Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the history of the holiday in brief. Historical names of this holiday and its status

One of the Twelfth Holidays in Orthodox calendar. The Annunciation is “good” or “good” news. On this day, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary and announced to Her about the coming birth of Jesus Christ - the Son of God and the Savior of the world. The Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on April 7 (New Style or March 25, Old Style). The Annunciation is exactly 9 months from the date of the celebration of the Nativity of Christ, has one day of pre-celebration and one day of post-celebration, on which the Council of the Archangel Gabriel is celebrated. Forefeast and afterfeast are postponed if the Annunciation occurs during Holy Week Lent or Bright Week.

Video of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary from the series "Summer of the Lord"

History of the Feast of the Annunciation

Holy Virgin Mary was raised at the Jerusalem Temple until she was 14 years old, and then, according to the law, she had to leave the temple as having reached adulthood and either return to her parents or get married. The clergy wanted to marry Her off, but Mary announced to them her promise to God - to remain a Virgin forever. Then the priests betrothed her distant relative, 80 to Elder Joseph the Betrothed, so that he would take care of Her and protect Her virginity. Living in the Galilean city of Nazareth, in the house of Joseph, the Blessed Virgin Mary led the same modest and solitary life as at the temple.

After the betrothal, 4 months later, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary and, entering Her, said: “Rejoice, full of grace!” The Lord is with you! Blessed are You among women." Archangel Gabriel announced to Her that She had acquired the greatest grace from God - to be the Matter of the Son of God. Mary, in bewilderment, asked the Angel how a son could be born to someone who did not know her husband. And then the Archangel revealed to Her the truth that he brought from Almighty God: “The Holy Spirit will come upon You, and the power of the Most High will overshadow You; therefore the Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” Having comprehended the will of God and completely surrendering herself to it, the Most Holy Virgin answered: “Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.”

For the first time, the Annunciation appears in the writings of Western authors of the 3rd century Tertullian and the Hieromartyr Hippolytus of Rome as the day of the Crucifixion of the Savior according to the Roman calendar (back in the 6th century, St. Martin of Braga wrote that many Gallic bishops considered Easter a fixed holiday). At the same time, Hippolytus, based on a comparison of a number of biblical verses and their literal interpretation, argued that the Nativity of Christ occurred 5500 years after the creation of the world. The belief about the 5500-year age of creation at the time of the coming of the Savior into the world and about the coincidence of the dates of the creation of the world and the coming of Christ in the flesh passed into the Alexandrian tradition, but here the decisive date was not the Nativity of Christ, but the Annunciation: St. Athanasius the Great wrote that Christ was incarnated in the womb of the Virgin on the 25th day of March (old style), because on this day God originally created man.

Since the 5th century, the place of the date of the Crucifixion was taken by the date of the Resurrection, and the time of the earthly ministry of the Savior from the Incarnation to the Resurrection began to be considered a multiple of an integer number of years. In the Byzantine tradition, the date March 25 is of great importance - it is the day not only of the Annunciation, but also of the creation of the world, and the Resurrection of Christ; the dates of other holidays are counted from it: the Nativity of Christ, the Conception and the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.

The Day of the Annunciation was often considered the day of the beginning of the church or even civil year both in the East and in the West. The conviction that the historical date of the Resurrection of Christ coincides with March 25 led to the fact that this day was called “Kyriopaskha” (Kyriopaskha - the Lord's Easter; sometimes there is an incorrect etymology - the Lord's Easter). Nowadays, Kyriopascha is the coincidence of the holidays of Easter and Annunciation that occurs every few years. In Russia, due to the Church's use of the Julian calendar, March 25 falls on April 7. in Gregorian.

The first images of the Annunciation are already present among the paintings of the catacombs of the 2nd half of the 2nd - 1st half. III centuries, however, it can be said with a high degree of probability that the establishment special holiday The Annunciation occurred no earlier than the 4th century. Discovery of St. Helena Equal to the Apostles at the beginning of the 4th century. holy places of the earthly life of the Lord Jesus Christ and the construction of temples she began at these places caused an increase in interest in the event of the Nativity of Christ and the mystery of the Incarnation; Perhaps the establishment of the Annunciation as a separate holiday is connected with this. At the beginning of the 8th century. Armenian author Grigor Asharuni wrote that the Feast of the Annunciation was established by St. Cyril of Jerusalem, that is, in the 3rd quarter of the 4th century.

Since information about the Constantinople worship of the V-VI centuries. are few in number, nothing definite can be stated about the celebration of the Annunciation during this period in Constantinople, but by the end of the 7th century. This is one of the most revered holidays here. All Byzantine monuments of the 8th and subsequent centuries call the Annunciation among the most important holidays; The service of the Annunciation is invariably celebrated on March 25.

IN pre-revolutionary Russia There was a custom, especially in Moscow, on Annunciation Day, as on the day of proclaiming freedom to the whole world, to release birds from cages to freedom.

Icons of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The icon of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary depicts the Virgin Mary and the Archangel Gabriel. The story of the event depicted on the icon is set out in the 1st chapter of the Gospel of Luke.

Archangel Gabriel was sent from God to the city of Nazareth to the Most Holy Theotokos with the joyful news that the Lord had chosen Her to be the Mother of the Savior of the world: “You have found grace with God, and behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a Son, and you will call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and His Kingdom will have no end.” The Annunciation marked the beginning of the salvation of the human race, and in the person of the Most Holy Theotokos, Christians found a merciful Intercessor for them before Her Divine Son. Although the solemn celebration of the Annunciation was introduced in the 4th century, icons depicting these events appeared in the Church much earlier.

Churches of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kashin

In Kashin in 1686-1688, the stone St. Nicholas Church of the Annunciation was built on Zborovskaya Hill on the site of a wooden church. Nearby is an octagonal belfry.

In 1929, the church was destroyed, in 1932 it lost its bell tower, and in 1935 it was completely destroyed.

Another Annunciation Church is located near Kashin in the village of Apraksino. The Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Apraksin was built in 1695; in the 18th and 19th centuries it was repeatedly reconstructed and transformed in the style of classicism.

Annunciation Church in the village of Apraksino near Kashin

In 1930, the temple was closed and a potato storage facility was located in it, for which a basement was dug. As a result of such ill-considered actions, the walls and vault received numerous cracks; in 1990, a fire occurred in the building after which it was finally abandoned. Only in 2007, the transfer of the church to the Tver diocese took place and repair work began, which, unfortunately, is currently suspended indefinitely.

Poems for the Feast of the Annunciation

Annunciation, Archpriest Nikolai Guryanov

Holy Annunciation -

Great day in Rus',

With him you feel young

Resurrect in a hard heart;

Respond with your soul, like youth,

With your chest full

For shining joy,

To the smile of spring days.

Observing the holiday strictly,

On this day people say,

Even the little bird praises God

And he doesn’t build a nest for himself;

On this holiday, going out to the field

With a handful full of grain,

Good-natured birds released

Published by an old man.

Easter days are approaching

Clears up a frown

From alien sides

Swallows are flying to visit.

And instilling the thought of brotherhood,

About the gifts of good love,

It's like they're arguing about wealth

Heaven with sinful earth.

Everyone listens with sensitive ears

To the golden dawn hymn,

Puffed up with delicate fluff

Young willow branches.

And looks at us, beaming

The inaccessibility of miracles,

This eternity is blue

Triumphant skies.

Annunciation, Valery Bryusov

You were one of us

During the day your dream was dominated by yarn,

But to You, Holy One, in the evening hour

The angelic guard has arrived.

O queen of all worldly queens,

The virgin foretold by the prophet.

Gabriel entered and bowed down

Before You in deep humility.

Hearing the incomprehensible to the mind,

You submissively lowered your eyes.

Be with me according to your word,

Annunciation, Konstantin Balmont

Annunciation and light

The willows turned white.

Or there is definitely no grief,

Right, really?

Evangelism and laughter

The kidneys turned red.

And on the streets for everyone

Blue flowers.

How many blue flowers

Taken from the snow.

The world is fresh and new again,

And there is bliss everywhere.

I see old Moscow

In young attire.

I laugh and I live

The sun is in every gaze.

From the ancient Kremlin

The ringing floats like a wave.

And the earth lives in ditches

Young grass.

In the slightly broken grass

Dream of spring and summer.

Annunciation in Moscow,

It's a festival of light!

Troparion to the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The day of our salvation is the most important and the most important mystery since the ages: the Son of God is the Son of the Virgin, and Gabriel preaches grace. In the same way, we cry out to the Mother of God: Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Kontakion of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

To the chosen Voivode, victorious, as having been delivered from the evil ones, let us write thanks to Thee, Thy servants, to the Mother of God, but, as having an invincible power, free us from all troubles, let us call Thee: Rejoice, Unmarried Bride.

Glorification of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Archangel's voice cries out to You, Pure One: Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You.

References:

1. Archpriest Seraphim Slobodskoy, The Law of God.

"Kashin Orthodox", since 2010 A.D.

On April 7 (March 25, old style), the Orthodox Church celebrates one of the 12 main (twelfth) holidays - the day of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Annunciation, meaning “good” or “good” news, belongs to the category of permanent holidays and is dedicated to the remembrance and glorification of the event described in the Gospel of Luke. On this day, according to the Gospel, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary and announced to Her about the coming birth of Jesus Christ - the Son of God and the Savior of the world.

This holiday was established in ancient times. Its celebration was known already in the 3rd century. Among ancient Christians, this holiday had different names: the Conception of Christ, the Annunciation of Christ, the Beginning of Redemption, the Annunciation of the Angel to Mary, and only in the 7th century in the East and West was it given the name Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In the Orthodox world, the Feast of the Annunciation has been solemnly celebrated since the middle of the 7th century. At the same time, the date of the Annunciation was finally established - April 7 (March 25, old style).

In the 8th century St. John of Damascus and Theophan, Metropolitan of Nicaea, compiled festive canons, which are still sung by the Church.

IN Orthodox Church On this day the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, then the all-night vigil, which begins with Great Compline.

The Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary has long been one of the favorite holidays in Rus'. On this day, during the festive service, a special rite of breaking bread was performed, after which the blessed “grace-filled” bread and wine were distributed to the parishioners. The Patriarch of Moscow offered bread to the sovereign himself, who was sure to be present on this holiday at the service in the Kremlin cathedral.

According to ancient Russian tradition, on the day of the Annunciation, people released birds from cages and nets. This custom was revived in 1995 and is now performed in many temples. After the Liturgy in the Annunciation Cathedral of the Kremlin, the Patriarch, clergy and children release the birds into the wild.

In Rus', on the Annunciation of the Mother of God, various customs, beliefs, and traditions have developed among the people.

The Annunciation was popularly perceived as the beginning and holiday of spring, the beginning of a new agricultural year; it was believed that nature awakens on the Annunciation. People blessed the grain before sowing, placing the Annunciation icon next to the grain.

It is considered a great sin to engage in any business or work on the Annunciation.

On the Annunciation, believers bake so-called prosphora and take them to church for consecration. Next they bring the Annunciation prosphora and place it next to the icons. And in the old days, peasants crushed prosphora into the seed grain in order to protect the field from pests and collect good harvest.

The material was prepared based on information from open sources

On April 7, Orthodox Christians celebrate one of the main church holidays. This event was a turning point for the entire Christian world: it marked the imminent arrival of the Son of God on earth for the salvation of all mankind.

The significance of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the religious world is enormous. On this significant day, the Virgin Mary received news from Heaven that she would become a mother God's Son and will bring him into the world from the immaculate conception.

Traditions and customs for the Annunciation

If strict fasting continues on this significant day, the church allows a relaxation to be made in honor of the celebration. Christians are allowed to eat fish products.

Work remains prohibited on April 7. Household chores that require attention can be done, but you should refrain from idle pastime. Free time must be devoted to prayer, reflection on life and spiritual enlightenment. According to legends, on this day you cannot sew, knit or weave - this can bring trouble to the house and ruin relationships with household members.

Special attention This holiday is given to birds. They are released to bring the good news of good deeds and the actions of people.

On the night of the Annunciation, it is customary to light bonfires in order to finally melt away the winter cold and attract warm spring. Garbage, old household items and any items that have become unusable are thrown into the fires.

Ashes from bonfires on Annunciation were taken to the garden and sprinkled on the beds in order to repel pests and protect the crop from adversity.

Plants are also planted on this day. It is believed that God himself blesses them for rapid growth and an abundance of fruit.

After the church service, prosphora is brought home, which is treated to all household members. Leftovers and crumbs are usually given to pets, protecting them from diseases and predatory animals.

Signs for the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Our ancestors carefully watched the weather on this day: rain promised a fruitful year, and a thunderstorm or thunder foreshadowed an abundance of nuts in the fall.

The fishermen at Annunciation hoped for a good catch, because it meant that the fish in the reservoir would not run out and there would be a bite throughout the year.

On the holiday, any swear words, quarrels and showdowns were prohibited. Our ancestors believed that the whole year depended on how the day went. A benevolent attitude, kindness and mutual assistance were mandatory.

A good indicator Swallows served as weather indicators: if they appeared before the holiday, it meant that a warm winter was ahead.

On this day, nothing can be given away from home, so as not to spend a year in poverty and lack of money.

According to signs, the water consecrated on the Annunciation had healing properties and was used in case of illness of household members.

It is forbidden to wear new clothes on this day: according to legend, they quickly become unusable, and new outfits also do not please customers for long.

It is noteworthy that the weather at the Annunciation reflected the weather at Easter.

The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a special day on which you can ask the Higher Powers for protection and patronage. Any wish of yours, spoken from the bottom of your heart and not containing self-interest, will definitely come true. We wish you good luck and don't forget to press the buttons and

07.04.2017 05:15

The holiday of all Christians, the Annunciation is a truly great day, which symbolizes one of the most important...

The image of the Annunciation is one of the most popular in iconography. Orthodox Christians celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary every year on April 7. It was on this day, 9 months before the birth of the baby Jesus, that the atonement for the fall of mankind began.

The word "Annunciation" is translated from Old Slavonic language as "good news". On this day, Archangel Gabriel descended to the Virgin Mary. He said that she was his righteous life earned the right to give birth to the Savior. The Mother of God accepted 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 frescoes of this theme began to appear in the ancient period of Christian history. Interest in the event depicted has not been lost to this day. There are three main subjects of the Annunciation icon, used from century to century:

1. Archangel Gabriel tells the Blessed Virgin the news that she is to become the Mother of God. The Virgin Mary accepts this news with joy and submission. This group includes, for example, the Ustyug icon.
2. The image is a diptych, that is, two images united by a common plot. On one icon they depict the Archangel Gabriel, and on the other - the Mother of God. Such images can be seen on churches and royal gates.
3. The image of the Mother of God is depicted without the Archangel. The Virgin Mary sits in a tender pose, often in front of a book. Such icons are often called “Behold the servant of the Lord” after the words from the Gospel that the Mother of God said upon receiving the good news.

Images of the latter type should be distinguished from the icons of Ostrobramskaya of Vilna, Tenderness of Seraphimo of Diveyevo, Sorrowful, and Kaluga.

Why is this holy image revered?

The icon of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is of great importance for everything Orthodox world, but most of all she 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, icon Mother of God increases her strength and helps everyone who turns to her with requests.

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

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

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

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

There are many icons, frescoes, as well as copies of them, reproductions depicting the moment of the Annunciation. Some of these images are ancient, while others are relatively new, modern. The time of 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 topic have divine power no matter what century they were created. Let's look at the most famous images.

Icon of Andrei Rublev

According to experts, the icon from the iconostasis of the Annunciation Cathedral in the Kremlin belongs to the brush of the great icon painter Andrei Rublev. The image was taken by Andrei Rublev in the 15th century, probably in 1405. The icon is poorly preserved, but its features color range, mood, composition give the right to say that it belongs to the brush of a great master. The image, written on a linden board, is now kept in the Trinity Cathedral.

Features of the icon include:

1. No crowding of figures. Andrei Rublev believed that the icon should not be cluttered with secondary details; the image should be simple, easily readable from a great distance.
2. The presence of a central axis. The great icon painter always highlighted the central axis of the icon, and the halves of the image seemed to move towards this axis on both sides. The plot of the image is based on the dialogue between Archangel Gabriel and the Blessed Virgin. The image is divided into two halves: the left - heavenly, Archangel, and the right - earthly, Mother of God. In horizontal space there is a dialogue between the heavenly and the earthly, and in the vertical space the incarnation of God takes place: the Holy Spirit in the form of a green ray descends on the Virgin Mary. The direction of the halves of the icon towards the center, the dialogue, creates integrity and unity of the composition.
3. A special festive color scheme, a specific flavor. The golden background and bright red spots give the image a joyful mood. Archangel Gabriel is made in green and gold colors, while green color symbolizes life, the Holy Spirit. The Virgin Mary holds in her hands a red thread from which she spins a curtain for the Jerusalem Temple. The Virgin Mary's clothing is blue and cherry brown. The first of these flowers symbolizes the sky and the mood of prayer, and the second - the royalty of the Holy Virgin. The throne of the Virgin Mary is covered with red and green pillows. Red symbolizes joy and sacrifice, and green symbolizes life and renewal.

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

Kyiv mosaic icon

On the eastern pillars of the Kiev St. Sophia Cathedral, supporting the altar arch, there is a mosaic composition “The Annunciation”. It includes images of the Archangel Gabriel and the Mother of God. The Blessed Virgin holds in her hands a spindle with purple yarn, her clothes of blue color, and the face is pinkish, white, greenish-gray. Archangel Gabriel addressed to the Mother of God, right hand he performs the blessing and holds the staff with his left hand.

The figure of the Archangel and the Mother of God was made by different masters and there are many differences between the images. Gabriel is massive, heavy-set, the folds of his clothing are rectangular, brittle. The image of the Mother of God looks lighter and more skillfully made. The mosaic does not contain any indication of the location of the action, and the set of informative details is also reduced to a minimum, which is a feature of icon painting dating back to the age of the Macedonian dynasty.

Miracles created by icons

According to legend, many miracles were performed with the Ustyug icon and other holy images of the Annunciation. Thus, legend says that in 1290, the holy fool Procopius prayed daily on the threshold of the Ustyug Cathedral. One day he announced to the residents of Veliky Ustyug that for their sins God would send fire rain on them, and called people to repentance. But they only laughed in response.

A week later, black clouds approached the city, and the ground began to move under our feet. People realized how much they had angered God and realized the need for repentance. They came to the Ustyug church, knelt before the icon of the Mother of God and asked for repentance. After this, the Holy Image of the Annunciation began to exude fragrant myrrh, which was filled with all the church vessels.

A menacing cloud passed by the city and burst into flames in a deserted area. In memory of the miraculous deliverance, an annual celebration of the icon of the Mother of God was established. In the 19th century, a new frame was arranged for the icon, and in 1930 it was transferred to the Tretyakov Gallery, where it remains today.

But the Ustyug miracle is not the only one. Under Ivan the Terrible, a tower was adjacent to the granaries of the royal court in the Kremlin, where criminals were kept. The slandered governor was imprisoned there and fervently prayed for his release. One day the Virgin Mary appeared to him and ordered him to ask the sovereign for freedom. But the prisoner was afraid of the king’s anger and did not carry out the order. Then the Mother of God came to him again and promised help. The voivode obeyed.

People sent by the sovereign came to the prison and found a self-painted icon of the Annunciation on the wall of the tower. The king, having learned about such a miracle, freed the governor, and in the presence of the 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.

Hello. Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - great holiday all believers. In the bustle of days, many have forgotten about the traditions of celebrating the Annunciation. Let's try to remember them so that we never forget and pass them on to our children.

LET'S MEET THE HOLIDAY WITH A LIGHT SOUL!

What date is the Annunciation celebrated? In Orthodoxy, a special day is set aside for the Annunciation - April 7. In 2017, following such a significant holiday, that is, April 8, comes Lazarus Saturday, and then, April 9, Palm Sunday. These days, especially revered by Christians, fall on Lent. As you know, many believers strictly observe this fast, not allowing themselves to eat meat. But on major holidays they can afford to eat fish and sip church cahors.

THE MEANING OF THE HOLIDAY

The essence of the holiday is contained in the name itself. “Annunciation” means that good news is coming. If you look more closely, you will notice that the whole point of Christian holidays is that a person is given two paths:

• the path of salvation is the righteous path,
• the path of evil, envy and darkness.

Even the young Virgin Mary was asked by an Angel if she agreed that the Son of God, the Savior of the whole world, would be incarnate from her womb. Mary responded, “Let it be done to me according to your word,” meekly accepting God’s word.

The icon dedicated to the Annunciation can be recognized by the Archangel Gabriel holding a flower. What does the flower mean? The flower is a symbol of good news. It was Gabriel who God gave to bring the Good News to people.

But he brought the most joyful news in the world 2000 years ago to the Virgin Mary, who took a vow of virginity and gave her life to serving God. From this day the history of the holiday begins.

In ancient Judea, people who reached the age of 14 were considered adults. So the 14-year-old Virgin Mary, who until that time had been raised in the temple, had to return to native home, or get married. But the vow of eternal virginity closed the way for Her to create an ordinary family. Then the priests of the temple found very correct solution. They betrothed the Virgin Mary to the 80-year-old elder Joseph. Thus, Mary did not break the vow she made to the Lord.

So Saint Joseph became the guardian of the virgin purity of the future Mother of God. The Blessed Virgin lived for four months in Joseph's house, devoting all of Her time to reading. Holy books and tireless prayers.

An angel caught her in this godly activity, saying to her: “Rejoice, full of grace!” Archangel Gabriel announced to Her about that greatest grace: to become the Matter of the Messiah.

THE ANNUNCIATION IS THE COMING OF SPRING!

How is this holiday celebrated? On this day, one of the most merciful traditions has existed since ancient times: releasing birds from cages.

Today this is done by church ministers, and before the 1917 revolution, many believers, observing traditions, brought cages with birds to worship, which were released into the wild after the service.

This action symbolized the human soul, languishing in the shackles of sin, but through the birth of the Savior, who took the sins of people upon himself, receives hope for freedom. The service in the temple even today ends with the release of white doves into the sky so that they convey the news to the angels about all the good deeds.

SIGNS FOR THE ANNUNCIATION

With the arrival of spring, people pinned their aspirations for a good harvest. Therefore, there are many signs for April 7:

• If it is cold on Annunciation, there is fog or the day is marked by frost, then the year will be fruitful.
• If the swallows have not yet arrived, then spring will be late and cold.
• A clear day in Annunciation means fires.
• If April 7th is a rainy day, then expect a dry summer.
• The same day (weather) for the Annunciation, the same for Easter.

OTHER SIGNS FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE HOLY VIRGIN

• On Annunciation, you cannot give or borrow anything, so as not to give away your health and luck.
• On Annunciation, you cannot work, get a haircut, or even comb your hair, so as not to “confuse” your destiny.
• What day of the week does April 7 fall on, on that day you should not start new business for a whole year.