One of the most pochityvayu the Christians feast completes the cycle of Christmas celebrations. Candlemas is celebrated on February 15 (in Catholicism - February 2, at the Armenian Church - February 14). And, despite the fact that it was a church holiday, it has a lot of pagan echoes - our ancient ancestors believed that on this day of winter met with spring.
The history of the Presentation
Candlemas is translated from the Church Slavonic means "meeting". A holiday set in memory of the meeting with Mary Simeon. The fact that at 40 days after birth a woman should go to the temple and receive the "purification" and also to sacrifice a lamb or a pair of pigeons (if the family was poor).
Virgin Mary with baby Jesus came to the temple to fulfill the law. And since Maria was very poor and its sacrifice were Dove. And here there was a fateful meeting - "Candlemas", namely Jesus and Mary in the temple, met an old man who was engaged in the translation of the Scriptures into Greek - Simeon the God-Receiver.
According to legend, once Simeon was translating a book, and when he came to the words, "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son", I have decided to correct the word "virgin" to "Wife" (ie, woman). Only an angel stopped Simon and said that he would not die until then, until you are sure of the truth of the words. And so it happened: the old man lived for more than 300 years. And when he met Jesus, it is the same day passed away. But Jesus in the temple saw another holy - the prophetess Anna. She also learned in the infant Savior, and greeted him, went to Jerusalem - to tell people about his arrival.
That it is necessary to do in this day
Go to a church service. And bring home Sretensky or, as they are called, "gromnichnye" candles. They are, according to the beliefs of our forefathers, have great power. Zapalivat they had to be in such cases:
• During storms and tempests. It was believed that in this way you can take trouble of your own home;
• with severe birth also helped spark;
• if the house someone seriously ill;
• if a person was dying, it was necessary also to light this candle. Our ancestors believed that it would help him to die easily.
By the way, last Sretensky candles - it was also an occasion for divination. If a candle is lit and quiet, so all this year will be well. If suddenly guttering wax or candle goes out, it means that we must pay attention to health.
Also in churches Purification hallow and water. By its strength it is considered almost as strong as the Epiphany. And drink it is necessary in diseases. And this water sprinkled on spring beekeepers hives.
What not to do on this day
In any case it is impossible to work. And if you suddenly need to do something very important to do something, if only for the benefit of others. And in any case, the Presentation in the Temple can not go on the road. It's no good will not. As well as any started the day job.
And finally, the most important sign of the day: if the February 15 will be a thaw, one should expect an early spring; and if of freezing, the heat will have to wait a long time.
