August 28 is the most important holiday of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary: what absolutely should not be done, dangerous signs

At the end of summer, Orthodox Christians celebrate one of the most important holidays — the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is celebrated annually on the same date, August 28. Since ancient times, this day has been associated with many church prohibitions, as well as folk traditions and superstitions. Izvestia tells us whether it is possible to do household chores, play weddings and visit cemeteries on a holiday, and what absolutely cannot be done on that day.

Assumption of the Virgin: Orthodox holiday on August 28

The church celebration is dedicated to the memory of the death of the Virgin Mary and symbolizes the transition of the Virgin from earthly to heavenly life. According to apocryphal texts, after the Ascension of Christ, the Mother of God lived in Jerusalem, spending her days in prayer. Shortly before the Dormition, the archangel Gabriel appeared to her and announced her imminent passage into eternity.

After his death, the apostles buried the Virgin in the Garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives. However, soon after, when they arrived at the burial site and opened the tomb, the body was no longer there. According to legend, the body of the Blessed Virgin was taken to heaven.

On the eve of the Dormition and on the day of the feast, solemn divine services are held in all churches, during which this event is remembered. Priests wear blue robes similar to the color of the Virgin's mantle, symbolizing her heavenly purity and purity.

Believers bring flowers to the icon of the Mother of God and ask her for health and well-being for themselves and their loved ones. There is also a tradition to consecrate bread or small bunches of ears of corn in the temple.

Is it possible to work for the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin

On the day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, they try not to work or engage in heavy physical labor, including making repairs, working in the garden or on the farm. It is better to put things in order in the house and finish the things you started before the start of the holiday or reschedule them for another day.

In the old days, the refusal of field work in favor of church attendance among peasants, whose lives depended much more on the garden than in our days, was elevated to the category of rules. However, there is no strict prohibition in the church charter in this regard.

The Church allows necessary and urgent tasks to be performed on the holiday, but at the same time urges not to put prayer on the back burner. On the Assumption, believers are also encouraged to visit the church, receive communion, and provide alms to those in need.

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Is it possible to wash your hair and cut your hair on the Assumption of the Virgin

The prohibitions on cutting and washing hair also do not apply to church regulations. They are more related to folk traditions. According to popular beliefs, cutting hair on the Assumption of the Virgin is a bad sign.

The superstition concerned mainly young marriageable girls. In the old days, it was believed that the more hair cut, the later a girl would get married. The ban extended not only to hair, but also to cutting nails.

You can visit the cemetery and commemorate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

In the church tradition, it is not customary to go to the cemetery on a holiday, as well as to hold memorial services for the deceased. The clergy note that the Assumption is a holiday dedicated to life, not death.

According to legend, the Virgin did not die in the usual sense for people, but seemed to fall asleep in order to awaken to a new life. The very word "assumption" in the name of the celebration means "falling asleep."

There are several memorial days a year when funeral services are held in the church. They are not held on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. However, there is no strict ban on visiting the cemetery either on the Assumption or on any other day.

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: fast day or not

The Dormition of the Blessed Virgin is preceded by a strict two-week fast. During this period, believers are not allowed to eat meat, eggs and dairy products, as well as fish.

The fast begins on August 14 and ends on August 27, on the eve of the Assumption. However, if the holiday falls on a Wednesday or Friday, then according to the church regulations, the service is postponed for another day. It is allowed to eat only fish, as well as on the Transfiguration of the Lord. On other days, there is no fast.

Since the Assumption is celebrated on Thursday in 2025, these restrictions are lifted. After the church service, the faithful can gather at a large festive table, serving dishes of meat and fish.

What not to do on the Assumption of the Virgin in 2025

The Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary is an important holiday for all Christians, requiring special silence and prayerful solitude. This is a time of inner purification, when one should not indulge in idle pastime, swear, swear, allow excesses in food and drink.

As in the days of the other twelve days, as well as temple and great holidays, personal celebrations fade into the background. On this day, believers and people who know church life try to visit the temple and share the common joy of the holiday with other Christians.

As for the wedding, this issue needs to be clarified in a specific temple. But, most likely, the date will be postponed. In addition, church marriages are not performed on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. These rules are related to the fact that on these days the upcoming nights are fast. In 2025, the Assumption falls on just one of these days.

What else can not be done on the Assumption:

• Using sharp objects is believed to take a long time to heal if you injure yourself with them at the Dormition;
• Wearing uncomfortable shoes means that those who rub their feet on a holiday will not see joy in life for a long time.;
• to start new things, as the Assumption symbolizes the completion of the old cycle.;
• walking on the morning dew — our ancestors considered it the tears of the earth, mourning the Virgin;
• It is a sin to organize noisy celebrations and abuse alcohol on a holiday.

Folk signs on August 28, on the Assumption of the Virgin

There are many folk traditions associated with the Dormition of the Virgin. Our ancestors used them to predict the weather and what to expect in the future. According to observations, a rainbow in the sky on this day promises a warm and sunny autumn, and rain on August 28 — bad weather until the end of September.

Other signs of the day:

• It was a clear, sunny day, and autumn will be dry and warm.;
• If the day is windy, Indian summer will be hot.;
• A cloudless sky foreshadows that autumn will pass without cold winds.;
• If it's cloudy outside and you can't see the sun, it's time for a long, rainy autumn.;
• If the morning is cold, the first frosts will hit soon.;
• if the surface of the water on rivers and lakes is smooth, without ripples, there will be no snowstorms in winter.;
• heavy fog on the Assumption leads to a large harvest of mushrooms.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the traditions of the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, which was celebrated in mid-August.