The word "Assumption" means the moment of death, death and ascension, both of the spirit and the body to Heaven into the kingdom of God.
The history of the feast of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos itself is given in the book “The Second Laudable Word on the Assumption of the Mother of God” by John of Damascus. He wrote that few facts are known about how the Mother of God reposed, but it is known that Angels were heard singing at the place where the coffin was located for three days, and when the voices subsided and the coffin was opened, the body of the Blessed Virgin was not found.
The name of the holiday used to be different and changed several times:
- "Memory of the Blessed". Under this name, the date appeared, which is celebrated from the 5th century to the present day.
- "The Feast of the Death of the Mother of God." This name was in the IV century. It was celebrated on August 15th.
- Now it is called "Assumption of the Mother of God" and the date is set for August 28.
Before this day, the second strictest (after the Great) Dormition fast is observed for two weeks.
After resting, the Mother of God left the people to all the one and only commandment that everyone should fulfill what Christ said. So that people would be only “listeners”, listen and fulfill what the Son of God bequeathed. She herself, all her life, “put together” everything that Christ said to her soul, like “treasures” in a casket, and said that everyone should live like this.
Celebration traditions in the church
The Dormition is characterized in the church by one day of direct celebration and 8 days of the so-called post-feast. These days, the clergy in the temple dress in elegant clothes of blue tones.
On a special place in the center of the temple, the Shroud with the image of the face of the Mother of God is installed, to which the parishioners come to bow and pray.
Days 2 and 3 are marked in temples by the fact that they carry out the rite of burial with the incense of the Shroud. Then the coming Christians are anointed with oil.
Worldly traditions and signs on this day
The celebration of the Assumption coincides with the very height of the harvest, and most of the signs and traditions are connected precisely with the harvest, but not only. There are several traditions that have come to our time from antiquity:
- August 28 is the day of breaking the fast after fasting in honor of the Dormition. Mistresses, as a rule, prepare dishes for household and for treating those in need;
- on this day, since ancient times, it has been customary to complete the harvest and prepare for the winter;
- young guys get married on this day.
On this day, men and women usually pray to the Holy Virgin Mary for family happiness, and girls ask to meet a guy, a good and kind groom. It is customary to thank the Most Holy Mother of God for the harvest, peace in families, for everything that happened during the year. It is customary to spend this bright holiday with the family, with mothers in good conversations, help, in a calm, pleasant mood.
The Orthodox have noticed that some natural phenomena on this holiday can indicate what autumn or winter will turn out to be and what will happen in the future.
Here are some signs on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
- rain portends a dry autumn;
- the establishment of warm and mild weather from this day speaks of the coming frosty and little snowy winter;
- if the girl did not meet love before the Assumption, then she would spend the coming winter alone;
- a lot of cobwebs say that next winter promises to be frosty and not snowy;
- if you pickle cucumbers for the winter on this day, they will not grow moldy;
- fog on the Assumption speaks of a possible good harvest of autumn mushrooms;
- if the water in a river or lake is agitated on a holiday, then autumn will be with rain, and winter with snow;
- to complete all your affairs by this day and have time to help loved ones and the needy was considered from ancient times a good omen for the whole next year;
- a leg injury, even the smallest one, was considered a bad sign that day.
Interesting! Earlier, in ancient Rus', from the 5th century, the year ended in August and the Assumption was the final holiday. Therefore, people attached great importance to this day and all signs were based on the fact that this day determined the next year, since the beginning of the year was from September 1.
People noticed what should not be done on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary so that the year is successful:
- you should not wear shoes that have just been purchased or those that are uncomfortable so that the year is not unsuccessful and does not bring discomfort;
- on this day, it is highly recommended not to swear and utter swear words, offend loved ones;
- in order not to offend the Mother of God and mother earth, it is forbidden on this day to walk barefoot on the ground, to stick sharp objects into the soil.
Although the church does not support fortune-telling, in any form, but the girls on this day could make a fortune on the groom and used the methods of fortune-telling on sand and water in order to see the future betrothed.
In the series of church celebrations there is a significant event, which in worldly life can hardly be called a holiday. On this day, Orthodox Christians celebrate the date of the death, or Dormition, of the Mother of God.
Nowadays, more and more people are imbued with love for the church. Rushing to the temple of God, each of us hopes for the intercession and blessing of the Higher powers. A huge number of miraculous icons, guides between us and the saints, decorate the church. People pray for different things, but not a single person will pass by the image of the Blessed Virgin. It is in her power to plead for each sinful soul of the Savior, His Son. People are given the opportunity to raise glory and thank the Mother of God for her great love and mercy on the day of her Assumption.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 2017
The life of the Blessed Virgin did not differ in anything special from the lives of other women of that time, except perhaps for righteousness, chastity and inexhaustible love for God. As soon as she became the Mother of the Son of God and the Savior of all mankind, veneration, fame, and universal praise came to her.
After the terrible execution of the Son, the Virgin Mary did not know peace. She was cared for by John and all his family at the command of Christ. The Mother of God did not need anything, but her heart did not find peace. Every day she went to the place where Jesus suffered torments, visited the cave where He resurrected, and prayed for a speedy meeting with the Son.
The Mother of God knew that the body was dead, but not the soul, she believed and waited for death in order to finally see her Son. Her prayers were heard: God gave her moments of forgiveness and eternal rest. All the disciples of Christ rushed from different countries, where they preached the word of God, to the hut of John, in order to say goodbye to the mother of the Savior. The Virgin Mary was weak, but with a smile she said that she would always be with them and with all Christians, that she would not stop offering prayers for their well-being and a happy life. The Mother of God waited for her death and ascended to Heaven.
Traditions of the Dormition
The Dormition of the Theotokos is not a time for mourning. Only joy should be present in your thoughts. The Mother of God called not to be afraid of death: every dead person will leave the earth, go to heaven and live forever in the Kingdom of Heaven. She awaited her death with serenity. Her example laid in people faith in the best and a premonition of joy from meeting in Heaven with loved ones who have departed to another world.
During this time, hard work and physical labor should be refrained from. It is necessary to visit the church, light a candle and read the prayer to the Mother of God. Even if nothing bothers you, thank the Blessed Virgin for protection and care. Keep the memory of Her in you, because the Mother of God gave new life not only to Jesus Christ, but to all Christians.
The Assumption of the Virgin is a fixed date in the Orthodox calendar. This day is a time for joy, love and happiness.
An important and solemn day in the Orthodox world is the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. For believers, this is really a holiday, since the Mother of God was accepted into heaven.
For Orthodox people, death is not the end of life, but the liberation of the soul from sins, resurrection, cleansing, so the Assumption is really a holiday and every believer should know its date. The Virgin Mary prayed that she would soon see her son and be near him all the time. Her prayers were answered and one day she was taken up to heaven. We offer you to learn the history of the holiday, its traditions and find out the answer to the question: what date is the Assumption in 2017.
When will the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin in 2017
Every year the holiday is celebrated on August 28 and this year there will be no exception. The day precedes the Dormition fast, it lasts 14 days. This post was considered easier, because in his days you can afford potatoes, fresh vegetables, fruits, mushrooms. At the same time, the Dormition Fast is no less strict. Within its framework, they did not arrange any festivities, folk spectacles and other fun.
If you carefully study history, you can understand that a lot was written and said about the Virgin Mary in the period before the conception of Jesus Christ and before his crucifixion. When he was crucified on the cross, his mother did not leave him, she held his hand and felt all his suffering. The Virgin Mary believed that only the body had died and that very soon she would meet her son.
Years passed, Mary lived in the care of John's family, but Mary did not have peace. She often came to the place where her son was tormented, visited the cave where he ascended and asked for death in order to meet her son. And the Lord heard Mary and in an instant all the disciples of Jesus Christ gathered around her from all over the world, they suffered, feeling that the Virgin Mary would soon leave. Mary promised to pray for everyone and protect them.
In an instant, it became too light in the room, Christ appeared with angels and symbolically took her soul to take her to heaven. Maria died sleeping. For her it was a joyful event, she fell asleep, hence the “assumption”. Mary was taken to the tomb, where her husband also rested. The apostles remained near the tomb for three days and prayed. The Apostle Thomas did not have time for the burial and was very saddened by this. Then the other apostles allowed to bow to the Mother of God and opened the entrance to the tomb. Opening the coffin, they saw that Mary's body was not there. She, like her son, ascended to heaven. It is believed that Mary did not die, but fell asleep and woke up for eternal life. The apostles raised their heads to the sky and saw smiling Mary there, who once again promised to pray for everyone. It was a miracle, just like the virgin birth.
It is worth noting that the holiday itself was previously called not the Assumption, but “Memory of the Blessed”, later it was called the “Feast of the Death of the Mother of God”.
Feast of the Assumption - signs, customs, traditions
In Orthodoxy, the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin belongs to the Twelve and has certain rules and traditions. On this day, as on other major church holidays, you cannot work, although there are some points that we will talk about later.
Before this day comes, it is necessary to fast, attend church, take communion, and repent. On the day of the Assumption, they pray to the Mother of God, asking for health, well-being, family happiness. The girls asked the Virgin Mary to send them a good groom, a child. If Assumption falls on Friday or Wednesday, then you can taste some fish. The conversation will be rescheduled for the next day. If the date of the holiday falls on some other day, then you can do whatever you want.
On this day, it is customary to gather with the whole family, spend time with mothers. It is not customary to grieve, swear, be offended on the Assumption, on the contrary, on this day they give each other happiness, kindness, smiles, good mood.
On this day, according to custom, the harvest ended, so the Assumption also celebrated the end of a successful harvest. They thanked the Mother of God for a good harvest and prosperity in the house. Seeds and ears of corn are brought to the church for the Dormition in order to consecrate them. There was a tradition to dress up a sheaf in a dress and put it under an icon.
Previously, it was believed that it was with the Assumption that the Indian summer begins, so they carefully watched the changes in the weather. If a rainbow appeared on August 28, then wait for a warm autumn. But if the weather is good on this day, then the Indian summer will not be very warm.
If you notice a lot of cobwebs in the house or barn, then this means that the winter will be without snow and frosty.
We looked at the Assumption for water: if she worries, then wait for windy autumn, and snowy winter. If you already noticed frost on August 28, then expect early frosts, autumn will be short.
From Assumption, they began harvesting various nuts and mushrooms for the winter. By the way, if the Dormition is foggy, then expect a good harvest of mushrooms. Hostesses on the Dormition always salted cucumbers for the winter. It was believed that they would not be covered with mold and would be well preserved.
The girls had a sign that if you do not look after yourself a groom in the Assumption, then you can sit all winter for a boyfriend. The guys tried to make an offer to the chosen girl as soon as possible in order to have time to get married.
The church does not support all sorts of divination, but on this day, young women divined in sand and wax to see their future. Women on this day lay down on the ground and rolled on it, asking them to return their strength and good spirits.
After the Dormition - on August 29, Nut Savior is celebrated. They call it bread. It is by this day that the nuts are fully ripe and can be harvested. In addition, on this day they baked bread and pies from the new harvest.
What is not done on the Dormition?
As with many church holidays, there are certain prohibitions on the day of the Assumption.
Firstly, on this day, in no case do they quarrel with loved ones, especially with mothers.
It is believed that you can not walk on the Assumption with bare feet. People have noticed that this can lead to illness. On this day, comfortable shoes were worn that could not rub or put pressure on the feet.
According to different sources, there is also different information about whether it is possible to work on this day. Some sources say that it is absolutely impossible, while others say that on the contrary, all important things are completed on this day. Especially, you can work if the activity is related to helping people.
They do not take piercing objects on this day - it was believed that this could lead to trouble. Thus, neither knives, nor scissors, nor needles were used on the Dormition. And on this day it was impossible to stick a knife into the ground.
It was considered a serious sin on this day to drop bread or crumbs of bread that had been consecrated in the church.
There was a belief that the girls were not supposed to cut their hair on the Assumption, let alone throw it away. It was believed that such actions could cause the tears of the Mother of God.
In order not to attract various misfortunes and illnesses to your home, you cannot kindle a fire on this day.
Interesting facts about the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin
The Feast of the Assumption is dedicated to many icons, paintings, poems, songs. Temples, settlements, streets are named in honor of this day. By the way, Asuncion - the capital of Paraguay - is named after the Assumption of the Virgin, because the word is translated from Spanish as "assumption".
Michelangelo da Caravaggio painted the painting "The Death of Mary" commissioned by the papal lawyer Laerzo Cherubini. It was intended for the family church of Santa Maria della Scala. The clergy rejected the picture because of the inappropriate posture of the Virgin Mary, and also because she was depicted dead, and not a woman who was miraculously raised to heaven, beautiful and peaceful. But Rubens saw in the picture one of the best works of Michelangelo.
The largest altarpiece in Venice is Titian's "Assumption of the Virgin". The picture consists of several levels, has bright shades, unusual postures and actions of the apostles and the Virgin Mary. This work immediately attracted the attention of many people, and Titian became very popular.
The classic icon dedicated to the Assumption looks like this: in the center of the canvas is a bed covered with a purple veil, on it lies the body of the Mother of God, the apostles stand around. Behind the bed is Jesus, who holds the holy soul of Mary in his hands. In addition, angels fly over the Virgin Mary and the Savior, witnessing this important event. It is believed that this is the simplest ancient image of the Assumption. Later, the creators of the icons began to expand the storyline.
Descriptions of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary are recorded in the form of apocrypha. The Bible does not contain such information.
The Catholic Church talks about the Dormition with an emphasis on the ascension of the Mother of God into heaven and her coronation as Queen of Heaven. At the burial place of the Virgin in Jerusalem, solemn events are held on the day of the Assumption.
Published on 28.08.17 00:22
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 2017: traditions and customs of the holiday, signs of what not to do, and much more, read the TopNews review.
When is the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin in 2017?
The Orthodox Church celebrates on August 28, 2017 one of the twelve main holidays of the year - the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On this day, Christians remember the death of the Virgin Mary, and the word "assumption" here means not death, but ascension to God.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 2017: the history of the holiday
After Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, the Virgin Mary remained in the care of the Apostle John. The beginning of the persecution of King Herod against Christians forced the Mother of God and John to settle in Ephesus. There the holy Virgin knelt in prayer, asking God to take her intkbbee to herself, and then one day the Archangel Gabriel appeared to her and told her that her earthly life would end in three days.
Before her death, the Virgin Mary gathered all the apostles. They gathered near her bed, where she accepted death. The coffin with the body of the Virgin was buried in a cave, and the apostles remained at its foot for another three days and prayed. The Apostle Thomas was late for the burial. He was allowed to go into the tomb and worship the body of the saint, but there was nothing inside, which marked the ascension of the spirit and body of the Virgin.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 2017: traditions and rituals of the holiday
The Day of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos is especially solemnly celebrated by the Church. This feast has one day of pre-feast and eight days of post-feast. On the Assumption, representatives of the clergy wear blue clothes.
On the eve of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Shroud with the face of the Mother of God is brought to the center of the temple, after which an all-night vigil is performed, during which stichera and canons are performed, proverbs are read, and the troparion to the Assumption of the Mother of God is performed. On the second or third day of the holiday, in many cathedral and parish churches, the rite of the burial of the Mother of God is performed. In the morning, the clergy go to the Shroud of the Most Holy Theotokos located in the center of the temple and incense it, after which the shrine is carried around the temple, and the priests anoint the parishioners with consecrated oil (oil).
Before the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos, Christians observe the Assumption fast, and on August 28 they break their fast. Festive meals are prepared and served to families and those in need.
According to folk traditions, on this day, Christians gather vegetables and fruits, prepare for the winter, and the guys traditionally get married today.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: what can not be done?
It is believed that new or uncomfortable shoes should not be worn on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, otherwise discomfort will be felt all year round.
On this day, you can not swear, offend others, refuse to help those in need, be rude and be in a bad mood.
People in Rus' compared the Mother of God with Mother Earth, therefore, on the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos, one should not walk barefoot and stick sharp objects into the soil. It was believed that this could offend the Earth and bring crop failure.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: signs and beliefs
According to folk signs, rain on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary portends a dry autumn. If the holiday coincides with "Indian summer", expect frosty and little snow.
It was believed that a girl who did not find a boyfriend before the Assumption would sit in the girls until spring.
It was considered a good omen to complete the work started earlier or to help a friend.
If on the day of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos you rub or injure your leg, then life's difficulties are expected ahead.
Prayer for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
"Oh, great Virgin Mary, we pray to you, please hear us, deliver us from fears and horrors, from all evil spirits and evil. Save our house, our city and our country. All the righteous call on your name and pray to you. Save us from troubles, from sickness, from the flood, from the invasion of our enemies, from fires and misfortunes. Have mercy on us and forgive all our sins. May we glorify your name, and your Son Jesus Christ. Deliver us from torment, O Holy Virgin Mary. Let us rejoice in reunion Yours with Your Son in Heaven! May there be peace on earth and may Your name be glorified! In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. From now on and forever. Amen!"
This is one of the most important and revered holidays among Christians around the world. It is traditionally celebrated on August 28th. In honor of Mary, who, according to the biblical canons, was transferred to heaven to Jesus on that very day.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 2017: the history of the holiday
According to the Bible, after the death of Jesus Christ, Mary was at his tomb almost constantly. She prayed tirelessly to be taken to heaven with her son. After some time, the archangel Gabriel appeared to her and said that she would die soon. Upon learning this, Mary decided that she should say goodbye to the disciples of Jesus Christ. On the same day, the Holy Spirit, having learned about her desire, gathered the apostles from her bed, where she died. One of the students did not have time to say goodbye to Maria and came only three days later. Therefore, the apostles had to move a huge stone that covered the grave of Mary. But when they did, they didn't see her. It is believed that she did not die, but was simply transported to heaven. Therefore, the holiday is called the Assumption, since her body, along with the spirit, was not buried, but still lives in heaven.
Traditions of the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
This day is usually spent with your family, especially with your mother. The whole family should gather at a magnificent table and celebrate.
It is customary to pray to the Holy Mother of God, it is believed that she will help with all your problems.
Let's remember when the holiday itself is August 28. At this time, almost all the crops have been harvested. And it was believed that the Most Holy Theotokos gave it to people, so there was a tradition to bring a haystack home, dress it up with a dress, and so they celebrated the end of the harvest.
The harvest did not end there. It was customary to bake bread from it and tear off a piece for each of the family. The rest of the bread had to be placed near the icon of the Virgin. Then he became healing and could cure all diseases.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: signs
According to tradition, this holiday meant the beginning of the Indian summer, which lasted until September 11th. According to various signs, one could understand what the weather would be like in the second Indian summer, which began on September 14 and ended almost at the end of the month - September 28.
If within a week after the holiday there will be ground frosts, then it was believed that winter would not come for a long time, and autumn would be very long.
Another, for example, this: what the weather will be on August 28, the same will remain for the whole next month.
On this day, it was customary for housewives to preserve cucumbers and cabbage.
What not to do on the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary
You can not pick up various piercing and cutting objects. Well, as we said, cut bread.
It is believed that on this day nature cries dew because of the death of the Mother of God, so you can’t walk barefoot on it - you can get very sick.
Your shoes should only be comfortable. If it gives you discomfort, then the whole next year you will have problems and difficulties.
And if on this day someone asks you for help, you must certainly agree. Work is not only possible, but necessary.
