Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin - the history and customs of the holiday

The Feast of the Annunciation recalls the great event that begins new era in the history of mankind. According to biblical tradition, on this day the Archangel Gabriel came to Mary from Nazareth to announce that the Holy Spirit had miraculously descended on her, and the Virgin had carried the Son of God in her womb. The Annunciation of the Virgin, unlike Easter, is always celebrated on the same day, since it belongs to the category of “fixed” church holidays and falls on April 7 (March 25 according to the Julian calendar), that is, exactly nine months before the Nativity of Christ. The event is one of the 12 most important Christian holidays. Many rules and beliefs are associated with this day in church traditions and folk beliefs.

Story

This event was first depicted in the Gospel of Luke. It describes the visit of the archangel Gabriel to Mary, who brought the good news that she was chosen as the Mother of the Son of God. He approached her and said: “Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with you.” The maiden was frightened, but the messenger reassured her, explaining that she had been chosen from among many women to complete great work Creator for the salvation of the human race.

The evangelist pays special attention to the devotion to faith that characterizes the girl. Mary humbly and gratefully accepted the honor declared to her with deep trust in God's intentions. Despite the special significance of this event for Christianity in general, the feast of the Annunciation was not officially approved for a long time. The Church of the Eastern Rite introduced it into the liturgy in the 5th century, while the Catholics recognized it only in the 7th. Initially, the focus was on the image of Christ, who, at the moment of the good news, began his sojourn on earth. This day was worshiped because it became the date of the incarnation of the Lord in human form.

Later, in the era of the Early Middle Ages, a significant date began to be identified with the Mother of God, as the one through whom God's plan was fulfilled. This is evidenced by the ancient temples of the Annunciation dating back to the 9th-10th centuries, built in honor of the Virgin Mary. One of the most common prayers of Orthodox believers is associated with this holiday. The troparion "Our Lady of the Virgin, Rejoice", along with "Our Father" is included in the list of morning prayers that must be read. He is present in all solemn liturgies. Among Western Rite Catholics, this prayer is known as "Hail Mary".

Church and folk traditions

Christianity and paganism on the territory of Russia were closely intertwined. A bizarre mixture of church dogmas and ancient customs is also characteristic of the celebration of the Annunciation. The laity believe that on this day every prayer will be answered, and by performing simple actions, you can secure good luck and prosperity for the whole year.

Church canons

Annunciation Holy Mother of God traditionally coincides with the time of Great Lent and its special milestones. If it does not fall on Bright Week, as well as the feast of the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), then the order of the church service is as follows:

• Great supper. Likewise with Easter and Christmas services, the service begins the day before and continues throughout the night. The time at which the service is held is not chosen by chance and has its own history. It goes back to the era of the birth of religion. In the early days of Christianity, when the neophytes were especially severely persecuted, the night and early morning were the safest times for services. This symbolism has carried over to the present day.
• Matins. One of the longest annual cycle services. It differs from the daily canon in a set of prayers, which, according to believers, have special power. Therefore, many try to get to the Annunciation service. During Matins, food is blessed. This event is characterized by a special rite - the breaking of bread, during which the priest blesses the bread and wine and distributes it to the parishioners.
• Vespers. The final stage of the celebration is the evening service. It is performed in the order adopted for this day of the week.

Since the Annunciation coincides in time with Great Lent, in honor of the holiday, the church allows relief. On such a great day, a fasting parishioner is allowed to eat fish and wine. If this date falls on Wednesday or Friday, then the strict fast at these moments is canceled.

folk customs

In Russia, the Annunciation often coincided with the beginning of work on the ground, so it was perceived as the beginning of spring, the moment of the final departure of the cold. Such symbolism contributed to the emergence of rituals and beliefs associated with fertility. It was believed that before this date nothing could be planted and sown, since the earth was still asleep.

To increase and preserve the harvest on this day, the ancestors performed the following rituals:

• Firewood was burned in the oven and the resulting ash was mixed with salt consecrated in the church. The resulting mixture was scattered around the corners of the field or garden. It was designed to protect the owner's site from the evil eye, to protect plantings from hail and harm caused by people.
• Grain blessing. The elder man in the house baptized the spring crops prepared for planting with the icon of the Annunciation in his hands and spoke to the harvest.
• The crumbs from the bread consecrated during the morning liturgy were mixed with seeds for planting. Also, for the same purpose, the ancestors added a little Annunciation salt to the grains.

For peace between family members, well-being at home and health, the following techniques were used:

• Everyone had to eat the consecrated prosphora on an empty stomach and drink it with water taken from the church. This remedy was supposed to protect a person from diseases and troubles, to give good luck and prosperity.
• Preparation of Annunciation salt. Each family member living in the house had to take a handful of salt, which was subsequently heated with a corresponding conspiracy-wish in a pan and poured into a common bag. This mixture was considered a powerful remedy against diseases and a protective talisman against the evil eye. It was poured not only to people, but also used for animals, birds.
• Women whose husband had a violent temper or a bad temper had to call their spouse 40 times "cute". Then, according to legend, he will be affectionate and helpful all year.

There were also rituals for the fulfillment of desires, which were to be carried out on Annunciation days. These actions include:

Symbolic release of birds into the wild. In 1995, the church resumed this ceremony on a national scale. But if now it is a beautiful ceremony, then in the old days this ritual had practical significance. Then it was believed that in this way you can get rid of troubles and failures and gain prosperity. To do this, it was necessary to purchase a bird the day before or in the morning and tell it about your problems and requests that were addressed to God. Then during the service they were released. It was believed that the bird would fly straight to the Lord, since on such a great holiday the heavens open.

Conspiracy-prayer to the archangel Gabriel. If a person had a special desire, then in order to fulfill it next year, it was necessary to go to the crossroads at sunrise, and bowing 3 times to the east, read a prayer to this angel three times and state the request in your own words. Merchants and other merchants on the Annunciation did not miss the opportunity to strengthen their fortune. In order for the trade to be successful and there were always many buyers in the shop, on the day of the celebration it was necessary: ​​In the morning, before the arrival of the first buyer, sprinkle the premises and goods with charmed water. As a whisper-prayer, texts were used that said that “as the people go to the temple on a holy holiday, so the buyers came to me.” Visit the church, be sure to wait for the holiday bells. When the bells start toll, it was required to pick up a purse and say certain words about the multiplication of money in it. Give generous alms to the beggars standing near the entrance to the temple. Thieves also have their signs on this day. Previously, there was an opinion that the fraudster who steals some thing on this day, even if it is of little value, a mere trifle, will be lucky on his way all the next 12 months. This belief is typical for the day of the Good News. If other dates are accompanied by their rituals for increasing fertility, well-being, improving health and fulfilling desires, then the thieves used the opportunity to receive the “amulet” only on April 7th.

Prohibitions

The Annunciation, like many other church feasts, has its own rules and restrictions. Some of them are especially strict, like not doing anything.

People say “on the Annunciation, a girl does not weave a braid, a bird does not build a nest.” The legend of the cuckoo is connected with this belief. The legend mentions that this bird does not have a home due to the fact that it deliberately violated the Lord's prohibition. Since then, she has been forced to throw her eggs into other people's nests and be persecuted by everyone.

It is also impossible on the Annunciation Day to perform the following actions:

• To lend something or, conversely, to give money and things to strangers. Otherwise, you may lose your well-being, health, peace and peace in the family. This requirement should be strictly observed, even if the person asking you for something is well known and it is inconvenient for you to refuse him. It is important to ensure that nothing is taken from your home. Therefore, on April 7, it is undesirable to invite guests. The holiday is usually celebrated with family.
• Sewing, weaving, knitting. Many peoples of the world associate a thread with life, so anyone who picks it up for work can confuse their fate, bring problems and troubles.
• Take care of your hair. You can not only cut your hair, wash your hair, but even comb it because of the danger of destroying your destiny. Hair may also fall out as a punishment.
• Put on new clothes. New things will quickly break or irreparably deteriorate, and during the year there will be no opportunity to purchase others. Girls who violate the ban will not get married until the next Annunciation.
• Start something new. Otherwise, there will be no success in business. The modern sign that serious things (construction, business, etc.) cannot be started on Monday had a different interpretation in the old days. Previously, it was believed that one should not take on any business on the day of the week corresponding to the past Annunciation. For example, if this celebration fell on Wednesday, then it was considered an unlucky day next year.

This day should be spent as you would like. It is believed that what this holiday will be like will be the whole year. Therefore, you should not take offense at the Annunciation, swear with the people around you. On the contrary, it is necessary to spend the day in a good, bright mood. Don't be alone. Even if you don't have your own family, take the opportunity to visit your relatives, meet your friends. For people who have pets, it is advisable to feed them well. Crumbs of consecrated prosphora should be added to food. Thus, the owner protects not only himself, but also his pets from diseases for the future.

Signs for the Annunciation

• What the weather will be on April 7th, it will be the same for Easter. In addition, if on this day: there is snow, then it can be seen in the field and on Yegory (May 6).
• In the morning, frost or fog will fall - by a summer favorable for the harvest, a strong wind was also considered a good sign in this respect.
• Rain - summer and autumn will be mushroom; thunderstorm - to the hot summer months.
• Sunny calm weather - to frequent thunderstorms.
• It is not visible on the streets of flying swallows - the spring will be cold and protracted.
• If the night is warm during the vigil, then spring will come together, without serious frosts.

Folk signs and observations concerned not only the weather, but also human life. There was an opinion that:

• Whoever gets drunk on the gospel will have bitter drunkards in his family.
• The one who kindles the stove will have a fire in the near future.

Prepared on the basis of information from free sources

The Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos is an Orthodox holiday that has one day of forefeast and one day of afterfeast, on which the Cathedral of the Holy Archangel Gabriel celebrates.

The events of the Annunciation are described in the Gospel by the Apostle Luke - on this day they remember how the Archangel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary the good news of the conception and birth of the Divine Infant - Jesus Christ.

The divine history is familiar to almost everyone, but on the eve of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he invites you to remember it again, as well as to get acquainted with the history, traditions and signs of the holiday.

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Virgin Mary, who was given to the Creator from birth, is undoubtedly the most chaste in the entire Universe - she lived and was brought up until she was 14 years old in the Jerusalem temple.

Mary, when the time came to leave the temple, was found in the husbands of the elderly pious carpenter Joseph, who was supposed to protect Her purity and innocence.

Therefore, the Virgin Mary, when the Archangel Gabriel announced to her that She had found the greatest grace from God - to be the Mother of the Son of God, she was embarrassed and asked the Angel how this conception would come about.

As an example, the Archangel cited the barren relative of Mary, Saint Elizabeth, who at an advanced age conceived a child six months ago, and thereby understand that there is no limit to the possibilities of the Lord.

Having heard the all-merciful will in the speeches of the Archangel, Mary said: "Behold, the Servant of the Lord; be it to me according to your word." Holy conception happened, as they say today, at the moment of pronouncing this phrase by the Virgin Mary.

© photo: Sputnik / Vladimir Astapkovich

Icon "Our Lady of Vladimir" (1652. The front side of the double-sided icon. Simon Ushakov)

Joseph, having learned that Mary was carrying a child, wanted to secretly let her go, but the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said: “Joseph, Son of David! Do not be afraid to accept Mary as your wife; and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins..."

Joseph did as the angel told him - he accepted his wife. Everything, as predicted, happened - they had a son, and they named him Jesus.

history of the holiday

It is assumed that the holiday was established by the apostles, since images of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos dating back to the 2nd-3rd centuries are found in the paintings of the catacombs, where the first Christians gathered for prayer.

However, they began to celebrate the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos especially - much later. This was facilitated by the discovery by St. Helena Equal-to-the-Apostles at the beginning of the 4th century of the Holy places of the Savior's earthly life and the construction of churches in these places, including the basilica in Nazareth, on the site of the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin.

© Sputnik / Alexander Imedashvili

The ancient Christians called the holiday differently - the Annunciation of Christ, the Conception of Christ, the Annunciation of the Angel of Mary, the Beginning of Redemption, and only in the 7th century it was given the name of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, both in the West and in the East.

The feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, according to some sources, was established by St. Cyril of Jerusalem, and by the end of the 7th century it was one of the most important in Byzantium. At about the same time, it also spread to the Western Church.

The date of the Annunciation both in the East and in the West is March 25 (April 7 in the old style). The Annunciation was dedicated to the day preceding Christmas by nine months, since the feast of the Nativity of Christ was historically established much earlier.

This number also agrees with the ideas of ancient church historians that the Annunciation and Pascha occurred on the same day of the year, as historical events.

Traditions

Since ancient times, the feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos has been especially revered in Russia. On this day, according to ancient tradition, people released birds from nets and cages. This custom was revived in 1995 and is now performed in many temples.

The peasants, on the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, according to tradition, according to the number of households, baked prosphora in the family - unleavened church bread, which was then lit in the temple.

© photo: Sputnik / Balabanov

Image of the Mother of God. Fragment of the icon "Annunciation (Ustyug)"

They ate the illuminated bread at home on an empty stomach, and, according to tradition, the crumbs were added to seeds and pet food. The people believed that the harvest would be rich due to this, and the livestock would be healthy and prolific.

The people perceived the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos as a holiday of spring - the beginning of a new agricultural year. Grain, according to tradition, people consecrated before sowing, placing the icon of the Annunciation next to the grain.

On this day, in the old days, "they called out to spring" - they made a fire and jumped over the fire, danced round dances, sang "vesnyanki". People considered the Annunciation fire the best protection against diseases, damage and the evil eye.

People beat mallets, rang a bell, copper utensils to protect cattle from wolves. There was a sign among the people that wolves would stay at the distance over which the sound would spread.

Signs

The holiday of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos among the people was surrounded by many signs. The main sign says that all land work and housework are prohibited. In the old days, people said that even a bird does not nest on this day, because it is a sin.

According to legend, the cuckoo did not obey the rules of this day and made a nest, as a punishment she can no longer build nests, and is forced to lay her eggs in the nests of other birds.

In many houses, according to tradition, on the eve and on the day of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, they tried not to light a fire, but in order to attract good luck in the oven, according to signs, one should burn a few pinches of salt.

On the feast of the Annunciation, people believed that the angels rejoiced in heaven, and even in hell they ceased torturing sinners. The earth wakes up from its winter sleep and opens up towards spring. And with the inhabitants of the earth, all evil spirits awaken together.

Therefore, on the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, rituals were performed that protected from disease and evil. It was a good omen to wash yourself with melt water, fumigate winter clothes with smoke, and so on.

Fire was considered the best protection against snakes, so it was customary to burn the garbage accumulated during the winter. According to signs, not a single crumb can be dropped on the Annunciation, otherwise there will be no rescue from insects.

© photo: Sputnik /

On the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, it was customary to guess for happiness - they baked small money in church prosphora, and whoever gets it, happiness will smile at him all year.

Under the icons they placed Annunciation consecrated water, as they believed that it would raise the sick to their feet, and they used it to solder the cattle.

In the old days, it was believed that consecrated water does not deteriorate for a whole year, unless a sorcerer or a person with dark thoughts touches it.

On the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, it is a bad omen to pour grain from bag to bag and lend, therefore, it was strictly forbidden to do this.

On this day, the hostess drove the chickens off the perch with a broom so that they rushed to Easter.

© photo: Sputnik / V. Drujkov

Icon of the Annunciation, late 16th century

A lot of signs are connected with the harvest and the weather. So, according to a sign, chickens will not lay well if the night before the sky is dark without stars. A sign of the wheat harvest is a sunny day on the Annunciation.

According to signs, rain on a holiday - to mushroom autumn, to good fishing. A thunderstorm on a holiday indicates a warm summer and a good harvest of nuts. If a thunderstorm thundered on a holiday, you can expect a warm summer and an excellent harvest of nuts.

According to signs, the frost on the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos indicated a good harvest of spring and cucumbers.

What are they praying for

They pray before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos of the Annunciation for relief and healing of their ailments, for release from imprisonment, and in general - to receive "good" news about something.

Prayer

Accept, O All-Mighty, Most Pure Lady Mistress of the Theotokos, this honest gift, the only one applied to You from us, Your unworthy servants, chosen from all generations, the highest being of all creatures of heaven and earth. For the sake of Thee, for the sake of Thee, the Lord of hosts be with us, and by Thee we will know the Son of God, and we will be honored with His Holy Body and His Most Pure Blood. Blessed are you also in childbirth, God-blessed, the brightest of the Cherubim and the most honest of the Seraphim. And now, All-holy Mother of God, do not stop praying for us, Your unworthy servants, to deliver us from every advice of the evil one and from every circumstance, and keep us intact from every poisonous pretense of the devil. But even to the end, by Your prayers, keep us uncondemned, as if by Your intercession and help we save, glory, praise, thanksgiving and worship for the whole in the Trinity to the One God and all the Creator we send, now and ever and forever and ever. Amen.

Material prepared on the basis of open sources

The church holiday of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is dedicated to an event that stands on the border of two eras in the history of mankind - the Old and New Testaments. The beginning of the countdown of the New Time comes from the Nativity of Christ, and it happened exactly 9 months after the Annunciation.

Origin of the Feast of the Annunciation

Like other akathists, it is written on the model of the main akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos “Hail, Unbrided Bride” and consists of successively alternating kontakia and ikos. Accurate information about the creation of the main akathist "Rejoice, Unbrided Bride" is not available today. It is believed that it was written sometime between the 5th and 7th centuries by one of the great authors - perhaps Romanus the Melodist, George of Pisidia, or Patriarch Sergius.

But all subsequent akathists were compiled according to his model.

The Akathist to the Annunciation gives all believers the opportunity to join this holiday, since the Annunciation often falls on weekdays, when most people are busy with work and do not have the opportunity to attend services. You can read it both in the temple and at home.

Advice! But one should not think that reading an akathist makes sense only on this holiday. No, you can read it throughout the year.

Among the Canonical Gospels, the episode of the Annunciation is present only in the Gospel of Luke.

Old and New Calendar Styles

According to the old style, the date of the Annunciation is March 25, and the date of the Nativity is December 25. Orthodox Church lives according to the old calendar. Therefore, if you look at these dates from the point of view of the New Style, they are shifted forward by 13 days - April 7 and January 7.

Please note: Unlike the Orthodox, the Catholic Church lives according to the new style.

There Christmas - December 25 in a new style. Moreover, in Catholicism, such great importance is not attached to the Annunciation, as in Orthodoxy.

About other Mother of God holidays:

In Orthodoxy, the Annunciation is one of the twelve, that is, the most significant holidays after Easter, and, according to modern interpretation, is the Mother of God.

There are also Lord's feasts dedicated to important events in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Orthodox Church believes that the countdown of a person's stay in the earthly world goes not from the moment of birth, but from the moment of conception. For the legitimate conception of babies, the Church blesses married couples in the sacrament of the Wedding.

Church charters regarding the Feast of the Annunciation

As mentioned above, The Annunciation is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on April 7 in a new style. This is a non-transferable holiday, that is, unlike some other twelve, it is celebrated every year on the same date.

The forefeast and the afterfeast are one day. Afterfeast is also the Cathedral of the Archangel Gabriel.

It is too big celebration, but it does not apply to the twelfth. As on the day of the Archangel Michael (November 21, according to the new style), one of the supreme Angels is venerated. There are eight supreme Archangels in total, and, when praying to one of them, an Orthodox Christian is supposed to mentally collect them all. Also, according to the teachings of Orthodoxy, there was also a ninth archangel named Dennitsa, but he fell away from God and became the devil.

The week preceding the day of Easter is called Holy Week in Orthodoxy, and the next week is called Bright Week.

Attention. The Great Lent preceding Holy Week these days is even more aggravated.

A Christian is forbidden entertainment and worldly pleasures, watching TV and reading unprofitable books are also not blessed.

On the Bright Week, on the contrary, it is strictly forbidden to fast.

So, if the Annunciation falls on Passion or Bright Week, then the prefeast and afterfeast are transferred to other days. Similar coincidences are possible due to the fact that Easter is a movable holiday, and every year it falls on a new date.

The Orthodox and Catholic Churches use different methods to determine the day of Easter.

The Annunciation is a fast day, but the laity are allowed fish dishes and vegetable oil. But meat, chicken, eggs and dairy products are prohibited.

In fact, work is also prohibited, but, due to the secular nature of our state, prescribed in the Constitution, usually believers go to work on this day. But at least they should refrain from physical work on the ground, in the field, in gardens, in vegetable gardens, as well as from washing, cleaning, sewing, and visiting hairdressers.

Some famous temples dedicated to the Annunciation

First in Russia stone temple, dedicated to the Annunciation - the Annunciation Cathedral, erected by Grand Duke Vasily, the son of Dmitry Donskoy, in the period from 1397 to 1416. By 1482, during the reign of Ivan 3, the building fell into disrepair due to age and was dismantled, a new temple was erected in its place.

In 1547, by the beginning of the reign of Ivan the Terrible, the building suffered a fire, and was later restored.

About the churches consecrated in honor of the Annunciation holiday:

In Israel, in a holy place, near the source where the Virgin Mary visited and where the First Annunciation took place (information about it is based on the apocryphal writing from James), the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation was founded in 1750. It still operates today.

The source is located in the crypt of the temple, above it there is an icon, famous for many miracles.

Church of the Annunciation in Israel

Popular beliefs on the Annunciation

The following beliefs about this day are common among the people:

• Do not lend money and other things - you can bring yourself poverty.
• Girls do not weave braids, do not comb their hair.
• Do not wear new clothes - they will not last long.
• Wives try to call their husband "dear" as often as possible - if you do this 40 times, then he will be kind to his wife all year.
• Do not sow - there will be a crop failure.
• How you spend this day, and the whole year.
• Do not heat the oven, do not bake pies.
• Well, if there is a thunderstorm on this day, the summer will be warm and fruitful.
• If it rains, there will be a good harvest of rye.
• Swallows do not fly - spring will be cold.
• In general, this day among the peasants is considered the real beginning of spring.

However, it should be noted that such beliefs are not recognized as true by the official Orthodox Church and have no theological value.

Advice! The Russian Orthodox Church does not impose such prohibitions on its parishioners on this holiday, but recommends, if circumstances permit, that they attend the festive service and partake of the Mysteries of Christ.

Orthodox Literature on the Annunciation

1. Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Fr. Seraphim Slobodskoy
2. On the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, Metropolitan Kirill
3. Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary "Bible Encyclopedia"
4. The wisest Psellus Word on the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos archim. Ambrose
5. Conversation for the Annunciation of St. Proclus, Patriarch of Constantinople
6. Word on the Annunciation of Our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary St. Nicholas Cavasila
7. Omilia XIV. On the Annunciation of Our Most Pure Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, St. Gregory Palamas
8. Annunciation of the Metropolitan Veniamin (Fedchenkov)
9. Sermon on the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary by St. Dimitri Rostovsky

Watch a video about the Feast of the Annunciation

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is an Orthodox holiday that takes place every year April 7(March 25, old style) and is exactly 9 months away from the date of the celebration. The holiday was established in remembrance of the announcement to the Virgin Mary by the archangel Gabriel of the good news about the conception and birth of the Divine Infant Jesus Christ by Her. The Annunciation has one day of fore-feast and one day of after-feast, on which the Cathedral of St. Archangel Gabriel.

Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos. worship

Holiday Annunciation in the Orthodox tradition is consonant with the Gospel (from the Greek. " good news"). The icon of this holiday is usually placed on the Royal Doors, the Mother of God is depicted on the top on the right half, and the Archangel Gabriel is on the left. The Annunciation sometimes coincides with Easter. This holiday is so great that even Easter service does not cancel it. According to a special Charter, the hymns of the Annunciation and Pascha can be combined.

The festive divine service tells the prayers about the event of the holiday, explains the meaning of the fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. Again and again we hear explanations of the great Mystery of the Incarnation. In verses, in addition to describing the event of the Annunciation, the same thoughts are expressed as in general on the Mother of God holidays. It is said that, thanks to the birth of the Lord from the Mother of God, heaven is again united with the earth, Adam is renewed, Eve is freed, and we become partakers of the Divine, we become the church, that is, the temple of God. Very beautiful and full of deep meaning are the verses of the Great Vespers, constructed as a dialogue between the Archangel and the Mother of God:

With the advice of the eternal, tkryvaz You ntrokovitse, gavrii1l presented, you kissed and 3 things, the radius of the earth is not inhabited. raduisz cupino2 did not fall1maz. radiusz depth2 inconvenient visibility, radiusz m0ste k8 nb7sє1m trans. and 3 ladder vy0kaz, u4zhe їya1kov vi1de. raduiz ru1chko divine manna. raduisz the resolution of the class. Raduisz Gdam's exaltation, with you gD.

K vseshimisz ћkw chlk, speech imperishable z ntrokovi1tsa to ґrhistrati1gu. and 3 how you veshchayesh gly more than a chlka. with me rekl є3si2 bGu bhti, and3 sat1tisz in my womb2. and 3 as I will be clay, in a 8 spacious place, and 3 a place of suc7enz, and 4 even on the cherubimah ascending. yes, do not deceive me flattering, heaven 2 understands a man. marriage є4sm is not involved, like ybw ntrochA birth2.

B G and 3dzhe x0chet, wins є3stva chi1n, speech is free. and 3 even more than a man they create, my 1 believe with a true verb, everything © taz and 3 is immaculate. cry out 2, be me nhne according to your own depravity2, and 3 birth 2 of the unembodied, the flesh t borrowed me, let him raise a bang, ћkw є3d1n silen, ancient worthy, extreme descent.

On the polyeleos, the magnification of a holiday or a saint is always sung, beginning with the words: “We magnify thee ...”. Magnification of the Annunciation is special:

Ґ rhagglskyi voice crying out to you. Radiusz Bradovannaz, GD with you.

The canon for the holiday was compiled in the 8th century. It was written by famous Orthodox hymnographers John of Damascus and Theophan, Metropolitan of Nicaea. The canon is built in the form of a dialogue between the Mother of God and the Archangel Gabriel. The canon speaks of the Divine condescension towards people of the incarnating Savior and points to the extraordinary greatness of the Blessed Virgin, who accepted God into herself.

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The Apostle (Heb. II, 11-18) expresses the idea that for the salvation of people it was necessary for the Son of God to take on human flesh. The Gospel (Lk. I, 24-38) contains a story about the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Troparion to the holiday. Church Slavonic text:

Let us bring salvation to our beginnings, and 3 eternal secret manifestations, ch7 b9ii, ch7 dv7yz happens, and 3 gavri1l the joy of blessing. dark i3 we2 s8 ni1m btsde vozopіє1m, radiusz њbradovannaz gd s8 you.

Russian text:

Today is the beginning of our salvation and the manifestation of the mystery that has been from time immemorial: the Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin and Gabriel proclaims the good news of grace. Therefore, we also exclaim to the Theotokos: Rejoice, rejoicing one, the Lord is with you.

Holiday kontakion. Church Slavonic text:

In the chosen war, it is victorious, how and 3 liberating t shlh, thanks to the resurrection of your slaves, your 2 btsde. but ћkw and 3mu1schi the power is not conquered, t all our troubles of freedom2, let us call you, raduisz the bride is unmarried.

Russian text:

To you, the supreme Commander, having got rid of troubles, we, Your unworthy servants, Mother of God, sing a song of victory and thanksgiving. But you, who have invincible power, free us from all troubles so that we cry out to You: Rejoice, Bride who has not entered into marriage.

Celebration of the Annunciation in Russia. Folk customs and traditions

According to the strength of popular veneration and the size of the celebration of Christian holidays in rural life Since ancient times, the day of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos is in third place after the Nativity of Christ and Holy Pascha. In everyday life of working village life, this holiday was considered a day of complete rest. In many villages, in the evening, at sunset, they went to the mills and settled down on the straw for a peaceful conversation about what the coming spring will be like, what the sowing, what the plowing, what the harvest. The Annunciation was considered a day of blessing for every good deed, especially for agricultural work. According to popular legend, on this day, as on Easter, the sun “plays” at dawn and sinners are not tormented in hell. Before the revolution, there was also a custom to release caged birds on this day as a symbol of the announcement of freedom to all people.

On this day, the smallest physical work, even leaving or leaving on the road to earn money, was considered the greatest sin. Not idle fun with the seasoning of festive revelry, but precisely concentrated, silent meditation befitted this holiday of perfect peace, freedom from work, based on an immutable belief and universal conviction that " on Annunciation Day, the bird of the nest does not curl, the maiden does not braid her braids". Not for one day in the year are there so many signs and fortune-telling as on the day of the Annunciation: it depended on it the largest number those beliefs that were strengthened on practical economic foundations.

Icons of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The oldest images of the Annunciation are frescoes in the ancient Roman catacombs (II century) and images on early Christian sarcophagi. Already by the 5th century, icon-painting canons had developed from the early Christian ones, which remain almost unchanged in Byzantine and Russian icon painting.

Annunciation. Pietro Cavallini, Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, 1291

The basic principles of the iconography of the holiday are a two-figure composition representing the Archangel and the Mother of God.

The most common version is the "Annunciation with Yarn". The Mother of God is represented sitting at the spinning, an angel with a staff in his left hand blesses her with an impulsive gesture, reporting the message sent by the Lord. According to Tradition, the lot fell to the Virgin Mary to spin the red curtain for the Jerusalem temple, the very one that was torn in two at the time of the death of Her Son.

Annunciation. Kostroma Museum, late 17th century.
Annunciation. Mosaic on the altar pillars of St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv. 11th century Annunciation with stamps of the life of the Mother of God. XVI century. Solvychegodsk Museum

In the icons "The Annunciation with the Child in the Womb" ("Ustyug Annunciation"), an attempt is made to present the idea of ​​the Immaculate Conception.

Images of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin are found not only in icon painting and monumental painting, but also in manuscript miniatures, sculpture, and embroidery.

Annunciation churches and monasteries in Russia

In the 11th century, Yaroslav I, who surrounded the city of Kyiv with a stone wall with golden gates entering it, built over them Church of the Annunciation and said through the mouth of the chronicler: Yes, these gates of good news come to me in this city with the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos and St. Archangel Gabriel - the joys of the evangelist". The same temple was built over the gates of the Novgorod Kremlin, and then it became a custom to put the Annunciation churches over the gates in all the big old monasteries.

In Russia, many churches and monasteries were built, named in the name of the Annunciation, in every Russian city. First of all, the Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin comes to mind. In 1397 Grand Duke Vasily I, son of Dmitry Donskoy, built the first wooden cathedral. It was painted by Andrei Rublev, Feofan Grek and master Prokhor of Gorodets. Later, the cathedral was rebuilt, in 1475 it burned down, and the Pskov craftsmen built a new white-stone cathedral (1484-89) on the basement.

There was another Annunciation Church in the Kremlin. One of the Kremlin towers, now bearing the name of Blagoveshchenskaya, served as a prison under Ivan the Terrible. The Mother of God appeared to one prisoner, innocently imprisoned, and ordered to ask for royal mercy. At the same time, on the outer wall of the tower, facing the royal chambers, the image of the Annunciation appeared. Subsequently, a temple was added to the tower, which was destroyed in the 1930s.

One of the most ancient Annunciation churches was located in Vitebsk (Belarus). According to legend, it was built by Princess Olga when the city was founded in 974. The church was rebuilt many times, and in 1961 it was destroyed to make room for trams to turn around. Rebuilt 1993–98 in the form of the XII century.

In honor of the Annunciation of the Mother of God, the Cathedral of the Murom Annunciation Monastery in the city of Murom, Vladimir Region, was consecrated. The first wooden church in the name of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos was built in Murom in 1192. In 1553, the construction of the Annunciation Monastery began on the site of the church. In 1612-1616, the monastery was badly damaged by fires, in addition, it was plundered by the Poles, but soon the well-being of the monastery was restored, and the Church of the Annunciation, according to the inventory of 1637, "after being devastated by the Poles, was renewed by the abbot." The high cube of the main volume of the temple is covered with a closed vault, which is decorated with two rows of kokoshniks. The third row is visually formed by kokoshniks at the base of the drums of each of the five chapters. The main element of the modest decor are window frames. The drums of the five domes of the cathedral are very carefully decorated.

In honor of the Annunciation of the Virgin, a monastery was consecrated in the town of Kirzhach, Vladimir Region. The time of the initial foundation of the Church of the Annunciation is unknown, but it was already mentioned in the annals in 1564 as a stone one. Each wall of the church ends at the top with three semicircles and is divided by semi-columns. The altar has three semicircular ledges. An octahedron is arranged on the vaults, on which a round lantern is fixed with narrow oblong windows, decorated on the sides with stucco columns. The cross on the head is eight-pointed. In Soviet times, the Annunciation Monastery did not function. In 1932-1934 the church of St. Sergius of Radonezh was blown up. During the war years, the Annunciation Cathedral was used as an ammunition depot; at different times, its premises housed either a sausage shop or a kerosene shop. Only in 1990 the Annunciation and Spassky churches were returned to the Russian Orthodox Church and the monastery was renewed.

In honor of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, a monastery was consecrated in the village of Timoshkino, Vladimir Region. The church was built between 1530 and 1540. The Annunciation Church of the monastery is the rarest type of baptismal church, which is the prototype of the Church of the Ascension in Kolomenskoye.

In honor of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Nikandrov Monastery in the Pskov region, founded in 1585, was consecrated. At the same time, the Church of the Annunciation was built. In 1665 the monastery was plundered by the Poles, and in 1667 all 4 churches and monastic buildings burned down. The monastery was later restored. On November 9, 1928, the monastery was liquidated, the buildings were handed over to the military department for scrapping. The monastery buildings were dismantled into bricks, from which a military camp was built, later destroyed by German aircraft. After the closure of the Nikandra Hermitage and the demolition of part of its buildings, on the monastery lands locals organized a collective farm. At the end of the 20th century, the monastery began to revive.

In honor of the Annunciation of the Mother of God, the church of the Solovetsky Zosima-Savvatievsky Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery on Solovki in the Arkhangelsk region was consecrated. The Gate Church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos is a small one-domed church built over the passage arch of the Holy Gates in 1596–1601. Initially, the church was smaller, from the west it was adjoined by a porch, from the north - a wooden porch-sprout. It was crowned with a complex roof with a three-tier gable roof. The temple was repeatedly rebuilt: the church, having removed the porch, was “spread” over the Holy Gates. Gable completion after the fire of 1745 was replaced hipped roof, wooden galleries and a porch were erected with stone, windows and a travel arch were scattered. During the reconstruction, the area of ​​the temple increased, choirs were built above the entrance, the church was included in the volume of the fortress wall. The Church of the Annunciation was the house church of the rector and from the altar was connected by a passage with his chambers. This is the only church in the monastery where the design of the iconostasis and almost the entire wall painting have been preserved. The iconostasis has been rebuilt many times in its history. In 1836, his last renewal took place before the closing of the monastery. From 1925 to 1937, the camp housed the camp museum. At present, the monastery has been restored.

In honor of the Annunciation of the Mother of God, the temple of the Trinity Anthony Siya Monastery in the Bolshaya Gora settlement of the Arkhangelsk region was consecrated. The Church of the Annunciation with a refectory and Kelarskaya began to be erected in 1638, and completed in 1644. The high two-flight porch was covered with cylindrical vaults supported by faceted pillars; it led to a huge one-pillar refectory, from which one could get into the church and Kelarsky. The completion of the temple was made hipped. The church, the refectory and the Kelarskaya are placed on a high basement, where on the first tier housed the household services - pantries, a bakery. The church has been repeatedly restored.

In honor of the Annunciation of the Mother of God, a cathedral was consecrated in the city of Solvychegodsk, Arkhangelsk Region. The inscription is reinforced on the building: "... built by the zeal and dependence of the eminent people of the Stroganovs in 1560." This date is the beginning of the construction of the cathedral. It was completed twenty-four years later. The construction is a large two-pillar five-domed temple on a high basement. The base of the cathedral is surrounded by a gallery, which was originally open. A special charm to the facades of the cathedral is given by a wide ribbon - a frieze of figuratively laid bricks in the upper part of the wall under the zakomars. However, today the cathedral is largely different from the original. Parts of the building have been significantly rebuilt.

In honor of the Annunciation of the Virgin, a cathedral was consecrated in the village. Snovitsy of the Vladimir region. On the site of the parish church from ancient times there was monastery. The Church of the Annunciation dates back to 1501 and is two-storey. After the 1917 revolution, the temple was looted and closed. Soon they arranged residential apartments in it. During the years of the Great Patriotic War a military unit was located on the territory of the former monastery. In 1990, the Church of the Annunciation was returned to the local community of the Russian Orthodox Church.

In honor of the Annunciation of the Virgin, a house church was consecrated in the episcopal chambers in the Suzdal Kremlin in the Vladimir region. The first indication of the construction of a stone building in the bishop's court in Suzdal is found in the Book of the Suzdal Cathedral, which says: “In the summer of 7067 (1559), Bishop Afanasy set up a warm stone church in the yard in the name of the Annunciation with the same chamber ...” The building of this church in the 17th century was rebuilt and in this form has come down to us.

In honor of the Annunciation of the Mother of God, a church was consecrated at the bishop's court in the Suzdal Kremlin in the Vladimir region. The church dates from 1635-36. Later the temple was rebuilt.

In honor of the Annunciation of the Mother of God, the gate church of the Intercession Monastery in the city of Suzdal, Vladimir Region, was consecrated. The church was built in 1515. It has been rebuilt many times over the centuries. AT Soviet period the church was destroyed. In the late 1950s, during the complex restoration of architectural monuments of the Intercession Monastery, it was restored, and a museum exposition was opened in it. Services have been held here since 1992.

In honor of the Annunciation of the Mother of God, the gate church of the Spaso-Evfimiev Monastery in the city of Suzdal, Vladimir Region, was consecrated. We find the first mention of it already in the Inventory of 1628-1630: “... In Suzdal, in the suburb of Spasskaya, the Euphemia Monastery. At the monastery ... the holy stone gates at the gates are the Church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos and the limit of Ivan the Writer of the Ladder ... ". The church was rebuilt and currently is a small cube above one of the openings of the Holy Gates. From the east, a high, almost to the height of the cube itself, three-part apse adjoins it, and from the west - above the second gate opening - there is a porch under a wooden roof. Decor made of figured bricks is very diverse, which is typical for the period of “patterning” of the middle - the end of the 17th century.

In honor of the Annunciation of the Mother of God, a church was consecrated in the Ferapontov-Belozersky Mother of God-Nativity Monastery in the village. Ferapontovo, Vologda region. The Church of the Annunciation with the refectory was built in 1530-1531. A three-tiered, pillar-shaped, with a closed vault, an apsidal refectory church was built "under the bells". The first tier served as a bakery and stone cellars, a church was built on the second tier, and a belfry was built on the third tier. With the construction of the bell tower, the bells were moved to a new location.

In honor of the Annunciation of the Virgin, the church on Vagankovo ​​in Moscow was consecrated. The temple was erected at the beginning of the 15th century. Later (in the XVI-XVII centuries) a refectory was built, and in the XVIII century. - Bell tower. Already in the XVIII century. the church was closed and destroyed.

In honor of the Annunciation of the Mother of God, the church of the Trinity Zelenetsky Monastery was consecrated in the village. Zelenets Leningrad region. The Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary dates back to 1565. The church rises in a tall cube above a lowered wing, above an altar placed in a lower semicircular ledge. The top of this church cube is surrounded by three grooved cornices, with wide architraves between them, and the low roof is finished with one hexagonal, two-tier, small dome. In 1919, the Trinity Zelenetsky Monastery was closed and reopened only in 1993.

In honor of the Annunciation of the Virgin, a church was consecrated in the village. Stepanovskoye, Ramensky district, Moscow region. In the 16th century, a single-domed white-stone church with two small aisles was built. The Church of the Annunciation was a quadrangle, built of brick, with a white stone cladding, which has been preserved in the lower part of the building to this day. Single-domed aisles with separate apses adjoined the main volume. The vault was cross-shaped, traces of it were preserved inside. In the late 1680s and early 1690s, the church was renovated. After the revolution, the temple was closed.

In honor of the Annunciation of the Virgin, a church was consecrated in Arkazhi in Veliky Novgorod. The Church of the Annunciation near the village of Arkazhi is the most ancient example of small four-pillared Novgorod churches of the 12th century. This is a one-domed three-apse temple. The modern eight-pitched roof appeared during the reconstruction of collapsed ceilings in the 16th century. By the 17th century include carved platbands that appeared after the ancient window openings were stripped. The temple has been restored several times.

In honor of the Annunciation of the Virgin, a church was consecrated in Veliky Novgorod, built between 1362 and 1466. A two-story gallery with a hipped bell tower above the middle part combines the Church of Michael the Archangel with the Church of the Annunciation into a single architectural ensemble located southeast of Yaroslav's Court. The lower floor of the gallery consists of three pairs of powerful square pillars on which cross vaults rest. The upper floor of the gallery is a room elongated from south to north, covered with box vaults. During the Great Patriotic War, the passage and the bell tower were deprived of coverings and completions. Restoration and restoration work was carried out in 1960-1961.

In honor of the Annunciation of the Mother of God, the church of the Assumption Pskov-Caves Monastery in the town of Pechory, Pskov Region, was consecrated. The church was built in 1541. The walls of the church are red, with white trim, including the pediments of the windows and the belt on the drum of the dome, and the façade itself is divided into two parts. Moreover, the belt is made of ceramic plates covered with glaze. Later, in the 17th century, both the facade of the Church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos and the interior decoration underwent changes.

In honor of the Annunciation of the Mother of God, the Kazan Kremlin Cathedral, built between 1556 and 1562, was consecrated. Initially, it was a stone five-domed three-apse church with side aisles added at the end of the 16th century - Borisoglebsky and in the name of the Murom miracle workers. The cupolas of the ancient cathedral were with helmet-shaped domes. The stone five-tier bell tower was added at the end of the 16th century. In 1736, a one-story brick refectory was added to the western part of the cathedral, the helmet-shaped domes were replaced by onion ones, and the central dome was completed in the Ukrainian Baroque style. The terrible fire of 1815, during which the entire Kazan Kremlin was damaged, forced the cathedral to be seriously reconstructed. From 1817 to 1821 the dilapidated refectory of the cathedral was reconstructed. By the decision of the Central Executive Committee of the TSSR of September 20, 1925, the Annunciation Cathedral was closed and transferred to the Museum Department, which transferred the cathedral premises to the State Archives for archiving. In 1995, it was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Kazan Kremlin State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve.

In honor of the Annunciation of the Theotokos, the church of the Borisoglebsky Monastery in the village was consecrated. Borisoglebsky, Yaroslavl region. The one-domed Annunciation Church was built in 1524-1526. In the 17th century, the roof covering, which gave the church greater harmony and emphasized its dominant role in the overall composition with the refectory and rector's chambers, was replaced with a four-slope one. The windows of the temple were torn apart.

Also, in honor of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, monasteries and churches were consecrated in Romania, the Czech Republic, Poland, Georgia, Greece, Egypt and Palestine.

It should be said that there is even a city named after the holiday - Blagoveshchensk on Far East , on the border with China. It was founded in 1856 and was called the Ust-Zeya military post (at the confluence of the Zeya and Amur). The first temple that was built there was consecrated in the name of the Annunciation, from which the city got its name. Surprisingly, under Soviet rule, the city retained its "Orthodox" name!

Old Believer Churches of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Old Believers continued the tradition of building Annunciation churches. The church under construction of the Russian Orthodox Old Believer Church in and in (Romania) is dedicated to this holiday.

Communities of the Russian Old Orthodox Church in the Saratov region, the village (Kazakhstan) and the Nizhny Novgorod region also celebrate the patronal feast today.

The churches of the Pomor communities of Arkhangelsk (Estonia), (Latvia), (Latvia) and the chapel of the Riga Epiphany community (Latvia) are dedicated to the Annunciation.

Soulful teaching on the Annunciation

… Since the Lord said to Eve: “In sickness you will give birth to children” (Genesis 3:16), now this illness is resolved by the joy that the angel brings to the Virgin, saying: “Rejoice, full of grace!” Because Eve was cursed, Mary now hears, "Blessed are You." Mary thought about the greeting, what is it like: is it not vile and vicious, what is the address of a man to a girl, or Divine, since God is also mentioned in the greeting: “The Lord is with you”? The Angel, firstly, calms Her heart from fear, so that She accepts the Divine answer in an unperturbed position; for in a state of confusion, She could not properly listen to what would come true, - then, as if in explanation of the above-mentioned word “Blessed”, she says: “You have found grace from God.” For to be blessed means to receive grace from God, that is, to please God. But this happiness is common, for many others have received grace from God, and the greeting brought to Mary does not yet go to anyone.

“And now you will conceive” - no other virgin has ever received this advantage. Said: "in the womb"; this shows that the Lord was essentially incarnated from the very beds of the Virgin. He who came for the salvation of our race is justly called "Jesus", for this name, translated into Greek, means "salvation from God." Jesus, according to the interpretation, means the Savior, because salvation is also called “iao”. “He will be,” he says, “great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” John was also great, but he was not yet the son of the Most High, but the Savior was great in His teaching and the “Son of the Most High” also in teaching, for He taught as having authority, and by performing wondrous miracles. The Word was the Son of the Most High before the ages, but it was not called that way and was not known; when it was incarnated and appeared in the flesh, then he is called the Son of the Most High, who is visible and works miracles.

When you hear about the "throne of David", do not think about the realm of the senses, but think about the Divine, by which He reigned over all nations by Divine preaching. The "house of Jacob" are those who believed, both from the Jews, and also from other nations, for such, in fact, are Jacob and Israel. How is it said that He sat on the throne of David? Listen. David was the least among his brothers; and the Lord was despised and reviled, like a wine-drinker and a wine-drinker, and a woodworker's son, and dishonored even by his brothers, the sons of Joseph. “For even His brothers,” it is said, “believed not in Him” (John 7:5). Davyd, despite his charity, was persecuted; and the Lord, who works miracles, was slandered and stones were thrown. David won and reigned in meekness; and the Lord reigned, accepting the cross in meekness. So, do you see in what sense it is said that He sat on the throne of David? Just as David accepted the sensual kingdom, so the Lord accepted the spiritual reign, to which "there will be no end." For the reign of Christ, that is, the knowledge of God and Christianity, will have no end. For even in persecution we shine with the grace of Christ.

… But look what Virgo says. “Behold the Servant of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word”: I am a painter's board; let the scribe write what he wants; let the Lord do what pleases him. Obviously, the previously said "how it will be" was not an expression of disbelief, but of a desire to know the image; for if she had not believed, she would not have said: “Behold the servant of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word.” Know also that Gabriel means "man of God," Miriam means "lady," and Nazareth means "sanctification." Therefore, when God was about to become a man, Gabriel is appropriately sent, which means "man of God"; and the salutation is made in a holy place, that is, in Nazareth, for where God is, there is nothing unclean.

(Blessed Theophylact of Bulgaria, an interpretation on the Gospel of the feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos (Luke 1, 24-38), is abridged).

Among a considerable number of church holidays, the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is considered special. In importance, it is second, perhaps only to Christmas, which is celebrated by all Christians, regardless of denomination. Even before the day of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, the schedule of services in churches is posted on websites and entrance doors so that every believer can find time in his busy schedule for the joy of attending church. Moreover, on this holiday, a visit to the temple is impossible to miss. Such an act is considered an unforgivable mistake that will bring trouble and trouble to the house. The Annunciation has a number of rules and restrictions, but many believers are not familiar with them. Therefore, they make unfortunate miscalculations in preparation for the holiday, which in the old days in Russia even children could not make. We will tell readers in as much detail as possible about this joyful day for the heart of every Christian: when the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated, where the tradition of celebrating the holiday came from, what is the history of its occurrence and many other interesting things. But let's talk about everything in order.

Brief historical background

The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary has a clearly defined date of celebration. It and Christmas are separated by nine months, despite the fact that the Annunciation took root in church traditions much later than Christmas. Catholics and Orthodox are known to use different types calendars. Not surprisingly, the dates of the holidays they differ. The Catholic Church in honor of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary begins services in the temple on the morning of the twenty-fifth of March. And the Orthodox holiday is celebrated on the seventh of April.

Among the twelve main holidays of the Christian Church, many believers consider this literally the beginning of the formation of religion. After all, its essence lies in the good news that Mary received from the angels. Some theologians in ancient times claimed that it was during this conversation that the virgin birth of a young girl took place. Therefore, for a long time the holiday bore a lot of names that characterize this particular side of it.

It is interesting that all the events concerning this topic were described by only one apostle. Luke in his Gospel spoke in great detail about what happened on this great day. To this day, all Christians refer to this written source, telling the story of the Virgin Mary and the conception of Christ.

history of the holiday

The story about the feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos must begin with short description life of the Virgin Mary.

Not everyone knows that from birth the girl who became the Mother of God was promised to the temple. Her life was to be serving the Lord, for which the little girl was being prepared. She spent her childhood in the Jerusalem temple and was brought up by its abbots. But by the age of fourteen, young Mary, according to Jewish law, had to get married. This greatly embarrassed the holy fathers, who prayed day and night for the discovery of best solution to determine the girl's fate. After vain prayers, an insight descended on one of the elders, and he began to search for a husband for Mary, who could protect her throughout her life, but nevertheless not lay claim to her rights, as a husband does to his wife. The search was short-lived, and soon Mary became the wife of Joseph, who by the time of the marriage was already eighty years old. The betrothed husband was known as a real righteous man and spent his whole life in labors and prayers. Before meeting Mary, Joseph had never been married.

One day, the archangel Gabriel appeared before the embarrassed girl. According to the Gospel of Luke, he announced to Mary the good news that she was chosen as the mother of the Son of God. However, it was important not only to tell the girl what awaits her, but also to get her consent. Without it, the Lord could not fulfill his will.

Upon hearing such news, Mary doubted the possibility of a virgin birth. However, Gabriel shamed her, reminding her of how her relative conceived, endured and gave birth to a baby, considering herself barren until old age. With this, the angel wanted to prove the unlimited possibilities of the Lord and reassure Mary. Being obedient and righteous, the girl agreed with God's will and conceived a child.

Interestingly, when Joseph found out about his wife's pregnancy, he thought about her infidelity. He decided that the girl had violated the vow of innocence, and invited her to leave him secretly, under the cover of night. However, in a dream, an angel appeared to him, telling the whole truth about the conception of the Son of God, and ordered the man to protect his wife and take care of her.

The importance of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos also lies in the fact that until this moment mankind had not received good news from the Lord. Adam and Eve were the last to hear the will of the Creator, but subsequent generations were deprived of this goodness.

The formation of the holiday

Christians began to celebrate the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos in churches in the fifth or sixth centuries, but even earlier there were references to this day in various sources.

Historians and archaeologists have found images of the events of the Annunciation in the caves where the first Christians hid from their persecutors. Such paintings were painted not only in individual caves, but also in the catacombs, in which the exiles spent weeks and months, leading services and preaching. Such murals date back to the second or third centuries.

In the fourth century, Saint Helena made her invaluable contribution to the formation of the holiday. She went through the places of Christ's life and everywhere she tried to leave a mark in the form of a basilica, temple, church or cathedral. She was also one of the first to speak about the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos as a significant event. The saint found the place where the appearance of the archangel to the Virgin took place, and set up a basilica there.

Already by the fifth century, icon painters began to pay great attention to this biblical story. They began to depict the events of the immaculate conception of Jesus on icons and murals in churches. Approximately one hundred years later, services on the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos were held in most churches. It is believed that St. Cyril of Jerusalem finally established its canons and traditions. Literally a century later, the holiday received the status of the main one in Byzantium and spread to the West.

By the way, in Russia the Mother of God was very revered. Therefore, the Annunciation was celebrated very solemnly and without fail by the whole family. From this, according to our ancestors, the well-being of all its members and abundance in the house depended.

In the eighth century, festive canons were compiled, which are sung during the service in honor of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos in churches. Their authors are considered to be the Metropolitan of Nicaea and two holy elders - Theophanes and John of Damascus.

Let's talk about traditions

Each holiday has its own traditions, especially since this statement is relevant when we talk about church holidays. The rules for celebrating the Annunciation were formed in ancient times and today are strictly observed by all Christians.

The day before the holiday, women started baking prosvir. This word was called unleavened bread in the form of small buns. Its number has always been equated to the number of households. On the morning of the feast of the prosvir, it was required to take it to the service and consecrate it. Only after that, family members could start the festive meal, during which bread was eaten. This was done with great care so as not to drop a single crumb past the mouth. If this happened, then all the remnants of prosvir were collected and given to cattle. It was believed that this contributes to the preservation of her health and fertility. However, it was necessary to eat the consecrated bread on an empty stomach. This was an indispensable condition for a rich harvest and family well-being.

Since the Annunciation is a very important holiday, it is strictly forbidden to work on this day. Our ancestors would never have slaughtered cattle, sewed, cleaned the house, and done other things. However, it was also forbidden to start unnecessarily noisy fun. People had to realize the sanctity of this day and be imbued with it.

I would like to note that in Russia this church holiday was considered at the same time the day when it was customary to call spring. It was believed that after the Annunciation, winter finally recedes and a new round of life begins in nature. In order to get rid of the disease, our ancestors made fires. They danced around them, sang songs and "barkers". The especially brave ones even jumped over the fire, thus being cleansed of all diseases and unclean thoughts.

A particularly beautiful tradition on the Annunciation was the release of birds. Before the holiday, feathered songbirds were caught on the streets and in the forests, which were put in cages. After attending the church service, the youth gathered in the courtyards of the temples and opened the cages. The birds soaring into the sky were a symbol of the good news once brought to mankind.

On the Annunciation, cattle were often driven out into the streets. He had to pass to the sound of mallets and bells. This, as our ancestors thought, protected cattle from diseases and predators.

The assortment of festive dishes of the tradition of the Annunciation is not limited in any way. It all depends on what day the given date falls on. For example, this year it was Good Friday. Therefore, believers could not afford to eat even fish. Although usually, if the holiday coincides with fasting, the Orthodox have some indulgences. Seafood is one of them.

Holiday symbols

Few Christians are aware that the Annunciation has its own symbolism. It is a kind of graphic story about the essence of the holiday. The first character is depicted as a beam of light. It represents an ephemeral road along which the Holy Spirit descended on the Virgin Mary. This is how the gospel story of the good news began.

The second character is a spinning wheel. According to written sources, the Virgin Mary spent a lot of time with this instrument. The archangel Gabriel, who descended from heaven, found her spinning and at that moment announced the mission that the girl would need to complete.

The third symbol was the palm branch. Since ancient times, it has meant spiritual elevation. Some theologians interpreted the symbol as the unity of the subordination of thoughts and feelings to divine providence.

Features of the church service: day and evening on the eve of the holiday

In addition to the general traditions of celebrating the Annunciation, which we have already talked about, there are certain nuances of holding church services. Believers usually learn about them already at the service, but they may let something out of their attention. We will tell readers about all the features of meeting the holiday in accordance with church canons.

On the day before the feast, believers attend vespers. During it, the clergy read stichera and excerpts from Holy Scripture dedicated to the sufferings of Christ, the good news brought to the Virgin Mary by the archangel, prophecies about the Son of God, as well as texts about his acceptance of torment for the sake of saving people's souls. At the final stage of the service, the troparion of the Annunciation and the canon "On the crucifixion of the Lord and on the cry of the Most Holy Theotokos" are sung. After that, the service ends and the believers disperse for a while.

In the evening of the same day, Matins is served. It must be attended by all Orthodox who wish to be fully imbued with the holiness of the moment. The service begins with hymns, turning into six psalms and troparia:

• "Noble Joseph";
• “When you descended to death”;
• "Myrrh-bearing women".

Further, the service continues with reading excerpts from the Gospel and holiday canons. It is impossible to imagine this service without the canons of the Annunciation and Holy Saturday. They are considered special because they are read only on major holidays and have an unusual structure. The Canon of the Annunciation is written in the form of a conversation between the Virgin Mary and the archangel. But the second canon is actually philosophical reasoning on the topic of processes occurring from the crucifixion to the resurrection of Christ.

Morning holiday service

From the very morning, the service bears little resemblance to a festive one. It is performed at the usual hours, but after the end it immediately continues with the Vespers Liturgy. The clergy sing Sunday stichera and proverbs. Usually, after this, a list of those who wish to be baptized on this holiday is announced.

Matins continues with the reading of the Gospel. Much attention is paid to the texts about the deeds of Christ and his torment on the cross. final stage service is the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great.

A few words about the meal and the vestments of the priests

Interestingly, the services on the Annunciation require special vestments for the clergy. Usually the color of the vestments on all holidays dedicated to the Mother of God is blue. However, in the Annunciation it turns into purple. By the way, this is the only day when church ministers wear clothes of this shade.

As for the meal, it is always accompanied by wine. Depending on the coincidence with other holidays, priests set a number of restrictions regarding dishes on the table of believers. However, in any case, the Orthodox receive a blessing for red wine.

Temples in honor of the Virgin

In Russia, the Mother of God was especially revered, and the number of churches in her honor is difficult to calculate. Many of them were forgotten and abandoned in Soviet times, but last years they became active again and fully recovered. We will tell readers about some of them.

The Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin on Vasilyevsky Island in St. Petersburg has a long history associated with the names of many famous figures of Russian science and culture.

The temple was founded in the middle of the eighteenth century and was built over thirteen years. As a result, believers were able to see the most beautiful seven-altar temple complex. It was consecrated even before the builders left the territory of the church. The lighting procedure was carried out by Tikhon Zadonsky himself.

In the thirty-sixth year of the last century, the temple was closed and resumed worship only twenty-six years ago. Today it is open to all those in need from nine in the morning until seven in the evening. On weekends, the church waits for believers until eight o'clock in the evening.

On the main church holidays, which include the Annunciation, the Liturgy is held twice a day: at seven and ten in the morning. You can confess half an hour before the service.

Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Fedosino

This temple is located in Moscow and was founded at the beginning of the fifteenth century. In the future, he was rebuilt more than once. The final version dates from the first half of the nineteenth century.

The village of Fedosyevo belonged to the Ascension Monastery, which supported its inhabitants in difficult times. The temple, built within the monastery, strikes with its beauty and strict forms. It was active until the thirties of the last century, when there was a campaign for the mass closing of churches. It is noteworthy that the villagers did not allow the church to be closed. They tried to defend their faith as a united front, but for many decades the temple was used by the Soviet authorities for other purposes.

Today, believers can find out a lot of interesting and important information on the site dedicated to the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The schedule of services, for example, is updated here once a month. Usually in the temple the doors for believers are open until five o'clock in the evening. Divine services begin at half past eight in the morning.

Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin in Petrovsky Park

There are at least five temple complexes in honor of the Mother of God in Moscow. All of them, even in the most difficult times for Christianity, were not empty. Believers have always come here in the hope of finding solace. And the Church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos in Petrovsky Park was very important for the Orthodox of this area.

The initiator and sponsor of the construction of the church was Princess Naryshkina. At her request, the architect Richter created unique project, which was not supposed to contradict the ensemble of the Petrovsky Palace. And he managed to make it happen.

The foundation stone of the temple was laid in the forty-fourth year of the nineteenth century. It was originally supposed to have four thrones. The first one was consecrated three years after the start of construction.

The rector of the Church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos in Petrovsky posts the schedule of services on the website. The resource is maintained by him and some members of the flock. In the temple complex of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos in Petrovsky Park, the schedule of services of which is of interest to all believers, morning services usually begin at eight o'clock. Evening services are held from five o'clock. Orthodox Christians have the opportunity to confess almost every day. This is done before the morning Liturgy.