When is the church holiday of the Annunciation in the year? Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

One of the most important and touching Christian holidays is Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary- in 2016, as in most cases, it falls during Lent, more precisely during its fourth week.

When is the Annunciation celebrated in 2016?

In Orthodoxy, the Annunciation is one of the twelve immovable holidays (that is, it belongs to the 12 most important Christian holidays and is always celebrated on the same day). The Jerusalem, Russian, Georgian and Serbian Orthodox Churches, as well as the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (in Ukraine), Old Believers and some other Christian denominations celebrate the Annunciation on March 25 according to the Julian calendar, which in the 20th–21st centuries corresponds to April 7 according to the Gregorian calendar.

Catholics and Protestants who celebrate holidays according to the Gregorian calendar celebrate the Annunciation March 25.

Thus, in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, the holiday of the Annunciation is always celebrated April 7.

Annunciation: the history of the holiday

The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated in honor of the famous evangelical event - the announcement by the archangel Gabriel good news Virgin Mary that she will give birth to the Son of God Jesus.

In the Gospel of Luke it is said that in the sixth month after conception by a righteous woman Elizabeth saint John the Baptist archangel Gabriel was sent by the Lord to Nazareth, to the Virgin Mary, to tell her that she would have a child who would become the Savior and that he would be named Jesus. In Christianity, the Annunciation is associated with the first stage of atonement for original sin, committed by Eve, who tasted the forbidden fruit despite God's prohibition and seduced Adam. In the Christian tradition, it is believed that the Virgin Mary, by showing obedience to God's will, partially atoned for the sin of disobedience committed by Eve.

In Christianity, the symbol of the Annunciation is considered to be the white lily - a flower symbolizing the purity and purity of the Virgin Mary. These flowers were often depicted in icons and paintings dedicated to the Annunciation.

Fourth week of Lent and Annunciation - 2016: what you can eat

Since the Annunciation usually falls during Lent, most of the restrictions prescribed for Lenten days apply on this day. That is, various amusements, secular amusements and entertainment are prohibited, and sexual life is also prohibited for church-going spouses at this time.

But as far as nutrition is concerned, the church allows holiday indulgences on the Annunciation. Here is a nutrition calendar for fourth week of Lent – 2016 in its most strict, monastic version (the laity is not required to do so).

Fourth week:

Monday, April 4 - dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits).
Tuesday, April 5 - dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits).
Wednesday, April 6 - dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits).
Thursday, April 7, Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary- fish and a little wine are allowed.
Friday, April 8 - dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits).
Saturday, April 9 - hot lean food with vegetable oil.
Sunday, April 10 - hot lean food with vegetable oil.

As you can see, relaxations are allowed only on the holiday itself; on all other days, all Lenten restrictions remain in full.

Annunciation - 2016: folk traditions, signs and beliefs

The Christian holiday of the Annunciation has very ancient roots, reflected in the folk calendar: according to the old style, this holiday almost coincided with the vernal equinox, which was considered the milestone between winter and spring. With the Annunciation in Rus' they began to prepare for sowing, so most of the signs on this day are associated with nature, weather and views of the future harvest.

Signs about the weather:

If there is snow and frost on Annunciation Day, then spring will be late and unfriendly, and the cold may last until May.
If the night is warm on the eve of the Annunciation, spring will be early and friendly.
If the morning of the Annunciation is clear and sunny, it means that the year will be successful and fruitful.
If it is rainy on Annunciation Day, the summer will be dry.
If the swallows have not yet returned to the Annunciation (which is generally normal for mid-latitudes), spring will be cold.

Annunciation: do's and don'ts

The Annunciation in Rus' was considered the last day of rest before the start of preparations for spring sowing, so it was customary to rest on this holiday, but work, especially around the house, was prohibited. Also, on this day, girls were not forbidden to go wild. There was even a special Annunciation proverb: “On Annunciation, a bird does not build a nest, a girl does not braid her hair.” So this year, on Thursday, April 7, you can safely refuse to do housework.

Also, on Annunciation, fires were not lit in the huts: for some reason it was believed that such a violation of the ban would definitely end in a fire.

Prosphora, Annunciation salt and larks

Even at the Annunciation in Rus', special Lenten buns were baked - prosphora and prepared a special “medicinal” Annunciation salt. It was a whole family ritual: each family member took a pinch of salt and put it in a bag. Then the housewife poured this salt into a frying pan or roasting pan, calcined it over the fire and poured it back into the bag. The family was treated with this salt all year for all illnesses: adding it to food and applying it to sore spots. Without denying the possibilities of traditional medicine, we still recommend combining such “treatment” with the prescriptions of official medicine.

As for the prosphora, they were also used for medicinal purposes.

Also at the Annunciation it was accepted call upon spring and bake special Lenten cookies in the shape of birds, which are called larks, or waders.

Annunciation: the custom of releasing birds

The custom of releasing birds at the Annunciation is also very ancient; it is associated with the spring equinox, the return of birds and the cult of the sun. Later, this custom received Christian content - the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, etc. Birds are also released in churches for the Annunciation, and the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church also participates in this ceremony.

“In a foreign land, I religiously observe the native custom of antiquity: I release a bird into the wild on the bright holiday of spring,” Pushkin wrote about this ritual. In Rus', on this day, children and simply poor people specially caught birds and brought them to the market, where they were bought, in order to immediately release them. “Give a ransom for the birds - the birds will pray to God!” - said the bird catchers.

However, in the modern world, such rituals are rather savage and a relic: it is no secret that birds caught before the Annunciation die en masse from poor maintenance and stress. Therefore, priests do not bless the laity to perform this custom, especially since in churches in the ritual of releasing birds they use only specially trained tame pigeons that know the way home.

During the strict period of Lent, believers are given one day for rest and joy, giving strength and helping them pass the test of fasting to the end. We are talking about the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On this day, it is allowed to slightly relax the ban on entertainment and diversify the meager Lenten diet.

The first mention of the Annunciation dates back to the 3rd century, and the first celebrations to the 7th century. Today this is perhaps the most important twelfth holiday, which carries a deep meaning and is of enormous importance for believers in different countries. The meaning of the great holiday is concentrated in its very name. Humanity, in the person of the Virgin Mary, received “good news” from the Archangel Gabriel about the virgin’s immaculate conception and the subsequent birth of the savior. Mary agreed to submit to the will of the Lord, demonstrating the power of faith and free will. This is the deep meaning of the holiday, which annually delights every person: the unity of the power of the Lord and the will of man!

Annunciation in 2016: what date do Orthodox and Catholics celebrate?

The holiday of hope and joy for all humanity comes to us at different times every year. What date should we expect the Annunciation in 2016? Orthodox - April 7, Catholics - March 25. That is, exactly 9 months before the Nativity of Christ.

The main attributes of the holiday are still considered:

a ray of light along which the Holy Spirit descended
spinning wheel, which Mary was engaged in at the time of the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel
the palm branch with which Gabriel came to the virgin
lily, personifying purity, purity, sublimity of feelings and thoughts

Annunciation 2016: what not to do

Having found out what date the Annunciation is in 2016, it is also worth remembering ancient signs and symbolic rituals. Many Christians still don’t know: is it possible to wash your hair on the Annunciation or not, is it allowed to do housework, cook food, clean the house?

According to legends, on such a day it is strictly forbidden to do anything with your hair. Otherwise, you can unintentionally confuse your fate and the good intentions of the angels. It is also prohibited to engage in any work on the day of the Annunciation of the Holy Mother of God. This way it is easy to lure trouble into your home. But you can relax, tell fortunes, perform rituals and observe signs.

Signs for a bright church holiday

There are no swallows - expect a cold summer.
Rain on the Annunciation - to a good rye harvest. Thunderstorm - to an abundance of nuts.
Fog, frost or wind on a holiday means a good harvest for the season.
As you spend the Annunciation, the year will fly by. If you swear, it will end in rubbish.

If you do good, it will pass in peace and prosperity.

Rituals performed on the day of the Holy Annunciation have special magic. Some of them are aimed at good health for the whole family, others at well-being and a lush harvest. But they are all interesting and unique in their own way:

There was a lot of noise and rumble that day. In this way, evil spirits and wild cattle were driven away for a whole year.
The women tried to stock up on the maximum amount of prosphora. It was crushed and eaten at dinner by all family members, the crumbs were left for livestock.
Previously, on the day of the Annunciation, doves were released into the sky. The birds were supposed to convey to the angels the news of man's good deeds and ask for a reward.
On the night before the holiday, they “warmed” spring and invited it to come quickly, lighting large fires into which straw, garbage, and old rags were thrown.

The Annunciation in 2018, as always, falls on April 7, but this year it immediately precedes Easter. This is one of the most important holidays for Christians - both Orthodox and Catholics. In this material we will tell you about how the Annunciation is celebrated in Russia, what symbols and customs are associated with it, what you need to do on the holiday, what to put on the table.

Annunciation in 2018: history of the holiday

According to legend, on this day Archangel Gabriel told the Virgin Mary that she would become the mother of the Savior, the Son of God. Mary was a pious virgin, raised in a strong faith in God and accepted this news with humility. At the age of 16, Maria married a relative - a pious and decent man, the family knew what was predestined for the Virgin Mary, so even in marriage she remained innocent.

In all churches and temples, the Annunciation is celebrated with a solemn service - an all-night vigil, which begins with Great Compline, and the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. The clothes of the clergy on this day are sky blue - this particular shade is a symbol of the Virgin Mary. After the liturgy, according to the canon, the rite of breaking bread takes place - bread and wine are distributed to the parishioners.

When and on what date do we celebrate the Annunciation in 2018?

In the 4th century, there was a revision of the calendar of Gospel holidays, during which it was decided to connect the Annunciation with the moment of the Immaculate Conception. Since then, the Annunciation has been celebrated 9 months before Christmas.

What can and cannot be done for the Annunciation in 2018?

Like most Christian holidays, this day has its own rules and customs that should be sacredly revered and observed. An indispensable attribute of the holiday is prayer, so believers always come to temples and churches or pray at home. The prayers read by the priests on this day talk about the mystery of the birth of Jesus Christ, describing his divine origin. A certain number of rules and traditions are also observed:

Before the festive dinner, believers read legends about the Blessed Virgin Mary, remember her, talk about her piety and faithful service to God.
For those who have long dreamed of a child, it’s time to pray to the Virgin Mary and ask for her blessing on future motherhood.
On the Annunciation, you should definitely pray for children born and in the womb, as well as for people whose activities are related to birth - obstetricians, doctors, pediatricians.
Before going to church, people bake prosvira, which is then blessed in the church. Orthodox Christians keep this small piece of unleavened bread all year round next to the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is believed that if you give such bread to a sick person, he will definitely get better.
On this day you need to stop quarrels and hostility. The holiday is celebrated with family; it is not customary to visit on this day.
For those who hold a grudge against another person, the church recommends repentance and forgiveness.
On the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it is considered a great sin to perform any kind of work, even not heavy work.
If a holiday falls during Lent (and this is exactly the case in 2018), believers are given some relaxations in strict restrictions. In particular, on a holiday you can taste fish and drink a glass of red wine.
“A bird does not build a nest, a maiden does not braid her hair,” is a saying specifically about the Annunciation. Even going on the road to earn money was considered a sin. Instead, the day should have been devoted to good deeds - for example, there was a custom to treat those in need on the holiday.

Annunciation 2018: signs

The signs of the holiday are varied:

On this day you cannot wear new clothes - they will quickly tear.
You also cannot give or borrow.
The weather predicts the approaching summer - the sun promises a quick onset of warmth, rain - a cool summer and a mushroom autumn, and unmelted snow means that spring is delayed and will come only in a few weeks.
Believers bake prosphoras at home - small unleavened bread - and then light them in church during the liturgy. Prosphora is made for each family member, and they must be eaten on an empty stomach. In the old days, crumbs from consecrated bread were also added to livestock feed and mixed with grain - it was believed that for a better harvest.

Why are doves released for Annunciation 2018?

The main tradition at the Annunciation is the release of birds as a sign of memory of the freedom of every creation of God. In Rus', from time immemorial, pigeons were considered a bird that personified goodness and brought good news. The tradition of releasing white doves at Annunciation has long been established. Poor people specially caught a large number of birds in order to sell them later on the market, telling buyers that the bird would pray to the Lord for them. The snow-white wings of a dove symbolize the purity of the Blessed Virgin, and the bird itself symbolizes the gracious action of the Holy Spirit.

On this day, it is customary for people to carry out rituals for a rich harvest - sprinkling holy water on the grain prepared for the spring sowing, conducting round dances, thanking nature for spring and generosity.

What can you eat Annunciation 2018?

The Annunciation falls during Lent. As usual, in 2018 it will be celebrated on April 7 in the period between Maslenitsa and Great Easter, which will be celebrated on April 8. At this time, believers undergo the main test of the year, which does not allow them to eat fast food. But in honor of the great feast of the Annunciation, the church allows the fast to be relaxed.

The festive table may include dishes from:

croup;
legumes;
vegetables;
fruits;
fish;
mushrooms;
canned vegetables;
sweets.

It is not recommended to organize lavish feasts and invite strangers who are not part of the family to the table. You should not cook too much and pay great attention to the variety of foods. You can cook only modest dishes without any special frills or table decorations. As on other particularly significant Orthodox holidays, on the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary it is allowed to drink a small amount of dry or church wine, for example, Cahors.

One of the most important and touching Christian holidays is Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary- in 2016, as in most cases, it falls during Lent, more precisely during its fourth week.

When is the Annunciation celebrated in 2016?

Catholics and Protestants who celebrate holidays according to the Gregorian calendar celebrate the Annunciation March 25.

Thus, in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, the holiday of the Annunciation is always celebrated April 7.

Annunciation: the history of the holiday

Fourth week of Lent and Annunciation - 2016: what you can eat

Fourth week:

Monday, April 4 - dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits).
Tuesday, April 5 - dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits).
Wednesday, April 6 - dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits).
Thursday, April 7, Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary- fish and a little wine are allowed.
Friday, April 8 - dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits).
Saturday, April 9 - hot lean food with vegetable oil.
Sunday, April 10 - hot lean food with vegetable oil.

As you can see, relaxations are allowed only on the holiday itself; on all other days, all Lenten restrictions remain in full.

Annunciation - 2016: folk traditions, signs and beliefs

Signs about the weather:

If there is snow and frost on Annunciation Day, then spring will be late and unfriendly, and the cold may last until May.
If the night is warm on the eve of the Annunciation, spring will be early and friendly.
If the morning of the Annunciation is clear and sunny, it means that the year will be successful and fruitful.
If it is rainy on Annunciation Day, the summer will be dry.
If the swallows have not yet returned to the Annunciation (which is generally normal for mid-latitudes), spring will be cold.

Annunciation: do's and don'ts

Also, on Annunciation, fires were not lit in the huts: for some reason it was believed that such a violation of the ban would definitely end in a fire.

Prosphora, Annunciation salt and larks

As for the prosphora, they were also used for medicinal purposes.

Annunciation: the custom of releasing birds

The Annunciation is one of the most famous, revered and important Christian holidays. From year to year it is celebrated by believers, having a long history.

What is the day of the Annunciation associated with?

The Gospel describes an event directly related to the Mother of God, the Most Pure Virgin Mary, and the birth of Jesus, the God-Man. Until the age of fourteen, She was raised in the temple and after that she either had to get married or return to her parents. This age was considered adulthood. She was handed over to a distant relative, Elder Joseph, since She made a promise to God to remain a Virgin until the end of her life.

Scripture says that the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary. He announced that She was destined to become the Mother of the God-Man. It is these events that are expressed in the name of the holiday; they are remembered on the day of the Annunciation. It speaks of great, joyful news: God will take the form of a man and will live among people. This event has very important significance for Christians.

The first and most important meaning for people is that humanity is saved. After the fall of Adam and Eve, people became mortal and were deprived of eternal life in Paradise until the birth of Jesus Christ. The appearance of the God-Man meant the possibility of atonement for human sins through prayers and repentance. By sacrificing himself, Jesus returned this opportunity to people.

The second meaning is that only by voluntarily letting God into your life can you receive salvation. Archangel Gabriel was sent down to the Mother of God not only to express the will of God and say that the Virgin Mary will give birth to a son, while remaining a Virgin. He was sent to ask her consent. Only after the words “Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word" an immaculate conception took place.

The third meaning is, of course, a miracle, revealing the power of God and His great love for people. By the good will of the Virgin Mary, not a man was born, but a Divine Son, who was destined to make a great Sacrifice in the name of people.

When will the Annunciation be in 2016?

This holiday is celebrated annually on one day, exactly nine months before the Nativity of Christ, that is, April 7. Since it most often falls during Lent, it has only one day of pre-celebration and post-celebration. It is not transferable. A liturgy is taking place in the church, which is advisable for all Christians to attend. But you can also independently read the corresponding section of the Bible and prayers dedicated to the Feast of the Annunciation.

On the bright day of the Annunciation, do not do difficult things, as you should on any important Christian holiday. All the brightest and kindest, and don't forget to press the buttons and