January 8 - Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary: history and traditions of the holiday

On January 8, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Sobor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one of the oldest feasts, which is celebrated the day after the Nativity of Christ. On this day, the faithful visit churches to glorify the Mother of God, as well as St. Joseph the Betrothed and St. James, the brother of the Lord. In 2025, the celebration falls on Wednesday. "Izvestia" tells how the holiday is celebrated and what prohibitions are established on this date.

History of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated on January 8

Officially, the holiday was established at the VI Ecumenical Council, held in 681 in Constantinople with the participation of Emperor Constantine Pogonatus. However, it was known even earlier. It is called a council because the ancient Christians had the custom of gathering in temples to pray in a cathedral, praising the Virgin Mary. The celebration of the Sobor of St. John the Baptist (the Baptist) was done in the same way. The feasts dedicated to the glorification of several saints at once are also called Sobor.

Traditionally on the Sobor of the Most Holy Theotokos one remembers not only the Mother of God, but also those who were near her, helping her during her earthly journey. First of all, her husband Joseph the Betrothed, St. James, the son of Joseph by his first wife and the first bishop of Jerusalem, who is called in the Gospel the brother of the Lord. St. David, who was the earthly ancestor of Jesus Christ, is also commemorated.

The main theme of the celebration is the giving of songs of praise and thanksgiving to the Mother of God, who gave birth to the Savior of the entire human race. This subject is widely reflected in iconography. Often the icons depict the Mother of God with the infant Christ surrounded by shepherds and wise men who came to worship the Son of God, as well as animals - cows and donkeys, which were at the time of Christ's birth in the cave in Bethlehem. On iconic images one can also find angels and various saints.

With the Epiphany, the holiday began to be celebrated in Russia. Over time, it became not only a day to praise the Virgin Mary, but also a holiday for all women in labor and midwives. In the old days it was also called the Day of Midwives.

How to celebrate the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 2025

Every year on the Sobor of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the churches there is a Divine Liturgy, which is attended by thousands of believers. The main service is conducted personally by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia in the Patriarchal Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.

Liturgy is also celebrated in all other churches of the country. The service begins early in the morning, and in the evening there is vespers. On this day, cathedral prayers are read, in which the saints associated with the appearance of the Infant are glorified, and also pray before the icon of the Mother of God "Three Joys".

On this icon Jesus is depicted kneeling by the Blessed Virgin Mary with a white flower in his hands. To his right is Joseph the Betrothed and to his left is John the Baptist. The image is addressed with requests for the preservation of family well-being, help for oneself and relatives, deliverance from troubles and sorrows.

Another tradition of the holiday is to bake bread and consecrate it in church. A few loaves are traditionally left in the church, and the rest are taken with you and divided among the household.

What you can and can not do on the church holiday on January 8

On the day of the celebration it is customary to pray for the health of their children and congratulate the doctors who helped the babies to come into the world. Gratitude can be both material and prayerful.

According to folk beliefs, in a house where there is a newborn baby, travelers should not be allowed in and guests should not be invited to avoid the evil eye. Pregnant women should not bother themselves with any work, including needlework. It is believed that this way you can harm the child.

In addition, one should not quarrel with close people, allow bad deeds and thoughts, as well as refuse to help those in need.

Earlier, believers celebrated the Introduction to the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary. "Izvestia" told about the traditions of this church holiday.