The Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a significant church holiday celebrated by Christians on October 14. This day has its centuries-old traditions, observed by many believers around the world. It must be carried out so as not to incur the wrath of the holy novices. And to carry out any excavation work at the cottage on the eve of the Intercession - it’s not quite pleasing.
The Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary is an important holiday revered by the Russian Orthodox Church. It has a rich history, many traditions and rites rooted in ancient times. It is believed that many centuries ago, during the Muslim attack on Constantinople, praying at night the defenders saw the Virgin, descending from heaven along with two John - the Theologian and Baptist. Our Lady, according to legend, covered all the congregation who prayed in the dark with her omophorion taken from her head. And in the morning it became known that the enemy had retreated from the walls. From that moment the tradition to pray for protection from all sorts of troubles to the Virgin Mary appeared.
Traditions of the Intercession
In 2018 and 2019, as always, Pokrov will fall on October 14th. A ceremonial liturgy for believers will be held in all churches in Russia. Christians will have to spend the morning in prayers and reading "Our Father, " and in the evening modest family-friendly gatherings with a small feast are allowed.
The ancient traditions of the Intercession are connected with the weather that is happening outside the window in mid-October. Until this time, it was necessary to have time to repair the roofs, cribs, mound logs in the hut, fix the fence, hedge. It was until October 14 that all garden work, accompanied by harvesting, was completed in the village and in the village.
Here are the most common traditions on the Protection of the Holy Virgin.
- In the morning, the owners burned a log of fruit and berry tree in the oven: rowan, apple, and cherry.
- Animals from the fields were driven into the barn until spring.
- Girls in the morning in the church lit a candle next to the icons, asking the higher powers of an enviable groom, lured the narrowed one with a loaf, leaving him on the windowsill for the night.
- They sent matchmakers to visit and walked village weddings.
- Be sure to bake pancakes, treating all guests. The first pancake was cut into 4 parts, laid out at the four corners of the hut to coax the brownie.
- Dried forest mushrooms were laid out in secret places at home, attracting wealth with this sign.
Pokrovsky signs
Most of the signs on Pokrov are connected with the autumn weather outside the window that day:
- a lot of snow - a lot will be played during the year of weddings;
- a strong wind blows - there will be many good brides;
- all leaves from the trees have fallen - severe frosts will come in winter;
- The Veil passed cheerfully - the cold winter will end quickly.
