Signs on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin: customs, beliefs, rituals of the feast

A day and a long day of August 28 was established as a holiday and an important day for Christians. Believers expect him with impatience: according to biblical beliefs, it was on this day that the pure soul of the Holy Virgin left the body, and "the Son of God Himself met her". Since that day the Orthodox world has acquired a great prayer-book and the main intercessor in Heaven, and the people have established special beliefs and signs for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin.

Orthodox traditions for the holiday

Christians have a two-week fast before the Great Day of the Assumption. Believers for a long time this period of abstinence was not considered strict and severe, as in August the barns were bursting with the harvest of vegetables, fruits, nuts and other gifts of nature allowed in the fast.

The feast day is called the First Immaculate and is considered a real holiday and a significant event, which is filled with beliefs and signs. At the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos, harvesting was over, it was possible to celebrate and have fun, therefore the atmosphere of the day was established majestic and special.

It was necessary and properly prepared for this day:

• Clean house clean;
• To reconcile with all who were at odds with;
• Prepare generous and varied meals;
• Provide a calm and friendly atmosphere in the house throughout the day.

Bans on an important day

The customs of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin are associated with the atmosphere of the holiday, but also reflect the characteristics of the seasonal period of the season.

Many people banned the people from this day, which should be observed.

1. It was forbidden to use stabbing and cutting objects on this day, so the fork and knife were not picked up at the table. Food was tried to cook in advance on the eve, so as not to violate an important ban.
2. Signs on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin forbid walking barefoot on the grass on this day. The interpretation of this prohibition has a double meaning: believers believe that the dew that fell on this day is tears of the Blessed Virgin that she leaves the earth and can not help people. On the other hand, the land has cooled to this day, so walking barefoot can contribute to hypothermia and illness.
3. It was necessary to watch closely that not to rub a foot inconvenient footwear on day First Pure. According to popular beliefs, this way it was possible to incur problems and troubles.

The customs of the festive day

Signs of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary associated with the conduct of special rituals and rituals. Energy of the day has long been considered special and unique, it is this factor that contributed to the strengthening of the customs in the people associated with this August day. Their roots such ritual customs lead from those settlements in which the ascent was related to the feast day:

• In the afternoon, after prayers to the Mother of God, the people gathered in the center of the settlement. With a high-lifted icon of the procession, people went to the field and loudly read prayers to the Theotokos, chanting the miracle worker and intercessor.
• During the morning service in the church, the bread was consecrated, which should be carried out in the field on that day. There, the consecrated loaves were broken, eaten by the whole world, washed down with holy water. It was believed that this way you can ensure the yield of the next year, but it was worthwhile to strictly ensure that the crumbs of bread do not fall to the ground.

Homestead Rituals

To attract good luck, prosperity and healing from illnesses to the house and family, special ceremonies were to be held at home. Good signs on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - on August 28, hang the icon with the face of the Mother of God in the courtyard of the house, leave it there for the whole day and be sure to follow its location:

1. The face of the Mother of God, which looks this day from the gate to the house, attracts happiness, luck and prosperity to it.
2. The icon of the Mother of God in the very center of the courtyard will help to get rid of all the illnesses that persecute members of the family.

The face of the Virgin was to be brought into the house after the morning prayer was defended with this icon. The house was lit candles and a lamp, it was worthwhile to make sure that the candle did not go out during the entire holiday.

Signs of Healing

An important element of the Day of the Dawn has long been considered to be signs and rituals, conducted to get rid of diseases and ailments.

Especially relevant, such rituals were considered for those families in which one of the members of the family was seriously ill. An important condition of the rituals was that the sick person had to defend a prayer service in the church and pass the procession for the icon with the face of the Mother of God. Therefore, the seriously ill patients were even tried to take the icon, after which they removed the crosses and dipped into the holy water. Drops that drained from the cross, sprinkled a sick person, lubricated the parts of the body where the pain was felt especially strongly.

The people sincerely believed that in this way you can be healed of many ailments, especially from diseases of the joints and spine - this is how the signs for the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos claimed. August 28 with the help of such a ritual was removed pain in stretched muscles, joints, deformed with arthrosis, healed from post-traumatic pains in the limbs.

Signs of personal happiness

The girls were eagerly awaiting the holiday, as some signs of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin promised them personal happiness.

After the period of Uspensky fast, the meat-eater came, young people tried to catch up to the Veil to find a pair, otherwise they risked to remain alone until the spring.

To ensure that the next period was successful and young people could find each other, people's signs on the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos were advised in those houses where young unmarried girls lived, set generous tables, treat all visitors and guests. In the house there should be no quarrels, swearing, the atmosphere of the day should be festive and bright.

A good mood should accompany all living in the house, in the evening young people were supposed to gather for youth gatherings.

The Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos is not the most important holiday for the Orthodox, but it is of great importance for those who live with God in their souls.