Important Church holiday on February 21: The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord - what it means, the gospel of the day, omens and prohibitions

Orthodox believers celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 21. This is the last day of the celebration of an important church feast dedicated to the life of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. In 2025, the celebration falls on Friday. About what significance this day has for Christians and what traditions are associated with it, tell "Izvestia".

Celebrating the feast of the Purification of the Lord: what is celebrated on February 21

Celebrations on some of the most important Orthodox holidays last more than one day. In the Orthodox tradition, feast days are established for the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Nativity of the Lord, Epiphany and a number of others. These are the final days of the feast, when the Church calls the faithful to once again remember the feast and its spiritual meaning. They include the Purification of the Lord.

The feast is celebrated annually on the 40th day after the Nativity of Christ - February 15. In addition, it has one day of pre-holiday (February 14), several days of post-holiday (from February 16 to 21 in 2025) and a day of retreat - February 21. The services on this date are the same as those on the main feast.

The feast is based on the legend of the bringing of the infant Christ to the temple in Jerusalem, where he met the Old Testament righteous man Simeon and the prophetess Anna. They both possessed the great divine gift of foresight, and saw in the tiny child the Son of God. This event confirmed the ancient prophecy about the birth of the Messiah and marked the meeting of the Old and New Testaments.

The very word "Wednesday" means "meeting". The holiday reminds believers that a meeting with the Savior awaits everyone who opens his heart to God.

The main Orthodox holiday of February - Purification of the Lord: important prohibitions and omens

In 2025, the bicentennial feast falls on Saturday

What to pray for today: the Gospel of the Day

As in the Purification of the Lord, on the day of the feast, believers attend services and offer prayers before the images of the Savior, the Theotokos, Simeon the Hospitaller. Usually they ask for strengthening of faith, forgiveness of sins, healing of illnesses, cessation of all enmity and protection from enemies.

It is believed that all prayers said on the feast have a special power. Therefore, on the last day of the holiday one should devote more time to them.

Traditionally, the prayer "Song of Simeon the Hospitaller" is read on the holiday. Believers who could not attend the liturgy, can read it in front of the icon at home.

Folk omens of February 21

In the olden days it was customary to observe the weather on the return of the Purification. Our ancestors noted that the colder the day, the warmer it will be in March. Frost, established on February 21, also spoke of the early onset of spring. And such a rare for winter natural phenomenon as thunder, heralded a rainy summer.

The behavior of domestic animals was also observed. If they became too active, then, according to folk omens, cold weather would soon arrive. Chickens clucked - to snowfall. A dog lying in the snow - to warmth, and if it eats snow - to bad weather.

Calendar of fasts for 2025: all dates of Orthodox fasts

In addition, Purification was considered a day when you can look into the future. Girls carefully watched who would be the first to enter the house. If it was a man - the year promised good luck, if it was a woman - there were difficulties ahead.

Celebrating the Feast of the Purification of the Lord in 2025: what you can not do

As in any other church holiday, believers are forbidden to swear, swear and find out relationships with loved ones. You can not refuse to help the needy, since on this day it is important to show kindness, compassion and generosity. It is also necessary to refuse idle pastime, paying attention to your spiritual world.

According to folk beliefs, February 21, you should not sweep the floor, as health and prosperity will leave the house. You should be more careful with sharp objects and if possible postpone any surgical manipulations, as they may end up in trouble.

In addition, it is not recommended to pick up from the ground found objects and money, and unmarried girls - to look at themselves in the mirror, otherwise you can face financial difficulties and problems in their personal lives.

Earlier "Izvestia" told about the most powerful prayers for the Purification of the Lord.