September 21 is an Orthodox holiday, what can you eat. What you can and cannot do on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, said psychic Thekla. Nativity of the Virgin Mary: fasting or not, what you can eat

Every year Christians celebrate one of the greatest church holidays - Christmas Holy Mother of God. The Orthodox world invariably observes the traditions of this day, which is why even in modern consciousness the holiday of the Nativity of the Mother of God appears significant and symbolic.

Tradition of the Birth of the Virgin Mary

As Tradition says, the birth of the Mother of God took place in a small city, which was located just north of Jerusalem - in Nazareth. Nazareth was located on the slope of one of the mountains and was so insignificant and unnoticeable that no one could even think about the coming great miracle that would elevate this place. Meanwhile, it was in this city that the woman who gave humanity the Savior was born.

In Nazareth lived the family of Joachim and Anna, distinguished by their pious behavior, righteousness and mercy towards people. Joachim's ancestor was King David, while Anna came from a priestly family. The family was considered wealthy - Joachim had a large number of livestock - but material wealth did not affect the purity of the souls of the spouses. Residents of the city loved and respected the elderly couple very much for their God-fearing behavior and willingness to help their neighbors. The only pain darkened the existence of Joachim and Anna: gray hair had already touched their hair, but the Lord never sent them a child, despite the righteous life and incessant prayers of the spouses. But childlessness at that time was considered a punishment from God. The turning point for Joachim was an event that occurred during the ritual of offering gifts to God. The priest, seeing that Joachim wanted to offer a gift, denied him this right, cruelly reproaching him for being barren, and therefore unworthy to participate in the ritual. After this, the grieving Joachim withdrew into the desert, where he endured severe hardships, fasted and offered prayers to the Lord. Anna was left alone in great sadness. Day and night she fervently prayed that God would send them a child.

The Lord heard the requests of the spouses. When they were apart, both had a vision of an Angel, who announced that God would give the couple offspring, the fame of which would spread throughout the world. They ordered to name the daughter Maria, which translates as “hope.”
To prove the truth of these words, the Angel promised that the couple would see each other near the Golden Gate of Jerusalem. And indeed, the couple met, and joy reigned in their hearts. Anna conceived, and 9 months later the one who was destined to become the mother of Jesus Christ was born.

Traditions of celebrating the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

In Rus', the Mother of God is one of the most revered saints, because she acts as the intercessor of the human race before God. The Heavenly Queen protects mothers and babies, the family hearth and fertility. It is not for nothing that the celebration of the Nativity of the Virgin coincides with the celebration of Osenin, dedicated to the harvest and family well-being.

On the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, it is customary to give thanks to her for the gifts that the earth has brought. On the morning of September 21, women traditionally went to the banks of reservoirs with oatmeal bread and jelly. The eldest of them turned to the Mother of God with gratitude for her mercy and a request to protect families from misfortune and illness, to fill homes with harmony, warmth and love.

Mothers on this day prayed to the Heavenly Queen, asking her for protection and protection for their children. They prayed to the Mother of God to protect the babies from the evil eye, illness and everyday adversity. The childless turned to the Mother of God with a prayer to send them a child. According to ancient custom, women who cannot conceive should set the table on this day and feed lunch to as many beggars as can fit at this table, asking them to pray for her child. Mercy towards one's neighbor and prayers to the Most Pure Virgin on this day will help a woman become a mother.

On this bright day, it is customary to have family feasts and visit loved ones. A special tradition is visiting newlyweds. Relatives come to visit to see how the newlyweds have arranged the family nest. The bride must certainly feed the guests a hearty dinner and show the decorations of the house, and the owner must take the relatives around the yard, showing every nook and cranny. Guests are obliged to praise the young people and give them useful tips based on what we saw.

The Mother of God certainly helps those who turn their prayers to her on this day. Honor traditions, take care of the people dear to you and don’t forget to push the buttons and

21.09.2015 00:40

The Dormition Fast is two weeks of strict physical and mental abstinence. The fast begins on August 14, the Day of the Honey Savior, and continues...

On September 21, 2018, the Orthodox world celebrates a great holiday - the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This holiday is one of the most important and revered in church calendar. Traditionally, on this holiday people offer prayers to the Virgin Mary. Also, at all times on this day, women were revered - the continuers of the human race.

The holiday was established back in the 4th century. For so much for a long time it acquired its own unique traditions and customs. Also on this important day there are a number of prohibitions imposed by the church. It is worth knowing about them in order to spend this important day correctly, in peace and harmony.

September 21, 2018 – Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: what can and definitely should be done on this holiday. Orthodox Christians always strive to get to church on this day. There they offer prayers to the Mother of God. It is believed that on such a great day, everyone can turn to the Higher Powers with prayers and requests for help and intercession, and all prayers will certainly be heard.

You definitely need to repent on this holiday for your past sins. It is also necessary to ask for forgiveness from your parents on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, September 21, 2018, and pray for their health and longevity.

Since the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 21, 2018 coincides with a national holiday, on this day it is customary to go to visit and invite guests to your place. You can also set the table and invite your family and friends over to celebrate this day together. However, you should not arrange too lavish feasts.

Women have always tried to meet the dawn of this holiday near a natural reservoir. They believed that if, on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one washes oneself from a river or lake before sunrise, one can preserve beauty, health and youth for many years. And the girls believed that such a ritual would help them quickly find love and get married.

September 21, 2018 – Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: what not to do on this holiday. There are not very many prohibitions on this holiday, but they still exist. As in any religious holiday, on this day it is strictly forbidden to swear, swear, use foul language, or show dissatisfaction and aggression.

It is advisable on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 21, 2018, to put aside all business and household chores, and spend this day in prayer and communicating with loved ones.

The Church does not approve of mass celebrations and entertainment events on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is also better to avoid watching entertainment television programs on this day.

On the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 21, 2018, you cannot eat meat or any other non-lenten foods.

Nativity of the Virgin Mary: prayers for help, happiness and prosperity

On the day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, prayers for personal happiness and family well-being acquire special power. Not a single sincere request goes unheard on this wonderful Orthodox holiday.

Prayer for help on the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

Every person needs the help and intercession of the Lord. Prayers to the Mother of God have amazing power, and through them the Mother of God will show you a way out of a desperate situation. The entire life story of the Virgin Mary is in one way or another connected with the Lord. She is the earthly mother of Jesus Christ, and she has the power to ask for help for you when you or your loved ones are in trouble.

It is customary to read the prayer to the Mother of God in moments of despair, when hope for the triumph of justice is lost, and there is nowhere to expect support. The main thing is that the words come from a pure heart and are supported by strong faith. Even if the trouble has passed or does not threaten you at all, make it a rule to read the prayer request of the Mother of God. This will protect you from sharp turns of fate and soften fateful moments in life. A prayer that helps to find support, protection and help sounds like this:

“Oh, Holy Virgin! Please, become my intercessor and do not leave me without help and support! Protect me from lies and all kinds of troubles, from bitterness, suffering and anger. Help me stand on the true path, strengthen my faith. Help me in the fight against my enemies, protect me from attacks and from all evil spirits. Please give me the strength to cope with all illnesses and adversities. Heal my soul and help me rise from my knees again. For only you can help me, Most Holy Theotokos, our intercessor. Glory forever and ever. Amen".

Prayer to the Mother of God for happiness

When it comes to the grace of God, the face of the Virgin Mary appears before our eyes, who found true happiness through prayers and a righteous life. Therefore, this prayer is a sincere appeal to the Blessed Virgin. Every person deserves happiness, and you can bring it closer by reading a prayer request with the hope of a quick miracle:

"Holy Mother of God! I pray, open my heart to love and tender feelings. Let there be no place for grief and anger in my soul. Give me more love and joy, give my family happiness and smiles. Do not let me know sorrow and sorrow, send me luck, bliss and prosperity! Yes, be famous your name now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen".

Prayer for the well-being of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The concept of “well-being” is broad. But on the day of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, prosperity is nothing more than family happiness and prosperity. The legend of the birth of the Virgin Mary is a story full of God's love and compassion. It is known that the Mother of God was born through the prayers of her righteous parents, who until old age harbored hope for a child, praying to the Lord daily.

Prayer for well-being is completely natural for anyone who wants to find harmony and understanding with their spouse, parents and children. In the understanding of a believer, love is mutual respect, support, and care.

The prayers to the Mother of God are presented in translation from Church Slavonic to make them easier to learn by heart. In order for your requests to reach the Mother of God, you should read them daily, morning and evening. Having embarked on the path of religious education, it is important to remain faithful to the chosen path. Prayers for happiness and prosperity should continue to be read, even if in your personal life There are already noticeable changes. Prayer to the Mother of God for well-being:

“Oh, our Savior, Queen of Heaven! Hear and don't leave us unattended! We will rejoice with you on this bright holiday. Do not leave us in moments of burden and sadness, become our intercessor and do not leave us without your protection. Do not let us wallow in sin, give us joy, happiness, prosperity in the family and in our lives. Walk our spiritual path with us, for at the end of the path we will stand before the throne of the Lord. Deliver us from difficulties and grief, Most Pure Virgin, so that our souls may be drawn to the light and heaven. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen".

Remember, only sincere prayers will the Mother of God be able to hear and come to your aid. Pray from the bottom of your heart, and then you will certainly find happiness, prosperity and support. You can also always carry a handwritten prayer with you, and it will work as a talisman, protecting you from evil and troubles. We wish you good mood and strong faith. take care of yourself and don't forget to press the buttons and

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Nativity of the Virgin Mary: history, traditions and signs of the holiday

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, like the Nativity of Christ, is one of the important Orthodox holidays. Associated with this celebration.

Icon "Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary"

The icon “Protection of the Virgin Mary” is one of the most significant shrines among all Orthodox images. This icon symbolizes.

Kaluga Icon of the Mother of God

The miraculous image of the Virgin Mary grants healing to everyone who turns to it in prayer. The icon of the Mother of God helps.

Today is the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: this is the prayer they read on this day!

It is believed that on this day the Most Holy Theotokos hears every request addressed to her!

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, like the Nativity of Christ, is one of the important Orthodox holidays. This celebration is associated with important traditions that every Orthodox believer must observe.

On September 21, many churches in our country will host solemn services in honor of the Birth of the Great Mother of God. It was on this day that the Virgin Mary was born, who later gave the world the Savior - Jesus Christ.

Unfortunately, little information has reached our time about the history of the day of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. But it is known that the holiday began to be celebrated at the beginning of the 7th century. The Mother of God was born during the reign of the Great Herod, in small town near Jerusalem. At that time, there lived a believing childless couple - the spouses Anna and Joachim, who every day prayed to the Lord to give them a child. One day an angel appeared to them, informing them that God had heard their prayers and sent the couple a girl, whom they named Mary.

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is an Orthodox holiday and is celebrated every year on September 21. On the day of the holiday, it is customary to pray to the Most Holy Theotokos for absolutely everything that worries and worries you in any way. The Mother of God will not ignore any prayer and will rejoice if believers offer her prayers of thanks.

Before the Icon of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it is customary to pray for the salvation of lost souls and to guide them on the true path.

Prayer before the icon of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Oh, Most Holy Theotokos! Look with mercy at the prayers of us, Thy sinners and humble servants, and pray to God Thy Son, that He may bestow upon us and all who flow to You, mental and physical health and everything necessary for eternal and temporal life, and forgive us every free sin. and involuntary; may he deliver us from all sorrows and illnesses, misfortunes and all evil circumstances. To her, our Blessing Queen, our indestructible Hope and invincible Intercessor! Do not turn Your face away from us for our many sins; but extend to us the hand of Thy Motherly mercy, and do a sign for good with us. Show us Thy rich help and prosper in every good deed; Turn us away from every sinful undertaking and evil plan, so that we may glorify Your Most Honorable Name and worship Your honorable image; and we magnify God the Father, and His only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, with all the saints, forever and ever. Amen.

The Nativity of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary is directly related to prayers married couple from Jerusalem - Joachim and Anna. Only thanks to prayer, the Lord heeded the requests of the couple and blessed them to conceive.

And now, on September 21, on the birthday of the Virgin Mary, absolutely all Orthodox women who, for one reason or another, cannot bear and give birth to a long-awaited child, turn to prayers for the conception of the Most Holy Theotokos.

Prayer for Conception at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

“Oh, Most Pure and Most Blessed Virgin, asked of God with holy prayers, dedicated to God, beloved by God, and chosen for purity for the sake of Your soul and body by the Mother of the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ. Who will not please You or who will not sing of Your glorious Nativity, for Your Birth is the beginning of our salvation.

Accept your praise from us, the unworthy, and do not reject our prayer. We confess Your greatness, we fall to You in tenderness and we ask Your child-loving and compassionate Mother to intercede quickly: ask Your Son and our God to give us sinners, sincere repentance and a pious life, so that the opportunity to live is pleasing to God and beneficial to our souls.

O Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of heaven and earth, look mercifully on Your servants who have not yet been able to bear offspring and through Your all-powerful intercession have granted them healing from infertility. O Mother of God and Nourisher of our life, help us and save the faithful children of the Holy Church, hear our prayers, heal the sick, quench sorrow, direct courage for good.

In the same way, we humbly resort to You and ask: ask us from the All-Merciful Lord God for forgiveness of all our sins, voluntary and involuntary, for salvation, peace, silence and piety for our suffering fatherland. And ask us for everything that is so necessary for our life and salvation from Thy Son, Christ our God.

You are our hope in the hour of death, grant us a Christian death, and the inheritance of the eternal and ineffable blessings of the Kingdom of Heaven. Together with all the saints, we tirelessly ask you for your intercession and glorify the one True God, worshiped in the Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen."

On this holiday, it was a mandatory tradition for women to attend church to light a candle to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The candle was wrapped with a piece of paper on which they wrote their requests in advance. Whatever desires burn, those will be fulfilled. If all desires burned, it means that all requests will be fulfilled.

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September 21 – Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Prayer to the Mother of God for family

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a great holiday for all Christians of all denominations. This is the day when miracles are possible, when illnesses recede and when warmth arises between people.

You can say prayer words in church during a service, or say them at home in front of the corresponding icon and a lit church candle.

Witch.net

On September 21, 2017, Orthodox Christians celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary - the first twelfth holiday after the advent of the new year, the church new year. We will tell you what the essence of this holiday is, what you can and cannot do on this day, how to ask the Mother of God for health, prosperity, love and family well-being.

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: the essence and history of the holiday

The Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is a great consolation for childless spouses. This day opens a new one church year- the whole story of the New Testament begins with the birth of a little girl, who will be called the Throne of God, who will become the Door through which the Savior of the World Christ will appear.

The holiday was established by the church in honor of a miraculous event that is described in the Bible:

The mother of Jesus Christ, Mary, was born in the city of Nazareth from pious parents, Joachim and Anna. They lived to an old age, but were childless, which became the source of their grief and caused public censure. One day the high priest did not accept a sacrifice from Joachim, and he, inconsolable, withdrew into the desert, where he began to pray fervently. Anna stayed at home and also prayed. At this time, an angel appeared to both of them and announced to each: “The Lord has heeded your prayer, you will conceive and give birth, and your offspring will be talked about all over the world.” Having learned the good news, the couple met at the Golden Gate of Jerusalem. And soon a daughter was born into their family. The happy couple made a vow to dedicate their child to God and gave their daughter Mary to the Jerusalem Temple, where she served until she came of age.

Nativity of the Virgin Mary: fasting or not, what you can eat

In 2017, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on Thursday, this is not a fast day, which means housewives can prepare both Lenten treats and meat dishes.

In every family, in honor of this holiday, it is customary to cover big table. It is believed that the richer the housewife prepares for the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the more generous the harvest will be. next year. Therefore, do not forget to pay tribute to nature by placing a basket of apples, pears, plums and grapes on the table.

What you can and cannot do on the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

There are no special or special prohibitions on September 21, but, like on any other church holiday, believers should adhere to some rules.

According to tradition, on the day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary they try:

do not engage in physical labor unless absolutely necessary.
You can’t do “black” things on this day homework– wash floors, clean the house, burn garbage in the yard, etc.
You should not start cleaning the house on a holiday;
It is considered a great sin to sweep crumbs from the festive table onto the floor;
On this day, women did not pick up a needle and scissors, did not cut bread, did not sew or embroider.
On a holiday you can’t quarrel or make trouble.

Here's what you need to do on this day:

Be sure to visit the church and sincerely pray to the Virgin Mary. It is believed that on this day all prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary will be heard.
Also light a candle to the icon of the Mother of God and ask her for protection and help.
Among the people, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was considered the beginning of the new year. Therefore, on this day it was customary to light a new candle in the house - the fire should attract only the best to you.

What to pray for on the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

On this day they pray for the gift of a child. If there are no children in the family for a long time, then they turn to both the Mother of God and Her parents Joachim and Anna, who, as is known, did not have children for a long time.

On the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary they also pray during troubles and difficulties. family life. Righteous Joachim and Anna are a Christian example of family life.

The prayer of the Mother of God on her Nativity will not go unanswered: ask the Mother of God for what you sincerely desire with all your heart and your wish will certainly come true.

Prayer to the Mother of God for healing from infertility and conceiving a child

“O My Most Holy Lady Theotokos, my indestructible hope, accept these prayers with great hope and faith in Your immeasurable mercy, have mercy on the servant of God (name) and grant me healing from my infertility and the opportunity to conceive a child from my husband.”

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary September 21, 2017: what not to do, signs, prayer

When is the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 2017

This is a permanent holiday and is celebrated on the same day every year. This means that in 2017 the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be celebrated on September 21.

The Virgin Mary in Orthodoxy has always been revered in a special way and therefore many holidays have been established in her honor. An example of this is the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God. However, few people know that most Orthodox holidays were established not out of respect for the saints, but in order to provide an alternative to pagan ones after the Baptism of Rus'. Previously, instead of this holiday, the day of the autumn equinox was celebrated, which is why many rituals and traditions are so different from Christian ones. Let's find out more about this holiday.

The story of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

According to existing Tradition, the place where the Nativity of the Virgin Mary took place is located in Jerusalem. However, a version has become widespread in the Russian Orthodox Church that the parents of the Virgin Mary lived in Nazareth and it was there that she was born.

The parents of the Virgin Mary enjoyed universal love and respect. However, they were depressed by one sorrow: they were childless, which the Jews considered a sign of God’s punishment. They constantly asked God to send them joy in the child. One day he heard from a certain Reuben a harsh reproach: “Why do you want to bring your gifts to God before others? After all, you are unworthy, as barren!” Out of great grief, Joachim withdrew into the desert for fasting and prayer.

Having learned about this, righteous Anna, recognizing herself as the culprit of their childlessness, also grieved and began to pray even more fervently to God so that He would hear her and send her a child. In one of these moments of prayer, the Angel of the Lord appeared to her and said: “Your prayer is heard by God, and you will conceive and give birth to a blessed daughter, above all earthly daughters. For Her sake all generations of the earth will be blessed. Name her Mary.” After the prescribed period of pregnancy, righteous Anna gave birth to a daughter, whom she named Mary, as the Angel commanded her.

After a year, St. Joachim arranged a feast, to which he called the priests, elders and all his acquaintances. At this feast he raised up his Blessed Daughter and, showing it to everyone, asked the priests to bless Her.

Traditions for Christmas

The year of the Blessed Virgin Mary 2017 falls on Lent, but the church allows fish and seafood. As traditional dishes, pies filled with fish were served.

Mushroom pies were also popular. All women in every home were expected to give generously to the poor and needy. If this could not be done for any reason, it was considered a big disaster - the woman risked remaining infertile, and well-being and prosperity could leave the house.

U Eastern Slavs The day is dedicated to the harvest, fertility and family well-being. By this time, field work is completed: harvesting, exporting grain to barns, harvesting flax. On this day they honored and thanked the Mother of God (Mother - Cheese-Earth) for harvested. It was believed that she gives prosperity, patronizes agriculture, family and especially mothers. In some places, funeral services are held for the dead, as on St. Demetrius Saturday.

Previously, it was believed that by September 21st, the entire harvest from the fields should be harvested. On this festive occasion, people held great feasts. The richer the table was set, the richer the harvest for the next year. This is a kind of gift to nature for its generosity. Depending on what harvest was harvested, the celebration lasted for that long: a great harvest was celebrated for two weeks, and a small one for only three days.
On the church holiday of September 21, 2016, old people passed on their experience to young couples. We went to the newlyweds and passed on wisdom from their grandparents. If the young people listened carefully and followed all the advice, it was believed that they would have a happy and comfortable life.
The feast of the Most Holy Theotokos on September 21 was considered the day when autumn fully entered into its legal rights. From that day onwards the cold began. If on this day the weather pleases its good warmth and the sun, then autumn will be warm and clear. If, on the contrary, it is gloomy and cloudy on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, you cannot do without umbrellas and warm clothes in the fall.
We also looked at vegetables. The more peel there is on the onion, the more severe and cold the winter will be, according to the signs.
There is even a sign regarding pets for this day. Since previously everyone in the villages kept cattle or other domestic animals, it was believed that seeing a ghost in the house meant the imminent death of one of the pets. But this could have been avoided by taking fur from the animal and burning it in the place where the ghost was seen. In this case, misfortune was avoided.

What not to do on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Engage in heavy physical labor: work around the house, in the garden.
Sweep crumbs onto the floor during a family meal. If there was any bread left after a meal, it was given to domestic animals.
Quarrel with loved ones and conflict with others (try to resolve any controversial issues peacefully).
Raising your voice at loved ones (this is a sin!), being mean to others, or thinking badly about someone.
Consume meat and alcohol. On the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary it was necessary to fast.

Troparion for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Your Nativity, Virgin Mary,

joy to proclaim to the whole universe:

from Thee has risen the Sun of Truth, Christ our God,

and, having broken the oath, I gave a blessing,

and having abolished death, she gave us eternal life.

Kontakion of the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Tone 4)

Joachim and Anna of the reproach of childlessness

and Adam and Eve were freed from mortal aphids, O Most Pure One,

September 21 Orthodox Christians remember Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This event - the birth of the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ from the righteous parents of Joachim - is described in Church Tradition. We will talk about the history, meaning and folk traditions related to the holiday.

What is the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

The Nativity of Our Blessed Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary is the full name of the holiday that Russian Orthodox Church celebrates September 21, new style (September 8, old style). This is one of . The twelfth holidays are dogmatically closely connected with the events of the earthly life of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Mother of God and are divided into the Lord's (dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ) and the Theotokos (dedicated to the Mother of God). Nativity of the Virgin Mary - Feast of the Theotokos.

The event we celebrate on this day is not described in the New Testament. Knowledge about him came to us from Church Tradition, one of the sources of our doctrine, along with the Holy Scriptures.

The legend telling about the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, namely the Proto-Gospel of James, was written in the 2nd century. And they began to celebrate the holiday as a separate significant day in the second half of the 5th century. We read about this, for example, from the Patriarch of Constantinople Proclus (439-446) and in the breviary (liturgical book) of Pope Gelasius (492-426).

When is the Nativity of the Virgin Mary celebrated?

Orthodox Christians celebrate the Nativity of the Virgin Mary on September 21 according to the new style (September 8 according to the old style). This is a permanent holiday, that is, its date remains the same every year.

Holiday on Orthodox tradition lasts 6 days, from September 20 to 25. This period includes pre-celebration and post-celebration. Forefeast - one or several days before a major holiday, the services of which already include prayers dedicated to the upcoming celebrated event. Accordingly, after-feasts are the same days after the holiday.

What can you eat on the Nativity of the Virgin Mary?

In 2018, the holiday falls on Friday, a fast day; in honor of the holiday, believers are allowed to eat fish.

Events of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

In the New Testament we will find practically nothing about the earthly life of the Mother of God. The Gospels do not provide information about who the parents of the Virgin Mary were and under what circumstances she was born.

The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is based on Church Tradition. There is the so-called Proto-Gospel of James, written in the 2nd century. In it we read that Mary was born from pious parents, Joachim and Anna. Joachim came from a royal family, and Anna was the daughter of a high priest. They lived to an old age and were childless. This was a source of grief for the couple and caused public censure.

One day, when Joachim came to the Temple, the high priest did not allow him to make a sacrifice to God, saying: “You have not created descendants for Israel.” After this, the inconsolable Joachim retired into the desert to pray, but Anna stayed at home and also prayed. At this time, an angel appeared to both of them and announced to each: “The Lord has heeded your prayer, you will conceive and give birth, and your offspring will be talked about all over the world.”

Having learned the good news, the couple met at the Golden Gate of Jerusalem.

After this, Anna conceived. As the Protoevangelium of James writes, “the months allotted to her passed, and Anna gave birth in the ninth month.” The righteous made a vow to dedicate their child to God and gave their daughter Mary to the Jerusalem Temple, where she served until she came of age.

The history of the celebration of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

Christians began to celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary only in the 5th century. We read the first mentions of him in the Patriarch of Constantinople Proclus (439-446) and in the breviary (liturgical book) of Pope Gelasius (492-426). Saints John Chrysostom, Epiphanes and Augustine also write about the holiday. And in Palestine there is a legend that the holy Queen Helen, Equal to the Apostles, built a temple in Jerusalem in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Icon of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

We find the most ancient images of the events of the Nativity of the Mother of God in the 10th-11th centuries. These are icons and frescoes. For example, the painting of a 7th century Georgian temple in Ateni. This entire temple is dedicated to the Mother of God (the feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary).

There are other ancient images of the holiday: frescoes in Kiev St. Sophia Cathedral(first half of the 11th century) and in the Transfiguration Cathedral of the Mirozh Monastery (12th century), composition in the Church of Joachim and Anna of the Serbian monastery of Studenica (1304).

Traditionally, in early icons and frescoes, icon painters depicted righteous Anna, the mother of the Virgin Mary, in the center of the composition. The woman in labor reclines on a high bed, in front of her are women with gifts, a midwife and maids who wash the Virgin Mary in the font.

With each century, this iconographic plot was enriched with more and more new details. For example, they began to depict a table with gifts and treats brought, a pond, and birds. Nowadays, the icon of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is often made hagiographic, that is, the main plot is supplemented with separate compositions (stamps) - scenes from the history of the event. The cry of Joachim in the desert, the gospel to Joachim and the gospel to Anna, the meeting of the spouses at the Golden Gate of the Jerusalem Temple, and so on.

The painting of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary of the Ferapontov Monastery, which was completed by the great icon painter Dionysius in 1502, has survived to this day. This is a fresco above the main entrance, which depicts St. Anne on a bed; font; women and virgins with vessels in their hands coming to worship the Born; Joachim and Anna with the Virgin Mary in their arms.

Divine service of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

In the 6th century, the Venerable Roman the Sweet Singer wrote a kontakion to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, but its text has not survived to this day. The most ancient hymn of the holiday is the troparion “Thy Nativity, O Virgin Mary.” Most likely, it was compiled in the 5th-7th centuries. In addition, the modern service of the holiday includes, for example, the hymns of St. Andrew of Crete (VII century), St. John of Damascus (VIII century), and Patriarch Herman of Constantinople (VIII century).

Troparion of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

Voice 4:

Thy Nativity of the Virgin Mother of God, joy to proclaim to the whole universe: from Thee has arisen the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God, and having destroyed the oath, given blessing, and having abolished death, given us eternal life.

Translation:

Your Nativity, Virgin Mary, proclaimed joy to the whole universe: for from You the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God, shone, and, having destroyed the curse, He gave a blessing, and, having destroyed death, He gave us eternal life.

Kontakion of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

Voice 4:

Joachim and Anna were reproached by childlessness, and Adam and Eve were freed from mortal aphids, O Most Pure One, in Thy holy Nativity. Then Thy people also celebrate, having been freed from the guilt of sins, always calling upon Thy: the Mother of God and the nourisher of our life gives birth to barren fruits.

Translation:

Joachim and Anna were freed from reproach for childlessness, and Adam and Eve were freed from death by Your holy Birth, Most Pure One. It is also celebrated by Your people, who have been delivered from the burden of sin, loudly exclaiming to You: the barren gives birth to the Mother of God and the nourisher of our Life.

The Greatness of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary:

We magnify You, Most Holy Virgin, and honor Your holy parents, and glorify Your birth all-gloriously.

Translation:

We magnify You, Most Pure Virgin, and honor Your holy parents, and glorify Your birth all-gloriously.

First prayer for the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

Oh, Most Holy Lady, God-chosen Mother of Christ our Savior, asked of God with holy prayers, dedicated to God and beloved by God! Whoever does not please You or who does not sing Your glorious Nativity. Your Christmas was the beginning of the salvation of people, and we, sitting in the darkness of sins, see You, the dwelling of the Impregnable Light. For this reason, the florid tongue cannot sing songs about Thee according to its heritage. Thou art more exalted than the Seraphim, O Most Pure One. Otherwise, accept this present praise from Your unworthy servants and do not reject our prayer. We confess Your greatness, we bow down to You in tenderness, and we boldly ask Your child-loving and compassionate Mother, who is quick in intercession: pray to Your Son and our God to grant us, who have sinned a lot, sincere repentance and a pious life, so that we may be able to do everything that is pleasing to God and useful to our souls. Let us hate all evil, strengthened by Divine grace in our good will. You are our shameless hope at the hour of death, grant us a Christian death, a comfortable procession through the terrible ordeals of the air and the inheritance of the eternal and ineffable blessings of the Kingdom of Heaven, so that with all the saints we silently confess Your intercession for us and let us glorify the one True God, in Holy Trinity worshiped, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Second prayer for the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of heaven and earth, we bow down to Your miraculous image, with tenderness: look mercifully on Your servants and through Your omnipotent intercession send down what everyone needs. Save all the faithful children of the Holy Church, convert the unfaithful, guide those who have gone astray to the right path, support old age and weakness of strength, grow the young in the holy faith, guide courage for good, bring sinners to repentance and hear the prayers of all Christians, heal the sick, assuage sorrows, those traveling travel. You weigh, All-Merciful, as we are weak, as sinners, as embittered and unworthy of God’s forgiveness, otherwise be of help to us, so that by no sin of self-love, temptation and the devil’s seduction we anger God: Thee are the Imams, the Intercessor, Whom the Lord will not reject. If you so desire, you can bestow everything upon us, like a source of grace, who faithfully sing to You and extol Your glorious Nativity. Deliver, O Lady, from sins and misfortunes of all who piously call holy name Yours and those who worship Your honest image. You cleanse our tuna with your prayers of iniquity, so we fall down to You and cry again: drive away from us every enemy and adversary, every misfortune and destructive unbelief; Through Your prayers, giving timely rains and abundant fruitfulness to the earth, put Divine fear in our hearts to fulfill the commandments of the Lord, so that we may all live quietly and peacefully for the salvation of our souls, for the good of our neighbors and for the glory of the Lord, for He is the Creator, Provider and Savior All glory, honor and worship are due to us, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Third prayer for the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

Oh, Most Pure and Most Blessed Virgin, Lady Theotokos, born from barrenness according to promise and for purity for the sake of Your soul and body, worthy to be the Matter of the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, with Him now residing in heaven and having great boldness towards the Most Holy Trinity, from the Unborn, Like a Queen, you are crowned with the crown of eternal reign. In the same way, we humbly resort to You and ask: intercede for us from the All-Merciful Lord God the forgiveness of all our sins, voluntary and involuntary; salvation, peace, silence and piety are restored to our suffering fatherland, times are peaceful and serene, the sedition of the evil is not involved; to the abundance of the fruits of the earth, the air of goodness, the rains are peaceful and well-timed. And ask us for everything that we need for life and salvation from Thy Son, Christ our God. Most of all, let us make haste to be adorned with good morals and good deeds, so that, as powerfully as possible, we will be imitators of Your holy life, with which You adorned yourself from your youth on earth, pleasing the Lord; For this reason you appeared, the most honest Cherub and the most glorious Seraphim. To her, Most Holy Lady, be our quick Helper in everything and the wise Teacher of salvation, so that by following You and being helped by You, we may be considered worthy of being the heir to the existence of the Heavenly Kingdom, through the sufferings of Your Intercessory Son, and fulfillers of His promised holy commandments. For You are, Lady, our only hope and hope according to God, and we commit our whole life to You, hoping for Your intercession and intercession that we will not be put to shame at the hour of our departure from this life, and at the Last Judgment of Your Son, Christ our God at His right hand to be worthy of standing, and there to rejoice forever with all those who have pleased Him from time immemorial, and to silently glorify, praise, thank and bless Him with the Father and the Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Sermon by Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Every holiday of the Mother of God is pure joy. This is joy not only about God’s love for us, but also joy about the fact that the earth - our simple, dear, ordinary land - can respond to the love of the Lord in this way. This is a special joy for us.

When we receive mercy from God, our heart rejoices; but sometimes one becomes sad: how, how can I repay love for love, where can I find that holiness, that affection, that ability to respond with all my nature to the mercy of God? And then, although we know that each of us is weak and weak in love, we can think about the Mother of God. She responded for all of us with perfect faith, never wavering hope and love so broad that She was able to embrace heaven and earth with this love, open up with love in such a way that the Son of God became incarnate, and so open up with love for people that all the most sinful, can come to Her and receive mercy. This is the answer of the whole earth, this is the answer of the whole universe to the love of the Lord.

And so, let us rejoice and take joy away from this temple today - not just for one moment: we will preserve it day after day, we will be amazed at this joy, we will rejoice at this joy and we will begin to give this joy to people, so that every heart will rejoice and be comforted and was enlightened by this joy that the earth could contain the sky, that man could respond to God in such a way that God would become a man.

And now, from century to century, while the world stands, God is among us, the same Christ is among us, day after day. And when the glory of earth and heaven is revealed, the Lord Jesus Christ, true God, but also true man, will dwell among us as the Mother of God, Who gave Him flesh with Her love, faith, holiness, and reverence.

Let us keep, cherish, grow this joy and live by it in days of sorrow, in dark days, in days when it seems to us that we are not capable of anything, that the earth cannot respond to the love of God in any way. The earth answered, and this Answer stands forever with raised hands, praying for us all, for the good and for the evil, never standing in the way of salvation, forgiving everyone - and She has something to forgive: after all, the people killed Her Son - and we come to Her let's come running. Because if She forgives, then no one will judge us.

With what faith do we come to the Mother of God, how deep should it be, so that each of us, who through our sins and our unworthiness participates in the death of the Lord, could say: Mother, I destroyed Your Son, but You forgive. And he intercedes for us, and has mercy, and saves, and grows to the full height of the love of the Lord.

Glory to God for this, glory to the Mother of the Lord for this love of Hers. Amen.

Holy Righteous John of Kronstadt. Sermon on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The righteous parents of the Ever-Virgin mourned for a long time over their infertility, and long and fervently prayed to the Lord for the resolution of infertility, which was considered a punishment from God for sins; They did a lot of alms in order to bend to the mercy of the All-Merciful, and suffered insults from their fellow tribesmen, and in this sorrow and incessant prayer and charity they gradually became purified in spirit and became more inflamed and more love and devotion to God and thus were prepared by the Providence of God for the blessed birth of the Most Blessed Daughter, chosen from all generations to be the Mother of the Incarnate Word.

In a narrow and sorrowful path, the Lord leads His chosen ones to glory and bliss, for even the Mother of God Herself according to the flesh was predicted by Simeon that Her soul weapons will pass and She will experience severe sorrows in her soul during the suffering life of Her Son, so that the thoughts of many people’s hearts will be revealed (Luke 2:34-35). So sorrowful and narrow is the path of all God’s chosen ones, for the world and the ruler of the world, that is, the enemy of God and men, extremely oppresses the people of God; and the Lord Himself allows them to follow the narrow path, since it helps them to strive towards God and place their trust in Him alone.

But let us turn our gaze from sorrow to joy. What joy does the Nativity of Our Lady give us? Let us explain in more detail the church hymn that explains the reasons for the joy of the holiday. Through the Nativity of the Ever-Virgin, through Her only begotten Son and God, cursed and rejected humanity was reconciled with God, immeasurably offended by their sins, for Christ became the Mediator of reconciliation (Rom. 5:10-11), freed from curse and eternal death, and received the blessing of the Heavenly Father; it united and dissolved with the Divine nature; elevated to its first possession by this dissolution, as the church song puts it; the previously rejected person was worthy of adoption to the Heavenly Father, received the promise of a glorious resurrection and eternal life in heaven along with the angels.

All this was accomplished and is being accomplished by the Son of God incarnate from the Most Pure Virgin by the Holy Spirit and through the intercession of His Most Pure Mother. How honored and exalted humanity is through the holy Virgin Mother of God, for She was worthy of renewal and adoption to God; and She herself was honored, by Her immeasurable humility and greatest purity and holiness, to be the Mother of the God-man! She always remains the strongest Intercessor and Representative of the Christian race before Her Son and God! She is our shameless Hope; She takes away from us the clouds of God's righteous wrath, opens to us the ancient paradise with Her mighty intercession; She supports the thrones of kings and preserves them unshakably forever. She has saved and is saving Russia a thousand times from the beginning to the present day; She exalted her, glorified her, established and confirms her; She is the Surety of sinners for salvation. Christians turn to Her their countless prayers, petitions, praises, doxologies and thanksgivings; She has performed and continues to perform countless miracles in the Church, beneficial in all parts of the world.

Let us all brightly celebrate the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, adorning ourselves with all sorts of Christian virtues. Amen.

House of Joachim and Anna

The House of Joachim and Anna is one of the Christian landmarks of Jerusalem. As Church Tradition says, the Virgin Mary was born in the house of her parents - the righteous Joachim and Anna. It was located in the northeastern part of Jerusalem, now the territory of the Muslim Quarter of the Old City, near the Lion Gate.

Orthodox and Catholics still argue over where exactly the house stood, and built the monastery and basilica 70 meters apart. The Orthodox monastery of St. Anne is a place of pilgrimage for many Christians around the world. On the ground floor of the monastery there is a church in honor of the Nativity of the Mother of God, and under the monastery building there is an ancient cave. It is believed that this cave is part of the house of Joachim and Anna.

Church in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Vladykino

Church in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Vladykino- the spiritual center of the Moscow Otradnoe district. Address: Altufevskoe highway, building 4.

Vladykino is one of the most ancient villages near Moscow. The first owner of the village was the blessed Prince Daniil of Moscow, the son of Saint Alexander Nevsky and a direct descendant of Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir and Princess Olga. In 1322, the village was granted the patrimony of the thousand's Protasy Velyaminov, who arrived to serve the Moscow prince. From his name the village received its first name - Velyaminovo.

Three centuries later, in 1619, Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich granted Velyaminovo to Prince Dmitry Mikhailovich Pozharsky, but soon the village passed to Prince Ivan Ivanovich Shuisky. It was under him that a village church was built here in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (replacing the dilapidated church in the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker).

After 1653, His Holiness Patriarch Nikon made the village his patrimony and gave it a new name - Vladykino. A patriarchal travel palace and another temple are being built in Vladykino in honor of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God.

The first stone church in Vladykino was built in 1770. The bell tower was erected by Count K. G. Razumovsky, the owner of the neighboring village of Petrovskoye. By the middle of the 19th century, the stone temple had become very dilapidated. In 1854, on the site of the old one, a new, this time three-altared, temple with chapels of the Archangel Michael and the Archangel Gabriel was built. The main altar in honor of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos was consecrated by St. Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna.

IN Soviet years the temple did not close, even during the most severe persecution of the Church. During the Great Patriotic War Not a single shell hit him, although the Germans were very close. In the 70s, there were attempts to demolish the temple during the construction of an overpass at the beginning of Altufevskoye Highway, but parishioners were able to defend it.

Other names for the holiday are “Second Most Pure” or “Oseniny”, since on this day folk calendar autumn is coming. Christians have long turned to the Mother of God, who became the unifying principle between God and the human race, and asked her for protection and blessings.

From the history of the holiday

The Holy Church rightly calls Joachim and Anna Fathers of God, because Jesus Christ was born from their daughter the Virgin Mary.

The events associated with the birth of the Virgin Mary are not described in the New Testament - the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is based primarily on church tradition, which tells that the parents of the Virgin Mary were righteous Joachim from the line of King David and Anna from the line of the high priest Aaron.

By the special providence of God, they lived to old age and were childless, despite the fact that throughout their 50-year marriage they prayed to God to grant them offspring, humbly trusting in the will of the Lord. Childlessness greatly upset the spouses, and also caused public censure, since in those days it was considered a shame. On one of the holidays, they went to the Jerusalem Temple to worship the Lord and make the required sacrifices.

The high priest, believing that the childless Joachim did not have God’s blessing, refused to accept them from him, which greatly saddened the elder. Without returning home, the inconsolable Joachim withdrew into the desert and spent forty days there in strict fasting and prayer, begging the Lord for mercy. His righteous wife, having learned about her husband’s act, also began, through fasting and prayer, to mournfully ask God to give her a child, promising to bring the born child as a gift to God.

And the prayer of the holy spouses was heard - an angel appeared to both of them and announced that they would have a daughter, who would be blessed by the entire human race. Having learned the good news, the couple met at the Golden Gate of Jerusalem. After this, Anna conceived. As the Protoevangelium of James, written in the 2nd century, tells us, “the months allotted to her passed, and Anna gave birth in the ninth month.”

The parents named the girl Maria, and raised Her in love for the Lord. And when the baby reached the age of three, Anna and Joachim took her to the temple of God in order to fulfill the promise they had once given to the Lord to dedicate the child given to them to serve the Creator.

The Most Holy Virgin Mary, with Her purity and virtue, surpassed not only all people, but also the Angels, appeared as the living temple of God and, as the Church sings in festive hymns, “The Heavenly Door introducing Christ into the Universe for the salvation of our souls.”

Nativity of the Virgin Mary: what can you eat?

You should fast on the day of the Nativity of the Mother of God only if the holiday falls on Wednesday or Friday - fast days. But even in this case, the church allows the consumption of fish and seafood. This year, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on Thursday; it is not a fast day, which means housewives can prepare both Lenten treats and meat dishes.

In every family, it is customary to set a large table in honor of this holiday. It is believed that the more richly the housewife prepares for the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the more bountiful the harvest will be next year. Therefore, do not forget to pay tribute to nature by placing a basket of apples, pears, plums and grapes on the table.

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: what not to do?

Do not engage in heavy physical labor: leave housework, gardening and gardening for later.
You cannot sweep crumbs from the table onto the floor: if there was bread left after a meal, it was given to pets.
You cannot quarrel with loved ones and conflict with others: if the situation is close to critical, try to resolve any controversial issues peacefully.
On the day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, you must have pure thoughts: do not raise your voice at loved ones - this is a sin, and you also cannot wish harm to others or think badly about someone.

Autumn

The ancient Slavs at this time celebrated the holiday of the onset of autumn - Osenina, which, after the adoption of Christianity in Rus', “merged” with the holiday of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. It is believed that on the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, Indian summer ends and autumn finally comes into its own.

On this day, celebrations were held in honor of the harvested harvest and they thanked Mother Earth for this.

In Rus', the Mother of God was extremely revered; she was considered the people's intercessor, who primarily helps women. Therefore, the holiday of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary was something like Women's Day.

On this day, girls told fortunes about their betrothed, and on Oseniny it was also customary to congratulate and give gifts to newlyweds who got married in the fall - after finishing agricultural work. In villages, feasts were held right on the streets. The main treats were pies and bread made from the grain of the new harvest.

Signs

It is known that people always monitored weather changes outside the window, and already in the summer they knew what kind of winter they should expect. IN autumn holiday On September 21, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, signs indicated the following:
The day turned out to be clear - this weather will continue until the end of October.
Fog in the morning - rainy weather should be expected, if the fog clears unexpectedly quickly - the weather will be changeable.
If it started to rain in the morning, it will continue to rain for another 40 days, and the winter will turn out to be cold; if the bright sun in the morning quickly dries the dew on the grass, you should not expect a lot of snow in winter.
If the weather is sunny on the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, then the autumn will be warm and clear, without heavy rains; if the sky is gloomy on this day, then the autumn cold will come with the rains.

Proverbs, sayings, nursery rhymes

The First Most Pure One came - she put a necklace on nature, the Second Most Pure One came - she took the unclean mosquito, the Third Most Pure One came - the oak grove became leafless.
The Most Pure One came - the tree was clean, but when the Intercession came - the tree was bare.
The Most Pure One came and the unclean One brought matchmakers.
The Dormition sows the rye, and the Second waters it with rain.
At Christmas, the Mother of God said: “The Mother of God puts away the cabbage heads” - that is, it is time to remove the late cabbage, suitable for pickling.
The Nativity of the Virgin Mary is sometimes called Onion Day - this is the time of harvesting late onions, which is traditionally considered women's work.
Also, the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is sometimes called Pasik’s Day - because of the cold weather, it was time to remove the bees from the apiaries.