Why can't you sow before the Annunciation? Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: signs, customs and traditions of the holiday. Blessed cabbage seeds for seedlings

On April 7, Orthodox Christians celebrate one of the main church holidays. This event was a turning point for the entire Christian world: it marked the imminent arrival of the Son of God on earth for the salvation of all mankind.

The significance of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the religious world is enormous. On this significant day, the Virgin Mary received a message from Heaven that she would become the mother of God’s Son and give birth to him from an immaculate conception.

Traditions and customs for the Annunciation

If strict fasting continues on this significant day, the church allows a relaxation to be made in honor of the celebration. Christians are allowed to eat fish products.

Work remains prohibited on April 7. Household chores that require attention can be done, but you should refrain from idle pastime. Free time should be devoted to prayer, reflection on life and spiritual enlightenment. According to legends, on this day you cannot sew, knit or weave - this can bring trouble to the house and ruin relationships with household members.

Particular attention is paid to birds during the holiday. They are released to bring the good news about the good deeds and actions of people to Heaven.

On the night of the Annunciation, it is customary to light bonfires to finally melt away the winter cold and attract a warm spring. Garbage, old household items and any items that have become unusable are thrown into the fires.

Ashes from bonfires on Annunciation were taken to the garden and sprinkled on the beds in order to repel pests and protect the crop from adversity.

Plants are also planted on this day. It is believed that God himself blesses them for rapid growth and an abundance of fruit.

After the church service, prosphora is brought home, which is treated to all household members. Leftovers and crumbs are usually given to pets, protecting them from diseases and predatory animals.

Signs for the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Our ancestors carefully watched the weather on this day: rain promised a fruitful year, and a thunderstorm or thunder foreshadowed an abundance of nuts in the fall.

The fishermen at Annunciation hoped for a good catch, because it meant that the fish in the reservoir would not run out and there would be a bite throughout the year.

On the holiday, any swear words, quarrels and showdowns were prohibited. Our ancestors believed that the whole year depended on how the day went. A benevolent attitude, kindness and mutual assistance were mandatory.

Swallows were a good weather indicator: if they appeared before the holiday, it meant a warm winter was ahead.

On this day, nothing can be given away from home, so as not to spend a year in poverty and lack of money.

According to signs, the water consecrated on the Annunciation had healing properties and was used in case of illness of household members.

It is forbidden to wear new clothes on this day: according to legend, they quickly become unusable, and new outfits also do not please customers for long.

It is noteworthy that the weather at the Annunciation reflected the weather at Easter.

The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a special day on which you can ask the Higher Powers for protection and patronage. Any wish of yours, spoken from the bottom of your heart and not containing self-interest, will definitely come true. We wish you good luck and don't forget to press the buttons and

07.04.2017 05:15

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This event was first depicted in the Gospel of Luke. It describes the visit of the Archangel Gabriel to Mary, who brought the good news that she had been chosen as the Mother of the Son of God. He approached her and said: “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” The virgin was frightened, but the messenger calmed her down, explaining that she had been chosen from among many women to complete the great work of the Creator to save the human race.

The evangelist pays special attention to the devotion to faith that characterizes the girl. Mary humbly and gratefully accepted the honor announced to her with deep trust in God's intentions. Despite the special significance of this event for Christianity as a whole, the feast of the Annunciation was not officially approved for a long time. The Eastern Rite Church introduced it into the liturgy in the 5th century, while Catholics recognized it only in the 7th century. Initially, the main focus was on the image of Christ, who at the moment of the good news began his stay on earth. This day was worshiped because it marked the date of the Lord's incarnation in human form.

Later, in the Early Middle Ages, this significant date began to be identified with the Mother of God, as the one through whom God’s plan was fulfilled. This is evidenced by the ancient churches of the Annunciation, dating back to the 9th–10th centuries, built in honor of the Virgin Mary. One of the most common prayers of Orthodox believers is associated with this holiday. The troparion “Rejoice to the Virgin Mary,” along with the “Our Father,” is included in the list of required readings for morning prayers. He is present in all solemn liturgies. Among Western Catholics, this prayer is known as the Ave Maria.

Also read: Annunciation 2016 fortune telling, signs, customs

Church and folk traditions of celebrating the Annunciation

Christianity and paganism on the territory of Rus' are closely intertwined. A bizarre mixture of church dogmas and ancient customs is also characteristic of the celebration of the Annunciation. The laity believe that on this day every prayer will be answered, and by taking simple actions, you can ensure good luck and prosperity for the whole year.

Church canons

The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary traditionally coincides with the time of Great Lent and its special milestones. If it does not fall on Bright Week, or on the Feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), then the order of the church service is as follows:

Great Compline. Similarly with Easter and Christmas services, the service begins the day before and continues throughout the night. The time at which the service is held was not chosen by chance and has its own history. It goes back to the era of the birth of religion. At the dawn of Christianity, when neophytes were especially cruelly persecuted, night and early morning were the safest moments for services. This symbolism has continued to this day.
Matins. One of the longest services of the annual cycle. It differs from the daily canon by a set of prayers, which believers believe have special power. Therefore, many try to get to the Annunciation service. During Matins the food is consecrated. This event is characterized by a special ritual - the breaking of bread, during which the priest blesses the bread and wine and distributes it to the parishioners.
Vespers. The final stage of the celebration is the evening service. It is performed in the order adopted for that day of the week.

Since the Annunciation coincides with Lent, the church allows relaxation in honor of the holiday. On such a great day, a fasting parishioner is allowed to eat fish and wine. If this date falls on Wednesday or Friday, then strict fasting at these moments is canceled.

Folk customs

In Rus', the Annunciation often coincided with the beginning of work on the land, so it was perceived as the beginning of spring, the moment of the final departure of the cold. Such symbolism contributed to the emergence of rituals and beliefs associated with fertility. It was believed that nothing could be planted or sown before this date, since the earth was still sleeping.

To increase and preserve the harvest on this day, the ancestors performed the following rituals:

Wood was burned in the oven and the resulting ash was mixed with salt consecrated in the church. The resulting mixture was scattered in the corners of the field or garden. It was designed to protect the owner’s plot from an evil eye, protect the plantings from hail and damage caused by people.
Consecration of grain. The senior man in the house baptized the spring crops prepared for planting with the Annunciation icon taken in his hands and spoke for the harvest.
Crumbs from the bread consecrated during the morning liturgy were mixed with seeds for planting. Also, for the same purpose, the ancestors added a little Annunciation salt to the grains.

For peace between family members, well-being at home and health, the following techniques were used:

Everyone had to eat the blessed prosphora on an empty stomach and wash it down with water taken from the church. This remedy was supposed to protect a person from diseases and troubles, and give good luck and prosperity.
Preparation of Annunciation salt. Each family member living in the house had to take a handful of salt, which was subsequently heated with the appropriate spell-wish in a frying pan and poured into a common bag. This mixture was considered a powerful remedy against diseases and a protective amulet against the evil eye. It was sprinkled not only on people, but also used on animals and birds.
Women whose husband had a violent temper or bad character had to call their spouse “dear” 40 times. Then, according to legend, he will be affectionate and helpful all year round.

The ancestors also had rituals for the fulfillment of desires, which should have been carried out on the days of the Annunciation. These actions include:

Symbolic release of birds into the wild. In 1995, the church resumed this ritual on a state scale. But if now it is a beautiful ceremony, then in the old days this ritual had practical significance. Then it was believed that in this way one could get rid of troubles and failures and gain prosperity. To do this, it was necessary to purchase a bird the day before or in the morning and tell it about your problems and requests that were addressed to God. Then they were released during the service. It was believed that the bird would fly straight to the Lord, since on such a great holiday the heavens open.

Conspiracy-prayer to the Archangel Gabriel. If a person had a special desire, then in order to fulfill it next year, he had to go to the crossroads at sunrise, and bowing 3 times to the east, read a prayer to this angel three times and state the request in his own words. Merchants and other trading people at the Annunciation did not miss the opportunity to strengthen their fortunes. In order for the trade to be successful and there were always many buyers in the shop, on the day of the celebration it was necessary: In the morning, before the first buyer arrives, sprinkle the premises and goods with enchanted water. Texts were used as whispered prayers, which said that “just as the people go to the temple on a holy holiday, so the customers came to me.” Visit the church, be sure to wait for the festive ringing. When the bells began to ring, it was required to pick up the wallet and say certain words about multiplying the money in it. Give generous alms to the beggars standing near the entrance to the temple. Thieves also have their own signs on this day. Previously, there was an opinion that the swindler who steals some thing on this day, even if it is of very little value, a mere trifle, will be lucky in his path for the next 12 months. This belief is typical specifically for the day of the Good News. If other dates are accompanied by their own rituals for increasing fertility, well-being, improving health and fulfilling desires, then thieves took the opportunity to receive an “amulet” only on April 7th.

What can and cannot be done on Annunciation?

The Annunciation, like many other church feasts, has its own rules and restrictions. Some of them are particularly strict, such as a ban on doing something.

People say “on Annunciation, a girl does not braid her hair, and a bird does not build a nest.” The legend of the cuckoo is associated with this belief. The legend mentions that this bird does not have a home due to the fact that it deliberately violated the Lord’s prohibition. Since then, she has been forced to throw her eggs in other people's nests and be persecuted by everyone.

You also cannot perform the following acts on the Annunciation Day:

Lend something or, conversely, give money and things to strangers. Otherwise, you may lose your well-being, health, peace and quiet in your family. This requirement should be strictly observed, even if the person asking you for something is well known and you are uncomfortable refusing him. It is important to ensure that nothing is taken from your home. Therefore, it is not advisable to invite guests on April 7th. The holiday is usually celebrated with family.
Sew, weave, knit. Many peoples of the world associate thread with life, so anyone who picks it up for work can confuse their fate, bring problems and troubles.
Take care of your hair. You can’t not only cut your hair, wash your hair, but even comb your hair because of the danger of ruining your destiny. Hair may also fall out as a punishment.
Wear new clothes. New things will quickly tear or deteriorate irreparably, and within a year there will be no opportunity to purchase others. Girls who violate the ban will not get married until the next Annunciation.
They don't start something new. Otherwise, there will be no success in business. The modern sign that says that serious things cannot be started on Monday (construction, business, etc.) had a different interpretation in the old days. Previously, it was believed that one should not undertake any business on the day of the week corresponding to the past Annunciation. For example, if this celebration fell on Wednesday, then it was considered an unlucky day next year.

This day should be spent the way you would like. According to legend, it is believed that whatever this holiday is like for you, it will be like that for the rest of the year. Therefore, you should not be offended at the Annunciation or quarrel with the people around you. On the contrary, you need to spend the day in a good, bright mood. Don't be alone. Even if you don’t have your own family, take the opportunity to visit your family and meet friends. For people who have pets, it is advisable to feed them well. Crumbs of blessed prosphora should be added to the food. Thus, the owner protects not only himself, but also his pets from diseases in the future.

Folk signs for the Annunciation

The ancestors had a large number of signs associated with the Annunciation. Many of them came to us, for example, about the weather.

Folk signs and observations concerned not only the weather, but also human life. There was an opinion that:

Whoever gets drunk on the gospel will have bitter drunkards in his family.
The one who lights the stove will soon have a fire.

Each person decides for himself which signs to believe and which ones not, and let the Annunciation bring joy to your home.

Annunciation of the Lord

The Annunciation is usually celebrated on April 7. On this day, the Virgin Mary of Nazareth learned from the Archangel Gabriel that she had the honor of becoming the parent of the son of God - Jesus Christ. Therefore, the holiday is considered the brightest and is especially revered by Orthodox Christians. The name of the holiday comes from the words Good News.

What to do for gardeners on Annunciation

The Most Holy Theotokos is the intercessor of all life on earth. On the Annunciation, it is not recommended to do any serious work, but to rest your soul and go to the temple of God. You can ask the Saint in prayer for good shoots and a magnificent harvest, to bless seeds prepared for sowing, or to stock up on holy water for watering seedlings.

On Annunciation, you cannot work or start new businesses - it is believed that they will not be successful anyway, or may even attract misfortune. Therefore, gardeners prepare in advance:

sow seeds and bless them in seedling boxes;
prepare for sowing, but do not soak them in order to pre-bless them in the church, or soak them in holy water;
they took soil from the garden or from containers for seedlings with them to the temple and read a prayer, asking for productivity and fertility.

Rituals and traditions of the Annunciation and their impact on the harvest

There are many traditions, superstitions and rituals regarding this day: from religious to purely pagan.

Blessed cabbage seeds for seedlings

Another interesting tradition was the following. Without prying eyes noticing, the peasants took out a head of cabbage from the cellar - always the first from last year's harvest - and left it in the garden. It was believed that the next day it would contain seeds, the seedlings grown from which would not be afraid of even the most severe frosts, as well as pests and diseases.

News with pigeons to improve weather conditions

One of the oldest customs is the release of pigeons, which, according to ancient legends, are able to convey information to the guardian angels about everything that has been done. When releasing them, they asked for forgiveness for their sins, and they asked the Mother of God for better weather conditions so that the harvest would be better and there would be no drought or hail.

Prayer for productivity

If you can’t go to church, you can use the ancient tradition. Previously, people believed that on the Annunciation, which represents the beginning of the sowing season and spring, God himself blesses the earth and everyone who works on it. On this day, a special ritual was performed - the custom of consecrating seed material, when peasants placed seeds and grain in tubs, along with an icon of the Mother of God, saying the prayer: “Mother of God and Gabriel the Archangel, bless us with a generous harvest.”

You can't weave fences from vines

On the Annunciation, it is strictly forbidden to engage in sewing, knitting and weaving, since it is believed that human life is like a thread, which only the Lord God can control. If this prohibition is not given importance, one can “confuse” the threads of life between relatives and cause quarrels and troubles. For this reason, flower growers and gardeners on this day should refuse to weave decorative fences from vines to decorate flower beds and beds.

Special salt for winter preparations

On Annunciation, housewives made miraculous salt: all family members had to pour a pinch into a linen bag. It was heated in an oven and stored in a secluded place.

This salt is considered special - capable of healing the sick, as well as driving away all kinds of strife, misfortunes and infections. It can be used to prepare preserves. It is also scattered over beds and fields to protect the crop from pests and diseases (in small quantities). The Annunciation salt, which was not useful during the year, was burned, and they believed that all troubles and problems burned with it.

Annunciation signs: predicting the harvest and weather

In Rus', the people made up many sayings about this bright Christian holiday. Here are the most popular of them, which will be useful for summer residents and gardeners:

Having become familiar with beliefs, traditions and signs, remember that they arose for a reason, but according to the observations of our ancestors, who observed nature for many centuries. Bless the seedlings and seeds before planting and observe the customs of the celebration of the Annunciation, and you will reap a wonderful harvest.

The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the most revered holidays in Orthodoxy. It is celebrated on April 27, 2019. In the old days there were many customs associated with it.

Some of them are still observed by believers. We will tell you what you should not do on the Annunciation, and what you need to do to attract good luck and prosperity.

What should you do at the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary?

On this day, believers visit temples. At the Annunciation, the Most Pure Virgin Mary is glorified, thanks are said to the Lord God and veneration is paid to his messenger Archangel Gabriel, who brought the good news to Mary.

When the Feast of the Annunciation falls on one of the days of Holy Week, the festive church service begins the evening before with Vespers. The Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is being celebrated.

Prosphora are blessed in churches. It is believed that the blessed prosphora, which is kept at home, protects family members from various misfortunes.

In the old days, on this day, after the liturgy, white doves were released into the sky. In our country, this custom was revived in some churches in 1995.

According to beliefs, on the Annunciation the sky opens for requests and prayers. Some people believe that at this time you can “beg glory from God. And if you have fame, you will definitely become rich and happy.” In the evening, if a large star is visible in the sky, you need to shout out: “God, give me glory!”

Annunciation - what not to do?

On this day you cannot work, clean, sew, or knit. As they say, on the Annunciation “the bird does not build a nest, the maiden does not braid her hair.”

It is better not to visit the hairdresser and even if possible not to comb your hair, otherwise your hair will fall out. It is not customary to wear new clothes, otherwise they will tear or become damaged.

The meaning of such prohibitions is not that certain actions cannot be performed, but that an Orthodox holiday is, first of all, a day that is dedicated to God.

What should you do on Annunciation? Believers should take a break from worldly, everyday affairs and devote themselves to spiritual concerns. Try to show more warmth and care towards friends and loved ones, help poor and sick people.

On the contrary, swearing, quarreling, and judging people is prohibited. You should also not lend money or things to avoid incurring losses. It was believed that the one who gives something from home on the Annunciation spends family peace and peace on strangers.

What else is allowed at the Annunciation? The Annunciation is celebrated during Lent. However, on a holiday, if it does not fall on Holy Week, you can eat fish, wine and oil. It is also customary to bake flour products from lean dough in the form of larks.

In those years when the Annunciation falls during Holy Week, the requirements regarding observance of the rules of Lent remain in force even on the day of this holiday. You cannot eat fish or consume vegetable oil. Locked also applies to wine.

In former times, housewives, getting up before dark, heated salt in a large frying pan for at least 10-20 minutes. At the same time they read prayers. Household members, even seriously ill people, were treated with this salt, adding it to food.

Holiday Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Church celebrates April 7. This is one of the most important Christian holidays, which usually falls during Lent, in 2016 - in its fourth week.

In Christianity, the Annunciation is celebrated in honor of the good news brought Virgin Mary archangel Gabriel- that she will give birth to a son of God Jesus, who will become the Savior.

Since the Annunciation in 2016 falls during Lent, all restrictions associated with fasting apply on this day. For those who fast, there is a slight relaxation on this day: on Annunciation you can eat fish and drink a little wine.

Annunciation in folk tradition

The Annunciation is also closely connected with pre-Christian folk traditions: it is a celebration of the end of winter and the beginning of spring; according to the Julian calendar, it coincided with the vernal equinox. On Annunciation, people celebrated the return of the sun, birds and the beginning of a new agricultural year. After the Annunciation, preparations for sowing began, and this holiday itself was accompanied by dozens of sweet and touching rituals: from the prohibition of housework and braiding girls' hair to calls of spring and the release of birds.

Read more about this holiday in the material Federal News Agency“Annunciation 2016: when it is celebrated, signs, what not to do, releasing birds.”

Traditional dishes for the Annunciation

On the Annunciation, according to folk customs, it was forbidden to work around the house; women were not forbidden to walk around unkempt and in unpresentable clothes on this day. In general, according to the folk Christian tradition in Rus', it was not customary to wear new clothes during Lent. It was believed that wearing old clothes and rags was one of the ways of self-restraint in order to properly prepare for the resurrection of Christ - the Holy Easter of Christ. But it was customary to celebrate Easter not just in smart clothes, but always in new ones.

And on the Annunciation, of all the housework, one could only bake ritual Lenten cookies or buns (prosphora and larks). These buns were not only eaten, but also left in the yard for birds or kept near icons as a medicinal remedy.

Here are the recipes for these dishes.

Prosphora recipe

Pour 215 g of premium wheat flour into 320 ml of boiling water and grind thoroughly so that there are no lumps. Gradually pour in another 670 ml of boiling water, stirring constantly.
Divide the finished dough into two equal parts and leave to cool. While the dough is cooling, pour 10 g of pressed yeast or 1 teaspoon of dry yeast into 50 ml of boiled water at room temperature, mix well and place in a warm place for an hour.
After an hour, add one of the dough halves to the yeast, stir and leave in a warm place for another hour and a half. Then add 150 g of flour and 170 ml of water at room temperature, stir thoroughly again and leave in a warm place for another two hours.
Prepare a saline solution: mix 40 g of salt with 170 ml of water at room temperature.
Mix the risen dough with the unused second half of the dough and with an aqueous saline solution. Form small prosphora.
Bake on a baking sheet for about 15 minutes.

Recipe for larks

Take the following products:

water - 500 ml,
fresh yeast - 30 g,
sugar - 0.5–0.75 cups,
vanilla sugar – 1 teaspoon,
salt - 1 teaspoon,
vegetable oil - 0.5 cups,
flour - 6–8 glasses,
raisins for decoration,
vegetable oil or sweet tea for lubrication.

Preparation:

prepare yeast dough,
Roll out the finished dough into a rope and divide into 40 equal parts,
Roll out each piece of dough into a rope about 15 cm long,
tie the flagellum in a knot, giving one end the shape of a bird’s head, and flatten the other end a little, making several cuts to form a bird’s tail,
insert raisin eyes into the bird,
place the birds on a greased baking sheet and place in a warm place so that the dough rises,
when the dough is ready, grease the larks with vegetable oil or sweet tea,
bake for 20-25 minutes at 180°C.
Remove the finished buns from the baking sheet, place on a wooden surface, lightly sprinkle with water, cover with a towel and leave to rest for 10-15 minutes.

Congratulations on the Annunciation 2016 in verse

On the Annunciation I wish you that life will always be good!

May the long-awaited news be full of good joy!

So that you can live with the Lord in your soul and succeed in everything with faith,

And may the Most Holy Theotokos Mary protect you from the evil world!

The Annunciation has come and brought us smiles.

With this warm breeze, let good luck come to your home.

May your dreams come true and reward you with health.

We wish you well, so that love always blooms.

Congratulations on the bright Annunciation, may the Mother of God protect you.

I wish you to be in good health forever, and to forget the pain of defeats and insults.

Let miracles illuminate your soul, there will be no bad news.

Let your heart contain tons of happiness, and let your house be full of friends.

The good news has come to us all - there is such a special holiday,

What is called the Annunciation, may luck smile on you!

Congratulations on this day, may everything be wonderful in it,

May you have good luck and kindness and a life of eternal beauty.

May everything be bright and holy at the Annunciation today,

So that only by the grace of the Lord the worries turn into smoke,

May there be joy and luck and may your dreams come true,

So that, casting aside all doubts, you remain happy!

The Annunciation has come and brought joy to people.

May you be lucky too! By actions and deeds

May the Lord reward us for everything and give us all good luck,

Let there be love and happiness so that people rejoice.

The good news was the reward for living by faith

Blessed Mary, you have found mercy from God.

And on the Annunciation I wish you to live with love in your heart

Don’t get discouraged from everyday life and cherish your faith in God!