Orthodox holidays in April and their brief description

Orthodox holidays in April can be divided into two categories - holidays, the dates of which are constant, and those that are celebrated every year on different days. This fully applies to the entire Orthodox calendar. Therefore, talking about the holidays of a particular month, it is necessary to clarify the year in question.

The most joyful holiday in the year

Listening Orthodox holidays in April 2015, we should first of all call the Bright Resurrection of Christ. Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate the great event - the resurrection from the dead of our Lord Jesus Christ. Taking upon Himself all the sins of the world, He redeemed them with cross sufferings, and having risen, opened the way to eternal life for all who believed in Him, ready to follow Him. Easter is the biggest holiday not only for April, but for the whole year.

The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem

Exactly one week before Easter, the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem is celebrated. This is the twentieth anniversary of the holiday. On April 5, the Orthodox calendar began the countdown of the last seven days of Jesus' earthly ministry.

On this day, crowds of people cheered "Asana!" With Him on the way to Jerusalem. According to the custom of those years, the road before Him was covered with branches of palm trees, in abundance growing in Palestine. In our northern climate they do not grow, so the substitute for the feast is the willow, which is brought to the church. Hence the name - Palm Sunday. The whole of the following week in memory of the sufferings of Jesus Christ is called Passionate. It anticipates Easter - a bright and joyful holiday. On April 5, the Orthodox world is preparing to recall these great and tragic events.

Lazareva Saturday

The next day, which should be stopped - on April 4. The church holiday celebrated on this day is called Lazareva Saturday. It is established in memory of the resurrection of Jesus Christ by Lazarus. The description of this event is contained in the Gospel. The Lord brought back to life the brother of Martha and Mary, who had died many days before, in the house of which He had visited more than once.

A miracle happened on a deep and sincere faith in Him. The church, marking this holiday, shows that nothing is impossible for the Lord God. "According to your faith will be you" - these words of Jesus Christ are an indispensable condition of any miracle. Lazarev's Saturday is sometimes called the Palm Sunday, since it always precedes the Palm Sunday.

But the date of Easter varies from year to year, can sometimes fall in May. Accordingly, and the twelve-passing holidays associated with it, also do not have a permanent date. Feast The entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem is rare, but it turns out to be in March. However, there are days that are constantly marked in the Orthodox calendar as festive. Let's talk about them.

The Holy Elder who survived the occupation

The first date on which to stop is April 3. What holiday is celebrated on this day, perhaps not all know, but it certainly deserves attention. On this day the church celebrates the memory of the holy Monk Seraphim of Vyritsky. The period of his earthly life is separated from us by a very short period of time. Having lived 83 years, he departed to the Lord in 1949. Endowed with a lively mind and talents, during half a century, before taking the monastic tonsure, he engaged in commerce and accumulated a considerable fortune. But choosing the way of service to God, the Reverend gave everything to people, shut himself out of the world. His name is closely connected with the regional village of Vyritsa, where for twenty years the monk bore the chief monastic feat - the feat of the elders. He served his spiritual children during the Stalinist repressions, during the occupation, and in the hard post-war years. By the face of the saints, he was numbered in 2000.

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The next day - April 7, an Orthodox holiday, called the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin. This event is narrated by the Gospel. It tells how the Lord through His messenger, the holy archangel, announced Her Her greatest destiny - to show His flesh to the world of the Savior. Events of such importance before this humanity did not yet know.

With humility and faith, his words were accepted by Mary. She accepted this message without reservation. In her pure, virgin soul, there was no shadow of doubt in the omnipotence of God. To his will She was ready to obey unconditionally. That is why April 7 - an Orthodox holiday, so revered by all.

Remembrance of Myrrh-Bearing Wives

Remembering Orthodox holidays in April, you can not fail to mention the 26th. And although it is not noted in the list of specially celebrated holidays, but still it needs to be talked about. On this day in the service of remember the holy wives-myrrh-bearers. These are the women who, on the early Saturday morning, when the dawn was just beginning to dawn, came to the Savior's tomb to perform the ritual prescribed by the Jewish laws. They brought with them fragrances and incense (precious oil to the world), which they intended to anoint His body, preparing for burial. It was they who first heard from the mouth of the angel the news of the miraculous resurrection of Christ, the first to believe in it.

In general, the role of women in the service of the Lord is very great. They followed Him everywhere, trying to save Him from everyday cares. They did not heal the sick and did not raise the dead, but thanks to their deep faith and devotion to Christ, they obtained the crowns of holiness. This day is celebrated as an Orthodox women's holiday.

The life of our people can not be imagined without Orthodox holidays. By their very nature, they go beyond ordinary celebrations, which are festivities and fun. It is no exaggeration to say that this is a return to the origins of our national culture. Orthodox holidays in April are their inseparable part.