What holidays does the Orthodox Church celebrate in December?

Vercched people have their memorable dates and holidays. All of them are related to the names of saints or events of the earthly and heavenly life of God and the Mother of God.

The Orthodox holidays in December are the introduction to the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the day of memories of the holy and blessed Grand Duke Alexander, the Great Martyr Catherine, the feast of the icon of the Mother of God known as the "Sign", also the day of the memory of St. Andrew, who was among the twelve apostles close to Jesus, The memory of the holy martyr Barbara, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and others.

Let's talk about some of these dates and events.

Orthodox holidays in December begin with the greatest celebration of this month - the introduction of the Most Holy Theotokos into the temple.

What is this event, and why does the Church consider it to be particularly significant?

Before the Virgin Mary was three years old, she lived in a Nazareth house, and after her parents Anna and Joachim fulfilled their promise to God - to dedicate their daughter to the service of the Almighty. Gathered together, all the relatives and virgins of Nazareth saw her off to Jerusalem.

Young maidens with lighted candles went ahead of the whole procession, followed by parents and their daughter.

During the whole journey, the goddess was accompanied and surrounded by her ethereal, heavenly angels. The girls walking in front of the column, all the way the Davidov psalms sang.

In Jerusalem, when the procession approached the temple, local clergymen were already meeting them on the threshold, and their bishop was led by Zacharias.

To enter the temple, Mary needed to go through the 15 steps, which symbolized fifteen steppe psalms. When Mary crossed this path, Zachariah showed her her place for prayers in the Holy of Holies.

In this temple, the Most Holy Mother prayed and lived until she was betrothed to Joseph with the righteous. This event was the beginning of the holy path of the Theotokos, therefore the Day of its introduction into the temple is celebrated.

Orthodox holidays in December also have their significance, as in other months. But we are talking exactly about those that complete the last year and precede the great holidays of Christmas and Epiphany.

Another of the most famous and honored events that enters the December holidays is the day of memories of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

Many great works and wonders on earth and on the sea were created by the great righteous man. He helped all people in trouble, rescued from drowning, freed from the captivity of the enemy, freed from the dungeon, granted deliverance from death and healed many from illnesses, gave insight to the blind, lame - the ability to walk, hearing - deaf, dumb - speechless. Many holy acts were performed by the prelate. He helped the poor and hungry, always been a secret patron of defenseless and weak people.

And to this day Nicholas the Wonderworker works wonders and helps those who bring him their trembling, sincere prayers filled with pure faith in the Triune God, the Father of the Son and the Holy Spirit. Nicholas the Wonderworker is especially revered in Russia. Therefore, on the day of his memory, thousands of believers celebrate the triumph of good, which always accompanied St. Nicholas.

Holidays in December give an opportunity to the parishioners of Orthodox churches to recall once again the life of the saints, the biblical events of great importance for believers, to honor those events that occurred before and after the birth of Christ.

Holidays are necessarily accompanied by solemn services in the church, chants dedicated to the revered event.

Such holidays are celebrated in December by our Orthodox Church. And, although December is the time of strict Christmas Lent, but there are days that are recognized as festive, and you can come to the temple and take part in a common prayer, noting important and revered events.