What a feast of 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 most revered Christian holidays, included in the list of 12 greatest Orthodox dates. We will find out what kind of day it is, what signs and popular beliefs are, as well as what you can and cannot do.

What a holiday: history and date on the calendar

This Orthodox holiday is always preceded by a two-week Dormition fast, that is, believers always celebrate it at the end of the fast. The people also call this day the Day of Death of the Most Holy Theotokos and the first Most Pure.

According to history, the Mother of God often visited the places that Jesus visited. One day the Archangel Gabriel appeared to her and told about the exact date of her death. This happened during prayer. Gabriel told her that in three days she would meet with the Lord and remain in the Kingdom of Heaven forever.

After that, the Archangel gave her a twig from a paradise tree, after which the vision left. Three days later, the prophecy came true. The apostles witnessed the demise of the Mother of God, and Christ himself descended behind her soul. He lifted the soul of his Mother and sent her to paradise.

While the apostles were carrying her body to the place of "rest", a cloud appeared above them, music began to play, after which the Virgin Mary appeared in front of the apostles. She asked them to rejoice, because now she will always be with them. After some time, at the place where the Mother of God was buried, a church was built, in which the sheets found in the temple were kept.

Believers celebrate this holiday every year on August 28. On this day, it is customary to observe traditions and observe the weather. Thanks to this, people can once again be convinced that there can be life after death. But this can only be noticed by those who are in communion with the Lord and who follow his commandments.

Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos: church and folk traditions

From time immemorial, people have been trying to reap the harvest for the Dormition, and on this occasion they organized a celebration, honor the memory of the Mother of God, worshiping the icon. The first Most Pure One must go to the Church. Let's find out what other traditions people have been honoring for a long time and are trying to adhere to the present day:

1. On the feast of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos, in order to protect the harvested crop from fires and rain, it is advisable to take with you to the church a bunch of ears of different types of cereals and collect the seeds of all plants that have matured by this date.
2. On this day, it is customary to say goodbye to summer and meet the first days of autumn. Previously, the date of August 28 was considered the last day of summer.
3. So that the winter was not harsh, and peace always reigned in the family, people on the Assumption tried to dine with the whole family. The hostesses baked pies, prepared treats from the products of the fresh harvest, it was also customary to light a candle (it symbolized the family hearth).
4. The First Most Pure always coincides with the end of the Assumption Lent, therefore, from August 28, you can eat any food.
5. On this holiday, it was customary to go to "matchmakers". If the girl on the Assumption gave her consent to become a spouse, then the relationship between the young was always strong, and the marriage was happy. Old people believed that this was one of the best days for building a "family foundation." By the way, the date of the wedding after the Dormition in most cases fell on Pokrov, that is, October 14.
6. To appease the "bread spirits", it was necessary to cut the spikelets, dry them, tie them with yellow or red thread and then press the bunch to the ground. As a token of gratitude, one could leave a piece of fresh bread, salt and water.

This Orthodox holiday is known not only for traditions and beliefs, there are many tips behind it, from which you can learn what not to do.

First Most Pure: what cannot be done on this day

Believers and clergy are sure that on the day of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos, one must adhere not only to traditions, but also to certain rules:

1. In no case should you walk barefoot in the dew. It has long been believed that dew on plants on this day is a kind of symbol of the tears of the Mother of God. Anyone who gets their feet wet in dew will be unhappy, they will literally be haunted by troubles and problems.
2. It is not recommended to wear uncomfortable, old or tight shoes on this day.
3. It is not customary to burn fires and heat the stove. But you can light a candle.
4. You cannot use foul language, envy, quarrel, wish bad things to other people, even ill-wishers. All bad thoughts are bound to come back.
5. You don't need to cut your hair and nails on this holiday.
6. It is strictly forbidden to undertake work in which you need to use scissors, an ax and other sharp and cutting tools. It is even better to break bread with your hands. Many housewives try to cook food earlier, so as not to stand in the kitchen with a knife on the Assumption.
7. In order not to attract misfortune into your life, you cannot arrange festivities on an Orthodox holiday.

Those who know what kind of holiday it is, what traditions are and what should not be done, remember also what matters should not be neglected on this day.

What is absolutely important to do in the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos

In 2020, believers will celebrate the first Blessed Virgin on August 28. In order to have more happiness in life, it is important not only to know what kind of holiday it is, but also what things are customary to do on this day:

1. At the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, you need to visit the Church and light a candle for the repose of the souls of all deceased relatives.
2. On this day, it is customary to feed the homeless and help people in need, so if unnecessary things have accumulated in the house, they can be safely given to the poor.
3. Parents who are raising girls should definitely pray on this day and ask the Lord that the life and marriage of their daughters be happy.
4. On this holiday, you need to pray for the health of relatives, especially children. Old people are sure that the Mother of God will surely hear prayers and send the kids good health, as well as a strong guardian angel.
5. Sick people can ask for health and healing, but they must thank the Mother of God for the good and her patronage.
6. The holiday should be spent in the family circle, thanks to this, all family members will be healthy and happy.

Folk omens on the day of the Assumption

It has long been customary to observe the weather on this great holiday. Old people are sure that advice and folk signs cannot be neglected. Observe the weather conditions:

1. If the weather is calm and warm on this day, then the Indian summer will be cool.
2. If a rainbow appears in the sky, then autumn will be unusually warm.
3. If there is a noticeable amount of cobwebs on the grass, trees and shrubs, then the winter will be frosty, but there will be little snow.
4. Autumn promises to be cold, and early winter if there is frost on the trees.
5. A severe and snowy winter is foreshadowed by a strong thunderstorm.
6. Dreams for August 28 are prophetic, for 24 days they will definitely come true.

It was believed that by the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, unmarried girls had to look after a groom for themselves, especially since there was less work during this period, and the young ladies could think about the future. If a girl did not choose her future husband, then she had to wear "girls" for another year.

Summarize

1. For Orthodox people, the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos - what is this holiday? August 28 is a truly clean and great day, on which you can ask the Lord and the Mother of God for health and happiness.
2. It is important to observe traditions, especially those related to the harvest.
3. It is worth knowing and following the rules of what you can and cannot do on this day.
4. Do not forget about popular beliefs and omens, with their help you can change your life for the better.
5. It is advisable to help poor people and wish only good for everyone.