Orthodox holidays in April can be divided into two categories - holidays, the dates of which are constant, and those that are celebrated on different days each year. This fully applies to the entire Orthodox calendar. Therefore, speaking of the holidays of this or that month, it is necessary to specify the year in question.
The most joyful holiday of the year
When listing Orthodox holidays in April 2015, we should first name the Holy Resurrection of Christ. Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate a great event - the resurrection from the dead of our Lord Jesus Christ. Taking upon himself all the sins of the world, He atoned for them with his sufferings of the cross, and having risen, he opened the way to eternal life to all those who believed in Him, ready to follow Him. Easter is the biggest holiday not only of April, but of the whole year.
Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem
Exactly one week before Easter, the Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem is celebrated. This is a twelfth rolling festival. On April 5, the Orthodox calendar began the countdown of the last seven days of Jesus' earthly ministry.
On this day, crowds of people with joyful exclamations of “Asanna!” Greeted Him on the way to Jerusalem. According to the custom of those years, the road was paved with branches of palm trees growing in abundance in Palestine. In our northern climate, they do not grow, so the willow, which they bring to the church, serves as a substitute for the holiday. Hence the name - Palm Sunday. The whole next week in memory of the suffering of Jesus Christ is called Holy. It precedes Easter - a bright and joyful holiday. On April 5, the Orthodox world prepares to recall these great and tragic events.
Lazarev Saturday
The next day to stay is April 4. The church holiday celebrated on this day is called Lazarev Saturday. It is established in memory of the resurrection of Jesus Christ by Lazarus. A description of this event is contained in the gospel. The Lord returned to life the brother Martha and Mary, who had passed away a few days before this, in whose house He had been more than once.
A miracle happened through a deep and sincere faith in Him. The church, celebrating this holiday, shows that nothing is impossible for the Lord God. “By faith you will be” - these words of Jesus Christ are an indispensable condition for any miracle. Lazarev Saturday is sometimes called Palm, as it always precedes Palm Sunday.
But the date of Easter changes from year to year, it can sometimes fall in May. Accordingly, the twelfth passing holidays associated with it also do not have a fixed date. The Feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, although rare, is in March. However, there are days that are constantly marked in the Orthodox calendar as holidays. Let's talk about them.
Holy Elder Surviving the Occupation
The first date to stay on is April 3rd. Perhaps not everyone knows what holiday is celebrated on this day, but it certainly deserves attention. On this day the church celebrates the memory of St. Rev. Seraphim Vyritsky. The period of his earthly life is separated from us by a very short period of time. After living 83 years, he departed to the Lord in 1949. Gifted with a living mind and talents, for half a century, before the adoption of monastic tonsure, he was engaged in commerce, accumulated a significant fortune. But choosing the path of service to God, the monk distributed everything to people, shut himself from the world. His name is closely connected with the regional village of Vyritsa, where for twenty years the reverend carried the main monastic feat - the feat of old age. He fed his spiritual children during the period of Stalinist repressions, and during the occupation, and in the difficult post-war years. He was counted a saint in 2000.
Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The next day is April 7, an Orthodox holiday called the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The gospel narrates this event. It tells of how the Lord, through His messenger, the holy archangel, proclaimed Her greatest destiny - to reveal the Savior to His world. Prior to this, humanity has not yet known events of similar importance.
With humility and faith, Mary accepted his words. She unconditionally accepted this message. In her pure, virgin soul, there was not even a shadow of doubt about the omnipotence of God. She was ready to obey his will implicitly. That is why April 7 is an Orthodox holiday so revered by all.
The memory of myrrh-bearing women
Remembering the Orthodox holidays in April, one cannot but mention the 26th. And although it is not marked in the list of especially celebrated holidays, but still you need to talk about it. On this day, in the service they remember the holy myrrh-bearing women. These are the women who, on an early Saturday morning, when dawn had just begun, came to the tomb of the Savior to perform the rite prescribed by Jewish laws. They brought with them fragrances and incense (precious oil to the world), which they intended to anoint His body, preparing for burial. They were the first to hear from the mouth of the angel the news of the miraculous resurrection of Christ, the first to believe in it.
In general, the role of women in serving the Lord is very great. They followed Him everywhere, trying to save Him from everyday worries. They did not heal the sick and did not raise the dead, but thanks to deep faith and devotion to Christ they won the crowns of holiness. This day is celebrated as an Orthodox women's holiday.
The life of our people cannot be imagined without Orthodox holidays. By their very nature, they go beyond the usual celebrations, which are walking and fun. It is no exaggeration to say that this is a return to the roots of our national culture. Orthodox holidays in April are their inextricable part.