hopes for help Mother of God.
But still, many people ask priests about whether it is possible to work for the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. Often the answers are: "It is not forbidden if it is not possible to transfer the hours of work to a more appropriate period." Lord knows that modern man You have to work on weekends and holidays, shifts or even days. In no case should you evade duties, take sick leave with a false diagnosis. It is better to devote the morning hours of September 28 to the prayers of the Mother of God. If the employee knows by heart the kontakion and troparion for the holiday, as well as prayers, then it is better to mentally engage in pious deeds without disturbing the work process.
How should a Christian behave on the eve of the Assumption
For two weeks before the Assumption of the Mother of God, it is advisable to observe a feasible fast: do not eat meat and dairy products, confess, pray and deny yourself entertainment. This is done in order to remember: we ourselves are waiting for the transition from earthly life to eternal. Orthodoxy mentions that the Most Holy Theotokos was very afraid to meet with demons when it would be necessary to go through ordeals. But Her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, led his earthly mother into the kingdom of heaven painlessly and fearlessly, bypassing the demons. It is for the Christian death that we need to pray to the Mother of God.
But is it possible to work for the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos if the profession is mental and it will be impossible to be distracted by prayer? Most likely, you will be able to carve out at least one minute to remember the Mother of God. The main thing is sincere and attentive prayer.
Work in the Dormition
In past centuries, when in Rus' Orthodox Church was practically in the first place, it was not allowed to work both on Sundays and on holidays. But in our time, unfortunately, it is often impossible even to take a couple of hours off in the morning. By no means is this a reason to be discouraged. As we have discussed above, there is always the opportunity to make a prayer.
But is it possible to work on the holiday for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the garden, in your own garden, to do housework? Priests often answer something like this: if it is impossible to postpone until next day, then you can work, but only after the festive service in the temple, which you must attend.
On a holiday you need to be in the temple
It would be regrettable if a Christian without good reason will not come to the festive service in the temple, where praise will be offered to the Lord, where troparia and kontakion will be sung for the feast in honor of the Mother of God.
It should be noted very important point that people do not accidentally ask each other and the clergy: “Is it possible to work for the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos?” Customs, beliefs and various signs lead to confusion, cause various doubts.
Every experienced priest will say that various signs and prohibitions associated with church holidays are from demons. There is no need to take these or those instructions of people around the church seriously. Below we will look at what signs are common and how to behave.
What signs exist and should they be trusted
There is a belief that it is supposedly impossible to walk barefoot on the feast of the Assumption. If you ask advisers about what this is connected with, then you definitely won’t get an answer.
It's just an omen. The same applies to the knife: supposedly you can’t cut bread on this day, you need to break it off. And there is no explanation for the reason. And, of course, the most pressing question: "Is it possible to work compiled by demons and inspire people to be confused.
What can be done on the feast of the Assumption
In fact, it is allowed to do any pious deeds, do good, pray. But it is advisable not to be late for the liturgy in the morning, pay attention to the service and stay for communion. And about whether it is possible to work for the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos, it is better to ask the parish priest.
We hope that you were able to figure out what to do on September 28 - in a big religious holiday. Remember that signs are not applicable, and troubles at work are an occasion to pray and understand that it was worth going to the service if possible.
So is it possible to work for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary? Yes, of course, if there is no way to postpone things. Therefore, if the boss does not let go, then do not shy away from duties and do not lose heart.
