December 4 The Orthodox Church celebrates the great feast - Presentation of Mary. Learn the history, traditions and signs of the Christian holiday
Christian holiday INmaintenance of the temple of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary annually celebrated by the Orthodox Church on Dec. 4 and refers to the great feast. Feast of the Presentation of the temple is celebrated in memory of the fact that the parents of the Virgin Mary - Saint Joachim and Saint Anne - resulted in his three-year daughter Mary in the Temple in Jerusalem. Little Mary lived in the temple 9 years prior to his engagement with the righteous Joseph.
As we know from the Bible stories of Joseph and Anna for a long time had no children. In his constant prayer Anna relentlessly asked to send them to her husband infant. On the day when the angel announced to Anna about the upcoming conception, she vowed to dedicate her child to God: "If I give birth a child, male or female, I will give it as a gift to my Lord, and it will serve him all his a life".
When the Blessed Virgin was three years old, my parents decided to fulfill his promise: "And The child turned three years old, and Joachim said: Call chaste daughters of Judah, and let them take and fixtures will stand with lighted [lights], to child does not gate back and that she fell in love in his heart, the temple of the Lord. "
According to the legend he met Mary in the Temple among other priests, the high priest Zechariah, father of John the Baptist. Parents put Mary on the first rung of the ladder that led to the entrance of the Temple. According to the "Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew": "... When it was put in front of the temple of the Lord, she ran up to fifteen steps, not looking back and not calling their parents as children usually do. And they were all filled with astonishment at the sight of it, and the priests of the temple were astonished. "
The high priest had a vision and he brought Mary into the Holy of Holies - the most sacred place in the temple, where he was allowed to go only once a year with a purifying sacrifice of blood. All those present in the temple marveled at the extraordinary event. Since entering into the temple, Mary, the only one of all the girls, Zacharias, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is not allowed to pray between the church and the altar, and in the inner altar.
The people on December 4 has several names: Introduction, imported, or the Feast of Winter Gate young family. On this day, our ancestors celebrated the final coming of winter.
Introduction holiday always occurs during Advent, so no lush festivities, fun, christening, marriage is not accepted to arrange. It is a day of prayer for the family, Thanksgiving higher powers, the day of charity and assistance to all those in need.
As with any big religious holiday, is traditionally set aside difficult chores that day.
Despite the fact that on December 4 - the fast, this day had already begun preparing Christmas, including fairs. Where they went on new clothes, gifts for children, friends and relatives. In the old days it was decided after the morning worship and church attendance to entertain and give sweets godson gifts. A newly-married couple, have the wedding before Lent, in the autumn, for the first time we went out "into the world" - "show the young."
Beliefs and superstitions in the Introduction
On the Introduction there is a sign by which our ancestors determined the future. For the icons placed in the water branch of cherries in the New Year watching - if allowed branches leaves - is health and happiness in the new year, if the branches withered - year will not be very successful.
It is not advisable to lend or borrow money on December 4, according to the sign, the one who took the money in the debt it will be difficult give, and TOTM who gave money, doomed to financial difficulties and complex relationship with the one who asked for money loan.
The girls wondered at her spouse, believed that on the night of 4 to 5 December dreams prophetic dreams, where you can see her fiance. Before going to bed the girl uttered these words: "Holy introduction, lead me to where I live."
On Introduction visited each other. The owners have observed who first crossed the threshold of their homes: if a man, the next year will be successful, it promises prosperity and happiness, if a woman - nothing good do not wait.
Folk omens on Introduction
Vvedenye it - winter led
On Introduction - thick ledenene
Introduction imposes water freezes
If before the introduction of the snow is gone - quickly melts will melt the snow fell after the introduction - is delayed until spring
If the snow is not melted after introduction - it will be a good harvest of grain
Frosty Day heralds a cold and snowy winter
Learn about 7 Winter the signs to attract wealth and good luck
