The word "assumption" in the Old Russian language meant falling asleep or death. On August 7 (old style - June 25), the Orthodox Church annually celebrates the Assumption of the Righteous Anna, mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On this day, believers revere the blood ancestors of Jesus Christ, childless women are asked to give children to them. According to legend, Anna miraculously gave birth to her daughter in old age, since then she became the patroness of future mothers.
According to the early Christian apocrypha, Anna was the daughter of a clergyman Matthan. She was married to Joachim and, until she was old, suffered from childlessness, but continued to believe and pray. In those days, the absence of children among the spouses was considered a great grief and shame, so once the church did not accept gifts for the holy day at the future father of the Virgin.
Joachim retired to a deserted place and day and night prayed to God for the gift of a child. Anna asked the sky for the same. The passionate prayer of two patient and loving people was heard. According to legend, an angel appeared to the spouses and announced the imminent birth of their blessed child. Husband and wife met in Jerusalem, and soon they had a daughter, Mary.
Until three years, Anna independently raised a child, then gave it to the church. At 79 years old, she died peacefully in Jerusalem, before reaching the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Under the reign of King Justinian I (527-565), a temple was built in Devter in her honor. It is believed that since then the saint began to appear to pregnant women and contribute to the birth of healthy children. Justinian II, whose wife watched this miracle, renewed the temple of Anna. Later, her relics and bedspread (maforium) were transported to Constantinople.
On the day of the Assumption of the Righteous Anna, the Orthodox remember the miracle of faith, patience and hope that this woman showed herself, despite the many years of grief of childless loneliness. Priests remind parishioners that Jesus Christ commanded patience as the salvation of the soul; only boundless hope can become the key to eternal joy in the Savior.
On August 7, in Orthodox churches, the Greatness of the Assumption of the Righteous Anna is celebrated. It is advisable to devote this day to the church in which you need to receive communion. You can only do urgent things, postpone the rest for another day - a patronal holiday involves idleness, that is, removal from everyday fuss.
If you cannot visit the chapel, say troparia or kontakion of righteous Anna at home. It is believed that turning to a righteous woman on the day of her Assumption helps childless families find long-awaited joy. However, prayer must be imbued with sincere repentance and deep faith.
On the Day of the Assumption of the Mother of the Virgin, Orthodox can visit the monastery of the righteous Anna. Such spiritual tourism is developed in Ukraine - on August 7, many believers from different countries visit the healing source of the name of the saint in the village of Onishkivtsi (the junction of the Ternopil and Rivne regions). Orthodox can pray in a monastery, plunge into a sacred lake and share the joy of the patronal feast with the natives of the local St. Nicholas Gorodoksky convent. According to legend, the icon of St. Anne once appeared on the spot of a spilled lake, then a source scored here. According to the pilgrims, he is able to heal diseases and treat infertility. On the day of the Assumption of Anna, pupils of the Ukrainian dioceses sing spiritual songs near the lake.
August 7 in the national calendar is called "the day of Anna the Winterwinter" (Anna-the Cold). He recalls the imminent inclement weather, predicts the nature of the coming winter. In the old days it was believed: if it is fresh at night, the cold will come early, and the winter months will be cold. There is a saying: "What is Anna before lunch - this is winter until December; what is after lunch - such is winter after December." By the way, the Day of the Assumption of the Mother of the Virgin coincides with the name day of all the female representatives with the name Anna.
