Signs and rituals for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin. Signs on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: customs, beliefs, rites of the holiday Folk signs on August 28 of the year

August 28 is one of the greatest Orthodox holidays - the Dormition. Holy Mother of God. Christians on this day remember the earthly life of the Mother of God and the bright transition to heaven. Before the celebration of this bright day, believers observe a two-week (from August 14 to 27). During fasting, they refuse fast food and that's it. free time spend in prayer.

The word "assumption" in Russian is translated as "death". And although for many people it seems absurd to celebrate such an event, because for the majority it is associated with longing and heartache, but deeply believing Christians know that this is just a transition from earthly life to heavenly life. People need to be afraid not of death, but of the deeds that filled their earthly existence.

Assumption has been celebrated since ancient times. In the 4th century, the Byzantine emperor Flavius ​​Mauritius, on the day of his victory over the Persians, timed the celebration of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, making this event one of the most significant church holidays.

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin: the history of the holiday

After the death and Resurrection of Jesus, the Mother of God was in Jerusalem. During the Great Persecution of Christians, She moved to Ephesus, where she often visited the righteous Lazarus and Mount Athos, which she blessed to preach the gospel word.

Shortly before her death, the Mother of God again arrived in Jerusalem. Here She constantly prayed and visited places connected with important life events of the Savior. One day, the Archangel Gabriel appeared before her, who informed her that in three days she would leave the earth and ascend to heaven to her Son.

Before her death, the Mother of God bequeathed all Her modest property to Her servants - widows. After her death, she ordered to bury Herself in Gethsemane next to her parents.

On the day of the Assumption, almost all the apostles gathered in Jerusalem to say goodbye to the Mother of God. During Her departure, Christ himself, surrounded by numerous angels, appeared before Her. The Mother of God turned to him with a prayer and asked him to bless all those who honor Her memory. She gave her soul into the hands of the Lord in joy and grace.

For three days and three nights, the apostles stayed at the tomb of the Mother of God, singing psalms. On the third day, consolation came to them from the Great Image of the Mother of God and Her words, calling everyone to rejoice, because now She will always be with everyone. After a comforting saying, the body of the Mother of God left the earth and was taken up to heaven.

August 28: traditions and customs of the day

From August 28, the beginning of autumn actually begins and the young Indian summer begins (by). Therefore, on this day, they predicted the weather for the old Indian summer, which began on 14 and ended

For farmers, this holiday was a landmark. It was the end of the summer field harvest season. On this occasion, a big "Assumption" feast was organized in the villages. Each resident brought drinks and treats from the house, which were previously blessed in the temple. Also, ears and seeds of various breads were brought to the church for blessing and consecration. A handful of uncut ears were left in the field, tied with a ribbon and sentenced: “ God bless you for a good harvest next year.". The last compressed sheaf was kept in many places until the New Year. He was called the "birthday man", dressed up in a sundress and carried to the feast.

Celebrations started in the evening. In the morning everyone worked in the field. On the Dormition, they helped those in need in harvesting. The whole world provided assistance to hardworking families who did not have time to harvest on their own. But peasants did not like lazy people. They believed that they themselves are to blame for their troubles.

There is a belief that from this day the sun begins to fall asleep: it does not shine as brightly as in the middle of summer, and it warms less. It's getting colder every day. Migratory birds getting ready to fly south.

It was time for weddings and youth gatherings. The girls were looking for suitors. It was believed that if you did not look after the Assumption, then you would spend the winter in girls. Women took up needlework.

On the Assumption, it was customary to pickle cucumbers. The people said: "On the Dormition, pickle cucumbers, chop cabbage".

Our ancestors have long loved pickled, salted and soaked vegetables and fruits, as well as a variety of marinades. For centuries, they carefully collected recipes and knew the secrets of successful pickling of cucumbers.

First, you need to carefully consider the choice of cucumber varieties. All varieties are divided into salad, universal and canning. Canned varieties have a thin skin and a high sugar content. Such cucumbers are the most delicious, because the brine easily penetrates inside. Preference should be given to fresh raw materials. How fresh vegetables the tastier the product.

Secondly, water is an important component for preparing blanks for the winter. Best suited spring or well. But tap water is not always good. Soft cucumbers will lose their elasticity, while hard cucumbers will add an unnatural taste of metal to the pickles.

Thirdly, the spices that will be used during salting are also important. In Rus', they used garlic, dill, horseradish (enhances the taste), parsley (makes the taste spicy), mint (makes the taste fresher). Dill was used with soft green seeds. It is the most fragrant. Preference was given to fresh spices.

The ideal container for pickling is Oak barrel. Barrel cucumbers are more fragrant. Store the barrel of cucumbers in a cool and dry place. If a moldy film appeared on the surface of the brine, it was removed and the brine was sprinkled with mustard powder.

August 28: signs of the day

1. If the young Indian summer is warm, then wait for the old bad weather.
2. If a rainbow appears on the Assumption, then autumn will be warm and lingering.
3. If there is a lot of cobwebs, the winter will be frosty and clear.
4. After sunset, fog appears near the earth, which dissipates by dawn. – to the rain.
5. Wildflowers smell stronger than usual - to bad weather.
6. Sleep from August 27 to 28 is prophetic. It may come true on the twenty-fourth day. The dream seen on the afternoon of August 28 will come true, but not soon. It does not carry any danger.

People born on August 28 are practical and resourceful. Their willpower and diligence can be envied. They should wear sphalerite and diamond.

Video: church calendar for August 28

On August 28, Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This day is the end of a two-week fast and is dedicated to the memory of the death of Mother Jesus Christ.

This holiday is very clean and even a little sad, they celebrate it with all their hearts. It is generally accepted in the church that the Holy Virgin left this world, and God took her soul to himself. She ascended to heaven to help everyone who needs help and asks for it in her prayers.

On the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 28, various folk signs and superstitions are known, which are popular to this day.

Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin - signs and customs

The holiday began with a trip to the temple, where they took bouquets of wheat ears for consecration. After the end of the service, the parishioners, together with the priest, went to the field, where they consecrated the stubble.

Also, this holiday was popularly called Obzhinki. Until that day, all the remaining bread had to be harvested. It was believed that if you had time to plow the land before the day of Mary, then you could still have time to reap a heap of grain. Therefore, those who worked in the field from dawn to dusk, as a rule, gathered a good harvest. Walkers usually did not have time to finish the harvest and eventually completely launched their farm.

Three days before the Assumption and three days after were considered the most successful in order to sow winter crops. During this period, the earth accepts seeds well. Shoots appear on time and they are so strong that they can withstand even the coldest winter.

Since this day was the end of the fast, the Russian people had a big feast. Many guests were called, a roasted rooster, fish, scrambled eggs were served at the table, and each guest was poured a quarter of vodka.

In that big celebration under no circumstances should you slander. It is necessary to establish relations with all relatives and neighbors and ask each other for forgiveness. Signs for the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin on August 28 say that engagements begin from this day. With great impatience, this holiday was awaited by unmarried representatives of the fair sex. But if the girl has not been wooed before church holiday, then it was believed that she would sit in girls until spring.

On the Assumption, the girls went to the forest behind the viburnum. Even competitions were arranged between them - whoever runs to the bush with this healing berry first will certainly get married this year. Then the collected viburnum was decorated at home, since it was considered.

It was forbidden to walk barefoot on the ground on Assumption, even if the weather was warm. People say that this can lead to serious illnesses.

In the old days, people put on old shoes, while thinking about the issue of interest, and went about their business. It was believed that if you rub the corn, then the outcome of the planned business is unlikely to be successful. Or else success will cost a lot of effort.

Folk signs about the weather on the Assumption

Since the Dormition falls at the end of summer, our ancestors predicted the weather for the coming autumn and winter, comparing with weather conditions this day.

It was believed that if a rainbow appeared in the sky on this day, then autumn promises to please with even warmer days. Clear weather on this festive day foreshadowed a rainy and cold autumn.

They also paid attention to how much cobwebs were woven. If there was a lot of it, then the winter promises to be frosty, but not too snowy. If there was thick fog on Assumption in the morning, then it will be warm for a long time.

The beginning of a thunderstorm on this holiday indicated that the next 40 days would be rainy and cold, winter would come early and be very severe.

On August 28, the Orthodox Church celebrates a great feast - the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. This holiday belongs to the twelfth. After the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Mother of God was in the care of one of the apostles - John the Theologian. At the end of her life, She spent a lot of time praying at the Holy Sepulcher. According to legend, during one of these prayers, the archangel Gabriel announced that she would die in three days, and presented a palm branch as a symbol of victory over death ...

The apostles buried the Mother of God in the tomb of Her parents, the righteous Joachim and Anna, in which the ashes of Her husband, Joseph the Betrothed, rested, at the very foot of the Mount of Olives, near the Garden of Gethsemane, where Christ so loved to talk with the disciples and where He was arrested. This place is now an underground Orthodox (Greek) temple.

On the third day after their death, the apostles moved away a large stone that blocked the entrance. However, they did not find the Virgin Mary, there were only burial sheets in the tomb - Jesus took to Heaven not only the immortal soul of the Virgin, but also her body.

Traditions

On this holiday, you should think about your mother, who may need your help. +

The Feast of the Assumption is best spent with parents at a festive and fairly well-fed table. Also on this day, people in the old days did not work, but celebrated the end of the harvest. It was customary to plant cucumbers on the Dormition. Since it was believed that this would help to "add" to the husband's house. On the eve of the holiday, the last sheaf collected from the fields was kept in the house and even put on a sundress. On the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, girls read conspiracies to love and attract suitors. On this day, it was customary to bless the bread of the new harvest in the church.

What Not to Do

On this day, one should not pick up piercing and cutting objects, as well as cook food. Believers break bread with their hands, since a knife cannot be used. You can’t walk barefoot on the Assumption, it was believed that in this way you can collect all the diseases. The dew on this day is the tears of nature that the Mother of God has left this world and cannot be with people and help them. You can not wear old or uncomfortable shoes on this day - to avoid problems in life. It is believed that if you rub your leg on this day, then a difficult life, full of problems and failures, awaits a person. On this day, it was allowed to work, especially if you have not finished some work you have started, or if someone needs help.

Signs

The first (young) Indian summer began with the feast of the Assumption. It lasted until September 11 and it was used to determine what the weather would be like for the second Indian summer (from September 14 to 28). If the first half of September is dry and warm, then after 14 it will definitely rain. If frosts come after the Assumption, then the autumn will be protracted. On Assumption, they learned the weather for the next month. See off the Assumption, meet autumn. If a rainbow appears on the Dormition - by a protracted and warm autumn. You won’t find a boyfriend until the Assumption - you won’t get married until spring.

The custom of celebrating the feast of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos dates back to apostolic times. After the Resurrection of the Savior, during the meal, his disciples always left at the table one unoccupied place and a piece of bread. And when, on the third day after the Dormition (death) of the Mother of God, they began to offer up prayers in the name of the Lord, suddenly "The Most Holy Theotokos appeared in the air." After this miraculous event, the holy apostles began to eat one part of the bread before the meal in the name of the Lord, and the other after the meal in the name of the Mother of God.

The apostolic custom in the minds of the people and everyday life was transformed into another custom widespread in Rus' and timed to coincide with the Dormition - the consecration of bread. After all, on August 28, the harvest ended, and in the churches, like an Easter cake, the first freshly baked loaf of flour from the new harvest was consecrated.

In different regions of Russia, the end of the harvest day was called differently: “ladies”, “spozhinki”, “dozhinki”. “Mistresses” he was called by the name of the Virgin Mary, because Mary means mistress, mistress. They called him “spozhinki”, remembering the mowed field - “reap”, and the last harvested sheaf was considered “dozhinka”. He was also called a birthday man, dressed up in a sundress and a kokoshnik, they carried him to the village with songs, put him under icons and started a fun “pooling game”, celebrating the Dormition and seeing off the summer. After all, with the Assumption, the sun falls asleep, autumn begins.

And since there were those among the feasters who had not yet weeded out winter crops, they would have time, they say: “This winter is three days before the Dormition and three after,” they did not forget, knocking over a cup or two, and look at the sky, noting: “If a rainbow appears on the Dormition, by a long and warm autumn,” and “if the crane flies away before the Dormition, then it will be frosty on the Intercession (September 14), and if not, frost will come later.”

From the Dormition, village beauties began to look for suitors for themselves. Because “if you don’t have time to look after the Assumption, you’ll spend the winter in the girls.” But it was customary to send matchmakers 2 weeks after the holiday.

However, elderly housewives had no time to think about the matchmaking of their daughters in the Assumption. It was necessary to prepare for the third Savior - Khlebny.

And for this, in the evening they still put a dough in order to bake a loaf of “new” flour early in the morning, but not anyhow, but to everyone’s wonder. Of course, each housewife had her own special secret, but she could not do without traditional methods of baking bread. As, however, without the Russian stove. After all, you can’t bake real bread in the oven. But the bread rolls are excellent.

The Assumption Fast was coming to an end - the Meat-eater began, and with it the time of weddings came. Also, the young men tried to have time to woo the girls they liked before August 28, since this was the last opportunity this year to ask for their hands and hearts.

It was noticed that by August 28 autumn gradually comes into its own, because swallows flew to warmer climes. It was customary to do homemade preparations on this day and, in particular, pickle cucumbers. They tried to sow winter crops either three days after the Assumption, or three days after the holiday. Also on August 28, they began to harvest potatoes from the fields.

in the Orthodox and catholic church the feast of the Assumption is equally dedicated to the Mother of God - her death. The New Testament says that Christ, already crucified on Golgotha, instructed the apostle John to take care of his mother. And after the resurrection, and then the ascension of Christ into heaven, Mary for a long time, indeed, lived in the house of John in Jerusalem, often went to Calvary to pray. One day an angel came to her and told her that she would die in 3 days. On the day of Mary's death, the apostles came. They put her in a tomb and walled up the cave with a stone. Only the apostle Thomas, who asked the rest of the apostles to open the tomb, did not have time to say goodbye to Mary. And when they did, they saw that Mary was no longer inside - only funeral clothes lay in the coffin. On the same day, the Mother of God herself appeared to the apostles along with the angels, and the disciples realized that she had ascended to heaven.

The feast of the Assumption of the Virgin on August 28 began to be celebrated in the period of early Christianity. In the VI century, it was already celebrated everywhere. Officially, the first date is 582. Orthodox Church classifies the Assumption among the twelfth feasts - the 12 most important holidays after Easter. The Assumption is preceded by a rather strict Assumption fast lasting 2 weeks.

The Slavs associated the Mother of God with Mother Earth, and therefore, many corresponding ceremonies were performed on this day. It was forbidden to walk barefoot on the ground that day or to stick sharp objects into the soil. Therefore, they usually did not work on the Assumption. The holiday was also called Dozhin, because by this time they managed to squeeze all the bread. Mostly women participated in the harvest, and therefore, the time after the Dormition in the old days was called Indian Summer - this time lasted until Ivan the Lenten (September 11). On August 28, the custom was widespread, according to which, women rolled on the ground, tied straw around the sickles and asked the stubble to return to them all the strength that had previously been spent on harvesting. Then they took the last sheaf and dressed it in a sundress and a kokoshnik, with songs heading with a sheaf to the village.

It was customary to consecrate ears and seeds on the Dormition, August 28. After that, people pooled together organized feasts, treated the poor and the needy, baked pies, fried sheep, cooked cabbage soup. It was also the time to prepare homemade preserves - pickled cucumbers, sauerkraut. Subsequently, they prepared pickles, cabbage soup, ate it all with potatoes and bread.

Folk omens for August 28

1. If you plow the land before the Dormition, then you can have time to reap another mop.
2. A rainbow appeared in the sky - a sign that autumn will be warm
3. Good weather- Indian summer will be cool
4. A lot of cobwebs - a sign on August 28 that the winter will be frosty and little snow

The Orthodox holiday is associated with joyful feelings and the belief that the Most Holy Mother of God did not die, but simply fell asleep for a while. On the Assumption of the Most Pure Virgin, the signs concerned the future in personal and family life. They predicted next year's harvest, the weather for autumn and winter. The Virgin Mary is still recognized as an intercessor, so the people love and respect this holiday. They believe that everything you ask for with a pure thought will come true. This is a day of quiet bright joy, harmony and peace.

When is it celebrated and what traditions are honored

In 2018, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on August 28. This date is fixed. The celebrations last ten days and begin a day before the holiday, which ends one of the most strict fasts. The most important celebrations and rituals take place on the day of the Assumption. Indian summer began - the last warm days, which are always sincerely rejoiced.

On August 28, the people call the Memory of the Blessed, the First Most Pure, Obzhinka, Spozhinka, Mrs., Mrs. Day.

This is a celebration of the completion of the harvest and the veneration of the Virgin. The last sheaf was dressed up in a sundress, carried into the house to be placed next to the icons. Then the solemn celebration began. Tables were laid, neighbors were invited. Harvest songs were heard throughout Rus', young people danced round dances, and old people prepared mead. Mistresses baked pies, boiled a rooster. So they saw off the summer and met the golden autumn.

What to do in Assumption

They believed in the power of the Mother of God and believed that the intercessor necessarily gives signs foreshadowing the future. Signs related to different areas of life. So, if weddings are traditionally played on Pokrov, then grooms with matchmakers came to the Assumption.“The First Pure One came - the unclean brought the matchmakers!” said those who did not plan to get married this fall. If the girl did not find a lover by the holiday, she should sit unmarried at least until spring. For the guys, it was also the last chance of the year to ask for a hand. To marry the Most Pure - to secure a joyful family life.

Despite the greatness of the holiday, which is one of the 12 largest in Orthodoxy, it is possible and necessary to work on this day. Successfully complete the work you have started. Especially successful will be the preservation of cucumbers and the preparation of jam. Such blanks are a symbol of a well-fed winter, a kind of amulets against hunger. It is also good to go to the forest and pick mushrooms for pickling.

The sowing of winter wheat should have been completed: “Whoever has time to plow the land before the Dormition will have time to reap another mop.” But to start digging potatoes on this day is a great solution.

The dead are commemorated on the Dormition.

Children can be baptized if the priest is not busy with the solemn liturgy.

Weather tips for fall and winter

• To see a rainbow on the Assumption - we are waiting for a dry and warm autumn.
• Cobwebs on the branches - next winter, expect severe frosts without snowfalls.
• Warm day August 28 - it will be cool in Indian summer.
• Fog - a good harvest of mushrooms and great weather for two weeks.

Swallows go to winter on this day.

What is forbidden on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

• There is a strict ban on quarrels, discord in the family, swear words, criticism.
• Help cannot be denied.
• They don’t get married on the Assumption, but on August 29 you can already go down the aisle or play a wedding.
• Women are strictly forbidden to have their hair cut on the First Pure One and throw their hair away with the garbage.
• They tried not to do any work related to fire, so as not to bring illness and trouble.
• Cutting anything is also not recommended. It was believed that with a knife or scissors you inflict wounds on the Mother of God. They just broke the bread.
• They did not cook red dishes, did not eat red vegetables and fruits.
• It was a bad sign to rub the corn on the day of the Assumption - expect trouble and illness. They didn’t wear any uncomfortable shoes, but it was strictly forbidden to walk barefoot, otherwise you would get seriously ill. The dew was perceived as the tears of Mary.

Rituals, ceremonies and signs

It is auspicious to ask the Blessed One for the joy of motherhood. Effective on the First Pure Prayer for healing, the health of the sick. It is good for mothers to pray for the protection of children from adversity and the evil eye. In addition to patronage, the Orthodox ask the Lady to strengthen the faith, deliverance from the fear of death. The girls pray that the Mother of God will send them a good and reliable husband. If the spouse is walking, an effective method is to ask the Virgin Mary for help on the Dormition in order to ward off mistresses from him. Peace in the family was strengthened by the fact that on this holiday they hung an icon on the gate.

Rituals for next year

To bless the harvest and ask for future prosperity, you need to take ears of wheat for consecration to the festive liturgy and put a thanksgiving candle in the temple. And on the field it is necessary to leave a handful of spikelets tied with a ribbon, so that the next harvest will also please.

healing bread

The women baked bread from the new harvest and gave it to the children, who were supposed to stand near the gates of the house. If a pregnant woman passed before noon, it was necessary to treat her too. If this was not met, the bread was consecrated during the festive service. Such a loaf was considered healing. The rite also helped to improve the culinary skills of the hostess.

Among the Eastern Slavs, the image of the Earth was personified by the goddess Makosh. Starting from the First Pure and up to the Third, it was believed that the female power is especially powerful. Therefore, during this period, the weaker sex with the help of rituals can take care of women's happiness.

A simple love ritual with viburnum

Kalina on the roof of the house reported that a marriageable girl lives here. If the girl has not met her lover, it is necessary to go to the Dormition to pick the clusters of this red berry, spread it on the window and near the icon of the Mother of God. Then a relationship with a young man will soon appear.

For the future groom

On the Dormition, the rites associated with marriage are extraordinarily effective. The girl should bathe in a decoction of herbs. Put a mirror, and church candles on the sides, and combing, say: “There is a tower, on it is a beautiful girl. This is what I want, I will become a beauty. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!"

Having spoken the plot, she must put out the candles and hide everything under the pillow for three days. Then in a dream she can see the groom. After three days, the girl needs to light the candles and let them burn out.

A sign for happiness in the family

According to tradition, pickles were made on August 28. A few cans can speak for family happiness:

“The fungus is salty, grief from the family is out, the cucumber is crispy - no one will be sick in our house. I sprinkle everything with salt, I attract good luck. When 40 days have passed, such jars are opened and eaten while reading "Our Father", being baptized three times.

On the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, you can ask for what is missing. The main thing is that the thoughts are pure and bright. Rituals had extraordinary power, especially if they were related to family and harmony.