What can not be done on the Lord's Day: traditions, signs and interesting facts

February 15, and according to the old calendar on February 2, Orthodox Christians celebrate one of the twelve major church festivals - the Presentation of the Lord. Until now, people do not know what can not be done for the Lord's Savior, and what can be done. There are different signs associated with this day.

In February, the Church celebrates the events that were presented by Luke in the Gospel. On this day, the baby Jesus is meeting with Simeon and Anna. The holiday itself is not an ongoing one, therefore it is always celebrated on February 15.

What does holiday mean?

In the church language, "meeting" means a meeting. In his writings, Luke told about a meeting that took place on the fortieth day from the birth of Jesus. On that day, Joseph and the Holy Virgin Mary brought the baby to the temple to make a sacrifice for the God-given first-born. In those days, the woman who gave birth to the first child - the son, was not supposed to visit the temple for forty days. At the end of this period, she is obligated to sacrifice a year-old lamb to the Lord. For the poor lamb it was allowed to replace the pigeon.

If the first child in the family was a boy, then it was necessary to bring him to the church on the fortieth day for the rite of consecration to the Lord.

St. Mary did not need to be cleansed, since the baby was born from the Immaculate Conception. On the fortieth day, parents came to the holy place for the rite of consecration to the Lord, but, according to tradition, the Virgin sacrificed - two pigeons.

When Mary crossed the threshold of the holy place with the baby in her arms, they were met by the ancient elder Simeon. According to legend, he lived more than three hundred years. It is believed that the Holy Spirit prophesied a long life for him, until Simeon sees the Savior.

In the Meeting in the Church there was another meeting. Anna came to Anna the prophetess. She bowed to the baby and left the temple, bringing to the people the news of the coming of the Messiah.

Simeon

Simeon Bogopriimets was one of the scholars who was commissioned to translate the Holy Scripture from Hebrew into Greek. In the course of his work, Simeon wanted to change the word "maiden" to "wife." At that moment, the Holy Spirit appeared before him and forbade any changes in the scripture. The scientist questioned the veracity of the Bible, because the virgin could not give birth. So that he could see the truth of the scripture, the Angel gave Simeon the opportunity to personally meet Jesus himself.

He was more than three hundred years old when he personally saw the Virgin and Jesus. When Mary and Joseph came with the baby to the temple, the prophecy came true, and Simeon took the child, born of a virgin, into his arms.

After this meeting the elder went to his chambers and fell asleep forever, after which he was equated to the saints' face.

Icon of "Softening the Evil Hearts"

With the events of Creation, an icon is associated, called "Softening the Evil Hearts". It depicts the Mother of God with seven swords that pierced the heart: three swords are located on the left and three on the right, and one sword is on the center. An explanation to the icon says that the number seven means grief, heartache, sorrow, which the Virgin Mary experienced during her earthly life.

This image is sometimes supplemented by the image on the knees of Our Lady of the deceased Christ.

This icon symbolizes the church holiday the Lord's Creation. What can not be done on this day for believers is to work. On a holy feast, people should rejoice, because they have the Messiah.

Tradition of celebration

Previously, no one thought about what to do about the Lord's Day. This holiday began to celebrate from 528 years. In those distant times, Antioch under Justinian was comprehended by various calamities. There were strong earthquakes and diseases. Cataclysms killed many lives. And then one Christian had a vision that it was necessary to celebrate the Presentation solemnly. After the vision on the day of the meeting, the first festive service was performed - the cataclysms ceased.

In 544 the Church set a solemn ceremony to celebrate the feast of the Theotokos. On this day the priests wear blue robes, symbolizing the purification period of the Virgin and the dedication of the newborn to the service of God. Later it was determined that it is impossible to do on the Lord's Day.

On that day, candles and water are lit in all the churches. Candles symbolize purity, enlightenment, warmth. Water is comfort and joy, Divine grace. Christmas celebrations end (Christmas holidays).

Prohibitions

There are a number of rules that have established what can not be done on the Lord's Day. On this day the Orthodox should not swear. The church forbids to clean up the house, wash, work on the ground, do handicrafts. All these prohibitions were established in the old days, when Christianity was just beginning in Russia. At that time, religion was implanted not by its own free will, but by force, and in order to gather people into service, all activities had to be banned. Also, other prohibitions were established that say that one can not do in the Lord's Savior. They include the prohibition to wash. In ancient times, there were no such amenities as today. To wash, a man had to bring water, cut wood, melt the bath. All this took a lot of time, which means that the banner would not be at the service. That every Orthodox was present at the festive service, a ban was also imposed on washing.

On the Slyonka, you can not go on a long journey, as it will end badly.

Interested in the question of what can not be done in the Lord's Savior, many people ask about needlework. On church holidays, you can do any work that gives pleasure, while you should not forget about visiting the temple.

If to say in general what can not be done on the day of the Meeting of the Lord, then on this day, as in any of the twelve big holidays, it is undesirable to work, except for works performed for the benefit of another person.

Water and candles

On this holiday, the Orthodox went to the temple, where the ministry was. After the service, candles were consecrated. During the year, they are carefully stored and used only in emergency cases, when there is a difficult life situation or someone from close to seriously ill. Also Sredensk candles are used in the following cases:

• At cataclysms;
• At a bad weather;
• In difficult childbirth;
• If a person dies (it is believed that a person can quickly leave this world);
• With serious illnesses for prayer for a speedy recovery.

In addition to the candles, water is consecrated to the Savior. It is valued on a par with the Epiphany. Water from the holiday was held for such cases as:

• Treatment of wounds;
• Treatment of internal diseases;
• For sprinkling hives with beekeepers;
• To sprinkle water on livestock before spring pasture on the pasture.

On Syllable it is accepted to pray to Jesus Christ and the Theotokos.

Folk signs

People have always been interested in the fact that it is impossible to do the Feast of the Lord at the feast and what are the signs. There was a time when this day was considered the time of the first spring. Frosts on the Sfeniya were considered the last. After them, people did not risk traveling long distances in a sleigh. Hundreds of years ago, on the fortieth day from the birth of Christ, a great spring festival was held.

On this day it is customary to carry candles to the church for consecration. Then they were brought home, but they were rarely used, only in the most dangerous situations.

It was believed that in order to get rid of the headache, it is necessary to set fire to the Christmas festival on the church day, which can not be done on another day. On this day, special attention was paid to poultry. The hens were fed with oats and watched, if she does not eat, then in the summer there will be serious troubles, the trouble awaits the owners of the bird. If the chickens ate, then all summer will be successful.

According to the weather, they determined the summer and spring, and judged the future harvest. It was believed that what will be the weather for the Sfense, the same will be the weather in the spring. If on this day there was snow, then the spring will be protracted, rainy. If the snow is carried across the road, the spring will be late, cold.

If the snow was in the morning, then the early bread was expected; In the evening snow - the bread ripens late. About high yield of wheat says drops. The abundance of fruits will be if the wind is on the Seness.

Knowing what can not be done on the Lord's Day (signs on this day are also worth considering), you can be protected all year round. Signs will help to be with the harvest, and the consecrated candles and water will give well-being and health.