On Orthodox icons, it is customary to depict the archangel Gabriel holding a flower - a symbol of good news. It was he who was granted by God to bring people joyful, in other words, good news. Therefore, the archangel Gabriel is always a welcome guest. But he brought the best news for all people in the world two thousand years ago, to the still very young Virgin Mary. The Messenger of God announced that the Savior of the world would be embodied from Her womb. It is with these words of his that the story of the Feast of the Annunciation begins.
Betrothal of the Blessed Virgin Mary
In ancient Judea, people matured early. Adults were considered to have already reached the age of fourteen. So the Blessed Virgin Mary, having barely parted with her childhood, and brought up from an early age in the church, had to legally either return to her parents or get married. But this once vow of eternal virginity closed for Her the path to simple family happiness. From now on, Her life belonged only to God.
Her mentors, the priests of the temple where Her childhood and youth passed, found a simple and wise decision: the Virgin Mary was engaged to a distant relative, an eighty-year-old man named Joseph. Thus, the life of the young girl was financially secure, and the vow given to Her by the Lord remained unbroken. After the marriage ceremony, Mary settled in the city of Nazareth in the house of her betrothed. It was under this title that Saint Joseph, the keeper of the purity and virginity of the future Virgin Mary, entered the Holy Scripture.
The appearance of the archangel Gabriel Virgo of Nazareth
The Blessed Virgin lived in a new house for four months, devoting all Her time to prayers and reading the Holy Scriptures. It was after this pious occupation that the messenger of God, the archangel Gabriel, found her. Under the rustle of his wings, he announced to the amazed Virgin about the greatest mission that was entrusted to her by the Creator of the universe.
This event was called the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The history of the holiday cannot be complete if you do not pay attention to why it was on Her that the Lord chose His choice. The answer is simple - exceptional purity, integrity and devotion to God distinguished her from a great many other girls. For such a great mission, a righteous one was required, Which was not equal from the creation of the world.
Willingness to fulfill the will of the Creator
To understand the full significance of the event described in the Gospel, it is important to take into account yet another side of what happened. In this case, as always, the Lord gives his creation - man complete freedom of choice . Notice how important the answer of the Virgin Mary and Her voluntary consent is important to the archangel Gabriel. There is no hint of any coercion.
The Messenger of God speaks of conception, which must be accomplished contrary to human nature, which cannot but cause a skepticism, but the strength of Mary’s faith is so great that She unconditionally believes everything she heard. The question of how She can conceive, not knowing her husband, comes down only to the desire to know the specifics of the future. Her readiness to fulfill the destiny appears from every line describing the great Biblical event - the Annunciation.
The history of the holiday, briefly about the most important
This event has been the subject of study by many scientists. As appears from their works, the center of which is the history of the Feast of the Annunciation, a simple logical reasoning was used to establish the date of the celebration.
If we consider the moment of the Immaculate Conception to be the day when the Virgin Mary in response to the words of the archangel Gabriel answered: “Let it be according to your verb,” it is quite natural that this day should stand up from the day when Jesus Christ was born, that is, from the holiday Christmas, for nine months. It is easy to calculate that such a day for Orthodox Christians is April 7, and for Western Christians - March 25.
Discoveries of St. Helena of the Apostles
According to historians, the Annunciation festival, whose history goes back to antiquity, began to be celebrated in the 4th century, although images of the scene of this event were discovered during excavations of catacombs dating from the 3rd and 2nd centuries. In the 4th century, the most important event in the life of the whole Christian world happened - the equally apostolic Helen discovered the places of the earthly life of Jesus Christ and began the construction of churches in the Holy Land.
Naturally, this caused a heightened interest in everything related to Christmas, the Resurrection, and all other events of the Savior's earthly life. It is not surprising that it was during this period that the appearance of the holiday was noted. Thus, the history of the Feast of the Annunciation has a direct connection with the discoveries of this great ascetic.
The celebration of the Annunciation in Byzantium and in the west
Following in chronological order, it should be noted that the history of the Orthodox holiday Annunciation has its beginning in Byzantium. In the 7th century, he firmly became one of the most celebrated days of the church calendar. However, it must be recognized that in the historical documents of the two previous centuries there are separate references to it, but, apparently, we are talking only about isolated cases.
In Western tradition, the history of the Feast of the Annunciation begins around the same period as in the eastern church. Pope Sergius I (687-701) included him among the three main holidays dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was celebrated quite solemnly and was accompanied by a festive procession through the streets of Rome.
The historical names of this holiday and its status
It is curious that this holiday was not always called the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The history of the holiday remembers other names. For example, in the writings of some ancient authors it is referred to as the “Day of Salutation” or “Proclamation”. The name that is used today comes from the Greek word evangelismos. For the first time it is found in historical documents of the VII century.
At that time, the holiday was considered equally both the Lord and the Mother of God, but time has made its changes. If in the Orthodox tradition of the East he still remains one of the most important events of the year, then in the West his role has narrowed somewhat, leaving him only the place of a minor holiday.
The celebration of the Annunciation in the Orthodox world
In the tradition of the Russian Orthodox Church, it belongs to the number of twelve, great, enduring holidays. As during the services of other Mother of God holidays, the clergy on this day are put on blue vestments. One can name a number of circumstances indicating that the Feast of the Annunciation has a very special significance in the Orthodox Church.
The history of Ecumenical Councils, in particular, indicates how much attention was paid to him by the Fathers of the Church. At the 6th Ecumenical Council, which was held in Constantinople in 680, a document was adopted according to which, on the day of this holiday, despite the fact that it falls on the calendar for Lent, the liturgy of John Chrysostom is served, not the Presanctified Gifts, which is an indication of its exceptional significance.
The importance of the feast of the Annunciation writes in his writings and John Chrysostom. He calls it the "first holiday" and even the "root of the holidays." Today on this day weakening of fasting is prescribed. In particular, it is allowed to eat fish and oil (oil). Among the people, he is one of the most beloved, bringing peace and joy in himself, because it is based on the good news, that is, a message filled with the Grace of God.
The revival of Orthodox culture in Russia
Today, when, after many decades of state atheism, the Orthodox Church again took its rightful place, many of our compatriots were filled with a desire to return to the spiritual origins of their people and learn as much as possible from what was until recently closed to them. In particular, Orthodox holidays are of great interest , and among them the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The history of the holiday, traditions and rituals - everything becomes the subject of an inquisitive study.
Another important aspect of modern life is the study of the foundations of Orthodox culture among children. This is important so that the tragic mistake of past years is not repeated when entire generations in our country have grown and come into life in isolation from the faith of their ancestors. And in this regard, work is ongoing today. Many Biblical events and festivals are served in a language that is understandable to children.
Teaching the basics of Orthodox culture to children
This also applies to the Feast of the Annunciation. The history of the holiday for children is presented in such a way that, despite the adapted character of the text, the meaning of the event itself remains unchanged and understandable to the child. This is, of course, the complexity of the task. The history of the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, briefly, but meaningfully stated, should be deposited in the most gracious way in children's consciousness.
An invaluable role in the revival of Orthodox culture is played by Sunday schools, organized today in many churches. By the way, their program also includes introducing students to the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary holiday. The history of the holiday for children and adults attending these classes is of great interest, as many have heard about it, but have a very vague idea of its content.
Folk traditions on the day of the Annunciation
For a long time, people have established traditions associated with this holiday. Since it falls on the spring month, naturally, many of them are associated with the beginning of field work. There was a tradition according to which on the day of the holiday they poured grain prepared for sowing into a tub, and placing the Annunciation icon on top, they uttered a special prayer for giving a plentiful harvest. In it, the peasants turned to the Most Holy Theotokos and Her Eternal Son with a request to bless the grain, "everything that is poured into the mother earth."
There were also traditions that were clear echoes of paganism. Among them was, for example, such. In the evening, on the eve of the holiday, cabbage heads of last year's harvest were taken out of basements or pantries. Secretly from everyone, they were laid on the ground near the road on which they were going to go to church for tomorrow. And the next day, returning after the mass, it was necessary to pick up the heads of cabbage, find the seeds in them and plant them in the garden along with fresh seedlings. It was believed that in this case a rich harvest of cabbage will be degraded, which is not afraid of any frost.
The ancient worship of our pagan ancestors of fire and its purifying power was manifested in one of the traditions of the Annunciation. This refers to the custom according to which old clothes, shoes, bedding and the like were burned that day. Living quarters and outbuildings were fumigated with smoke. Particular attention was paid to domestic cattle, which were also carefully fumigated, hoping thereby to protect from all evil spirits.