Annunciation. history of the holiday

The image of the Annunciation is one of the most popular in iconography. Orthodox Christians celebrate the Annunciation Day annually on April 7th. On this day, 9 months before the birth of the baby Jesus, the atonement of the fall of mankind began.

The word "Annunciation" is translated from the Old Slavonic language as "good news." On this day, the Archangel Gabriel descended to the Virgin Mary. He said that with her righteous life she had earned the right to give birth to the Savior. The Mother of God received this news with joy and love, and it is with these feelings that believers celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation.

Subject features of the image

Many artists depicted the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Icons and murals of this theme began to appear in the ancient period of the history of Christianity. Interest in the depicted event has not been lost so far. There are three main themes of the icon of the Annunciation, used from century to century:

1. Archangel Gabriel tells the Blessed Virgin the news that she will become the Mother of God. Virgin Mary accept this message with joy, humility. This group includes, for example, the Ustyuzh icon.
2. The image is a diptych, that is, two images united by a common plot. On one icon they draw the Archangel Gabriel, and on the other - the Virgin. Such images can be seen on churches, royal gates.
3. The image of the Virgin is depicted without the Archangel. Virgin Mary sits in a tender pose, often in front of a book. Such icons are often called the “Servant of the Lord” according to those words from the Gospel that the Mother of God spoke, having received the good news.

Images of the latter type should be distinguished from the icons of Ostrobramskaya Vilenskaya, Tenderness Serafimo Diveevskaya, Sorrowful, Kaluga.

What is this holy image honored for?

The icon of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is of great importance for the entire Orthodox world, but most of all it is revered by women who see in the Mother of God the ideal of a woman, a mother. On the day of the Feast of the Annunciation, April 7, the icon of the Mother of God increases its strength and helps everyone who requests it.

The holy image can help both those who use ready-made prayers and those who address the Holy Virgin in their own words, the main thing is that the prayer must sincerely believe that the ancient icon of the Annunciation will help him. The images of the Virgin Mary help those who want:

• receive atonement for sins;
• get rid of the power of other people;
• free yourself from addiction (alcohol, drugs, games);
• get out of captivity;
• get rid of mental or physical ailments;
• recover from infertility, experience the joy of motherhood / fatherhood;
• get emotional relief;
• free yourself from the effects of black magic.

It is possible to turn to the old images of the Mother of God with other problems, the Holy Virgin will not refuse to help those who are ready to trust her. In accordance with the ancient traditions, no work can be done in the Annunciation, and if the holiday coincides with Lent, then it is allowed to soften the post and serve fish on the table. But following the traditions, do not forget what the main meaning of the holiday is. Rituals should not replace it; their purpose is to help a person to properly tune into communication with divine forces.

The most famous images of the Blessed Virgin at the time of receiving the good news

There are many icons, frescoes, as well as lists from them, reproductions depicting the moment of the Annunciation. Some of these images are old, while others are relatively new, modern. The creation of the first image of the Annunciation is the 2nd century, the image appeared in the Roman catacombs, in the tomb of St. Priscilla. All icons dedicated to this subject have divine power no matter in what century they were created. Consider the most famous images.

Icon of Andrei Rublev

According to experts, the icon from the iconostasis of the Annunciation Cathedral of the Kremlin belongs to the brush of the great icon painter Andrei Rublev. The image was made by Andrei Rublev in the 15th century, presumably in 1405. The icon is poorly preserved, but the features of its color scheme, mood, composition give the right to speak about its belonging to the brush of the great master. The image, written on a linden board, is now stored in Trinity Cathedral.

Features of the icon include:

1. Lack of crowding. Andrei Rublev believed that the icon does not need to be cluttered with secondary details, the image should be simple, well readable from a long distance.
2. The presence of a central axis. The great icon painter always distinguished the central axis of the icon, and the halves of the image seemed to move towards this axis from two sides. The plot of the image is built on the dialogue of the Archangel Gabriel and the Blessed Virgin. The image is divided into two halves: the left - heavenly, Arkhangelsk, and the right - earthly, theotokos. In horizontal space, a dialogue of heaven and earth takes place, and in vertical, the incarnation of God takes place: the Holy Spirit in the form of a green ray descends on the Virgin Mary. The aspiration of the halves of the icon towards the center, the dialogue creates integrity, unity of composition.
3. Special festive colors, specific colors. A golden background and bright red spots give the image a joyful mood. Archangel Gabriel is made in green and golden color, while the green color symbolizes life, the Holy Spirit. The Mother of God holds a red thread in her hands, from which a curtain is spun for the Jerusalem Temple. The clothes of the Virgin Mary are blue and cherry brown. The first of these colors symbolizes the sky and the prayer mood, and the second - the reign of the Holy Virgin. The throne of the Virgin Mary is covered with red and green pillows. Red color symbolizes joy, sacrifice, and green - life, renewal.

The description of this image allows you to see its difference from the old canon, which was followed by the Byzantine and Greek icon painters. The features of their images were gloom, impetuosity, sharpness. On Rublev’s icon, we see hope, joy, philanthropy, inner strength, solemnity.   Although the courtyard was only the 15th century, the famous master was able to create his own unique style, which became the basis for the Russian icon-painting school.

Kiev mosaic icon

On the eastern pillars of the Kiev-Sofia Cathedral, supporting the altar arch, there is a mosaic composition "Annunciation". It includes images of the archangel Gabriel and Our Lady. The Blessed Virgin is holding a spindle with purple yarn in her hands, her clothes are blue and her face is pinkish, white, greenish-gray. Archangel Gabriel is turned to the Virgin, with his right hand he makes a blessing, and with his left he holds a wand.

The figure of the Archangel and the Mother of God are made by different masters and there are many differences between the images. Gabriel is massive, heavy, the folds of his clothes are rectangular, brittle. The image of the Mother of God looks lighter and cleverly made. There are no indications of the place of action in the mosaic; a set of informative details has also been minimized, which is a feature of icon painting dating back to the century of the Macedonian dynasty.

Miracles Created by Icons

According to legend, many miracles were performed by the Ustyug icon and other holy images of the Annunciation. Thus, the legend says that in 1290, on the threshold of the Ustyug Cathedral, the holy fool Prokopiy prayed daily. Once he announced to the inhabitants of the Great Ustyug that for the committed sins God would send rain of fire on them, and called people to repentance. But they only laughed in response.

A week later, black clouds came over the city, the ground underfoot began to move. People understood how much they angered God, and realized the need for repentance. They came to the Ustyug temple, knelt down in front of the icon of the Mother of God and asked for repentance. After this, the Holy image of the Annunciation began to exude a fragrant world, with which all church vessels were filled.

A formidable cloud passed the city and burst into fire on a deserted site. In memory of the miraculous deliverance, the annual celebration of the icon of the Mother of God was established. In the 19th century, a new salary was arranged for the icon, and in 1930 it was transferred to the Tretyakov Gallery, where it is now.

But the Ustyug miracle is not the only one. Under John the Terrible, the tower, where the criminals were kept, adjoined the granaries of the royal court in the Kremlin. A slanderous governor was imprisoned there, who earnestly prayed for his release. Once the Virgin Mary appeared to him and ordered to ask the sovereign for freedom. But the prisoner was afraid of the wrath of the king and did not fulfill the order. Then the Virgin came to him again and promised help. The governor obeyed.

People sent by the sovereign came to prison and found on the tower wall a self-written icon of the Annunciation. The king, having learned of such a miracle, freed the governor, and with a miraculous image, he ordered the construction of a wooden chapel. In 1731, Empress Anna Ioannovna built a temple here, and the outer wall of the tower with the image became the inner southern wall of the church, the icon was decorated with a luxurious icon case.

Church holiday Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is dedicated to the event, which 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 modeled after the main akathist of the Blessed Virgin Mary “Hail the Bride of the Bride” and consists of successively alternating kondakas and ikos. Accurate information about the creation of the chief akathist, “Rejoice the Bride of the Bride,” is not available today. It is believed that it was written somewhere between the 5th and 7th centuries by one of the great authors - perhaps Roman Sladkopevts, George of Pisidia or Patriarch Sergius.

But all subsequent akathists were modeled after him.

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

Advice! But one should not think that reading 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

The old style Annunciation Date is March 25th, and Christmas is December 25th. The Orthodox Church lives according to the old calendar. Therefore, if you look at these dates from the point of view of the New Style, then they move forward by 13 days - April 7 and January 7.

Please note: Unlike the Orthodox, the Catholic Church lives in a new style.

There Christmas - December 25 in a new style. Moreover, Catholicism does not attach such great importance 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 holidays 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 does not go from the moment of birth, but from the moment of conception. At the legitimate conception of infants, the Church blesses couples in the sacrament of 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 an enduring holiday, that is, unlike some other twelve, it is celebrated every year on the same date.

Holidays and celebrations are one day. The celebration is also the Cathedral of the Archangel Gabriel.

This is also a great holiday, but it does not apply to the twenties. As on the day of Archangel Michael (November 21 in a new style), veneration is given to one of the supreme Angels. There are eight higher Archangels, and, in prayer to one of them, the Orthodox Christian is supposed to mentally collect them all. Also, according to the teachings of Orthodoxy, there was still the ninth archangel named Dennitsa, but he fell away from God and became the devil.

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

Attention. The Great Lent, which precedes the Holy Week, is aggravated these days.

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

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

So, if the Annunciation falls on the Passion or the Bright Week, then the feast day and the feast day are transferred to other days. Such coincidences are possible due to the fact that Easter is a passing holiday, and every year it falls on a new number.

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

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

Actually, work is also forbidden, but, due to the secular nature of our state, prescribed in the Constitution, believers usually go to work that 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, visiting hairdressers.

Some famous temples dedicated to the Annunciation

In Russia, the first stone church dedicated to the Annunciation is the Annunciation Cathedral, erected by the Grand Duke Vasily, the son of Dmitry Donskoy in the period from 1397 to 1416. By 1482, in the reign of Ivan 3, the building became unusable due to age and was demolished, a new temple was erected in its place.

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

About the temples consecrated in honor of the Annunciation:

In Israel, in a holy place, near the source on which the Virgin Mary visited and where the First Annunciation took place (information about it is based on the apocryphal scripture from Jacob), the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation was founded in 1750. She acts to this day.

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

  Temple of the Annunciation in Israel

Beliefs on the Annunciation

Such beliefs regarding this day are widespread 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 put on new clothes - they will not last long.
• Wives try to call her husband “sweet” as often as possible - if this is done 40 times, he will be kind to his wife all year.
• Do not sow - there will be a crop failure.
• How to spend this day, and all 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 crop 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 for truth by the official Orthodox Church and have no theological value.

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

Orthodox literature on the Annunciation

1. Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary prot. Seraphim Slobodskoy
2. On the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Metropol. Kirill
3. Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary "Biblical Encyclopedia"
4. The Wisest Psella Word on the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos Archim. Ambrose
5. Conversation at the Annunciation Proclus, Patriarch of Constantinople
6. A word on the Annunciation of the Blessed Lady of our Virgin and Ever-Virgin Mary St. Nikolay Kavasila
7. Omilia XIV. At the Annunciation, Our Lady of the Virgin and Ever-Virgin Mary St. Gregory Palamas
8. The Annunciation Met. Benjamin (Fedchenkov)
9. Word on the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary st. Dimitry of Rostov

Watch the Annunciation video

I wish the Annunciation good,
   Let them be your life is full.

Good news warms your souls
   And day after day, their hearts are warming!

On April 7, believers celebrate one of the main and joyful holidays in the Orthodox calendar - the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 2018, it falls on Great Lent and coincides with Holy, or Great Saturday, the day of especially strict fasting, sadness and silence.

It is believed that on this day Heaven opens, grace descends on people and they get the opportunity to be cleansed from sins.

The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Orthodox calendar is one of the main holidays.
   According to the description of the Apostle Luke, on this day the archangel Gabriel announced to the young Virgin Mary about the future birth in the flesh of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World.

« The angel, going in to her, said: Rejoice, gracious! The Lord is with Thee; blessed are you between wives.
   She, seeing him, was embarrassed by his words and wondered what kind of greeting this would be.
   And the angel said to her: Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace from God; and behold, you conceive in the womb, and bear a Son, and you will call His name Jesus.
   He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father;
   and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end» , - these events are described in the canonical gospel.

Mary, seeing the will of God in the words of an angel, utters very significant words: “Behold, the Servant of the Lord; let it be according to thy word ”

The gospel words of the archangel Gabriel formed the famous prayer - Song of the Most Holy Theotokos:
“Virgin Mary, rejoice, graceful Mary, Lord be with you;
   blessed are you in women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb
   like the Savior gave birth to our souls. ”
   This prayer is part of the cell (home) prayers of believers

The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated   always on the same day - March 25 according to the Gregorian calendar and April 7 according to the Julian calendar.
   Unlike Easter, this day has a non-rolling date and is counted out exactly nine months after the Nativity of Christ (that is, the period that a woman carries a child.)

In early Easter, that is, from April 4 to 13, the Annunciation can fall both a day a week before the celebration of Easter, and a week after the Holy Resurrection of Christ.

The coincidence of the Annunciation and Easter is called Kiriopaskhoybut this is extremely rare. The last time this happened in 1991, and the next Kiriopasha will happen only in 2075.

The church ranks the holiday as one of the twelve, that is, the twelve most important holidays after Easter in Orthodoxy, along with Baptism, the Meeting, Christmas, the Ascension of the Lord, the Assumption of the Virgin and Holy Trinity Day. Most of them also have a fixed date.

Jerusalem, Serbian, Georgian Orthodox churches, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine, as well as Old Believers are preparing to celebrate the joyful holiday on April 7 according to the Julian calendar.
   Catholics - Roman Catholic, Romanian, Bulgarian, Polish churches - respectively, the day of the good news is considered March 25 ..

In a number of countries — both in the West and in the East — the New Year counted down from the Annunciation. Such a calendar was, for example, adopted in England until the middle of the 18th century.

Actually, the name of the holiday - the Annunciation - has come into use only since the 7th century (whereas the holiday itself has been celebrated four centuries earlier).
   Prior to this, the church designated it as “the day of salutation,” “proclamation,” “Greetings of Mary,” “Conception of Christ,” “Beginning of the atonement,” etc.

The name “Annunciation” (in Greek “Evangelismos”) is translated as “good news” or “evangelism”.
   And the full name of the holiday in Orthodoxy is: The Annunciation of the Most Holy Lady of Our Lady, and the Virgin Mary.

   Traditions: as celebrated in antiquity and today

  Church celebration

On this holiday, memorial prayers, services and weddings are not held.

In the Annunciation in the temples there is an all-night vigil, which begins with the Great Compline, and the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.
   The priests put on the vestments of blue color during the holiday - this particular shade is a symbol of the Virgin.

During the service, everyone who comes to the temple this day is told about the essence of the holiday and the appearance of an angel to Mary.
   By the way, church holiday canons, which are still being fulfilled for the Annunciation, were compiled in the VIII century.

According to the tradition of theologians, on the day of the Annunciation, every believer should put off all worldly affairs, and especially labor, for the sake of prayer and presence in the temple.

In 2018, the celebration of the Annunciation coincides with Holy Saturday of Great Lent, which means: on this day you can not eat fish and vegetable oil. According to the monastery’s charter, fish food is allowed twice during fasting - Palm Sunday and the Annunciation, however, the significance of the days of Holy Week cancels such concessions.

If the holiday does not fall on Holy Week before Easter, fasting concessions are possible on it. So, it is allowed to eat fish.
   Believers bake prosphora houses - unleavened small breads - and then light them in the church during the liturgy. Prosphores are made for each family member, and they must be eaten on an empty stomach.
   In the old days, crumbs from blessed bread were also added to livestock feed and mixed with grain - it was believed that for a better harvest.

And in the Annunciation in the cathedrals and churches after the service they release birds from their cages into the wild - as a reminder of freedom for every creation of God. In Russia, from ancient times, at this time, released migratory birds caught in snares - larks, pigeons and tits.
   People believe that in the Annunciation they will reach the guardian angels and inform them of all the good deeds that were committed during the year.

The symbol of this day is the white dove, in the image of which the Holy Spirit descended on the Virgin Mary: “... the Holy Spirit will find on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the Holy One being born will be called the Son of God ...
   ... for God will not remain powerless any word "

In honor of this day, the day before, believers bake lean cookies in the form of birds and treat them to each other after the morning liturgy and communion.

This custom existed in Russia for hundreds of years until the revolution and was revived in the 90s of the last century. In the Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, a flock of pigeons is released by the Patriarch.

Particularly powerful are the prosphora and blessed water, which the parishioners bring with solemn service.

  Folk customs

Among the people, the Feast of the Annunciation was perceived, including as a symbol of the arrival of spring. Therefore, traditions on this day are associated with future crops.
   The peasants illuminated the prepared grain: they placed an icon next to the barrel in which it was stored and said a special prayer for the gift of the harvest.
   On the same day, it was customary to “call out the spring”, that is, to get together, and to use the songs of “freckles” to ask nature for favors and a good harvest in the future.

You could not work or do domestic work.
   Even leaving on the road to work was considered a sin. Instead, the day should be devoted to good deeds - for example, there was a custom to treat those in need on a holiday.

   Annunciation salt

Also on April 7, believers prepare   Annunciation salt, for which the housewives take a bag in which each member of the family pours a pinch of salt. It is calcined in a pan for about 10-20 minutes, then poured into the aforementioned bag and stored in a secluded place, and then used as a talisman.

To enhance the healing effect, prayers are read during cooking. It is possible not only the Annunciation prayers, but also any that you know: "Our Father" and others. The main thing is to know the words by heart.

When starting the ceremony, keep in mind that the color of the drug will change, the salt darkens when heated. Therefore, it has another name - black salt.
   It is advised to take coarse salt, but fine is also suitable.

If a crack is heard, the noise of salt when heated (and it will be heard :) - there is unclean power in the house. Or they made damage to the cook. However, the preparation of magic salt eliminates the negative of a person and cleans the house.

It is best to prepare the Annunciation salt before dawn on April 7, but it is not forbidden to prepare the potion during the whole holiday.

  How to store and use holy salt

You need to store the magic potion in a secluded place, for reasons of convenience - in the kitchen. No one except family members should touch it, especially strangers, because salt easily absorbs energy.
   The salt made for the holy feast (and this concerns not only the Annunciation) is put on the table in Christian celebrations.

  Annunciation salt will help with diseases

There are many ways to use it. You can give the healing properties of dishes - salt cooked food, add to the salt shaker.

It is believed that the miraculous properties of such a salt can cure diseases. In case of malaise, you can eat a grain of it, add it to water for drinking, rinsing the throat, washing the sore spots, compresses.
   Be sure - the disease will recede.

  Blagoveshchensk salt will clear of negative

Use the Annunciation salt to cleanse the home after the visit of unpleasant guests, finds in the form pad   or some paranormal activity in the room. The powerful cleanser prepared on April 7 should be scattered around the rooms, sweeping away only the next day. You can leave a pinch in every corner to protect yourself from the forces of evil.

Another way to clean the house is to make a saline solution for cleaning. They can sprinkle a house, car or certain things that are suspected of having dark energy. It is recommended to sprinkle shoes after returning from the cemetery.

The addition of salted grains charged to the holy holiday also has a cleaning effect. To strengthen it, there are conspiracies, which are described below.

  Blagoveshchensk salt will help to remove damage

For this, it is required about a tablespoon. Pour into a clean plate, place empty on the table. To the right of the plate, place the candlestick, light the church candle, put your hand on the salt and read, looking at the fire:

“Violent and strong winds, develop man-induced spell charms.
   Take them to where the rivers are deep, the current is fast, and the forests are dense.
   Let the witchcraft spell burn under the scorching rays of the sun.
   Thoughts hateful let them go away from me. Not for a day, not for a year, forever.
   Word, deed.
   Amen".

Keep salt nearby. If you are going to sleep - under the bed, stay awake - near your favorite armchair or sofa. You cannot leave home until salt spends near you one night. But she should be in your room for three nights.

All this time, she will absorb the negative energy of corruption. Observe - salt can change color or its appearance in some other way. If such an effect is observed, it will be necessary to carry out the ritual as many times as necessary so that the salt remains in its original form. Of course, if it is not completely black after cooking.

As three nights passed, take her out of the house without touching her fingers. Bury it where fewer people walk. Break the saucer and bury it there.

  Plots of salt in the Annunciation

Any plot for magic salt is read after its preparation. You can speak the entire supply for one purpose, or take a little as the need arises - the choice is yours.

Envy and anger are often the causes of corruption and other negativity. To protect yourself from this scourge, you can speak the Annunciation salt.
   Start by sewing a pouch. Then take a spoonful of salt and read so that your breath touches it:
  Defend, protect and save.
   Envy and human anger lead away.
   I’m spoiling the enemy’s back gate.
   Do not let infection into your soul and body.
   Amen. Amen. Amen.

Pour the entrained grains into a prepared bag. You must always have it with you. It does not matter where your amulet will be located - in the glove compartment of the car, pocket, bag.

In order to cure the child of the evil eye, the “prizor”, buns with the Annunciation salt are baked. Eat them on an empty stomach, immediately after waking up for three, seven or fourteen days - depending on the severity of the evil eye.

She and the spouses can be reconciled. Pour the salt into a self-sewn bag and hide it under the bed of the husband and wife. Option - sew in a pillow or blanket. Such a charm will not only relieve quarrels, but will also return passion to relationships.

The Annunciation salt is stored until the next Annunciation festival, which is celebrated on April 7. If a magic product is not needed or there are leftovers, they will no longer bring any benefit. But throwing such things into the trash or sewer is not recommended.

Throw her outside the house on the street in a bonfire, built in honor of the holy holiday. With her, all failures, problems, illnesses and quarrels will burn. Imagine how all the bad leaves your house during the burning.
   If there is no fire, just bury the salt in a secluded place.

After you get rid of the old salt, you can start cooking new ones.

In general, the Annunciation salt has a lot of useful properties similar to those of Thursday. It can be used to treat diseases, spoilage and evil eye, as well as to cleanse the house and expel evil spirits.
   There are many ways and recipes for cooking, and anyone can cope with this process at home.

  Rite of fulfillment of desires

The day after the bright holiday of the Annunciation, Orthodox people glorify the archangel Gabriel. People say that On April 8, the archangel descends from heaven to earth and fulfills all the desires of people.

For the plan to be fulfilled, you need to get up early and go outside. Be sure to wear the pectoral cross, as
   it is from him that the archangel notices those who ask. Face East, cross yourself three times and say out loud (but not loudly) 3 times the plot:
"Archangel Gabriel,
   minister of our Lord, hear the plea of \u200b\u200bthe servant (s) of God (s) (your name) and fulfill my request (say the desire in your own words).
   In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
   Amen".

The archangel was also called Gabriel — the gospel. As you will see, if on April 8 you receive a letter or a telegram (now both sms and emails), then you will soon find out the good news.

  Signs for the Annunciation

❧ Clear weather at the Annunciation portends a rich harvest and warm summers. If on this day the snow still lies - do not wait for good shoots.
   And the rain promised good fishing and mushroom autumn.

❧ You can’t put on new clothes at the Annunciation - it will not be worn, it will tear quickly.

❧ In order to have health, you need to wash yourself with melt water at the Annunciation.

❧ You should not lend someone this day and generally give something from home, it was believed that this will respond with losses in the future. It was believed that the one who gave away from home during the Annunciation spent family peace and peace on strangers.

❧ If you call your husband forty times “dear” on the Annunciation from morning until midnight, the husband will love and cherish all year.

❧ In the Annunciation, you cannot sew, knit, embroider, braid braids, cut your hair, dye your hair, or comb your hair. This sign is associated with the belief that people have long believed that human life is a thread that the Lord himself or guardian angels can control. On the day when the heavens open, it is easy to confuse the vital threads, change the fate of the family and loved ones.
   “The bird does not nest, the maid does not weave”, - the proverb is about the Annunciation.

❧ On what day of the week the Annunciation falls, that new year does not start any new business. For example, if the Annunciation happened on Friday, then things do not start on any Friday throughout the year.

❧ But if you make a wish in the Annunciation, it will come true.

  City named after the holiday

In Russia, many churches and monasteries were built in honor of the Annunciation. The most famous, of course - the Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.
   And the oldest, according to legend, was built in Vitebsk on the territory of modern Belarus by Princess Olga in the X century. The church was rebuilt many times, it was badly damaged during the Great Patriotic War, and was blown up in the 60s.
   Thirty years later, the temple was restored in the guise of the XII century.

The most ancient monasteries dedicated to the Annunciation are located in Nizhny Novgorod, in Kirzhach, Vladimir Region, and in Murom.

Throughout the country there are many settlements named after the holiday. The largest is the city of Blagoveshchensk in the Amur Region. At the same time, they named him after the first church laid in these places - the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the middle of the XIX century.
based on materials from suever.ru, mir24.tv

07.04.2017 07.04.2017

On April 7, the Holy Orthodox Church prayerfully honors the great and joyful feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Lady of Our Lady and the Virgin Mary. The Annunciation means “good” or “good” news. The Feast of the Annunciation is celebrated in memory of the appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Archangel Gabriel and his proclamation of the mystery of the incarnation of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of the world, from Her.

Annunciation Event
Upon reaching adulthood, according to the custom that had the force of law, the Blessed Virgin Mary left the Temple of Jerusalem and was handed over to the elderly carpenter Joseph - the Betrothed, or the keeper of Her virginity. Joseph came from one tribe with Her and took Her to him in order to be Her protector under the guise of marriage. Living in the Galilean city of Nazareth, in Joseph’s house, the Most Holy Virgin spent most of her time in solitude and silence, engaged in divine thought and prayer, reading the Holy Scriptures and needlework.
  The events of the Annunciation are described by the only evangelist - the apostle Luke.
  According to the Gospel (Luke 1: 26-38), in the 6th month after the conception of the righteous Elizabeth by St. John the Baptist, the archangel Gabriel was sent from God to the city of Nazareth to the Blessed Virgin Mary with the joyful news that the Savior of the world would be born from Her. Entering Her, Gabriel said: “Rejoice, gracious! The Lord is with you; blessed are you between wives. " Mary was embarrassed by the angelic greeting and reflected on its meaning, Gabriel continued: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for You have found grace from God. And now, you conceive in the womb, and bear a Son, and you will name His name: Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High ... and His Kingdom will have no end ”, that is, the archangel announced the same words in which the prophet Isaiah had predicted about this event long before him (Isa. 7:14). According to a number of theologians, the words of the archangel Gabriel - “Rejoice, Gracious” - became the first “good” news for mankind after its fall. St. Theophylact Bulgarian (XI – XII centuries), in the interpretation of the Gospel of Luke, writes: “Because the Lord told Eve:“ You will give birth to children in sickness ”(Genesis 3:16), now this joy is resolved by the joy that the Virgin Angel brings, saying: Rejoice, gracious! Since Eve was cursed, Mary now hears: Blessed are you. ”
Mary, perplexed (according to St. Gregory of Neocaesarea (3rd century), fearing a violation of her virginity), asked how the fulfillment of this promise is compatible with the observance of her virgin lifestyle: “How will it be when I don’t know my husband?” (Lk 1:34) The angel answered Her that the incarnation of the Son of God would be accomplished by the miraculous action of the Holy Spirit: “The Holy Spirit will find on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the Holy One born will be called the Son of God. Here is Elizabeth, thy relative, called barren, and she conceived a son in her old age, and she is already six months old, for God will not remain powerless any word ”(Luke 1: 35-37). Then Mary, seeing the will of God in the words of an angel, said in humility: “Behold, the Servant of the Lord; let it be unto me according to thy word ”(Luke 1:38).
  Right Nikolai Kavasila (XIV century) comments on these words: “The Incarnation was not only the work of the Father, His Power and His Spirit, but also the work of the will and faith of the Blessed Virgin. Without the consent of the Immaculate, without the assistance of Her faith, this plan would have remained unfulfilled as well as without the action of the Three Persons themselves of the Divine Trinity. Only after God has instructed and persuaded the Holy Virgin, does He accept Her in Mother and borrow Her flesh, which She gladly provides to Him. As He incarnated voluntarily, it was also His pleasure for His Mother to give birth to Him freely and according to Her free will. ”
  His humility and consent, according to St. Athanasius the Great (4th century), Mary expressed her confession of faith. He compares it to the tablet, “... on which the Scribe writes what He pleases. May the Lord write and do whatever he wants. " The Lord does not remain powerless any word, and Mary soon gave birth to the Infant Jesus (Luke 1: 26-35).
  Indirectly, the Apostle mentions the Annunciation event. Paul: “When the fullness of time came, God sent His only begotten Son, who was born of a wife” (Gal. 4: 4).
  King Solomon, who received all the light of wisdom from God to study the secrets of nature, after having examined everything that is in heaven and on earth - past, present and future - decided that in the world, under the sun, there is nothing new. But in the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin Mary, God created a completely new work, which has never been in the past centuries and will never be in the coming.
  This day, mankind has been waiting for more than five thousand years. Divine and prophetic books spoke of the coming of the Savior into the world. And the long-awaited hour has come.

Date determination and holiday history
The name of the holiday - the Annunciation - conveys the main meaning of the event associated with it: the proclamation to the Virgin Mary of the good news of the conception and the birth of the Divine Infant Christ. This holiday belongs to the twentieth eternal holidays and is celebrated every year on the same April day.
  The date of the Annunciation, both in the West and in the East, is considered March 25 (according to the old style, according to the new - April 7). This date is exactly 9 months from December 25 (old style), which is from the IV century. considered to be the day of the Nativity of Christ.
  For the first time, the date of March 25 appears in the writings of Western authors of the III century - Tertullian and schmch. Hippolyta of Rome as the day of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ according to the Roman calendar. This circumstance formed the basis of the Alexandrian and later Byzantine chronological systems, identifying the date of the Annunciation and Easter.
  The establishment of this holiday in Constantinople is referred to approximately the middle of the VI century. as a consequence of the process of “historicization” of gospel celebrations in the liturgical calendar, however, there is no certainty in this matter. So, in St. Gregory of Neocaesarea is "Conversation on the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary" and St. John Chrysostom (IV-V centuries) in his writings calls the Annunciation "the first holiday" and "the root of the holidays"; it can be assumed that the Church already celebrated the Annunciation at this time. The celebration of the Annunciation is evidenced by the building in Nazareth, on the site where the Annunciation is considered to have happened, by Equal-to-the-Apostles Empress Elena at the beginning of the 4th century. Basilica of the Annunciation. Moreover, at the beginning of the VIII century. The Armenian author Grigor Arsharuni wrote that the feast was established by Saint Cyril I, Bishop of Jerusalem, in the middle of the 4th century. However, the bishop of Ephesus, Abraham (between 530 and 553 years) testifies that not a single sermon was written before him dedicated to the Annunciation. Ancient Georgian manuscript lectures, reflecting the liturgical practice of Jerusalem in the 7th century, already contain on March 25 a special feast of the Annunciation. In the VII century. The Annunciation began to be celebrated in Rome and Spain; Gaul received it only in the VIII century.
  In the VI century. prp Roman Sladkopevets wrote a kondak (in the early sense of the term) of the Annunciation. By the end of the 7th century, this is already one of the most revered holidays in Constantinople. Gymnography of the holiday was supplemented in the VIII century. creations of St. John of Damascus (VIII century) and Theophanes, Metropolitan of Nicaea (XIV century), who composed the canon of the holiday in the form of a dialogue between the Virgin Mary and the Archangel Gabriel.
All Byzantine monuments of the VIII and subsequent centuries are called the Annunciation among the most important holidays; his worship is invariably celebrated on March 25th.
  Conversations on the Annunciation of St. Sophronius of Jerusalem (VII century), St. Herman of Constantinople (VIII century), St. John of Damascus and many other later holy fathers and church writers.
  In the West, information about the Feast of the Annunciation dates back to about the same time as in the East. From the writings of the Western Church Fathers and writers, the words of the Annunciation are attributed to the Latin authors of the fifth century. (blvg. Augustine of Ipponsky, St. Peter Chrysologist and Leo I the Great) and subsequent centuries.
  The Annunciation Day was often considered the day of the beginning of a church or even civil year both in the East and in the West. The conviction that the historical date of the Resurrection of Christ coincided with March 25 led to the fact that this day was called "Kiriopastha" (Lord). Now Kyriopascha is called the coincidence of the holidays of Easter and the Annunciation that happens every few years.

Annunciation event in the patristic tradition
  “Annunciation”, as indicated above, means good, joyful, good news. In fact, this is the same as the "Gospel", because this word is translated from Greek as "good news."
  The Feast of the Annunciation is dedicated to the remembrance of the day when, according to the Holy Scriptures, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary and announced the coming birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who would take away the sins of the whole world.
In Greek collections of patristic words for various holidays, intended for liturgical use (patristic Lectures) for the Annunciation, 1 or 2 readings are usually given: the first begins with the words “Again the joy of the gospel” (known by the names of St. John Chrysostom (IV-V centuries) and St. Gregory of Neocaesarea, and the second is the word of St. Andrew of Crete (VII-VIII centuries) “There is joy for all today.” In addition, there are manuscripts containing other patristic readings, for example, St. Gregory of Neocaesarea, St. Proclus and of Constantinople (5th c.), sermons attributed to St. Athanasius the Great and St. John Chrysostom. Later authors also wrote words to the Annunciation, for example: St. Sofroniy of Jerusalem; St. German, Patriarch of Constantinople, whose sermon is “For the Annunciation” contains 2 dialogues of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the archangel and with the righteous Joseph the Betrothed; St. Theodore the Studite (VIII-IX centuries); St. Gregory Palamas (XIV century); St. right Nicholas Kavasila (XIV century); St. Moscow Filaret (Drozdov) (XIX century) (he compares Mary’s words “let it be unto me according to your verb” with the words of the Creator “let it be” (Genesis 1: 3), so that “the word of the creature brings into the world of the Creator”) and many others.
  An essential element of the patristic creations dedicated to the Annunciation is its dogmatic aspect. All words to the Annunciation emphasize that the main event of the Annunciation is the accomplished incarnation of the Son of God; prp Theodore the Studite even calls the Annunciation not the Mother of God, but the Lord's Day. Due to the close connection between the Annunciation, the Incarnation and the Nativity of Christ, some sermons could very well have been written not for reading at the Annunciation, but for the feast of the Nativity of Christ (for example, the word of St. Proclus of Constantinople or the sermon of St. Leo the Great). Holy Fathers often emphasize the role of the Blessed Virgin in the Annunciation and Her moral stature; this side of the event is pronounced in the words of St. Gregory Palamas and St. Nicholas Kavasila. Some of the words inscribed with the name of St. John Chrysostom, as well as the word st. Herman of Constantinople and Kondak St. The novel of the Sweet Singer, built in the form of dialogue, with the dialogue not only the Blessed Virgin and the Archangel, but also the righteous Joseph the Betrothed. Speaking about the greatest significance of the Annunciation in history, the Church Fathers are not limited to the dogmatic interpretation of the gospel narrative - they often (for example, St. Theodore Studite) draw practical moral conclusions from it.

Iconography of the holiday
  Images interpreted as the “Annunciation” are already found in the catacomb paintings (Priscilla, 2nd half. II - 1st half. III centuries, Peter and Marcellinus, 2nd half. III - 1st half. IV centuries .). As the Annunciation, the scene is interpreted where a young man, whose hand is stretched forward, standing in front of a woman sitting in an armchair, addresses her with a speech. The plot context allows us to see the Annunciation in this scene, since similar images of wingless angels are known in the frescoes of the catacombs from the compositions “The Apparition of the Angel of Tobiah”, “The Apparition of the Angel of Balaam”, “The Apparition of the Trinity to Abraham”. The next time is the composition of the Annunciation on the relief of the sarcophagus in Ravenna (after 400), where the angel is represented with large wings, with a staff in his left hand, and the seated Mother of God - with a spindle and yarn falling into a basket at Her feet.
  The scheme that developed in the early Christian period did not undergo significant changes in Byzantine, Balkan and Old Russian art and varies on icons, miniatures and monumental paintings of the 9th-12th centuries. In the 2nd floor. XII century dynamic expressive features prevail in the composition. The movement of the archangel becomes impetuous, the gaze of the Virgin, addressed to him, by the probationers. The composition is complemented by symbolic details. On the con icon. XII century from the navy monastery Catherine in the Sinai in the foreground is a river with many birds and fish - a symbol of paradise. Behind the throne of the Mother of God, on the golden roof of the high chamber, where the nest with birds is located, there is a garden behind a fence with trees, flowers and birds - the “Vertograd prisoner” - a symbolic image of paradise and the Virgin (Songs 4:12). The golden throne of the Virgin Mary, adorned with precious stones and pearls, and the building towering behind it with an unveiled curtain resemble the throne of King Solomon (1 Kings 10:18) - also a symbol of the Virgin.
The desire to clearly illustrate the dogma of the Incarnation is most fully expressed in the Russian icon "The Annunciation of Ustyuzh" (XII century). In the heavenly segment, Jesus Christ is depicted sitting on fire cherubs, from His blessing right hand comes a ray to the Mother of God. The baby in the girdle is written in the same tones as the maforius (outerwear; a long female cover, descending from head to toe). The right hand of the Mother of God with the purple thread is raised to the chest, in the lowered left hand She holds a skein of yarn, the thread runs parallel to the figure of the Baby, as if held by the Virgin’s right hand at the shoulder. On the Sinai icon con. XII century also next to the Baby, parallel to the figure, a thread is depicted, which literally illustrates the idea of \u200b\u200bthe draining of the “clever scarlet Emmanuel” - the flesh of Christ “from the pure and virgin blood” of the Virgin.
  The exceptional significance of the Feast of the Annunciation, which Saints John Chrysostom and Athanasius of Alexandria call the first among others, was reflected in the location of this plot in the temple murals in the altar or predaltar zone. This arrangement clearly demonstrates that through the Incarnation on the earth of the Savior, the Son of God, heaven opens for the human race. In the X-XI centuries. Our Lady is portrayed facing the throne (catholicon of the monastery Vatopedi on Athos; St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev).
  In the XII century. Our Lady is usually portrayed sitting on the throne against the background of the chambers, with yarn in her hands, half-turned to the archangel (Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary of the Anthony Monastery in Novgorod (1125)). In the painting of the Novgorod Church Theodore Stratelates on the Stream (end of the XIV century) in front of the Mother of God, sitting on the throne, depicts a brightly flaming lamp - one of the symbols of the Virgin, indicating the acceptance of the Divine Fire by Her.
  In accordance with the fact that the Incarnation of the Savior opens the doors of paradise to humanity, the image of the Annunciation is placed on the royal gates of the iconostasis. The scene of the Annunciation is often combined with the image of the kings of David and Solomon in the upper parts of the royal gates: the gate leaf from the church of the Hospital of the Virgin in Ohrid (Macedonia) with the archangel Gabriel and king Solomon (2nd half of the XIV century); gates from s. Bara (Bulgaria, end of the 16th century, the Museum of the Transfiguration Monastery). In Russia, another type of tsar’s gates is being formed, where the Annunciation is placed at the top of the wings, and either the main door is depicted on the main door leaf. Basil the Great and John Chrysostom, whose names are 2 Byzantine Liturgies, or 4 evangelists.
The veneration of the Feast of the Annunciation was also expressed in the dedication of numerous temples and monasteries. One of the oldest temples in Russia is the Church of the Annunciation on the Settlement in Novgorod (XII century). In honor of the Annunciation, the gate churches were often consecrated (Church at the Golden Gate in Kiev (11th century)).
  It is noteworthy that in the Kaluga Metropolis many churches were consecrated in honor of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for example: a cathedral in Borovsk (XVIII-XIX centuries), a cathedral in Meshchovsk (XIX century), temples in Kozelsk (XIX century .), the city of Meshchovsk (XVII century), p. Kurilovo, Zhukovsky District (XVIII century), as well as now inactive, but dedicated to the Holiday: p. Khokhlovo of the Meshchovsky district (XVIII century), the village of Zaborovka of the Peremyshlsky district (beginning of the XX century), the village of Andreevskoye of the Ferzikovsky district (XVIII century) and others.

Why are white doves being launched on the Annunciation?
  A white dove from ancient times personifies the world and good news. In addition, the dove is a symbol of the blessed work of the Holy Spirit, and the snow-white wings are also a symbol of the purity of the Virgin Mary herself.
  In pre-revolutionary Russia, there was a custom, especially in Moscow, on the Annunciation Day, as on the day of the declaration of freedom to the whole world, to release from the cages of birds at will. To engage in any, even light, labor on this day was considered a sin.
  In the post-Soviet history of the Russian Orthodox Church, this custom was revived in the 90s of the XX century, and today in many churches after the Liturgy white doves are released into the sky.

One of the most revered holiday among the Orthodox is the Annunciation was established on the occasion of the good news to the Virgin Mary that she will soon become a mother and give birth to a child who will become the Messiah and Savior of the world. The good news of the conception of a son was announced to the woman by the Archangel Gabriel. From this moment the gospel story of Jesus Christ begins. How and on what date is the Annunciation celebrated in Russia in 2018? What features of the celebration do the Orthodox have on this day? What can be done at the Annunciation, and what should be avoided?

  When is it celebrated?

The Annunciation is the third largest and lasting in date great church holiday, which is always celebrated on April 7 (according to the Julian calendar it is March 25), exactly nine months before the time when the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, was born in the Jewish town of Bethlehem on January 7. For the Slavs this holiday marked the beginning of a new agricultural year, because immediately after it, massive work began in the fields and gardens.

Dates of the onset of the Annunciation and in 2018-2020:

  Tradition of celebration

One of the main traditions of the holiday is the preparation of the Annunciation salt, which had miraculous properties and could heal a person from various ailments and diseases.

If in ancient times such salt was burned in a furnace, now an ordinary oven is suitable for this. To do this, early in the morning before sunrise, the prepared large salt in a linen bag was put in the oven, leaving for 20 minutes for baking. After that, it cooled down and was used as needed all year round.

The pilgrimage was always held in high regard at the Annunciation. And even if there is no way to travel to the holy places on this day, you can just go to church, temple or chapel. Stand in front of the images, pray for yourself and the health of your family.

In view of such a significant event in the history of the Orthodox Church as the Annunciation, many churches built in Russia are named after the Most Holy Theotokos.

  What to cook for the Annunciation?

One of the most important church canons for the Annunciation is the restriction in the choice of food. Due to the fact that this holiday falls on Lent, it is possible to eat only fasting dishes. So, what you can eat on the Annunciation:

1. Mushroom and fish dishes.
2. Porridge, mashed potatoes or bean soups.
3. Vegetable dishes in any variation.
4. Fruits in raw form or in salads.
5. Baked or boiled fish.
6. Dried fruit uzvar or kissel.
7. Unleavened bread or pita bread.
8. Lean stuffed cabbage with vegetables or fruit dumplings.

Lush feasts on this day were not arranged. They did not go to the guests and did not invite those who did not belong to the close circle of family people to their homes. From wine to the festive feast, only wine (cahors) is allowed.

  Signs for the Annunciation

The Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary was considered the third and last day for the invocation of spring. Nature in April has already woken up and there should not be any frosts that would spoil young pagons and buds on trees. The weather signs for this day are as follows:

• Rime and fog in the morning - to a good harvest.
• Rain on the Annunciation promises fishermen a good catch throughout the year.
• Warm night - towards early spring.
• A dark sky without stars indicates that chickens will be carried badly.
• Frosty morning for subsequent frosts and a good harvest of spring crops.
• It's damp on the street - mushrooms will spoil well.
• If there is a thunderstorm on April 7, then there will be many nuts in the forest.
• A sunny sky without clouds booms stormy summers.
• Swallows have not arrived yet, so the spring will be lingering and cold.
• If there is snow on the roofs, then in the fields it will lie on St. George's Day (May 6).
• Sandpipers and cracks arrived - we should expect heat.

In addition to the weather signs for the Annunciation, there are many prohibitions and superstitions that are sacredly honored and respected by the Orthodox and the most notable of them are the following:

• They say that even a bird doesn’t howl at this day, which means that you can’t do any household chores or start anything new at home.
• A new thing (new clothes) dressed in a holiday will not be worn.
• You can not comb this day - hair will be strewed.
• Work with the ground until this day is prohibited.
• It is impossible to borrow or borrow something. Giving something from home, a person loses a piece of his health.

But for thieves (pickpockets or burglars), stealing something on this day was considered a good omen. A successful "trick" promised luck for a whole year. Such a phenomenon is still inexplicable and incomprehensible with what it is connected, because theft is a mortal sin.

On this day, the peasants put in the tub with grain, which is planned to be sown in the field, the Annunciation icon with the words: "Mother of God and Archangel Gabriel - bless us with the harvest."

In Russia, the Annunciation began to be celebrated in the IV century, immediately after the feast of the Nativity of Christ on January 7 was announced as the birthday of Jesus Christ.