Folk signs on the birthday of the Virgin. The History of the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. How to ask the Virgin for the conception and birth of a child

Caress of Mary. Mosaic

history of the holiday

According to biblical legend, in times far from us, people reached such a moral decline that all of humanity was on the verge of death. To prevent this, God gave the world the Most Pure Virgin Mary, who was the source of purity and holiness. Maria was born in the city of Nazareth, in the family of the righteous Joachim and Anna, who for a long time could not have children.

After long prayers came to themArchangel Gabriel announced that they would have a daughter. The one who would later become the mother of the main Christian Prophet and Savior Jesus Christ. But that, as they say, is a completely different story.

Traditions

In ancient times inwomen went to the river at dusk to meet the day by the water. It was believed that if a woman washed herself before sunrise, she would be beautiful until old age. And if an unmarried girl washes herself before sunrise, then she should be betrothed this year.

Also, women went to church in the morning and put candles wrapped in paper flowers. From below, a note was attached to the candle, on which requests were written to the Most Holy Theotokos. From which side the paper burns, that request will be fulfilled.

Housewives baked bread at home with the initials "R" and "B" ("Nativity of the Virgin"), which they then kept under the icons. During adversity or illness, a piece of bread was broken off and eaten.

IN Christmas Holy Mother of God all believers are strongly advised to go to church: to pray and thank God for everything that is in the house.Solemn services are held in churches in honor of the holiday.

Signs

Folk signs of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos are associated with the prediction of the weather for autumn and winter. After all, it is on September 21, according to folk calendar autumn begins.

So, a clear and starry sky before dawn predicts dry and cold weather. Morning mist speaks of the coming rains. A warm sunny day promises October without bad weather.

Even on this day, it is customary to watch birds: if they fly low, then the winter will be severe. If they circle high in the sky, you should expect a warm and lingering autumn.

The wind on this day also promises a harsh winter with severe frosts. The sign is especially true if it gets colder this afternoon.

Prohibitions

On the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary do not engage in heavy physical labor. spring-cleaning also banned.

You can not sweep the crumbs from the festive table on the floor - it is better to give them to pets.

From food on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it is undesirable to eat meat, non-lean food, alcohol. But fish can and should be eaten. It is customary to treat guests with mushroom soup with pies, and pastries are intended for all those in need. By the way, such charity will attract even more wealth to the house.

On September 21, Orthodox believers celebrate the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin. On this day, Mary was born, the mother of the Savior Jesus, the son of God. The holiday itself was established in the 4th century. The circumstances of Mary's birth were described in the Bible.

History of the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin

In the city of Nazareth lived a married couple - Anna and Joachim. Both were pious, but they never had children. Husband and wife were childless until the age of 50, until the Lord himself blessed them. Once, on a feast, Joachim brought gifts to the Lord in the Temple in Jerusalem, but the priest, as soon as he found out about Joachim's childlessness, did not accept these gifts. From grief, Joachim went into the wilderness to mourn and pray. Anna, his wife, when she found out about this, wept, raised her eyes to him, and suddenly saw a bird's nest. In tears, she said: "Even birds have children, and we have no such consolation even in old age." At that moment, an angel appeared to Anna and told her that her prayers had been answered. The angel also announced that a girl would be born to Anna and Joachim, and that they should call her Mary. After 9 months, Mary, the future mother of Jesus, was born.

Traditions of the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

September 21 at Orthodox calendar is closely intertwined with the folk calendar, so the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin is associated with folk traditions and customs.

• The believer prays - the Mother of God smiles. It is believed that on this bright day all the prayers of the Virgin Mary will be heard. The most basic tradition on this day is going to church. On September 21, it is customary to light a candle to the icon of the Mother of God and ask her for protection and help.
• September 21, according to the folk calendar, is the Harvest Day. On this day, the entire crop should be harvested. This promised prosperity and happiness in the coming year. It was customary to cook dinner for the whole family from the harvested crops on the holiday.
• On a visit to the young - to teach the mind-reason. On this day, the bride-to-be began among the people: the groom's parents began to look for a bride for him. They went to visit their son's potential wives and evaluated her talents in housekeeping.
• To make life prosperous, renew the fire. Among the people, the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos was considered the beginning of a new year. From that day began the report of a new stage of life. Therefore, on this day it was customary to re-ignite the torch. In the houses, they used to keep on-duty torches that were not extinguished even at night - other torches were lit from them, kindled stoves. This good tradition can be implemented in our time - light a candle in your house, let the fire attract only the best to you.
• Good weather is a good sign. If the weather for the Nativity of the Virgin is warm, then the whole autumn will be the same. According to the weather on that day, they found out what kind of autumn it would be, cloudy or clear.
• Get your hands dirty this day- a good omen. It was believed that if a person accidentally gets his hands dirty, then he will be lucky in his career and money.

On this bright holiday, do not forget to pray to the icon of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos on September 21 and not only ask her for help, but also thank her for the gifts that she has already bestowed on you. Good luck and don't forget to press the buttons and

Since ancient times, various ceremonies and rituals have been performed on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, since it is believed that they have great power on this day and can radically change life for the better.

Rite for pregnancy on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 21

Since the Mother of God is the main mother on earth, women who cannot become pregnant should turn to her for help. It is believed that if a woman conceives a child on this day, then he will be healthy and happy. To conduct the ceremony on the Nativity of the Virgin, you must independently flood the bath or wash the bath thoroughly. You should also prepare a wormwood broom, a small basin, a decoction prepared from seven different field herbs, a red ribbon and the same candle. You need to get up at sunrise, let your hair down and go to the bath. Windows and mirrors should be covered, and light should come from a prepared candle. Pour the decoction into the basin and dilute it hot water to a comfortable temperature. Undress, wash yourself with water and put on a shirt. Looking at how the candle burns, you need to think about your desire to conceive a child. After that, stand with one foot in a basin with a decoction, with the other - on a broom, and hold a red ribbon in your hands. To complete, say these words:

“I will get up crossing myself, go out blessed from my native house, and go into the wide fields, into the distance, to the cross path, to the high hill. Fragrant herbs, healing herbs grow on that hill. I will bow to the herbs and give them a river: healing herbs, herbs born by the Mother Earth, caressed by the red sun, absorbing light and healing power! I am empty like an earthenware jug, the jug is whole, but dark inside. Fill me, healing herbs, with the power to give birth, as Mother Earth gave birth to you and raised you. As you grow and bloom from Mother Earth, so my child will be born, grow stronger and bloom under the Red Sun. My word is strong, my deed is stucco! As she said, so be it!

Tie a knot in the middle of the ribbon, saying:

“I knit a knot, I bring a child’s soul! The knot cannot be untied, lie whole, but the child in me grows, grows stronger and does not run away. Truly!”

Carry the ribbon with you as a talisman until successful conception.

Rite for the Nativity of the Virgin on September 21 for marriage

Many girls dream of meeting their soul mate and getting married, and in order to bring this time closer, you can spend this great holiday. To carry it out, you should pick seven small branches of mountain ash without leaves. Roll the rods into a ring, fastening the edges with a red thread. Put the circle in the center of a large and flat plate, on which there should be no pattern. Set fire to the branches and say these words:

"A spark - to the fire, a girl - to a quick crown."

Pour the remaining ashes onto a piece of white natural cloth, and then shake it out on the street. It is believed that if a girl performs this ritual correctly, she will marry Pokrov next year.

Orthodox Christians on September 21, 2017 celebrate the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos - the first twelfth holiday after the onset of the new year, the church new year. We will tell you what the essence of this holiday is, what you can and cannot do on this day, how to ask the Mother of God for health, prosperity, love and family well-being.

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: the essence and history of the holiday

The feast of the Nativity of the Virgin is a great consolation for childless spouses. This day opens a new church year - the whole history of the New Testament begins with the birth of a little girl, who will be called the Throne of God, who will become the Door through which the Savior of the World Christ will appear.

The holiday was established by the church in honor of the miraculous event, which is described in the Bible:

The mother of Jesus Christ, Mary, was born in the city of Nazareth from pious parents, Joachim and Anna. They lived to an advanced age, but were childless, which became a source of their grief and caused public censure. Once the high priest did not accept the sacrifice from Joachim, and he, inconsolable, retired to the desert, where he began to earnestly pray. Anna stayed at home and also prayed. At this time, an angel appeared to both of them and announced to each: “The Lord has heeded your prayer, you will conceive and give birth, and your offspring will be talked about all over the world.” Upon learning the good news, the couple met at the Golden Gate of Jerusalem. And soon a daughter was born in their family. The happy couple made a vow to dedicate their child to God and gave their daughter Mary to the Temple in Jerusalem, where she served until she came of age.

Nativity of the Virgin: is there a fast or not, what can you eat

Fasting on the day of the Nativity of the Mother of God should be done only if the holiday falls on Wednesday or Friday - fast days. But even in this case, the church allows the consumption of fish and seafood.

In 2017, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on Thursday, this is not a fast day, which means that housewives can cook both lean treats and meat dishes.

In every family, in honor of this holiday, it is customary to cover big table. It is believed that the richer the hostess prepares for the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the more generous the harvest will be next year. Therefore, do not forget to pay tribute to nature by placing a basket of apples, pears, plums and grapes on the table.

What can and cannot be done on the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin

There are no special or special prohibitions on September 21, but, like in any other religious holiday believers should adhere to certain rules.

According to tradition, on the day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, they try:

• do not engage in physical labor unless absolutely necessary.
• You can’t do “black” on this day homework– wash floors, clean the house, burn garbage in the yard, etc.
• You should not start cleaning the house on a holiday;
• it is considered a great sin to sweep crumbs from the festive table onto the floor;
• On this day, women did not pick up a needle and scissors, did not cut bread, did not sew or embroider.
• On a holiday, you can not quarrel and scandal.

Here's what to do on that day:

What to pray for on the Nativity of the Virgin

On this day, they pray for the gift of a child. If there are no children in the family for a long time, then they turn to the Mother of God and Her parents Joachim and Anna, who, as you know, did not have children for a long time.

On the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin, they also pray in case of troubles and difficulties. family life. Righteous Joachim and Anna are a Christian example of family life.

The prayer of the Mother of God on her Christmas day will not go unanswered: ask the Mother of God for what you sincerely desire with all your heart and your wish will surely come true.

Prayer to the Mother of God for healing from infertility and conception of a child

"O my Most Holy Lady Theotokos, my indestructible hope, accept these prayers with great hope and faith in Your immeasurable mercy, have mercy on the servant of God (name) and grant me healing from my infertility and the opportunity to conceive a child from my husband ."

"Oh, Most Pure and Blessed Virgin, asked of God by holy prayers, consecrated to God, beloved by God, and for purity for the sake of soul and body of Your Mother, the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, chosen. Yours is the beginning of our salvation.

Accept from us, unworthy, praise to you and do not reject our prayer. We confess Your greatness, we fall down to You in tenderness and ask the child-loving and merciful Mother quickly in intercession: ask Your Son and our God to give us sinners, sincere repentance and a pious life, and the opportunity to live pleasing to God and our souls useful.

O Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of heaven and earth, look graciously on Your servants who have not yet been able to give birth to offspring and, through Your all-powerful intercession, send them healing from infertility. O Mother of God and the Nourisher of our life, wake us to help and save the faithful children of the Holy Church, hear our prayers, heal the sick, quench sorrow, direct courage for good.

Meanwhile, we humbly resort to You and ask: ask the All-Merciful Lord God for forgiveness of all our sins, voluntary and involuntary, for our suffering fatherland, salvation, peace, silence and piety. And everything that is so necessary for our life and salvation, ask us of Your Son, Christ our God.

You are our hope at the hour of death, grant us a Christian death, and the inheritance of the eternal and inexpressible blessings of the Kingdom of Heaven. With all the saints, we tirelessly ask you for intercession and glorify the one True God, worshiped in the Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen."

On Friday, September 21, all Orthodox believers celebrate the Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

This twelfth non-passing Mother of God holiday is celebrated as one of the great holidays, considered the day of the beginning of the Russian state, as indicated on the monument to the Millennium of Russia, erected in Novgorod in 1862, during the reign of Emperor Alexander I.

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: history

When the time approached for the birth of the Savior of the world, in the Galilean city of Nazareth lived a descendant of King David, Joachim, with his wife Anna, pious people and known not for their royal origin, but for humility and mercy. Their whole life was imbued with love for God. They distributed most of their money to the poor, fed and watered the poor, often visited synagogues, which they decorated at their own expense. They lived to a ripe old age, but did not have children, which made them very sad. At that time, every Jew hoped through his offspring to be a participant in the kingdom of the Messiah, and if there were no children, this was considered a great punishment of God for sins.

Once, on a big feast, Joachim went to the temple to make a sacrifice. The priest, having learned that Joachim was childless, did not allow him to do this. The Jews who were here began to laugh at him and insult him. What happened so saddened Joachim that he did not want to return home, but went to the desert, where his flocks were grazing. Here, in prayers to God, he made a promise until then not to eat, not to drink and not to return home until God heard his prayers.
Anna, his wife, stayed at home. Hearing about what had happened, she began to pray to God even more fervently and made a promise to give the child to the service of the Lord, if it pleased Him to hear their prayer. During this prayer, an angel appeared to her and said: “Your prayer has been answered, the Lord will send you a daughter, whom you will call Mary.” At the same time, an angel appeared to Joachim and announced the same good news.

For patience, great faith and love for God and for each other, the Lord sent Joachim and Anna this great joy - at the end of their lives they had a daughter. At the direction of the Angel, her parents gave her the name Mary, which means in Hebrew "Lady, Hope." The birth of Mary brought joy not only to Her parents, but to all people, because She was destined by God to be the Mother of the Son of God, the Savior of the world. Parents kept their Blessed Daughter like the apple of their eye and not only loved like a daughter, but also revered, remembering what the Angel said about her. When She was three years old, they brought Mary to the temple, and, according to the promise, dedicated to God. This event is celebrated under the name of the Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos on December 4 (November 21, old style).

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Traditions

At any divine service, the Blessed Virgin Mary, who has been honored to be the Mother of our Savior Jesus Christ, is praised, and Her parents, Saints Joachim and Anna, are mentioned. Righteous Joachim and Anna, according to popular belief, are the main helpers in marital infertility, they are called Godfathers.

The service in the temple begins before sunrise, all women light candles and leave notes with requests near the icon. During the service, they sincerely pray and ask for health for children and loved ones, harmony in family relationships well-being in the family, healing from ailments and giving the opportunity to give birth to a healthy child.

Also on this day, it was customary to help the poor by giving them food (bread and pastries baked in advance, different types cereals, vegetables and fruits grown by one's own hands).

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Traditions

There are many signs associated with this day, which are passed down from generation to generation:

Before the holiday, the Orthodox tried to harvest the entire crop and finish the agricultural season;

Our ancestors noticed that if a woman has time to swim before the first rays of the sun, then her beauty is until old age;

On the day of the Nativity of the Virgin unmarried girls they read prayers for a future happy family life, for the birth of healthy first-borns and glorified the Most Holy Theotokos;

The newlyweds invited their relatives to visit: the young wife tried to surprise them with her culinary skills, and her husband household, in particular - showed relatives of animals grown in the farmstead during the year.

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary 2017: what not to do on this holiday

On the day of the Nativity of the Virgin, the following actions cannot be performed:

to swear or quarrel with relatives, friends and strangers;

hard work, you need to allow yourself to rest on this day;

throw away crumbs after eating (they must be left to animals);

call someone bad names, or use obscene and angry words.

Customs and Traditions of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

It has long been considered that this is a holiday for all women and mothers. On this day, they thank the Most Holy Theotokos for the possibility of procreation, for the birth of the Son of God by Her.

What prayer to read before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos?

The celebration of the Birth of the Virgin Mary is a gratitude to God for salvation and the opportunity to get rid of sin. Believers, putting on their festive clothes, go to church to sing praises to the Lord, thank Him, pray to the Mother of God, put a candle to Her. On this day, you can contact her with your troubles, requests, anxieties. The appeals made to Her on this holiday will be heard. However, the Mother of God on other days never ignores those who pray to Her, rejoicing that people turn to her. Prayers are read before the icon, asking not only for themselves, but also for others.

Prayer to the Mother of God:

“O Holy Mother of God! Look with mercy on the prayers of us, Thy sinful and humble servants, and implore God, Thy Son, may He grant us and all who flow to You, health of the soul and body and all that is necessary for eternal and temporal life, may we forgive any sin of the free and involuntary; may he deliver us from all sorrows and illnesses, and misfortunes, and all evil conditions. To her, our Tsarina Preblagaya, Our hope is indestructible and Intercessor invincible! Do not turn Your face away from us, for the multitude of our transgressions; but stretch out to us the hand of Thy motherly mercy and create with us a sign for good. Show us Your rich help and prosper in every good deed; turn us away from every sinful undertaking and the evil mind, let us glorify the Most Honorable your name and we worship your honest image, and magnify God the Father, and His Only Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit with all the saints, forever and ever. Amen"

Make a wish in front of the icon of the Mother of God. How to ask the Mother of God for well-being for your family and yourself?

Women asked the Mother of God for well-being for their home, family members. They placed candles for Her, the bottom of which was wrapped in advance with pieces of paper with written wishes. When the candle burned, they looked at which edge would be burned first - the desire written there would come true. The burnt-out paper meant that mother of God listened to all requests. The best gift for the Most Holy Theotokos is the faith of people, the purity of their souls, the ability to love.

Bread from all diseases for the Nativity of the Virgin

On this holiday, housewives bake bread with the first letters of its name - “The Nativity of the Virgin” for each family member. They were kept until the Nativity of Christ under images. When one of the family members fell ill, they were given bread with holy water, which is consecrated on the feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God. Sometimes, for treatment, they were crushed into holy water and given to drink it.

What can you eat on the feast of the birth of the Virgin?

This day falls on a fast, but you can eat fish on a holiday. Cooked dishes were treated to loved ones and, of course, the poor. Women must give alms in the form of food and money so that God will give them children and family well-being. He punishes women who are begging for alms with barrenness.

Tables on this day are laid generously. It is believed that this is gratitude to nature for giving a rich harvest. They bake pies with different fillings, set the table with gifts of the earth. The holiday is celebrated for a long time - from several days to two weeks, depending on how the harvest was - rich or poor.

Is it possible to get married on the Nativity of the Virgin?

The owners of apiaries removed the hives from them so that the bees would not freeze. They were fed with sugar.

Onion week begins with a holiday. The vegetables were removed from the fields and gardens, and the time for gatherings began for the girls. Young people came to them, brought refreshments, sang songs.

From this holiday begins the wedding season. All the summer things are done, you can devote time to the celebration. Nature begins a new round of its life, which means it's time to start a family.

How to ask the Mother of God for the conception and birth of a child?

On the Nativity of the Mother of God, the childless turn to Her with a prayer, asking for the onset of pregnancy, easy childbirth, and the birth of a healthy baby. They read such a prayer near Her image:

Prayer to the Mother of God for the birth of a baby:

“Oh, Most Pure and Blessed Virgin, asked of God by holy prayers, consecrated to God, beloved by God, and chosen for purity for the sake of your soul and body by the Mother of the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ. Who will not please You or who will not sing of Your glorious Nativity, for Your Birth is the beginning of our salvation. Accept from us, unworthy, praise to you and do not reject our prayer. We confess Your greatness, we fall down to You in tenderness and ask the child-loving and merciful Mother quickly in intercession: ask Your Son and our God to give us sinners, sincere repentance and a pious life, and the opportunity to live pleasing to God and our souls useful. O Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of heaven and earth, look graciously on Your servants who have not yet been able to give birth to offspring and, through Your all-powerful intercession, send them healing from infertility. O Mother of God and the Nourisher of our life, wake us to help and save the faithful children of the Holy Church, hear our prayers, heal the sick, quench sorrow, direct courage for good. Meanwhile, we humbly resort to You and ask: ask the All-Merciful Lord God for forgiveness of all our sins, voluntary and involuntary, for our suffering fatherland, salvation, peace, silence and piety. And everything that is so necessary for our life and salvation, ask us of Your Son, Christ our God. You are our hope at the hour of death, grant us a Christian death, and the inheritance of the eternal and inexpressible blessings of the Kingdom of Heaven. With all the saints, we tirelessly ask you for intercession and glorify the one True God, worshiped in the Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen"

Or this prayer:

Prayer to the Virgin Mary for the birth of a baby:

“O my Most Holy Lady Theotokos, my hope is unshakable, accept these prayers with great hope and faith in Your immeasurable mercy, have mercy on the servant of God (name) and grant me healing from my infertility and the opportunity to conceive a child from my husband”

How to charge your home with good luck and prosperity in the coming year?

The Nativity of the Virgin is celebrated hospitably. It is customary to visit friends and relatives.

A young family invites parents to visit them, treats them with goodies, boasts of their household. Not only parents come - the house is visited by grandfathers, grandmothers, elders. The young hostess should please the guests with a delicious pie, cooked with her own hands. If the dish turned out to be delicious, she is presented with a gift. If not, they give instructions, advice on how to become a good housewife. At the table, the old people tell the young about signs and rituals. If a couple fulfills them and listens to the recommendations of the older generation, their life is friendly and cloudless. The crumbs left from the eaten pie are scattered around the barn so that the cattle do not get sick, are not destroyed by wandering animals, and the harvest is not spoiled by birds.

Be sure to visit your parents. They go to them in the evening, not with empty handed but with delicious treats. So that the couple is not afraid of a bad eye, the wife ties a braid with embroidered letters “P” and “B” on her clothes. If she gets untied from her clothes, untied, this is a sign of envy from others.

It is believed that with the birth of the Virgin, a new life begins. In order for the year to be prosperous and successful, the fire was renewed in the old days. Everyone in the hut had a torch that was always on fire. On the Nativity of the Virgin, it was extinguished, and then lit again. It was believed that this would help to leave behind sorrows and illnesses, and in new life take only good health and joy.

Rite of protection of children from diseases and troubles

In the old days, people kindled bonfires and burned worn out shoes and clothes in them. This protected them from damage, disease and adversity. It was customary to pour water on children when they crossed the threshold.

On this day, the Second Autumn and the autumn day of the equinox are celebrated. The holiday is associated with the entry of autumn into its own rights. From early morning, women go to the reservoirs to meet Osenina. They took treats with them - jelly, oatmeal bread. Osenins are dedicated to gratitude to nature for the harvest. In order not to lose beauty to the very gray hairs, women washed themselves before the sun rose. The girls did this so that the groom would marry. Two holidays merge into one, although they have different origins.