A special church holiday on April 8 is the Cathedral of the Archangel Gabriel: folk signs, prohibitions

Every year on April 8, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Cathedral of the Archangel Gabriel, a holiday in honor of the heavenly messenger who brought good news to the Virgin Mary and other saints. In 2025, the celebration falls on a Tuesday. In Russia, this day was called Gabriel Blagovest. Read about the traditions and folk signs associated with it in the Izvestia article.

Cathedral of the Archangel Gabriel in 2025

Archangel Gabriel is one of the eight supreme angels, the leaders of the heavenly hosts. According to the Holy Scriptures, each of them fulfills his task in the service of the Lord. Gabriel's task is to be a heavenly messenger, a messenger of the mysteries of God and a servant of Divine Omnipotence. Therefore, it was he who appeared to the Virgin Mary to tell her and the whole world about the imminent birth of the Savior.

But it was not only the Mother of God who received news from Gabriel. The archangel revealed to the prophet Moses the mystery of the creation of the world, inspiring him to write the book of Genesis, and told the prophet Daniel about the fate of the Jewish people. A heavenly messenger informed Righteous Anna, the mother of the Virgin Mary, of the long-awaited birth of her daughter and the incredible fate that awaits her. Gabriel appeared to the High Priest Zachariah to foretell the birth of John the Baptist, the man who baptized Jesus Christ in the waters of the Jordan. The archangel told St. Joseph the Betrothed, the husband of Mary, about the immaculate conception and ordered him and his wife to flee to Egypt to escape from the persecution of King Herod.

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In 2025, the celebration falls on a Monday.

In addition, Gabriel was Mary's guardian angel throughout her earthly life, and he also announced the imminent dormition to the Virgin. He stayed by Jesus' side when he prayed until he broke out in a bloody sweat in the Garden of Gethsemane before his sufferings on the cross. The women who came to anoint the Savior's body with myrrh learned about the Resurrection of Christ from the archangel.

As a heavenly messenger, Gabriel is revered not only in Christianity, but also in other religions: Islam and Judaism. The Orthodox Church celebrates celebrations in his honor twice a year: on April 8, immediately after the Annunciation, and on July 26. On these days, believers remember Gabriel's zealous service to the Lord and turn to him with prayers of gratitude and requests.

Gabriel Blagovest in 2025 — traditions

In Russia, the holiday in honor of the heavenly messenger was called Gabriel Blagovest. People believed that on this day the archangel descends to earth and grants wishes, but only those that are sincerely asked for. Therefore, in the early morning, residents of villages and towns went out as early as possible and prayed, formulating their request to the messenger of the mysteries of God. After that, they went to a solemn service in the temple.

Most often, Gabriel was addressed with prayers for health for himself and his loved ones, a rich harvest, fertile livestock, and a strong and friendly family. It was believed that the archangel could protect fishermen from the dangers of the water, and hunters from encountering wolves and bears.

On the feast of Gabriel the Evangelist, peasants transferred from sledges to carts. In the southern regions, early varieties of potatoes and other crops began to be planted.

Also, from that day on, the girls postponed needlework until better times, as it was believed that after the celebration nothing would be knitted or embroidered — the threads would tear, and the product would quickly deteriorate. There is a logical explanation for this belief. In many regions, Gabriel Blagovest was the starting point for spring field work, during which everything that did not concern agriculture receded into the background. Women simply could not devote enough time to embroidery and knitting, and in a hurry nothing good happened.

Gabriel Blagovest in 2025 — what can and cannot be done

Believers are advised to visit the temple on the holiday or choose a time for prayer at home. It will be useful to recall the events of the Annunciation and their significance, as well as to analyze what kind of mark the past holiday left in the soul. In addition, it should be remembered that Lent continues on April 8. Those who adhere to it should not eat meat, fish, eggs and dairy products.

In Russia, it was believed that on the day of Gabriel the Evangelist, one should not be stingy, as this would bring bad luck and poverty. On the holiday, they tried, in principle, not to discuss financial issues and not to count money, so as not to lose their wealth.

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Women did not wear their hair down that day for fear of losing their husband's loyalty. On the holiday, crumbs were not brushed off the table — they were carefully collected and given to the birds. Pets were especially protected on Gabriel Blagovest. The owner who offends the cattle, the animals will get sick and wither away.

Gabriel Blagovest in 2025 — folk signs

There were many signs associated with Gabriel the Evangelist in Russia. If there was still snow on the roofs during the holiday, they knew that it would stay there until the end of the month. Frosts promised a cold, lingering spring, and rain — a mushroom summer. The beekeepers watched the willow tree that day. If it was blooming, from an omshanik (an insulated room for wintering bees) they took out the beehives and put them outside.

Earlier, Izvestia told about the history of the national holiday Vasily Teply and the traditions associated with it.