Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - one of therevered holidays in Christianity. It is timed to the event that occurred in the Gospel times, namely the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel before the Virgin Mary, who informed her about the future birth of her son. Since then, the Annunciation is a symbol of the good news for all people.
In those days, girls under fourteenwere brought up at the temples, and when they reached this age, they were usually married or returned to their parents. So for the Virgin Mary they were going to find a worthy husband, but she decided to remain virgin and devote her life to serving the Lord.
The priests listened to her wishes and betrothed hereighty-year old elders Joseph. So she moved to Nazareth and began to live in his house. Joseph guarded her chastity, she lived modestly and secluded, as before in the temple.
Four months later,Archangel Gabriel, who informed her that she would become the mother of God's Son. Unbeknownst to her husband, the virgin Mary accepted the will of God. It is believed that if the Mother of God did not have such faith, if for some reason she refused the words of the Archangel, then the conception would not have happened. This shows a very important moment for people. Faith has a very great power, without it nothing can happen.
At that moment the Immaculate Conception itself took place. Of course, there are many skeptics on this score, but believing people call this moment miraculously.
Now in honor of this event in many cities there is a church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin.
This day is very significant for believersChristian. Its symbol can be called a flying bird, which was traditionally launched at the Annunciation. It meant freedom, any, but most importantly - for the search for the Kingdom of God. It is also customary to read the liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. In the church, the all-night service begins, beginning with a special evening service.
Also on this day, any work is prohibited. It was said that even a bird does not nest a nest, the braid girl does not weave.
It was also necessary to experience salt and add it to theDough, from which baked different bakery products. They were given to eat both native and domestic animals. There was a sign that such salt helps to cope with diseases.
The Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos is a day,when nature awakens from winter, and also agricultural work begins. All seeds and seeds were planted for planting. To do this, they brought an icon, placed near them and read a prayer. It was believed that this contributes to a rich harvest.
There are also signs in this day - hownatural, and household. For example, in the presence of wind, fog or frost, it was said about the rich harvest. If the rain has poured the ground, then there will be a good harvest of rye, if there was a frost, it is to mushrooms. But the storm foreshadowed a lot of nuts and a warm summer.
In the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, one can neither give money to anyone, nor ask for money. In the first case, luck will be given, and in the second case, financial difficulties will be pursued for a whole year.
It is not recommended on this day to do any manipulation with the hair, as this will weaken them, and they will fall out.
It was considered good luck for the next year to steal something.
The curative power possessed on this day prosphora, taken in the temple. She was kept for a whole year and, if necessary, was given a soaked slice to a sick person.
Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Maryfalls on the twenty-fifth of March on the Julian calendar and on the seventh of April on the Gregorian calendar, which we use now. True, this number corresponds only to the Russian, Jerusalem, Ukrainian, Georgian and Serbian Orthodox churches, this also includes the Ukrainian Greek Catholics, and is also accepted by the Old Believers.
From the day of this holiday until the birth of Christexactly nine months. For the day just before and after the Annunciation, festivities are also performed. They are canceled when they coincide with the Passion or Light Week.
If we talk about the Catholic and Protestant church, then this holiday falls on the twenty-fifth of March according to the modern Gregorian calendar.
Images of this event were discovered in the catacombs, which date from the II-III century, although the holiday itself was established not earlier than the IV century.
Icon of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Maryis located on the Royal Gates. It is surrounded by four evangelists. This has a symbolic meaning. Here an important comparison is made between the Annunciation and the Holy Gifts of Christ, which are spoken of in the Communion. By the way, this icon is representative of one of the three types that exist in Russian iconography. On it the Virgin is depicted with yarn, which is also symbolic. The meaning of this image with spinning is that as a result of this the flesh of Christ appears, although the Virgin was pure and virgin.
Another type of image is the Mother of God with the baby in the womb, when he was not yet born. The icon "Ustyug Annunciation" illustrates this method of writing visually.
There is also another type of writing.This is "The Annunciation at the Fountain." Such an image can be seen on the walls of the temple. Its meaning is that the Mother of God heard a voice from the well, warning her of what would happen. This is now considered pre-empowerment.
There are also attributes that can be present on the image:
The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary isa great event in Christian history. This was the good news that salvation and redemption are possible. The act of obedience to Mary seemed to balance the disobedience of Eve.
Obviously, it is for this reason that the icon is raisedprayers for various ailments for their healing, and also if someone is imprisoned of any kind. The intercession of the Mother of God helps during the time of despondency or grief.
The Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin ispractically in every city. There you can come, pray, tell about your troubles and sorrows, ask for intercession. There are also those that are in a deplorable state and require restoration, but this does not become less valuable.
For example, such a temple is in the Ryazan province in the village of Kolentsy. It is in a dilapidated state, has the status of an object of culture. Its history of construction goes back to 1752.
Also in the city of Tula there is an old actingTemple of the Annunciation, whose construction date back to 1692. In Soviet times there were warehouses in it. Since 1990 there has been an active restoration of it, which does not end to this day.
In the Republic of Komi in Siziabsk there is also a famous church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin. The year of construction dates back to 1843-1854.
And this, of course, is not all the famous buildings. In honor of this event, a sufficient number of temples and churches were built.
The first mention of the church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Fedosino refers to the XVII century, when the documents included a wooden church. She belonged to the Ascension maiden monastery.
Now the temple is built of brick, as in the XIX century. Also around him was once a cemetery that was demolished. The temple itself was destroyed many times, but it was always restored by God's command.
If we talk about the very Fedosino, then a long timeThe village was prosperous, it had a school, and developed their crafts. Over time, all this did not become, and after the revolution it turned into a seedy village.
Over time, Fedosino's place grewNew buildings, where the villagers moved. The restoration of the church began in 1991 and continues to this day. Also was found and the miraculous icon of Theodore of Our Lady, on whose account there is already one famous miracle.
There are also numerous Blagoveshchenskcathedrals throughout Russia and the surrounding countries. For example, an ancient building in Moscow, which was built in 1489. It has an interesting history - it was destroyed several times, then restored. There are ancient icons in it, which were written by Andrey Rublev himself.
In Athens, there is also the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is considered an important center of the Greek church. It is also called Metropolis.
This cathedral was built from 1842 to 1862. Nearby is a more ancient structure - Mikri Mitropoli, which dates from the 12th century.
In addition, in Ukraine in the city of Kharkov there isalso a large Cathedral of the Annunciation. It is built in Byzantine style, perhaps, this is the only similar temple in Orthodoxy. Its history is rather vague, the first mention of it was about 1720.
The temple was also subjected to many fires, but it was rebuilt. The status of the cathedral was received in 1914.
Thus, the event that happened in the Gospel times is now recorded not only in the festive veneration, but also in the constructed structures, icons, prayers.
