November 4 - what a holiday in Russia? Day of national unity - memory of the events of the Time of Troubles

A lot of our fellow citizens are asking themselves about November 4. What a holiday in Russia? People familiar with history know that this date - the Day of National Unity - is dedicated to the events of the Time of Troubles, when Moscow in 1612 was liberated from enemies with the help of a militia consisting of ordinary people, led by Minin and Pozharsky.

Reason for creating a new holiday in Russia

Initially, residents of our country celebrated November 7 as the anniversary of the well-known October Revolution. The Soviet Union disintegrated, and people continued to celebrate this day by inertia, because in the calendar it remained red. Only now it was called the Day of Accord and Reconciliation. This continued for another 14 years after the collapse of the USSR, until the authorities decided that it was time to establish a new date. So what is the name of the holiday on November 4 in Russia?

Alexy II - the Patriarch of Russia at that time - spoke at the Interreligious Council with the idea of reviving the end of the Time of Troubles and the image of Our Lady of Kazan in the memory of people. To ensure that the people do not have unnecessary questions about what holiday is celebrated in Russia on November 4, the State Duma, after amending the Labor Code, decided that this date will be recognized as the Day of National Unity.

The people's militia led by Minin and Pozharsky

At the beginning of the XVII century, Russia was in the power of the Troubles. The country experienced the hardest crises connected with politics and economy, crop failures and famine, foreign intervention. In 1612, she freed herself from the Poles with the help of Kozma Minin - the voevoda from Nizhny Novgorod - and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky. They organized a people's militia, which seized the China-City and forced foreigners to recognize the act of surrender.

Pozharsky was lucky to be the first to enter the city. He carried in the hands of the icon of Our Lady of Kazan. In Russia we sincerely believed that it was the Mother of God who protected the people from the enemies. In 1649, on the decree of Tsar Alexis Mikhailovich, November 4 was a state holiday, dedicated to the Lady of Heaven. Until 1917, while the country did not have a revolution, this day was special for all Russian people.

Celebration of the Kazan Icon of the Virgin

Now Orthodox also especially revere this day. What is the holiday on November 4 in Russia? It is a day of glorification of the Kazan Mother of God. In 1612 the patriarch Hermogen addressed to the people with a call to pray and defend native land from foreign invaders. Then Dmitry Pozharsky from Kazan was sent to the militia miraculous image of the Ever-Virgin Mary. Having sustained a three-day fast, people with faith and hope called upon the Queen of Heaven to ask that she give them the strength to defeat the enemies.

The Mother of God heard their pleas for help, Moscow was released. Then came the end of the Time of Troubles in Russia. Since then, people know about the miraculous rescue of the country on November 4, which is now considered a holiday in Russia. In honor of this event on the Red Square in 1612 the Kazan Cathedral was built. It was destroyed in the years of persecution of the church, and now it is restored.

Contradictory attitude of the people towards this event

Many people do not understand that the date is November 4, what holiday in Russia is celebrated at this time? About the Day of unity of the people know not all, in particular, the older generation was used to the date of November 7, when the events of the 1917 revolution are recalled. A new holiday people who grew up in the spirit of atheism, do not want to recognize. Still mark their own and 3 days later. Communists in the State Duma were also initially against the rescheduling of the date in the calendar, however, their votes were in the minority and did not have a significant impact on the decision.

Thus, some people believe that it is not good to break old traditions by shifting the emphasis from one holiday to another, the latter (many Orthodox ones belong to them), on the contrary, they are sure that this day is a revival of history. Everything returns to its place. But already within 10 years is celebrated on November 4. What a holiday in Russia without an opportunity to relax? This day is the official day off.

Day of National Unity or Day of Accord and Reconciliation?

So far, some people are confused and can not say which of the names of the holiday is right. In this case, it will not matter whether each individual knows how the holiday is called on November 4 in Russia. The main thing is that people understand the significance of this date in the calendar. The Russian people have always been famous for their unity and catholicity in decision-making. So Russia was able to win in many wars.

On this day, all the contradictions and disagreements provoking conflict situations must be forgotten. People need to become kinder to each other, because the roots of entire generations are closely intertwined. Only then the meaning of what is celebrated on November 4 (what a holiday in Russia) will reach every person.

How is the Day of National Unity?

Times change. Now more and more people welcome the introduction on November 4. What holiday in Russia takes place without solemn concerts and various actions? To this day, various events are timed: demonstrations, mass marches, the issuance of free gifts with state symbols.

In the Kremlin hall, a government reception is held, at which people who have made a great contribution to the development of the country receive their well-deserved awards. In the evening, traditional folk festivities are held, all of this ends with bright volleys of fireworks, so that the people forever remember the date of November 4, which is celebrated in Russia on this day.