When is Yuri Orthodox holiday in May. Major Christian holidays. Orthodox calendar: what is it

Many citizens of our country consider themselves Orthodox Christians. They honor the traditions of their ancestors and celebrate Orthodox holidays. They will certainly be interested to know what the church holidays will be in May 2018.

Important church events in May

In the last month of spring, all Orthodox will celebrate two very important holidays:

• 05/17/18 - Ascension of the Lord;
• 05/27/18 - Trinity.

In addition, there will be two days of commemoration of the dead:

From 05/28/18 to 06/03/18, a continuous Trinity week will be held. It is remarkable that on Friday and Wednesday it will not be necessary to fast.

Ascension of the Lord

This holiday is widely known to all Orthodox Christians in Russia. It is always celebrated on Thursday, so it comes on the fortieth day from Bright Sunday. In 2018, the holiday falls on May 17, 2018.

In different places this celebration has different names:

• Saved;
• Spasov day;
• Ascension day;
• Ascension.
• In the church calendar, it is listed as - the Ascension of the Lord.

Very often, farewell to spring is associated with him.
When this day is mentioned, some moments associated with this celebration are immediately remembered:

• memorial loaves;
• solemn worship in temples;
• "Heavenly ladders";
• commemoration of the dead;
• memorial pancakes, etc.

This day belongs to the twelfth holidays and is celebrated not only in Russia, but also in Europe. This holiday reminds us of how, about two thousand years ago, the Son of God ascended to heaven. The New Testament describes this point in detail. As you know, the resurrected Jesus appeared before the eyes of his disciples more than once. When the fortieth day arrived, he asked them to gather in the ancient city of Jerusalem. In the presence of his apostles, he again ascended into heaven. True, after that, two angels descended from heaven, who were dressed in all white. They told the students that their teacher would definitely return. In fact, the Gospels of Mark and Luke tell of Jesus telling his disciples about his Ascension beforehand.

Until the end of the fourth century, the Trinity and the Ascension were one celebration. Then these holidays were divided.

How the Ascension is celebrated

The holiday is celebrated for 10 days. Wednesday is called the day of forefeast. In all churches, the rite of giving of the Holy Resurrection is performed. The service goes on all night. The clergy read the stichera of the Color Triodion. In the morning paroemias from the Gospel of Mark are heard. The following days are called the after-feast. In churches, priests glorify the Ascension of the Savior to heaven. On Friday, the ceremony of giving the Ascension is performed. From Easter until Ascension, the clergy are dressed in white robes.

Among other actions on this day, it is customary to remember the dead. In Russia, there used to be a tradition - housewives made “heavenly ladders” from dough so that deceased relatives could more easily get to paradise. It was customary to bring them to the graves of ancestors. Sometimes they were taken directly to the field. It was believed that this contributed to a good harvest. Ladders helped the grain to rise faster to the sky.

Also in Russia there was a tradition to bake "Christ's Bastards" - these are pancakes made in a special way. Ancient traditions said that Jesus in the interval between Easter and Ascension bypasses all believers. These culinary products were baked to him “on the path”.

Ascension is not allowed to work. Usually believers go to visit or invite the closest people to their home.

Even on this day, there was a tradition to help the poor. It was believed that the Savior himself could walk under the guise of such people.

It was also forbidden to spit and litter, so as not to accidentally harm Jesus, who at that time, under the guise of a beggar, walks among living people.

Signs for Ascension

Day of the Holy Trinity

Also applies to the Twelfth Feasts. It has a rolling date and is celebrated on the fiftieth day from Bright Sunday. In 2018, the holiday falls on 05/27/18, Sunday.

For this celebration, special features are inherent:

• decorating dwellings with flowers, tree branches and field herbs;
• special worship;
• consecration of water;
• baking special flour products, etc.

The name of the holiday comes from an event that happened more than two thousand years ago. It was then that the Holy Spirit appeared before the eyes of the Virgin Mary and the apostles, who proclaimed that Jesus is the Son of God. The Trinity is evidence that the Holy Spirit, God the Son, and God the Father are one.

It was established in honor of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles and the Virgin Mary on the 50th day after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The holiday symbolizes the unity of the Holy Spirit, God the Father and God the Son.

As ancient manuscripts testify, on the fiftieth day after Bright Sunday, the Holy Spirit descended on the mother of Jesus and his disciples. This happened in Jerusalem in the Upper Room of Zion. At first, all those present heard an extraordinary noise, then a blessed fire appeared. After these events, the followers of Jesus began to be able to speak different languages. By the command of God, this was done so that the apostles could carry the Christian teaching to different peoples living on Earth.

How is Trinity celebrated in Russia

This holiday is celebrated for three days. Temples, dwellings of believers are decorated with green branches of trees, meadow grasses and flowers. Priests wear green clothes, which personifies life-giving.

Church services begin on Saturday and continue throughout the night. A solemn liturgy sounds at the Trinity itself. The third day is dedicated to the Holy Spirit. During the service, water is blessed.

Parishioners, consecrated branches, flowers and herbs are dried and used as a talisman throughout the year.

On the days of the Trinity, in addition to temples, Christians must visit the graves of their ancestors in order to treat the spirits.

Before the holiday, a general cleaning is done. Housewives decorate their homes with various greenery and prepare festive dishes. Among them, there must be a loaf, which should bring prosperity and prosperity to the house.

After the church and the cemetery, it's time for festivities. First, family, relatives and friends gather at a round table to congratulate each other on the Trinity and taste the festive dishes of the hostess. After the meal, people go out into the street, into nature, where they dance and sing ritual songs. In some places it is customary to kindle a fire at the same time.

On this day, healers collect herbs. It is believed that these days they have special healing properties.

Even in the days of the Trinity, it is customary to guess. Young girls perform all sorts of rituals and guess at their future life and groom. In doing so, they use the collected herbs and tree branches.

Trinity is not allowed:

• work and do household chores;
• sew, wash and cut your hair;
• to swear and quarrel;
• swim in natural waters. They say that these days there are mermen, mermaids and other evil spirits.

Signs of the Trinity

Complete church calendar for May 2018

• May 1, Tuesday
  Venerable John of Thessalonica (Thessaloniki), a disciple of the Monk Gregory the Decapolite
• May 2, Wednesday
  Venerable John Paleolavrite the Ancient Cave, Hieromonk
  Blessed Matrona of Moscow
• May 3, Thursday
  Venerable Theodore Trichina
  Reverend Alexander Oshevensky, hegumen
  Infant Martyr Gabriel of Bialystok
• May 4, Friday
  Uncovering the relics of St. Theodore of Sanaksar
  Hieromartyr Jannuarius, Bishop of Benevent, and with him the martyrs Proculus, Sossius, Faustus, deacons, Disiderius, reader, Eutychius, Akution
• May 5, Saturday
  Venerable Theodore Sykeot, Bishop of Anastasiupol
  Transfer of the relics of the blessed prince Vsevolod (in the Baptism of Gabriel) Novgorod, Pskov miracle worker
  Apostle Bartholomew (Nathanael), apstoles from 70 Luke and Clement
  Venerable Vitaly of Alexandria
• May 6, Sunday
  Great Martyr George the Victorious
  Martyrs Empress Alexandra of Rome
  Iberian Icon of the Mother of God
• May 7, Monday
  Martyr Savva Stratelates and 70 soldiers with him
  Reverend Savva of the Caves, and Alexy, the recluse of the Caves
• May 8, Tuesday
  Apostle and Evangelist Mark (John)
  Venerable Sylvester of Obnorsk
• May 9, Wednesday
  Commemoration of the dead warriors
  Hieromartyr Basil, Bishop of Amasia
  St. Stephen, Bishop of Perm (Great Perm)
  Venerable Ioannikios of Devichensky
  Righteous Virgin Glafira
• May 10, Thursday
  Apostle from 70 Simeon of Jerusalem, relative of the Lord
  Reverend Stephen, Abbot of the Caves, Bishop of Vladimir-Volynsk
• May 11, Friday
  Apostles from 70 Jason, Sosipater, Martyr Kerkyra the virgin and others who suffered with them
  Martyrs Dada, Maximus and Quintilian
  Saint Cyril, Bishop of Turov
• May 12, Saturday
  Nine Martyrs of Cyzic
  Venerable Memnon the Wonderworker, Hegumen of Egypt
  Saint Basil of Ostrog, Metropolitan
• May 13, Sunday
  Apostle James Zebedee
  Uncovering the relics of St. Nikita, the recluse of Caves, Bishop of Novgorod
  Saint Ignatius (Bryanchaninov), Bishop of the Caucasus
  Saint Donatus, Bishop of Hebrew
• May 14, Monday
  Prophet Jeremiah
  Reverend Paphnutius of Borovsky, hegumen
  Hieromartyr Macarius, Metropolitan of Kiev
  Blessed Tamara, Queen of Georgia
  Martyrs of Athos Euthymius, Ignatius, Akakiy
• May 15, Tuesday
  Saint Athanasius the Great, Archbishop of Alexandria (373)
  Transfer of the relics of the martyrs Princes Boris (in the Holy Baptism of Roman) and Gleb (in the Holy Baptism of David)
  Saint Athanasius Seated, Patriarch of Tsaregradsky, Wonderworker of Lubensk
  Blessed and Equal-to-the-Apostles Tsar Boris (in Holy Baptism Michael)
• May 16, Wednesday
  Martyr Timothy and Martyr Maura
  Venerable Theodosius, hegumen of the Kiev Caves
• May 17, Thursday
  Ascension of the Lord
  Martyr Pelagia the Virgin of Tarsus
  Venerable Nikita (Nifont), Cyril, Nicephorus, Clement, Isaac, brothers Alfanov (Sokolnitsky) in Novgorod
• May 18, Friday
  Great Martyr Irene of Macedon
  Uncovering the relics of St. Jacob Zheleznoborovsky
• May 19, Saturday
  Righteous Job the Long-suffering
  Venerable Micah of Radonezh
  Martyr Vukashin Yasenovatsky
  Martyr Barbara of Lukansky, former robber
• May 20, Sunday
  Commemoration of the appearance in heaven of the Cross of the Lord in Jerusalem
  Martyr Akakios, centurion
  Reverend Nil of Sorsk
• May 21, Monday
  Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian
  Reverend Arseny the Great
  Venerable Arseniy the industrious and Pimen the Faster, Caves
• May 22, Tuesday
  Prophet Isaiah
  Martyr Christopher of Lycia
  Transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
  Venerable Shio (Simeon) of Mgvima
  Reverend Joseph of Optina
• May 23, Wednesday
  Apostle Simon the Zealot
  Saint Simon of the Caves, Bishop of Vladimir and Suzdal
  Blessed Simon, Christ for the sake of the holy fool, Yurievets
• May 24, Thursday
  Equal-to-the-Apostles Methodius and Cyril, teachers of Slovenian
  Hieromartyr Mokiy
  Hieromartyr Joseph, Metropolitan of Astrakhan
  Saint Nicodemus, Archbishop of Serbia
  Venerable Sophronius of the Caves, a recluse
• May 25, Friday
  Hieromartyr Hermogenes, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, miracle worker
  Saint Epiphanius, Bishop of Cyprus
  Saint Germanus, Patriarch of Constantinople
  Venerable Dionysius of Radonezh, Archimandrite
• May 26, Saturday
  Saturday Trinity
  Martyrs Glykeria the virgin and with her, Martyr Laodicea of ​​Heracles, prison guard
  Transfer of the relics of the Monk Martyr Macarius of Kanevsky, Abbot of Pinsk, Wonderworker of Pereyaslavl
  Martyr Alexander of Rome
• May 27, Sunday
  Holy Trinity Day (Pentecost)
  Martyr Isidore of Chios
  Blessed Isidore, Christ for the Holy Fool, Miracle Worker of Rostov
  Saint Nikita, recluse of the Caves, Bishop of Novgorod

• May 28, Monday
  Trinity week 1 day
  Venerable Pachomius the Great
  Saint Isaiah, Bishop of Rostov, miracle worker
  Blessed Tsarevich Dimitry of Uglich and Moscow
  Venerable Euphrosynus and his disciple Serapion of Pskov
• May 29, Tuesday
  Trinity week 2 day
  Saint Theodore the Sanctified, hegumen
  Transfer of the relics of St. Ephraim of Perekomsky, Abbot, Wonderworker of Novgorod
• May 30, Wednesday
  Trinity week 3 day
  Apostle from 70 Andronicus and St. Junia (Junia)
  Venerable Euphrosyne (in nuns Evdokia), Grand Duchess of Moscow
• May 31, Thursday
  Trinity week 4 day
  Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the Seven Ecumenical Councils
  Martyr Theodotus Korchemnik and the Seven Virgins, Martyrs Alexandra, Tecusa, Claudia, Faina, Euphrasia, Matrona and Julia
  Martyrs Peter, Dionysius, Andrew, Paul and Martyr Christina

In Orthodoxy, there are twelve most significant holidays - these are 12 especially important events of the church calendar, in addition to the dominant holiday - the great event of Easter.

This number includes both movable holidays and holidays with a fixed date. The most important holiday and celebration of the celebrations is the Resurrection of Christ (Easter). We have prepared a complete list of these holidays. Dates of non-transferable holidays are given according to the Gregorian calendar.

Twelfth non-passing holidays

This is the main event of the year for Orthodox Christians. The full church name of the holiday is the Bright Resurrection of Christ. The celebration is dedicated to the resurrection of Jesus Christ after the crucifixion.

The date of Easter is calculated according to the lunisolar calendar.. The holiday is celebrated on the nearest Sunday after the first full moon, which occurs after the vernal equinox. The date falls between April 4 and May 8.

Sunday before Easter. The holiday is celebrated seven days before Easter, on the 6th Sunday of Great Lent.

Orthodox most often call this event Palm Sunday and celebrate when there is a week left until Easter. It is connected with the coming of Jesus to the holy city.

- celebrated on the 40th day after Easter.

Celebrated 40 days after Easter ends. It falls annually on the fourth day of the week. It is believed that at this moment Jesus in the flesh appeared to his heavenly Father, our Lord.

The Holy Trinity is celebrated on the 50th day after Easter.

It falls on the 50th day after the end of Easter. After 50 days from the resurrection of the Savior, the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles.

The Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos is a holiday associated with the Christian tradition about how the Archangel Gabriel told the Virgin Mary the “good news” about the impending birth of the Divine Infant in Her. Celebrated on March 25 (April 7).

The Entry into the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos is a feast in memory of the entry of the three-year-old Mary into the Temple of Jerusalem, where She was given by her parents for education. Celebrated on November 21 (December 4).

Ascension is a holiday in honor of the ascension of Christ to heaven. It is celebrated on the 40th day after Easter.

The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) is a holiday in honor of the entry of Christ into Jerusalem. Celebrated on the last Sunday before Easter.

The Exaltation of the Cross is a holiday dedicated to the events of the 4th century, when St. Helena found the Cross of the Lord in Jerusalem. Celebrated on September 14 (27).

The Baptism of the Lord (Theophany) is a holiday in memory of the baptism of Jesus Christ by the prophet John the Baptist in the Jordan River. Celebrated on January 6 (19).

Easter is the main Christian holiday in honor of the resurrection of Christ crucified on the cross. It is celebrated on the first Sunday after the spring equinox and full moon. In Orthodox churches, Easter falls on the period from March 22 to April 23 according to the Julian style.

The Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos is a holiday in memory of the apparition in the 10th century. in the Blachernae Church in Constantinople of the Virgin, who spread her veil over the Christians, thereby blessing them for a victorious battle with the Saracens. It is celebrated on October 1 (14).

The Transfiguration of the Lord is a holiday in honor of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ, who revealed to the disciples shortly before the Calvary sufferings his Divine nature. Celebrated on August 6 (19).

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a holiday in honor of the birth of the Virgin Mary, mother of Christ. Celebrated on 8 (21) September.

Christmas is one of the main Christian holidays, in honor of the birth of Jesus Christ. Celebrated on December 25, Orthodox churches celebrate this holiday on January 7 (Gregorian style).

The Presentation of the Lord is a holiday in honor of the meeting (meeting) of the great-eater Simeon of the Messiah - the child-Christ, whom the parents brought to the temple for dedication to God. It is celebrated on February 2 (15).

Trinity (the Russian name for the day of Pentecost) is a holiday in honor of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles. It is celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter.

Major Christian posts

Fasting - abstinence for a certain period from any food or its individual types (especially meat). Every Orthodox must fast on Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year, on Epiphany Eve, on the day of the beheading of John the Baptist, on the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord. There are also 4 multi-day fasts

Spring (Great) - begins on the first Monday after Maslenitsa and continues until Easter.

Summer (Petrov) - begins on the first Monday after Spiritual Day and ends on June 29 (July 12), on the day of the holy apostles Peter and Paul.

Autumn (Assumption) - 15 days before the feast of the Assumption.

Winter (Christmas or Filippov) - starts on November 15 (28) and lasts 40 days before Christmas.

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BRIGHT WEEK

(in 2019)

Now every day all week in all templesChristians go out into the street, raising crosses and banners high, so that with victorious singing, to the ringing of bells, stir up the spring air with the Easter canon of John of Damascus and sprinkle holy water on the shining faces of the parishioners

Besides:

APRIL 30 - celebration of the Iberian Icon of the Mother of God (movable celebration on Tuesday of Bright Week).

MAY 3- Icons of the Mother of God "Life-Giving Spring" (movable celebration on Friday of Bright Week) with a water-blessed prayer service

May 2- Day of Remembrance Blessed Matrona of Moscow.

O blessed mother Matrono, now hear and receive us, sinners, praying to you,
accustomed throughout your life to accept and listen to all those who suffer and mourn, with faith and hope for your intercession and help of those who resort,
quick help and miraculous healing for everyone;
May your mercy not fail now to us, unworthy, restless in this world of many vanities and nowhere to find comfort and compassion in spiritual sorrows and help in bodily illnesses:heal our illnesses, deliver us from the temptations and torment of the devil, who is passionately fighting, help me to carry my life's Cross, endure all the hardships of life and not lose the image of God in it, keep the Orthodox faith until the end of our days, have strong hope and hope in God and have unfeigned love to neighbors; help us, after departing from this life, reach the Kingdom of Heaven with all those who please God, glorifying the mercy and goodness of the Heavenly Father, in the Trinity of glory, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever.

May 8 the church remembers the apostle from 70 and Evangelist Mark. Saint Mark was the closest associate of the apostles Peter, Paul and Barnabas. He founded a Christian church in Egypt and then wrote his gospel in Rome. He also composed the rite of the Liturgy for the Alexandrian Christians and visited the hinterland of Africa with a sermon. In the year 63, in Alexandria, the apostle was killed by pagans. In 310, his relics were transferred to Venice.

Oh, glorious Apostle Marko, who betrayed his soul for Christ and fertilized His pasture with your blood! Hear your children prayers and sighs, now offered by a broken heart. Behold, we are overshadowed by lawlessness, and for the sake of misfortunes, like clouds, we will be overlaid, barely a good life, impoverished very much, and we will not be able to resist the predatory wolf, which they boldly strive to plunder the heritage of God. Oh strong! Bear our infirmities, do not leave us in spirit, may we not be separated from the love of God in the end, but protect us with your strong intercession, may the Lord have mercy on all of us for your prayers, may he destroy the handwriting of our immeasurable sins, and may he be blessed with all the Saints Kingdom and marriage of His Lamb, to Him be honor and glory, and thanksgiving and worship, forever and ever. Amen.

May 10- commemoration day of another apostle from 70, Hieromartyr Simeona kinsman of the Lord. The Apostle Simeon was the son of Cleopas, the younger brother of Saint Joseph the Betrothed. He preached the doctrine of Christ and denounced idolatry. After the death of the first bishop of Jerusalem, the Apostle James, the Apostle Simeon was chosen to take his place. In 107, the pagans seized the saint, who at that time was already a century old, and after long torments they crucified him on the cross.

Christ's kinsman, Simeone the priest, and the martyr, we firmly and sacredly praise, who consumed the charm, and observed it in vryera: the same day you celebrate your all-holy memory, we accept sins by your prayers.

Memory Apostle of 12 James Zebedee committed may 13. He was called to the apostolic ministry by Jesus Christ together with his brother, the Apostle John the Theologian. It was he and his brother and the Apostle Peter who were present on Mount Tabor and during the prayer of the Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane. Saint James preached the teachings of Christ in Spain and other countries, and then returned to Jerusalem. In 44 AD, the Jews persuaded King Herod Agrippa to seize the apostle and condemn him to death. One of the scammers named Josiah was struck by the courage of Saint James, who, even after the announcement of the verdict, continued to preach the Gospel and believed in Christ. He confessed his faith and was beheaded along with Saint James.

Oh, glorious Apostle James, who betrayed his soul for Christ and fertilized His pasture with your blood! Hear your children prayers and sighs, now offered with a broken heart. Behold, we are overshadowed by lawlessness and for the sake of misfortunes, like clouds, we will be overlaid, barely a good life impoverished, and we will not be able to resist a predatory wolf, which they boldly strive to plunder the heritage of God. Oh strong! Bear our infirmities, do not leave us in spirit, may we not be separated from the love of God in the end, but protect us with your strong intercession, may the Lord have mercy on all of us for your prayers, may he destroy the handwriting of our immeasurable sins, and may he be blessed with all the Saints Kingdom and marriage of His Lamb, to Him be honor and glory, and thanksgiving and worship, forever and ever. Amen.

Oh, holy great noble queen Tamara! We are sinners (name) and humility, as if we diligently resort to a warm protector and an ambulance, asking for help and intercession in the abyss of troubles immersed, like every day and hour to us from crafty people who happen, and obsessed with various diseases, and your intercession, if great you have boldness to God, pray for us in sorrows, needs and misfortunes, and protect us from all enemies visible and invisible, and especially from demonic machinations and cunning, arrogant attacks and flattering approaches, let us not be mocked and ridiculed by them, and drive them away from us with your strong help, as if you drove them away from the Iberian country and affirm true love for God in our hearts and make it worthy.
When our departure from this temporal life and to eternity relocation is in time, soon stand up to help us, and from the violence of the enemy freedom, as if you have eternal life, and lead our hearts to true repentance, and we, with undefiled lips and a pure conscience, will stand before the Most Holy Trinity , glorifying and singing Yu, with all the saints in endless ages. Amen.

May 15 the church remembers one of the holy fathers - Saint Athanasius, Archbishop of Alexandria who lived in the III-IV centuries. From childhood, he was distinguished by great piety and a desire to study the Holy Scriptures. Patriarch Alexander oversaw his spiritual growth and eventually consecrated him to the rank of deacon and presbyter. After the death of the patriarch, Athanasius, at the age of 28, was elected his successor. For 47 years the saint ruled the Church of Alexandria, and he was especially strong supporter of it during the years of persecution of Christians. He died peacefully in 373, leaving behind numerous theological writings.

O all-praiseful and glorious Saint Athanasius the Great, for the Orthodox faith you were in long labors, many labors, in five exiles and flight, you endured many slander and slander, many times you want to kill you for your nudes, and only God Himself miraculously save you from death. And you endured all this from the wicked heretics - the Arians, you also fought with them, and having immersed them in the abyss of words, you overcame them with your patience, and, having driven away their evil faith from the Church and planted the Orthodox teaching, you multiplied the seed of the faith of Christ. Truly, you are a brave warrior of Christ, like a warrior, until the end of your days you gloriously fought for the right faith with heretics. Truly you are the pillar of the Orthodox faith, for your Orthodox faith has not shaken in any way from these heretical persecutions, but rather be established and strengthened, and not only among you and your flock, but also in the whole Church of Christ. We pray to you, servant of God, ask Christ our God and we have unshakable faith and do not deviate from the right path of it, but remain on it until the end of your days, not fearing either flattery, or punishment, or even persecution, and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven in the glory of God the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, where you and all the saints abide. Amen.

On the same day - May 15 - I remember transfer of relics to the Vyshgorod templeHoly Passion-Bearers Princes Boris and Gleb , in the holy baptism of Roman and David, who were killed on the orders of their brother Svyatopolk in 1015.

There is no ability and strength to glorify you, holy brethren! You are heavenly people and earthly angels, pillars and support of our earth. Help your fatherland, lift up a prayer for the whole Russian land, for a blessed receptacle that has received your honest bodies like a valuable treasure, a blessed church in which your holy shrines stand! And not only our tribe was given salvation by God, but also the whole earth. People from all countries come there and receive healing free of charge.

Oh, blessed martyrs of Christ, do not forget the fatherland where you lived bodily, do not leave it with a visit, and in prayers always pray for us so that evil does not overtake us and so that the disease of the bodies of your slaves does not touch. For grace has been given to you to pray for us. We run to you, we implore you, falling to you with tears. But hoping for your prayer, let us cry out to the Savior: Lord, treat us mercifully, have mercy on us, have mercy, intercede with the prayers of Your most honorable martyrs, do not betray us to reproach, but pour out Your mercy on the sheep of Your pasture, for You are our God, to You glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

(+ FILM, AKAFIST)

One of the closest followers of Jesus Christ, John was the only one of the disciples who did not leave the Lord during His crucifixion. The apostle lived for more than a hundred years, preaching the Gospel in many countries. The celebration was established in remembrance of the annual exodus on this day to the place of his burial of the finest pink dust, which was collected by believers for healing from various diseases.

O great and all-praised apostle and evangelist John the Theologian, confidante of Christ, our warm intercessor and quick helper in sorrow! Beg the Lord God to grant us the remission of all our sins, even if we have sinned from our youth, in all our life, deed, word, thought and all our feelings. At the end of our souls, help us sinners to be delivered from air ordeals and eternal torment, and by your merciful intercession we glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever and ever. Amen.

Feast of the memory of St. app. and ev. John the Theologian - the patronal feast of the temple in the village. Zhezkent. On this day, a festive Divine Liturgy and a prayer service to the holy apostle and evangelist John the Theologian will be held in the church of this parish.

Mid-Pentecost continues the series of Easter celebrations. We greet each other again and again with the words: “Christ is Risen! “Truly Risen!” Mid-Pentecost means half the time from Easter to Pentecost. On this day, we recall that event in the life of the Savior, when, at the end of the Feast of Tabernacles, He taught in the temple about His Divine mission and mysterious water, which refers to the grace-filled teaching of Christ and the grace-filled gifts of the Holy Spirit. Standing between the day of Pascha and the day of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the feast of the Midsummer serves as a link between these two great celebrations: along with the ongoing celebration of the first of them, the coming of the feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, as well as the feast of the Ascension of the Lord, is also recalled at Midday.

It so happened (not by chance, but by Providence) that we know the least about the most beloved saints. We are talking about the Mother of God and Saint Nicholas. Humility does not seek to show itself and become famous. Humility is good in the shade, therefore both the “Blessed One among Women” and the most beloved saint in Russia lived in such a way that there are very few known facts of their earthly life. The more valuable is the glory that they acquired after leaving this world. It is difficult to find a Christian city on the world map where the Mother of God would not show Her miraculous love, healing, protecting, admonishing people in need of help. This also applies to the Archbishop of Mirlikia (+ FILM, AKAFIST)

in the Resurrection Cathedral, a solemn Divine Liturgy, after which buses will be sent to the chapel of St. Nicholas to serve a prayer service there with the reading of an akathist and the blessing of water. May 24 . The brothers, who were born in the Greek city of Thessalonica, knew the Slavic language well and translated many liturgical books into it. At the end of the ninth century they established a Slavic worship in Moravia, while Methodius became the archbishop of Moravia and Pannonia, he also baptized the Czech prince Borzhivoy and his wife Ludmila. On this day, the namesake of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia is celebrated.

It’s amazing how it is today, when people are completely addicted to television series, intellectuals are discussing new plot twists and turns in Game of Thrones on social networks and throwing quotes from House M.D. waiting for a successful resolution of the suffering of another unlucky Cinderella, no one has yet thought of making a series about Saints Cyril and Methodius. But in their life there is everything for the success of such a project - and drama, and intrigue, and action, and suspense. And what would be the scenery! (+ FILM)

About glorifying the language of Slovenian teachers and enlighteners, Saints Equal-to-the-Apostles Methodius and Cyril. To you, as a child to the father, by the light of your teachings and writings of enlightenment and in the faith of Christ, we now diligently resort and pray in contrition of our hearts. If only your covenant, like a disobedient child, not observing and pleasing God, like you clean, careless, and from like-mindedness and love, even more Slovenian, like brothers in faith and according to the flesh, bequeath good, otpadohom, both, like old in life do not turn away your ungrateful and unworthy vain, but reward the good for evil, so now do not turn away the sinful and unworthy children of your prayers, but, as if you have great boldness to the Lord, diligently pray to Him, that he will guide and turn us to the path of salvation, strife and strife, in the midst of the brethren of the same faith arising, will die, having fallen away, the packs will lead into unanimity, and will unite us all by unity of spirit and love in one, Saints, Cathedrals and Apostles of the Church. Vemy bo, vemy, how much can the prayer of the righteous to the mercy of the Lord, if it is brought about sinful people. Do not leave us, your dull and unworthy children, their sin for the sake of your flock, gathered by you, divided by enmity and temptations from infidels seduced, diminished, but her verbal sheep are scattered, from mental wolves admire, give us jealousy with your prayers for Orthodoxy, yes, let us warm it up, we will preserve the fatherly traditions well, we will faithfully observe the charters and customs of the church, we will run away from all false teachings and so, in a life pleasing to God on earth prospering, we will be worthy of the life of paradise in heaven, and there together with you the Lord of all, in the Trinity of the One God we will glorify forever and ever. Amen.

Great Orthodox holidays: a list with dates, explanations and traditions.

In addition to Easter as the dominant Christian holiday, in our culture there are 12 more great Orthodox holidays, called the Twelfth. What are these holidays and how are they traditionally celebrated? You will learn about this from this article.

Hierarchy of holidays in orthodox Christianity

Easter - a sign of the eternal victory of life over death - is one step above the rest in this hierarchy of holidays. This is the most important holiday of the Christian tradition. Further along the hierarchy are the non-twelfth great and twelfth Orthodox holidays. In total, 17 holidays fall into the category of great holidays. The non-twelfth great dates include the following:

1. The Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos is a holiday that falls on October 14 in the orthodox world. Associated with the vision of St. Andrew the Fool of Constantinople. At the hour when Constantinople was under siege, the Mother of God appeared to Andrew, stretching a veil over the city from her head, the city was saved.
2. Circumcision of the Lord - while we celebrate the last New Year holidays on January 14, a service is being held in the church in memory of this event, as well as in honor of Basil the Great, one of the so-called Fathers of the Church.
3. The Orthodox Church celebrates the Nativity of John the Baptist (Baptist) on July 7 - this is the day that we know as Ivan Kupala. It is associated with the miraculous birth of John the Baptist six months before Jesus.
4. The day of the holy supreme apostles Peter and Paul, which is popularly known simply as Peter's Day, is celebrated on July 12. Officially, on the Day of Peter and Paul, the memory of the acceptance of martyrdom by the apostles is honored, and for the common people this day symbolizes the full transition to summer.
5. The beheading of John the Baptist in Russian tradition is celebrated on September 11th. On this day, they remember the martyrdom of John the Baptist, and also commemorate the soldiers who fell in the battle for the fatherland.

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

In orthodox tradition, the birth of the Virgin Mother is celebrated on September 21st. Her parents, Joachim and Anna, have already come to terms with the idea of ​​not leaving offspring - it is believed that both were already over 70 when Maria was born. Her birth is associated with Joachim's stay in the desert, where he retired to ask the Lord for procreation. In a dream, an angel appeared to him and announced that he would soon have a daughter. And it's true - returning to the city, Joachim met Anna, hurrying to meet him with good news.

This holiday is called to glorify the Mother of God as the protector and intercessor of all people before God. In the folk calendar, it is associated with the arrival of autumn, harvesting and the end of all summer work.

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

This holiday is associated with one of the main Christian symbols - with the cross on which the Son of God passed the test of death. And its appearance was facilitated by the Byzantine Empress Elena in the middle of the 4th century. Already at a rather advanced age (according to historians, she was about 80 years old), the mother of Emperor Constantine decides to go to Jerusalem in search of lost Christian relics. As a result of excavations on Mount Golgotha, they found not only a cross, but also a cave in which Christ was buried.

The date of the celebration was set in September 335 - after the Church of the Resurrection of Christ was consecrated in Jerusalem. The Orthodox world celebrates on September 27th by observing a strict fast and not doing hard work. People also believe that it is from this day that birds begin to fly south, and snakes crawl into burrows for the winter.

Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Orthodox Feast of the Entry into the Temple is celebrated on December 4th. It is dedicated to an episode from the life of the Virgin Mary - at the age of three, pious parents brought her to the Temple in Jerusalem to fulfill God's covenant - to dedicate her daughter's life to God. In all interpretations of this story, they say that little Mary entered the temple with unusual confidence, as if she already knew that she would play a great role in this religion. Maria did not return home to her parents - she lived in the temple until the age of 12, until the angel Gabriel brought her news of the extraordinary fate that was bestowed on her.

In folk tradition, this holiday is called Introduction. It was associated with the arrival of winter - it was from this day that winter festivities and sleigh rides began. It was also worth forgetting about field work until spring - the peasants believed that it was better not to disturb the land after the Introduction.

Nativity

Of all the twelve great Orthodox holidays, Christmas is considered the most significant. In the Western tradition, it is customary to celebrate it on December 25, and in our country it is on January 7.

The birth of Jesus took place in the city of Bethlehem, the hometown of Joseph. He arrived here with the pregnant Maria, but there was no room for them in the hotel. The travelers had to settle down in a cave. When Mary felt the approach of childbirth, Joseph hurried in search of a midwife. He managed to find a woman named Salome, together they went back to the cave. The first thing they saw in the cave was a bright light flooding the entire space. Gradually, the light faded away - and Mary appeared with a baby sitting in her arms. At this time, a star of extraordinary brightness rose over Bethlehem, announcing the world about the arrival of the Son of God.

It is believed that every great Orthodox holiday gives birth to kindness in the heart, but especially Christmas. On Christmas Eve, it is customary for the whole family to gather at the festive table - according to folk tradition, twelve dishes should be on it.

Historians believe that it is not known for certain what time of year Jesus was born. It is believed that the date of the great Orthodox holiday of Christmas is associated with more ancient holidays dedicated to the winter solstice (December 21 or 22). This holiday is preceded by a forty-day fast, starting on November 27th.

Epiphany

The second most important holiday of the Orthodox Church after Christmas is the Baptism of the Lord. It is celebrated on January 19 - we all know about the folk tradition of swimming in the hole on this day. However, the church and historians unanimously argue that this tradition is not as ancient and primordial as it seems, but only acquired a mass character in the 80s - as a symbol of the country's return to religion.

This feast is associated with an episode in the life of Christ, which is traditionally considered the beginning of his ministry. At the age of 30, Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River. The person who baptized the Son of God was John the Baptist. When Christ came ashore, the Holy Spirit descended on him in the guise of a dove, and from heaven came the voice of God the Father, announcing the appearance of God the Son. Thus, the Lord manifested himself in his trinity. Therefore, Baptism among the great holidays of the Orthodox Church is also known as the Epiphany. In the Catholic tradition, the Epiphany is associated with Christmas and the offering of the Magi.

Meeting of the Lord

From the Old Slavonic language, the Meeting can be interpreted as the word “meeting” - the church believes that it was on this day that mankind met with Jesus Christ. This great Orthodox holiday is celebrated on February 15 - forty days after Christmas. On this day, Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus to the temple for the first time, where he was received by St. Simeon the God-bearer. There is a separate legend about Simeon - he was one of the seventy scholars who translated Holy Scripture from Hebrew into Greek. The entry about the Virgin, who should conceive and give birth to a son, embarrassed Simeon, he decided to correct the mistake of an unknown scribe: it was the Wife who should give birth, and not the Virgin. But at that moment, an angel appeared in the room and said that this would indeed happen one day. The Lord will not let the old man die until he sees this miracle with his own eyes. When the day finally came to meet the baby Jesus, Simeon was already about 360 years old - all his life the righteous old man was waiting for a meeting with the human incarnation of God.

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Feast of the Annunciation is a symbol of hope and expectation. On this day, April 7, they celebrate the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel by Mary, who brought her good news with the words: “Rejoice, Blessed One! The Lord is with you; Blessed are You among women, ”this line subsequently entered many prayers dedicated to the Mother of God. As a moving feast, the Annunciation is often included in the number of Orthodox holidays during Lent. In this case, those who fast are incredibly lucky - in honor of the holiday, a slight indulgence in the form of animal food is allowed (only not meat, but fish).

Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem

There is still a week left until Easter, and the world is already beginning to celebrate and honor the memory of the deeds of Christ in this week. This date is popularly known as Palm Sunday - a great Orthodox holiday. On this day, Jesus solemnly entered Jerusalem, choosing a donkey as a riding animal - as a sign that he had arrived in peace. The people met him as the Messiah, laying palm branches on the road - later they became the main symbol of this holiday. Since palm trees do not grow in our latitudes, the branches were replaced with willow ones.

Many folk traditions are associated with this day. It was customary to sanctify willow branches in the church, and then keep them in the house all year long so that good luck and prosperity would not leave it. They also lightly hit each other with a willow, saying: “I don’t beat - the willow beats.” Since this Orthodox holiday is celebrated modestly during Great Lent, the main meal of the feast could be fish, but not meat.

Ascension of the Lord

When Easter is over and another forty days have passed, Orthodox Christians celebrate Ascension. This day is one of the great twelfth holidays of the Orthodox Church. The image of Christ ascended to heaven recalls the predominance of the ideal divine nature over the imperfect human. Until this day, you can congratulate all Orthodox on the holiday of Great Easter with the words "Christ is Risen!", But after the end of the Ascension holiday, the church already forbids Christ.

Having resurrected, Jesus Christ preached for another forty days, and then gathered his apostle disciples and ascended to heaven, bequeathing that he would appear a second time (this is considered a promise of the second coming) and that the Holy Spirit would also descend on the apostles - this happened ten days later.

Day of the Holy Trinity

Another ten days pass after Ascension and fifty after Easter, when the orthodox world celebrates the next great Orthodox holiday. In a simple way, it is also called the Trinity, Pentecost. The event that led to the appearance of this holiday is the indulgence of the Holy Spirit on the apostles. When all twelve were assembled, a gust of wind suddenly came up and enveloped the apostles in flames. The Holy Spirit spoke so brightly. From that day on, the disciples of Jesus gained the ability to understand hitherto unknown languages ​​and dialects, and most importantly, to speak them. This blessing was given to them in order to spread the word of God throughout the world, so the apostles went to preach in the countries.

In the folk tradition, the Trinity completed the series of spring holidays - after it the summer season already began. They prepared thoroughly for this holiday - a few days before it, the housewives cleaned the house, trying to get rid of unnecessary things, and the garden and vegetable garden were cleared of weeds. They tried to decorate their homes with bunches of herbs and flowers, as well as tree branches - it was believed that this would bring good luck and prosperity to all its inhabitants. In the morning we went to the church for the service, and in the evening the festivities began. Young people were ordered to be careful these days - after all, mermaids and mavkas came out of the forests and fields to lure guys into their networks.

Transfiguration

The Feast of the Transfiguration is associated with a small episode in the life of Christ. Taking with him three disciples - James, John and Peter - Jesus ascended Mount Tabor for the sake of conversations and prayers. But as soon as they reached the top, a miracle happened - Jesus ascended above the earth, his clothes became white, and his face shone like the sun. Next to him appeared the images of the Old Testament prophets Moses and Elijah, and from heaven came the voice of God, announcing the son.

The Transfiguration is celebrated on August 19. This great Orthodox holiday in the folk tradition is called the Apple Savior (the second after the Honey). It was believed that from this day autumn begins to come into its own. Many of the customs of this day are associated with the harvest of apples and fruits in general - before the Savior, the fruits were considered immature. Ideally, the harvest should have been blessed in a church. Then apples could be consumed without restrictions.

Assumption of the Virgin

The feast of the Assumption of the Virgin is associated with the end of the earthly life of the Virgin Mary and the ascension of her soul and body to heaven. The word “assumption” can be interpreted more as “sleep” than “death” - in this regard, the name of the holiday reflects the attitude of Christianity to death as a transition to another world and testifies to the divine nature of Mary herself.

This great Orthodox holiday is celebrated on August 28, although it is not known exactly in which year and on which day the Virgin Mary passed away. In folk tradition, this day is called Obzhinki - it is associated with the end of the harvest.