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- Entrance to the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary on December 4, 2024: omens and strict prohibitions
Entrance to the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary on December 4, 2024: omens and strict prohibitions
On December 4, 2024 (November 21, O.S.) Orthodox believers will celebrate one of the 12 major church feasts - the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the Temple. This event symbolizes the beginning of the special mission of the Virgin Mary, the future Mother of God, in the salvation of mankind. However, the holiday has not only religious, but also a deep cultural significance, which emphasizes the importance of tradition, faith and spiritual education. Read more about how the celebration originated and what significance it has for believers, as well as what you can and can not do on a special day - in the material "Izvestia".
Entrance into the temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary: what is the holiday on December 4
The full name of the celebration is the Entrance into the temple of the Most Holy Lady of our Mother of God and the Most Holy Virgin Mary. This is the second of the bipedal feasts of the Theotokos of the church year. Orthodox Christians traditionally meet it on December 4. In 2024 the day falls on Wednesday.
Recall that the Twelve feasts, which are associated with the events of the earthly life of Jesus Christ and the Mother of God, are called the Twelve Feasts. They are divided into Lord's (in honor of Christ) and Mother of God (in honor of the Mother of God).
Nikolai Savchenko, a priest of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), cleric of the Trinity-Sergius Hermitage in Strelna, noted that this holiday symbolizes the dedication of children to God.
In the canonical Gospel, the events of the early life of the Virgin Mary are not mentioned. It is known from the Church Tradition, which is revered by the faithful along with the Bible. Details of the childhood of the Mother of God are given in the so-called Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew, an apocryphal account of the early years of Mary and Jesus Christ.
According to this text, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joachim and St. Anna, were childless until old age. They made a vow in their prayers that if they had a child, it would be dedicated to God. Eventually they had a daughter whom they named Mary, from birth she lived with them in Nazareth. When the girl was three years old, Joachim and Anna, along with their loved ones, took her to the Jerusalem temple. With small breaks for rest, the procession lasted for three days.
Priests headed by Priest Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, came out to meet the guests. After receiving a revelation from the Lord, Zechariah led Mary into the innermost place of the temple - the inner altar , although according to the rules only the high priest could enter there once a year. From this moment began the life of the Virgin in the Jerusalem temple. All the time the child devoted to prayers and studying of the Sacred Scripture, and also occupation needlework.
When Maria was 15 years old, the clergy began to call her to marry. The Virgin refused, explaining her decision by the fact that she had made a vow to remain a virgin. Such a decision surprised them, because every citizen was supposed to marry.
Then the high priest Zechariah proposed to her relative, the not-young Joseph, to become Mary's guardian. In order to fulfill the law, he was to be formally betrothed to her, but in reality he was to be the guardian of her vows. After the ceremony Joseph and Mary moved to Nazareth.
Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary: when the holiday appeared
The historical roots of the holiday go back to the first centuries of Christianity. However, the official establishment of the holiday occurred in the VI century, when it began to be celebrated in the East. Confirmation of this can be found in the legends of Palestinian Christians, where it is said that the holy queen Helen - the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great - built a church in honor of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Alexander Grif, head of the Russian-Omani Council under the Ombudsman of Moscow, told Izvestia that the development of this holiday was actively supported by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. It was included in the list of great holidays in the VIII century.
- In Russia, the Introduction began to celebrate from the XI century thanks to the influence of Byzantium. Special attention was paid to this day during the era of the Russian Orthodox state, when the holiday became an important part of the church calendar," the expert continues.
The Presentation of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple became one of the Twelve Great Feasts, which are celebrated with special solemnity, only after the XIV century.
Entrance into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary: traditions and schedule of services
The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the Temple brings believers to the main holiday after Easter - Christmas. It is customary to spend this day in church. The service begins with the evening all-night vigil on December 3 and continues with the festive liturgy on the morning of December 4. The statutes of the service practically do not differ from other bipedal feasts of the Theotokos, such as the Nativity of the Theotokos and the Dormition.
Traditionally, it includes Great Glorification and the recitation of Psalms. Psalm 45, which praises the greatness of the Queen of Heaven, is traditionally recited. Orthodox believers sing the troparion and kondak of the feast. These hymns emphasize the spiritual significance of the Presentation and dedication of Mary to God.
In addition, on this day at the liturgy, passages from the Gospels are read, which reveal the prophecies about the role of the Virgin Mary. There is also a procession in some churches, symbolizing the path of the Virgin Mary.
- The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the Temple is a feast that teaches us humility and to dedicate our lives to important goals. It symbolizes the path of man to God and the need for spiritual growth. In today's world, filled with hustle and bustle and stress, such holidays help us to remember the main values that unite society," Alexander Grif believes.
This celebration is also honored as a day of spiritual upbringing and education. According to priest and clergyman Nikolai Savchenko, the celebration helps believers to take an example from children.
"Children are pure, immaculate creatures. We need to be like children, that is, simple-minded, and easily forgive offenses. All this adorns a Christian. The Feast of the Entrance into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary indicates that education is a great Christian benefactor," the expert believes.
On this day it is customary to bring children to the first confession. Usually at sermons, priests talk about the importance of introducing little Christians to the faith. Sometimes godchildren are given small gifts and various sweets.
The icon "Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary" is prayed for healing from various diseases, strengthening of faith and forgiveness of sins. For young girls, the image will help to marry successfully and grant a long-awaited pregnancy.
On the holiday it is also customary to ask for advice in difficult cases and in solving complex issues. Prayers before the holy image are offered by people of creative professions. It is believed that the Mother of God helps in the discovery of the gift and in the advancement of work.
Prayers of the feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary include troparions, kondaks and canons dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The Akathist to the Blessed Virgin Mary "Hail, O Unwed Bride" is the first in time of writing and the most famous of the akathists used in the worship of the Orthodox Church. It is read on feast days as an expression of gratitude and honor to the Virgin Mary.
Entry into the Temple of the Theotokos: what not to do today
The holiday is filled with spiritual meaning, and church traditions impose special prescriptions on this day. Thus, the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary falls on the dates of the Christmas fast, during which the consumption of meat and dairy products, eggs and fish is forbidden.
However, in honor of the celebration on December 4, an exception is made - fish is allowed, and one glass of wine is allowed. Church custom does not approve of the conclusion of marriage, wedding is not held. At the same time, as such, there is no ban on civil registration, but believers are advised to postpone this event until the end of Lent.
The Day of Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary is considered a time of peace and rest, so it is recommended to refrain from conflicts and work. On this day, good deeds and help to the needy are especially welcome. As a rule, believers participate in the festive liturgy and ask for the intercession of the Virgin Mary. It is forbidden to participate in occult and magical rituals.
Often the celebration is celebrated in the family circle with prayer and a joint meal. It is important not to offend loved ones, do not abuse alcohol and other unhealthy habits.
Folk weather omens for the church holiday on December 4
Folk sayings connect the holiday with the beginning of winter. Our ancestors called the celebration Introduction, the Feast of the Young Family, the Gate of Winter and Luck. For example, "Introduction came - winter led", "On Introduction - thick icing".
Slavs believed that if the day was frosty, all winter holidays would be so, and vice versa.
On this day they held cheerful and crowded fairs, rode on sleighs with slides and on three horses. After the service in the temples it was customary to treat children with sweets, as well as to give gifts, such as sleds-sleds.
On the feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary peasants switched from carts to sleighs and made a test drive. And young married couples, who had a wedding the day before, had to dress up the sleds and ride them out in public.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
