Everyone is happy about the good news, which is why the Feast of the Annunciation in the Orthodox tradition is so significant and special. This is a day of peace, tranquility, blessing for new good deeds.
They celebrate it with decorum and concentration, observing long-standing traditions and performing many rituals and ceremonies. They notice the events of the Annunciation in order to then use signs to predict the weather for the new season, the harvest, and well-being in the house. The beliefs were based on the practice of the agricultural calendar, since it was believed that spring began on this day.
The holiday was honored by building churches in different cities of the country in honor of the celebration. In the name of the Annunciation, cathedrals were built in the Moscow, Suzdal, Kazan Kremlin, on Solovki, in the Pskov, Vladimir, Yaroslavl, Arkhangelsk and other regions.
The history of the formation of the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The name of the holiday is clear to every Christian. The good news happened more than 2 thousand years ago: the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the young virgin and announced that she was the chosen one of the Lord: she was to become the mother of the Son of God.
Mary was betrothed to the pious but elderly Joseph. The social morality of that time severely punished a woman if she did not have a male protector, as well as for the birth of an illegitimate child. The Lord destined Joseph to be the patron of the Virgin Mary and Jesus.
The good news of the birth of the Savior of the world from the Holy Spirit was kept secret. The people and relatives around him considered Joseph to be the father of Jesus. After the death and ascension into heaven of Jesus Christ, the Apostle Luke narrated in the Gospel that the Virgin Mary and Joseph knew who would be born 9 months after the appearance of the Heavenly Messenger.
The tradition of marking the date of the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary originated in the 2nd century and became widespread among Western Christians from the mid-7th century. The date was calculated from the Nativity of Jesus Christ (March 25, old style), since it was believed that the conception occurred simultaneously with the Good News. The celebration came to Rus' in the 10th century, after baptism.
How to properly celebrate Annunciation 2021
The main motive in this holiday is hidden in the saying “A bird does not build a nest, but a maiden does not braid a braid.” The Day of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 2021 is freedom from earthly worries, an appeal to spiritual values and a break from the mundane thoughts that an ordinary person most often thinks about in everyday life. The celebration of the Annunciation involves visiting churches to listen to liturgies and releasing birds that symbolize freedom in search of Divine enlightenment.
On this holiday, believers are allowed to eat fish dishes, various seafood, add olive oil to food and treat themselves and loved ones with wine.
On the Annunciation, according to popular beliefs, young people called on spring, had fun and played, singing songs, jumping over a fire, letting their clothes end up in smoke.
The people believed that through such rituals there was a cleansing of spirits that could harm people. During the holiday, our ancestors admired the starry sky in the evening, asking for prosperity and prosperity in all matters.
It is worth mentioning that the water collected at the Annunciation has healing powers, which can appear if an icon with the image of the Mother of God is lowered into a well.
The meaning of the holiday in Orthodoxy
The Annunciation is one of the 12 most significant Orthodox holidays. The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates it on April 7 (according to the Julian calendar).
The day when Mary learned about the birth of Jesus Christ separated the Old Testament world (the period when the prophets spoke about the coming of the Messiah) from the New Testament world - a phenomenon in the earthly life of the Savior. The Creator, through his Son, gave humanity hope for the forgiveness of sins, including the sin of Adam and Eve, and reunification in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Jesus Christ is the incarnation of God in human form, human and divine natures merged into one through Mary. With the birth of the Son of God, the countdown of time changed, which split into two parts: before and after the Nativity of Christ. But we must remember that before this there was the Annunciation. Without Mary, who unconditionally accepted the will of God, the appearance of the Savior would have been impossible.
Veneration and iconography
The iconography was formed on the basis of apocryphal texts. The Apocrypha does not change the story from the Evangelist Luke, but provides details reflected in iconographic images. The canons of Russian icon painting are based on early Christian principles of display and remain unchanged to this day.
The icons dedicated to the Annunciation depict two figures: the Virgin Mary and the Archangel Gabriel.
The poses and gestures of the characters vary and are interpreted accordingly:
- The Archangel is standing, the Virgin Mary is sitting. According to legend, Mary was busy sewing when Gabriel appeared, so she sat. The theological definition means the superiority of the future Heavenly Queen over an angel.
- Mary listens to Gabriel standing, which emphasizes the attention with which she listened to the will of the Lord.
- Mary's right palm is facing the angel or pressed to her chest. In the first case, it is a sign of attention and readiness to fulfill the will of God, in the second, humility before God.
- The face of the Mother of God can express a different range of feelings: embarrassment, humility.
- Gabriel and Mary look either at each other or at Heaven.
- The image of a ray directed from the sky towards Mary is symbolic. It means the purification of the Virgin (from pure to Most Pure), the descent of the Holy Spirit (supernatural conception).
In the Orthodox Church, the words “annunciation” and “gospel” are considered identical, since “gospel” translated from Greek means “good news.” Therefore, the icon of the Annunciation is placed above the Royal Doors, surrounded by four evangelists. In Russia there are a large number of churches consecrated in honor of this event.
The Feast of the Annunciation has the same features as Christmas and Epiphany. The day of celebration falls on April 7 (exactly 9 months before the Nativity of Christ). April 6 is the day of the pre-festival, and April 8 is the day of the post-festival. An exception is the cancellation of the pre- and post-celebration if the Annunciation falls on Holy and Easter weeks.
The celebration is preceded by an all-night vigil. The church charter regulates the conduct of divine services depending on the coincidence of the Annunciation with the last week of Lent and Easter.
What can you do on April 7
Orthodox Christians prepare in advance for the holiday. They clean and decorate the houses, prepare festive dishes. Home icons are also “dressed up” with ribbons or lace capes. According to tradition, objects and textiles of a blue hue are used as decoration - the “Virgin” color. It is appropriate to place a sprig of white lily in a vase, since this flower, an emblem of purity and purity, is considered a symbol of the Annunciation. In many paintings dedicated to the biblical event, the Archangel Gabriel hands Mary this flower.
In the 18th-19th centuries, it was customary to buy birds in order to release them on the day of the holiday, but there is a danger that a bird, accustomed to captivity or, conversely, frightened by a recent capture, may die. Now in many churches, after the festive liturgy, the priest releases pigeons. But for this purpose they purchase trained birds, which, once free, calmly return to their dovecote. The custom itself symbolizes the liberation of the soul from original sin, which lay on a person from birth. Also, the white dove is associated with the Holy Spirit, who appeared in this image at the time of the baptism of Christ in the Jordan River.
In the morning, believers can go to the nearest church to listen to the festive liturgy. If you want to celebrate this day in accordance with church regulations, the day before you should go to the all-night vigil, which this year will begin with Great Compline. If this is not possible, for example, due to quarantine, believers can read the service in whole or in part at home.
For cell prayer, Orthodox Christians can begin reading with the initial prayers, then read Psalms 4, 6, 12, 24, 30, 90, and sing the prayer “God is with us.” After this, it is necessary to read the troparion of the holiday (tone 4), the prayer of Basil the Great, psalms 50 and 101, the prayer of Manasseh the king of Judah and the kontakion of the holiday, which is usually voiced in two voices - for the Virgin and for the archangel. Then they read the prayer of St. Mardarius, psalms 69 and 142, the “Great Doxology”, the stichera of the holiday, the prayer of St. Simeon the God-Receiver, repeat the holiday troparion three times and Psalm 33.
After this, Matins begins. On it they read the Six Psalms - Psalms 3, 37, 62, 87, 102, 142, sing “God is the Lord” and repeat the troparion of the holiday three times. They are followed by the tenth kathisma according to the Psalter, the sedals of the Annunciation - tone 1 (2nd verse) and tone 3 (3rd verse) and polyeleos. On it the magnification of the holiday is sung and its sedalny (tone 4), the antiphon of the 1st tone of the 4th and the prokeimenon of the feast of the 4th tone are read. Then you need to read an excerpt from the Gospel of Luke, telling about the Annunciation, Psalm 50 and the stichera of the holiday (tone 2). This is followed by the Canon of the Annunciation, the “Great Doxology”, the stichera (tone 5) is read, “Glory and Now” (tone 8) is sung, and the troparion is sung. Matins ends with the prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian.
The first hour service begins. Psalms 5, 89, 100, troparion and kontakion of the holiday are read. They repeat the prayer of Ephraim the Syrian, say the prayer of the first hour “Christ, the True Light,” the kontakion of the Mother of God and the small dismissal.
Sequence of hours for home celebrations for the Annunciation:
- third hour - initial prayers, psalms 16, 24, 50, kathisma 14, troparion of the holiday (tone 4), kontakion of the holiday (tone 8), prayers “For every time and for every hour”, St. Ephraim the Syrian, St. Mardarius;
- hour six - from the initial prayers, only bows are read, then psalms 53, 54, 90, the troparion of the holiday (tone 4), the Theotokos “For not the imams of boldness”, the troparion of prophecy (tone 8), the prophecy of Isaiah, the kontakion of the holiday (tone 8), prayers of St. Ephraim the Syrian, St. Basil the Great;
- ninth hour - prostrations, psalms 83, 84, 85, troparion of the holiday (tone 4), Theotokos: “Who for our sake was born of the Virgin,” verses 34-36 from the third book of the prophet Daniel, the Trisagion and all the initial prayers according to “Our Father” inclusive, kontakion of the holiday (tone 8), prayers “For every time and every hour”, Saint Ephraim the Syrian, Saint Basil the Great.
Of course, not all believers can perform a full divine service. You can shorten it to reading an excerpt from the Gospel, a troparion, a kontakion for the holiday, the Canon of the Annunciation, the prophecies of Daniel and Isaiah, and several stichera.
Prayers for the Annunciation
The order of performing prayers for the Annunciation depends on the coincidence of the holiday with Lent and Easter.
Troparion to the Forefeast Day
On this day of universal joy, the firstfruits / pre-festive hymns command: / behold, Gabriel comes, / bringing good news to the Virgin, / and cries out to her: / Rejoice, O full of grace, // the Lord is with you.
Troparion
The day of our salvation is the most important, / and from time immemorial the mystery has been revealed: / The Son of God, the Son of the Virgin, is born, / and Gabriel preaches grace. / Moreover, we also cry out to the Mother of God with him: / Rejoice, O full of grace, / The Lord is with you.
Kontakion
To the chosen Voivode, victorious,/ as having got rid of the evil ones,/ let us sing a note of gratitude to Thy servants, O Mother of God,/ but, as having an invincible power,/ free us from all troubles, let us call Ti // Rejoice, O news Nevestnaya.
Greatness
The Archangel's voice/ we cry out to You, Pure One:/ Rejoice,/ Gracious One,// The Lord is with You.
Choruses
During services, if the simultaneous performance of the canon and verses from the Holy Scriptures (as prescribed by the Typikon) causes difficulties, then the biblical songs are replaced with choruses to the troparion: “Most Holy Theotokos, save us.”
Instead of “It is worthy to eat...” the chorus is sung: “Broadcast great joy to the earth, praise the heavens of God’s Glory!”
Irmos
Like the animate ark of God, let the hand of the bad (the uninitiated) never touch it; On the lips of the faithful to the Mother of God, the voice of the Angel ceaselessly sings, with joy they cry out: Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Canon
Song 1
Irmos: I will open my mouth and be filled with the Spirit, and I will vomit the word to the Queen Mother, and I will appear, brightly triumphant, and I will sing, rejoicing, Those miracles.
Let David, Your forefather, sing to You, Lady, moving the spiritual flute: listen, Daughters, to the joyful voice from the Angel, for he proclaims to You unutterable joy.
The angel cried out: I cry to You, rejoicing, incline Your ear and listen to me, proclaiming God’s seedless conception, for You have found grace before God, which you have never found before, the All-Pure.
The Mother of God said: Yes, Angela, I understand your verb power, what will happen if you said it most clearly? How will I conceive, a virgin, a young lady? How will I be the Mother of My Creator?
The angel cried: You think that you speak flatteringly of me, as I think, and I rejoice, Your statement is in vain. Be of good cheer, O Lady, for God desires that they may pass away comfortably and gloriously.
Song 3
Irmos: Thy hymns, O Mother of God, living and unenvious Source, spiritually establish the face of thyself, and grant crowns of glory in Thy Divine glory.
Speech to the Mother of God: The prince of Judas has become impoverished, the time has come, and in the times of tongues hope will appear, Christ; Tell me, how will I give birth to this, the Virgin of existence?
The angel cried out: You seek to take away from me, O Virgin, the image of Your conception, but that is indescribable: but the Holy Spirit, having overshadowed You with creative power, will complete it.
The Mother of God said: My pramati, having accepted the mind of the serpent, was quickly expelled from Divine food, and I am also afraid of your strange kiss, ashamed of the creep.
The angel cried: God's representative, I am sent by the Divine to tell You advice. Why are you afraid of me, O All-Immaculate One, more afraid of You? Why do you revere me, Lady, who honestly reveres you?
Sedalen, voice 8
The Word of God has now descended to earth, an Angel appeared, crying to the Virgin: Rejoice, Blessed One, who was preserved by one seal, having received in the womb the eternal Word and the Lord, that He might save the human race from delusion, like God.
Glory, and now, the same voice.
The Archangel Gabriel was quickly sent from Heaven from God, and soon appeared to the animated city, speaking to Her clearly: Receive the Creator, O Virgin, in the womb and give birth to Him immutably with the flesh. In the same way, I am sent to announce to You a strange Christmas, Pure One, and I stand, calling to You: Rejoice, Unbrided Bride.
Song 4
Irmos: Seated in glory on the throne of the Divine in a light cloud, the Divine Jesus came with the Imperishable Hand and called to salvation: glory, O Christ, to Thy power.
The Mother of God said: A certain sacred Virgin gave birth to the hearing of the prophet, who was prophesied in ancient times by Emmanuel; I want to understand how the divinity will be dissolved by human nature?
The angel cried out: There was a bush revealed, having remained unburnt, having received the flame, joyful, All-Singing, the glorious mysteries are upon You: after the Nativity you will remain the Pure Ever-Virgin.
The Mother of God said: We are illuminated by the radiance of God Almighty, the preacher of truth, say, Gabriel, the truest: how, having been incorruptible in My purity, will I give birth to Words, with the flesh of the Immaterial?
The angel cried out: With fear, as a servant of the Lady, I stand before You; with fear, O Youth, now look, I am ashamed of You, for the rain on the fleece, the Word of the Father will descend upon You, as if you were favored.
Song 5
Irmos: Everyone was terrified of Your Divine glory: You, the Unmade Virgin, had God in your womb above all and gave birth to a lifeless Son, giving peace to all who sing Your praises.
Speech to the Mother of God: I cannot comprehend Your words of news: for there were miracles in abundance, miracles were performed by Divine power, signs and images of the law, but a virgin never gave birth to a woman.
The angel cried: Divit, All-Immaculate, and strange is Thy miracle, for Thou alone hast received the King of all in the womb, incarnate, and Thee is represented by prophetic sayings, and fortune-telling, and legal images.
Speech to the Mother of God: Uncontainable by all and invisible by all, how can this one dwell in the womb of a maiden, which He Himself created? How then will I conceive God the Word, co-originating with the Father and the Spirit?
The angel cried out: Having promised to your forefather David to place the fruit of your womb on the throne of his kingdom, Jacob’s kindness has chosen you alone for the verbal village.
Song 6
Irmos: Cry out, prefiguring the three-day burial, the prophet Jonah, praying in the whale: deliver me from aphids, O Jesus, King of hosts.
The Mother of God said: Your word, Gabriel, was received with joy, filled with the joy of the Divine: you told joy and proclaimed endless joy.
The angel cried out: Joy is given to you, Divine Mother of God, to you, who rejoice, all creation cries out, Bride of God: for you alone are called the Mother of the Son of God, Pure.
The Mother of God said: May the condemnation of Eve be abolished by Me now, may the debt be repaid by Me today, may the ancient borrowing be fulfilled by Me.
The angel cried out: God promised Abraham the forefather that he would be blessed in his seed with his tongue, O Pure One, but with You the end of the promise is accepted today.
Kontakion, tone 8
To the chosen Voivode, victorious, as having been delivered from the evil ones, let us write thanks to Thee, Thy servants, to the Mother of God, but, as having an invincible power, free us from all troubles, let us call Thee: Rejoice, Unmarried Bride.
Ikos
A representative angel was sent from Heaven and quickly said to the Mother of God: Rejoice! and with an incorporeal voice we embody You in vain, O Lord, terrified and standing, calling to Her like this: Rejoice, whose joy will shine forth; Rejoice, Her oath will disappear. Rejoice, proclamation to fallen Adam; Rejoice, deliverance of the tears of Eve. Rejoice, height beyond the reach of human thoughts; Rejoice, unfathomable depth and angelic eye. Rejoice, for you are the King's seat; Rejoice, for you bear everything that bears. Rejoice, star representing the Sun; Rejoice, womb of the Divine Incarnation. Rejoice, even the creation is being renewed; Rejoice, we worship the Creator. Rejoice, Unbrided Bride.
Song 7
Irmos: Having not served the creation of God’s wisdom more than the Creator, but having overcome the fiery rebuke manfully, I rejoice, singing: O Lord and God of the fathers, blessed art thou.
Speech to the Mother of God: Telling the immaterial Light, in the material body we couple much for mercy, the bright annunciation, Divine preaching, now you cry to Me: blessed, All-Pure, the Fruit of Your womb.
The angel cried out: Rejoice, Virgin Lady, rejoice, Most Pure One, rejoice, friend of God, rejoice, candlestick of Light, Adam’s proclamation, Eve’s deliverance, holy mountain, primal sacredness and chamber of immortality.
The Mother of God said: Cleanse my soul, sanctify my body, create a church for me to contain God, a tabernacle adorned with God, the temple animated by the influx of the Most Holy Spirit and the pure Mother of Life.
The angel cried out: Like a many-bright light and a palace made of God, I see You now, like a golden ark, accept the law of the Giver of God, who deigned to deliver human beings through You.
Song 8
Irmos: Hear, O Young Lady, pure Virgin, let Gabriel speak the ancient and true advice of the Most High: Be ready to receive God, for You are incompatible with human life. Therefore, rejoicing, I cry: bless all the works of the Lord, the Lord.
“Every mind is conquered by those of the earth,” answered the Maiden, “seeking what you have told Me, O glorious one: I hear your words, but I am afraid, horrified, lest I flatter Me, like Eve, having gone far from God. But above all I cry: Bless all the works of the Lord, the Lord, and exalt Him forever.
Behold, you have been perplexed, - Gabriel says to this, - you have spoken well, you are an inconvenient thing. Others who obey the words of Your lips, do not hesitate, believe like flattery, like things. For I rejoice and cry out: Bless all the works of the Lord, the Lord, and exalt Him forever.
This law is from God by man, - the Immaculate Abiye says, - Christmas comes from common love. We don’t know the sweetness of a spouse at all times, so what, you say, as if I’ll give birth? I'm afraid food is flattery? But above all I cry: Bless all the works of the Lord, the Lord, and exalt Him forever.
The verbs that you tell me, O Pure One, - the Angel again speaks, - are the customs of the Nativity of mortal men, truly I promise You God, more than the word and meaning is embodied, as if the message is from You. In the same way, rejoicing, I cry: bless all the works of the Lord, the Lord, and exalt Him forever.
“You appear to me as a broadcaster of truth,” said the Virgin, “for you have come to bring joy to everyone.” I have now cleansed my soul and body, and according to your word, awaken to Me, so that God may dwell in Me, to the weakling I cry with you: bless, all the works of the Lord, the Lord and exalt Him forever.
Song 9
Irmos: Like God’s animate ark, let the hand of the wicked never touch it. The mouth of the faithful, the Mother of God, without silence, the voice of the Angel chanting, let them cry out with joy: Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Having conceived the meaning of God, the nature of custom was hidden, O Young Lady, for in the Nativity of the mother you escaped the corruptible nature and surpassed existence. It is also worthy to hear: Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
How you grind away the milk, O Pure Virgin, cannot utter the language of the earth, for you show a strange thing of nature, the lawful Christmas charter has passed away. It is also worthy to hear: Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Secretly in the sacred scriptures they spoke about You, Mother of the Most High, Jacob of old, who formed the ladder, saw You, and said: this is the degree of God. It is also worthy to hear: Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
The bush and the fire showed a miracle to the sacredly revealed Moses; look for the end in the passing of time, in the pure Maiden, I will see. And like the Mother of God, let it be said: Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Daniel calls the mountain the mental mountain, the parent of God, Isaiah, and Gideon sees it like a fleece; Gabriel calls to you: Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Svetilen
The Archangel was sent by the angelic forces from God Almighty to the Pure Ones and the Virgin to proclaim a strange and ineffable miracle: before God, like a Man, from Her comes forth without seed, edifying the entire human race. People, evangelize the renewal of the world.
Famous Quotes
Sayings by which one can judge what we are talking about (about the Annunciation):
- “Rejoice, O Blessed One!” - words of the archangel to the Virgin Mary.
- “I, the servant of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word” - the Virgin Mary’s answer to Gabriel.
- “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” - the words of Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, when meeting with the Blessed Virgin (included in the content of many prayers).
- “Ave Maria” are the initial words of the Catholic prayer translated as “Hail Mary”.
The Ave Maria prayer is the most famous Catholic chant.
Annunciation 2021: history and traditions of the holiday
The celebration is timed to coincide with the announcement to the Virgin Mary by Archangel Gabriel of the good news about her conception of the Son of God.
history of the holiday
Saint Mary was brought up in the temple and made a promise to God to remain a Virgin. She lived modestly in Nazareth with her named husband, a distant relative - old man Joseph. One day, Archangel Gabriel entered her house and delivered a speech, which he began with the words: “Rejoice, O Blessed One!” He informed the Blessed Virgin about a great miracle - her conception of the future Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.
The Gospel of Luke says it this way:
The angel came to her and said:
“Rejoice, full of grace! The Lord is with you, blessed are you among women."
When she saw him, she was embarrassed by his words and wondered what kind of greeting it was.
And the angel said to her:
“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace from God: you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the son of God!”
The Virgin Mary, seeing God’s will in the angel’s words, answers:
“I am the servant of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word.”
The first mention of the Annunciation dates back to the 2nd century. This event became official in the 6th century, when the Byzantine Emperor Justinian set the date of the holiday on March 25 (April 7, new style).
© Sputnik / Vitaly Denisov
Icon "Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary"
Traditions and rituals
On this day, it is customary for people to go to temples, pray, give alms and do charity work. On this holiday, there is a widespread tradition of releasing birds (pigeons) to freedom. People believe that on the Annunciation they fly to the guardian angels and inform them about all the good deeds that have been done during the year.
On April 7, believers prepare Annunciation salt. To do this, housewives take a bag into which each family member pours a pinch of salt. It is calcined in the fire and stored in a secluded place. Annunciation salt is used as a talisman. Its miraculous properties can cure diseases. If it is not used up within a year, then on the next holiday it is burned in the fire. The prosphora and blessed water that parishioners bring from the solemn service have special power.
© Sputnik / Igor Onuchin
Priests and parishioners release a dove into the sky at the Trinity-St. George Convent on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
On the Annunciation, believers make a pilgrimage to holy places. On this holiday, Orthodox relics can give a person strength. Christians believe that on this day the heavens open and the Lord hears the prayers and requests of a person. People make wishes and ask heavenly powers for help in big things.
The ancient Slavs had a custom of lighting large bonfires on holiday. They threw all old things and objects into the fire. It was believed that in this way all troubles, illnesses and misfortunes were burned out in the fire.
Annunciation and Lent: what you can eat
The Orthodox Annunciation usually (though not always) occurs during Lent, when severe dietary restrictions apply. However, in connection with the holiday, the strictness of fasting is significantly softened.
Any lean foods are allowed, as well as fish and wine. It is allowed to eat hot lean food with vegetable oil, fish dishes, seafood, and red wine.
What not to do
Among the people, the Annunciation is considered a great religious holiday. On this day there are prohibitions on everyday activities.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Vyatkin
Lent 2021: do's and don'ts, food traditions
On Annunciation Day, it is not recommended to sew, knit, embroider, braid hair, cut your hair, dye your hair, or comb your hair. This sign is associated with the belief that people have long believed that human life is a thread that can be controlled by the Lord himself or guardian angels. On the day when the heavens open, it is easy to confuse the threads of life and change the destinies of family and loved ones.
On this day you should refrain from heavy physical labor. Housewives try to prepare food on the eve of the Annunciation in order to be free from household chores on the holiday. It is considered a bad omen to lend money, to give away something from home, otherwise you can give away your peace, health and well-being. You should not wear new things on this day, so as not to spoil them. The holiday cannot be spent in fuss, anger, anger and irritation. The Church does not recommend getting married on this day - this is a period of abstinence and repentance.
Folk signs
In order to get married faster, young girls in the old days often turned to the Mother of God. The patroness of the family rarely refuses help in matters of the heart. To meet the other half, a special ceremony was performed, secluded in the room and turning off the lights.
A red wax candle is lit in front of the mirror. On a piece of paper they write down the main qualities that they would like to see in their chosen one. They burn the paper while it burns and say the words: “I look into the mirror of the soul. Most Holy Theotokos, send me my beloved.” They collect the ashes in a box, and put the candle stub and mirror there. Until the new moon comes, it is kept in a secluded place. Then they are placed on the windowsill overnight so that moonlight falls on the contents. The next morning the box is removed again. The ritual is repeated until the girl meets a new love.
In the old days, unmarried girls walked to the Annunciation by water and looked for snowdrops along the way. These flowers brought happiness. Washing with the water in which they stood gave beauty.
© Sputnik / Igor Onuchin
Birobidzhan Cathedral in honor of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Birobidzhan
If frost hits on Annunciation Day, warmth will not come for another 40 days, and in the summer there will be a rich harvest of oats, cucumbers, and milk mushrooms. Sunny weather means spring will soon arrive. A thunderstorm began on Annunciation - for a warm summer, an abundance of nuts in the forest. If the stars are not visible at night on a holiday, the chickens will lay eggs poorly for a whole year. In the morning fog fell, frost fell or the wind rose - a strong flood, a bad grain harvest.
It is believed that the weather at the Annunciation will be repeated at Easter. Rain is considered a good sign. It cleanses, washes away troubles, and symbolizes the beginning of a new life. If it rains for the whole day, after 2-3 days a lot of mushrooms will grow in the forest. This weather promises a rich rye harvest. Heavy rain on Annunciation promises good fishing in the coming months. If the drops are small, fish will rarely be caught.
If the snow has not melted on the roofs by Annunciation, the cold weather will last another month. Snow cover remaining on the ground means a poor wheat harvest.
As per custom, prosphora was prepared for the Annunciation. Small loaves of bread were distributed in churches after morning services. They were brought home and eaten at the festive table to make life happy. The remaining crumbs were fed to livestock to ward off disease. Coins were baked into some prosphora. It was believed that whoever got it would live richly.
© Sputnik / Sergey Pyatakov
Mallows on a table in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior
On the Annunciation, rituals were performed to get rid of diseases. They collected spring water on the eve of the holiday. In the morning they carried her to church for the festive service. On the way back, they gave alms to the poor or left money for the temple. Houses were doused with brought water. This ritual helped not to get sick during the holiday, relieved fatigue and depression.
To preserve health, salt was baked on the Annunciation. It was used if a person got sick on a holiday, it was added to food to protect against illnesses. Regular table salt was poured into a fabric bag and baked in the oven for 15 minutes. It was used for a year. The remainder was burned before the next holiday.
Orthodox traditions for the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
In folk tradition, the Annunciation was celebrated as the end of winter and the arrival of spring. It was believed that on this day nothing could be done around the house: “Even a bird does not build a nest.” In villages and hamlets they burned bonfires from old things and straw. Round dances were performed around the fires.
The Orthodox believed that the sky opens at night, when one can be heard by God. To do this, you had to wait for the brightest star to light up in the dark abyss and shout out your wish. On Annunciation, it was customary to release birds from their cages into the wild.
What to cook and eat for Annunciation 2021
According to popular beliefs, on the Annunciation it is customary to invoke spring and bake special Lenten cookies in the shape of birds, which are called “larks”, see the recipe here .
Prosphora
Dahl also has this: “Annunciation prosvirka in the susek, for happiness,” where “prosvirka” is prosphora, and susek is a place in the barn for storing grain and flour. These rules still apply in 2021, and instead of a barn, you can use a nook in the kitchen where groceries are stored. Only for this you need liturgical bread - prosphora, small Lenten pastries.
Prosphora is prepared from kvass (prepared using fermentation) dough from wheat flour, holy water, boiling water and salt. On the prosphora there is most often a cross with an abbreviation that stands for: “Jesus Christ conquers,” or an image of the Virgin Mary. Special carved seals are used to apply the image. Prosphoras consist of two halves fastened together. This means the two natures of Jesus Christ - human and divine. Holy water symbolizes the grace of God, and the yeast with which prosphora is most often baked symbolizes the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit, which gives life to every creature.
Prosphora can be received in an Orthodox church after the liturgy. Believers bring it home and share it with their family, eating it on an empty stomach after prayer. Leftover bread should not be thrown into the trash or fed to animals.
Prosphora
Fish dishes
In 2021, the Annunciation falls during Lent, which means that on this day all fasting people are allowed indulgences - cold and hot fish dishes with vegetable oil.
We suggest preparing a win-win dish that is unlikely to be left for tomorrow. It is eaten instantly!
White fish marinated
White fish marinated
To prepare 2-4 servings you need:
- 1 onion
- 2 medium sized carrots
- 1 parsley root or 1 tsp. dried root
- 50 ml vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp. l. tomato paste
- 50-70 ml drinking water
- 70-80 ml apple cider vinegar
- 0.5 tsp. Sahara
- 4-5 black peppercorns
- 1 bay leaf
- 600 g cod fillet, it is better to choose thicker pieces so as not to dry out the fish
- flour for breading
- favorite fresh herbs for serving
- salt, freshly ground black pepper
- Cut the onion into rings, carrots into very thin strips. Grate the parsley root on a fine grater. If you can't find fresh parsley root, replace it with chopped dried one.
- In a frying pan over medium heat, heat half the vegetable oil well and fry the vegetables, stirring, for 5 minutes.
- Add tomato paste to the fried vegetables and stir. Pour in water, bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes.
- Add vinegar, sugar, peppercorns and bay leaf to the marinade. Add some salt. Simmer over low heat for another 10 minutes. You can add some freshly ground black pepper. Remove from heat.
- Coarsely chop the cod fillet. Salt and pepper to taste. Pour flour into a plate and coat the fish
- In another frying pan, heat the remaining vegetable oil. Over high heat, fry the fillet on both sides until golden brown, literally 30-60 seconds. from each side.
- Place the fish in a frying pan with the marinade, placing it on top of the vegetables. Collect the remaining vegetables around the edges and place on the fish. Cover with a lid and simmer over low heat until the fish is completely cooked.
- Remove from heat and leave for 20-30 minutes. under the lid. Before serving, you can decorate with any fresh herbs.
