Why are religious holidays given to us?

Since the days of the Old Testament, many religious festivals have their history. Others appeared later in the New Testament era. Each holiday is associated with a story from the life of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary or holy saints.

The Church calls to celebrate the holy days in order to multiply its piety. That is why every church holiday is surrounded by an atmosphere of solemnity and always includes the sacrament of the Eucharist (communion of the Holy Mysteries). Long ago on such days Christians were freed from any work and although noisy feasts were not welcomed, it was obligatory to visit the church and manifest charity for the church and for the benefit of the poor.

In Byzantium Even the emperors issued special laws that did not allow to violate the festive holiness by the execution of official jobs, which prohibited various festivals. Although in those days theatrical performances, horse races, fighting fights and other amusements were common. All of them were banned during the days when religious holidays were celebrated, consecrated by the Church. And the Emperor Constantine even banned trading on Sundays.

Unfortunately, in the countries of the former Soviet Union, where atheism was planted for a long time, the culture of holding holy days is not developed as it should. And many religious holidays the state ignores, and only true believers note them. Although, I must say, there are not so many real atheists.

In the souls of most people, the Lord lives, they just were not taught to talk to him, they did not teach to go to church on Sundays, as it was in pre-revolutionary Russia. While our people are gradually getting used to celebrating only the most significant religious holidays, such as Easter and Christmas. But the number of children's schools in churches grows, in many secular schools children are taught the Word of God. And this is right, because it is necessary to teach to faith from childhood, only in this way it is possible to cultivate a really good person who will honor and fulfill all the commandments.

Holidays in the Orthodox church calendar are divided into two parts: with a constant date and changing. In other words, the first are still non-transient religious holidays, in August, for example, we celebrate the great feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is annually marked in red on the calendar on August 28.

The event that we remember on this day is sad, but it's only by human standards. Although the Mother of God died from the earthly life, she was reunited with her long-suffering son, which Christians should rejoice on that day.

Passing religious holidays in 2012, as always, are counting from Easter. Palm Sunday is celebrated on April 8, it is also called the Day of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. The Ascension of the Lord falls on this year on May 24, and Pentecost (the Day of the Holy Trinity) - on June 3. On the day of Easter, the most important Christian holiday, the Church annually appoints on a certain day, guided by certain rules and in accordance with the lunar calendar. This day should not coincide with the Jewish Easter, can not occur before the spring equinox and the first spring full moon. This year, the Bright Resurrection of Christ was on April 15.

All religious holidays are designed to remind us of the existence of another world, except our earthly existence, which gives joy and peace to our soul. It is about the soul and about God that you need to think on bright holidays. Church services recall the redemptive victory of Jesus Christ over death and sin, calling on all believers. Holy Communion and zealous prayer bring us closer to the Lord, and good deeds, charity, help to the needy redeem our sins and save the soul.