Each of us probably in his life at least once heard the phrase "patronal feast." The word "holiday" is clear to us. But the word "throne" is somehow not very. What does it mean? Let's try to figure it out.
Patronal feast - what does it mean?
All Orthodox churches were built either in memory of some significant gospel event, or in honor of the revered saint. For example, the Transfiguration Church was built in memory of the Transfiguration of the Lord, St. Nicholas Church - in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
Temple device
But where did the word “throne” come from, and what does it mean? In order to understand this, you need to know the structure of the temple. Any Orthodox church is divided into three parts:
- Altar part.
- The middle part of the temple.
- The narthex.
The altar is the main part of the temple. Only clergymen (bishop, priest, and deacon) and some clergymen (ponomari) can enter it. At the altar is the main Orthodox attribute - St. The throne, i.e. the holy place where Christ Himself sits. On st. The great sacrament of the Eucharist is celebrated in the throne, and St. Gifts of Christ.
It is known that St. The throne is the main subject of church utensils. That is why the main temple festival is called the patronal. So, we continue to understand further.
Patronal feast - what does it mean? You can find out about this by the temple icon. Usually it is located in the lower right corner of the iconostasis. Most often, it can be seen on the choir, where singers sing. Sometimes the temple icon can be in a bow - in a beautiful large frame with a stand. It is known that the patronal holidays in August can be the day of the Transfiguration or the Assumption.
Customs and traditions on a temple day
A temple or throne day is a special day of the year when the entire church parish and parishioners of other churches gather for a festive liturgy for prayer together. The temple commemorates a particularly venerable event or a venerable saint. For example, it could be St. Panteleimon's Memorial Day. Therefore, they prepare for it very carefully and well in advance: they clean the church and the surrounding area. Sometimes the ruling bishop visits the feast day.
After the liturgy, a moleben is held with a procession. All clergy, clergy, parishioners and guests go around the temple three times with banners and icons. In this case, the priest usually sprinkles the believers with holy water. At the end of the service, “many years” is sung, that is, a wish to all those present for a long life with God. According to the good old Russian tradition, after prayers all those present are invited to a meal (refreshment).
Classification of Orthodox holidays
In addition to the temple feast of St. The church prescribes worship in great, medium and small holidays. In the church calendar there is not a single day when no event or saint is recalled. Christian holidays of 2017, reflected in the month of the word, can be divided into groups according to the following criteria:
- The importance of events (great, medium, small).
- Celebration time (mobile and motionless).
- Location (general, temple).
- Type (Lord, Mother of God, Saints).
Let's talk more about each group.
Importance classification
By significance, the Christian holidays of 2017 are divided into:
- Great (Easter, twelve and great).
- Medium.
- Small ones.
Great or great holidays.
Easter or the bright Resurrection of Christ is the most important Christian event when Christ defeated spiritual death by His death, opened the gates of paradise, and made it possible for all of us to be accomplices of eternal bliss.
Twelve (from the number 12) are 12 major Orthodox holidays in the Christian calendar , which reflect the most important events in the life of Christ or the Mother of God.
- Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary . On this holy day, Mary was born, who was destined from above to become the Mother of God.
- Exaltation of the Cross . The raising or raising of St. Elena and St. Constantine of the Cross of the Lord for the worship and healing of believers in Him. They found the Holy Cross several centuries after Christ's Resurrection.
- Introduction to the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary . I recall the day of dedication by the Righteous Joachim and Anna to their three-year-old daughter Mary God. The Virgin Mary lived at the temple until she was 12 years old.
- Nativity of Christ . I recall the birth of the Infant Christ in Bethlehem, as well as the appearance of a new star in the sky, the worship of shepherds and magicians.
- Baptism or Epiphany . Solemnly recalled the adoption of holy baptism of the Lord at the hands of John the Baptist. The event was so great that the appearance of St. Trinity.
- Meeting of the Lord . Simeon the God-Receiver waited for the coming of the Savior into the world and met with Him in the temple.
- The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary . On this day, through the archangel Gabriel, God notified the Virgin Mary of the great mission of becoming the Mother of God.
- Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem or Palm Sunday . It is celebrated a week before Easter and speaks of the event when Christ solemnly rode a donkey into Jerusalem. Everyone gathered greeted Him with cries of "Hosanna, blessed is he who is in the name of the Lord," and spread before him their clothes and branches of the waya (palm branches). Palm trees do not grow here, so believers bring decorated willow branches to the temples. Hence the name of the holiday.
- Ascension of the Lord . On this day, the Lord ascended into heaven, but promised to send the disciples of the Comforter - the Holy Spirit. Christ's next coming will be terrible: He will come to judge the living and the dead.
- Trinity or Pentecost . On this great day, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, the birth of the Christian Church took place. From that moment on, the disciples of Christ began to preach fearlessly about Christ throughout the world.
- Transfiguration of the Lord . In Mount Tabor, Christ showed His disciples His divine essence. He was transformed, that is, changed before the amazed apostles. His clothes became snow-white, a bright light emanated from the Divine Person, and He Himself stood on a cloud and talked with the Old Testament prophets Moses and Elijah. God the Father once again confirmed the Deity of Jesus Christ.
- Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary . A festive day when the blessed death or dream of the Virgin is remembered. Christ himself, along with a host of angels, took Her holy soul to the heavenly abodes. Subsequently, the Lord also took the body of the Virgin, so Her grave is not on the earth.
The great holidays include several more important events from the life of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, John the Baptist, the apostles Peter and Paul.
Time classification
Depending on Easter, holidays are mobile and motionless or transitional and intransient.
Fixed or transient - these are holidays that are celebrated annually on the same day.
Movable or rolling are holidays that are celebrated every year at different times and depend on Easter Day.
Classification by place
Temple feast day - what does it mean? The church calendar especially emphasizes patronal or temple holidays, days of especially venerated icons of the Virgin or saints. They are celebrated with special solemnity and pomp.
Common holidays are events that are remembered by the whole Church, regardless of the country, city or size of the temple.
Type classification
The entire annual church circle in the Christian calendar is divided into three parts according to the following type:
- Lord's. Devoted to the most important events in the life of Christ.
- Mother of God . They talk about important moments in the life of the Mother of God.
- In honor of the holy and ethereal forces . This group includes holy angels, archangels and the whole army of heaven, which stands at the throne of God. The Holy Church also commemorates all the glorified saints who, through their lives, showed an ardent love for God and an example to follow. For example, August 9 is St. Panteleimon's Memorial Day. In this group there are days of our heavenly patrons, whose names we bear - the days of the Angel.
Let’s summarize. Patronal feast, what does it mean? This is one of the festivities in the annual church circle in whose honor the temple was built or consecrated. Therefore, it is also called a temple festival.
Every Christian is obliged to know and honor Orthodox holidays.