March 25 is the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: how to best spend this day and what not to do
Kyiv • UNN
On March 25, Christians celebrate the Annunciation. In the church, they pray to the Mother of God, wash themselves with meltwater. It is forbidden to work, sew, wear new clothes, quarrel and give things away from home.
The Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the most important in Christianity. On this day, believers commemorate the fateful event - the moment when the Archangel Gabriel sent the Blessed Virgin Mary the news that she would become the mother of the Son of God. UNN tells about the peculiarities of this holiday and the traditions associated with it.
According to legends, when the Virgin Mary was reading about the birth of the Messiah in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to her. He told the young woman that she would soon give birth to a son - the Savior of the human race.
The scene of the meeting between the Archangel and the Virgin Mary is often found on icons, and is also a key event for many works of art - paintings, sculptures, frescoes, musical works. In Ukraine, one of the oldest images of this great moment is located in St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv. The icon dates back to the 11th century.
In the beginning, this holiday had other names - the Conception of Christ, the Annunciation of Christ, and the Beginning of Atonement. As of today, it is difficult to say why it simply became the Annunciation over time. It is only known that the name comes from the combination of the words "good news".
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What can you do on the Annunciation
On the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it is worth visiting the Liturgy in the church and praying. The Virgin Mary is usually addressed with special requests. For example, they ask for health, protection, help in difficult situations, forgiveness of sins, and also thank for the blessings received.
It does not matter which prayer to read to the Virgin Mary or to address her in your own words - the main thing is that the prayer is from the heart.
In the folk tradition, it is customary to wash with melt water on this day - it is believed that it strengthens health. Also, on this day, farms make stocks of Annunciation salt. It is believed that it protects against ailments
What not to do on the Annunciation:
• on this day, as on all major holidays, you should not engage in physical labor and housework;
• it is forbidden to sew, knit and embroider. Cutting flowers and pruning trees is also prohibited;
• you should not wear new clothes on this holiday;
• it is forbidden to go to visit. It was believed that the holiday should be spent in the family circle;
• on the Annunciation, some rules imposed by Great Lent are softened. In particular, you can eat fish and seafood;
• on the Annunciation, you should not give anything out of the house, otherwise fate will be such that poverty will come;
• you should not shout, use profanity, or quarrel;
• on the Annunciation, memorial services are not held in churches, and weddings are not held.
