All the signs on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

The Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos is one of the main (twelve) Christian holidays, equally revered by both Orthodox and Catholics. On this day, believers remember the death (dormition) of the Mother of God. Let's find out what signs on the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos, celebrated on August 28, exist, what can and cannot be done on this day.

history of the holiday

The festivities dedicated to the Virgin Mary appeared later, in contrast to the worship of the martyrs of the Christian church. For example, in the Palestinian monasteries services for the Virgin Mary began in the 5th century AD, and in the Greek diocese even later, from about the 6th century.

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From the same period, the Emperor of Mauritius issued an edict on the need to venerate the Mother of God, in particular, to celebrate the Dormition of the Mother of God. The date was set for August 15 and was timed to coincide with the victory over the Persians. But still, until the 8th century, celebrations were not common.

According to legend, until the moment of her death, the Mother of God lived in Jerusalem. And one day, when she was on Calvary at the Holy Sepulcher, the archangel Gabriel appeared to her. He brought her the news that soon she would go to God, at the same time giving her a branch of the myrtle tree. He pointed out to her that this branch should be carried in front of her coffin during the burial.

When Mary returned home, she told Joseph of Arimathea about what had happened to her. Then she said goodbye to her loved ones and prepared to leave for another world.

At that moment, a light obscuring everything appeared, and those people who were present were frightened. But everyone saw that the roof was opened and the light was coming straight from heaven. At this moment, the Virgin Mary died peacefully.

The apostles buried her next to her parents Anna and Joachim and her husband Joseph. Despite the fact that the high priests tried to interfere with the funeral procession, a miracle that occurred at that moment prevented them from committing atrocity.

The circle that descended from heaven fenced off the saints and Christians from the high priests with a wall. Then the Ascension of the Mother of God to heaven took place, as the apostles were convinced of on the third day after her death.

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Signs

People's centuries-old observations have highlighted numerous signs of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, celebrated on August 28. During this time, stable traditions have developed of what cannot be done on this day.

Here are some basic signs:

1. A rainbow that appears in the sky foreshadows a rather dry and at the same time warm autumn.
2. A cobweb woven on the branches indicates severe frosts next winter. But at the same time, the season will be with little snow.
3. If the day of August 28 is warm, then the rest of summer and the beginning of autumn will be cool.
4. Fog spreading for a holiday - for a good harvest of mushrooms. It also suggests that the weather will be quite warm and sunny in the next half-month.

What not to do on this day

Not only the signs on the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos on August 28 are quite accurate, there are many beliefs about what cannot be done on this day:

1. It is categorically impossible to quarrel with anyone, swear and be annoyed.
2. Any swear words and criticism are prohibited.
3. Even if a stranger asks for help, it must be provided.
4. In no case can you get married on August 28.
5. All household chores are postponed to other days.
6. You can not engage in activities related to fire, otherwise it predicts trouble and illness.
7. Cutting anything is highly discouraged. This is a bad omen. It is for this reason that even bread was only broken on this holiday.
8. Do not cook food that is red as this is considered a sign of blood. For the same reason, vegetables and fruits that have a red color are not placed on the table.
9. Rubbing corns is considered a bad sign. But walking barefoot is also discouraged. It is believed that bare feet will lead to illness. You cannot walk barefoot, not only in the house, but also on the street. If a person steps on the grass with dew, they say that he tramples on the tears of the Virgin Mary.

Traditions

It is customary for young women to turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary on this day with a request for the joy of motherhood.

Also, women turn with prayers to the icons of the Most Holy Theotokos for the protection of their children from any hardships, failures and troubles in life.

They ask for the strengthening of faith, deliverance from the fear of death, for a strong and happy family, a faithful and reliable husband.

Those women who suffer from the infidelity of their spouse turn to the Virgin Mary for help. They offer prayers for her to help preserve the integrity of the family.

In villages, for this holiday, they hang an icon on the gate.

At home, women bake bread from the flour of the new harvest and distribute it to children on the street. At the same time, it is advisable to stand near the gate and treat everyone passing by with fresh pastries, especially when presenting gifts to small children. It is a good omen if at the same time the distributor sees a pregnant woman and treats her.

They also bring pastries to the church so that during the festive service the priest will consecrate them. Such a loaf is revered as healing. In addition, it is believed that such actions will help a woman become a better housewife.

It is customary to gather at the family table after the service in the church. But the veneration had to be humble and quiet.

And these are far from all the signs and traditions for the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos on August 28. Although the church believes that this should not be done, nevertheless, the people often perform certain actions to attract some kind of benefit into their lives.

Girls conduct love rituals with viburnum:

1. For those who have not yet had time to meet their beloved, you need to pick bunches of red berries. Place them on the window next to the icons of the Mother of God.
2. This, in combination with prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos, promises the girl a meeting with her betrothed soon.

All the ceremonies held on this day for the future groom and marriage are really effective and efficient. But it is imperative all the time to turn mentally to the Mother of God, asking for help in arranging a happy personal life.

True, the church is not always supportive of any actions related to rituals that are more reminiscent of pagan ones. But with regard to directly work on this day, the church calls on true believers to refrain from any activity, at least in the first half of the day.

Summarize

In order to properly celebrate this holiday, true Christians need to:

1. Go to church for service.
2. Bake bread, which can also be taken to church for lighting.
3. Help those people who ask for help on this day.
4. Do not swear and pray to the Mother of God.