Church Orthodox holiday of August. Feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary according to the Orthodox calendar, August 28, church holiday

Immediately after the end of the short-term, but very important for every Christian, Dormition Fast (lasts from August 14 to August 27, 2016), a major church holiday will begin on August 28 - the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her long life was modest - until her very day of dormition, she remained a virgin in both body and soul, maintaining sincerity and purity of thoughts and actions. The Orthodox holiday of August 28 is dedicated specifically to the death of the Virgin Mary, but it is considered a bright and joyful day. Having passed away from physical life, the Most Holy Theotokos remained alive for all Christians. Sincerely praying believers receive signs and help from the Mother of God. Many folk signs are associated with the feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. For example, they say that any construction must be completed before August 28, and on the day of the Assumption you cannot stick stakes or any sharp objects into the ground.

What church holiday is celebrated on August 28?

August 28 according to the church calendar is the feast of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Mother of God was loved by all people, but she was especially revered by the apostles - the disciples of Christ. It was they who, with a smile and tears in their eyes, accompanied Maria on her final journey. It is believed that after her physical death (dormition), the Mother of God ascended to heaven from there to invisibly help Christian believers, protecting them from harm.

Church holiday August 28 - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Church holiday August 28 - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary begins with the ringing of bells. Temples report sad, but also joyful news at the same time: the death of the Mother of God and her eternal life next to the Father in heaven. Many believers who have hitherto observed the Dormition Fast, remembering the modesty of Mary’s life on earth, do not strive to break their fast with meat and dairy products, and also put on dark, mourning clothes. All churches hold solemn liturgies in honor of the Mother of God.

Signs of the church holiday on August 28

There are many folk signs associated with the church holiday of August 28th. For example, from this day on, a girl must try very hard to find a groom. Otherwise, she will not expect marriage this year. Going to church on the day of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary is simply a must, then the Mother of God will help you throughout the year. On this day, it is considered bad luck to stick something sharp into the ground. You need to set a generous table for your loved ones: then prosperity will come to your home. August 28 is considered the beginning of the young Indian Summer: the last days of the year are set. Sowing (winter grain) and harvesting are coming to an end. A good omen for this day will be to leave a few unharvested spikelets on the ground, tying them with a “sheaf”: the harvest will be excellent!

What should you not do on the church holiday on August 28?

August 28 is already very cool, even during the day. That is why the ban on walking barefoot on this day can be explained very simply: You may catch a cold. At the Assumption, you cannot stick stakes and sticks into the ground: most likely, this is connected with the last minute of Christ’s life on earth (his body, crucified on the cross, was pierced by a spear). Quarreling, let alone fighting, is strictly prohibited on August 28th. Remembering the modesty of Mother Mary during her life on earth, you do not need to eat much, even despite the end of the Dormition Fast.

The church holiday of August 28 - the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary - is not one of the great Christian celebrations, but its significance for each of the believers is so great that the Dormition is celebrated in almost every family. Not only churchgoers go to churches. On this day, many go to church and light a candle near the face of the Virgin Mary, secretly praying to her for help and salvation. The signs associated with this day and the prohibitions on the Dormition of the Virgin Mary are more related to lifestyle, righteous behavior and modesty.

Today is August 28 (August 15, old style),
The Orthodox Church celebrates:

THE DORMSION OF OUR HOLY LORD AND THE EVER-VIRGIN MARY
* Novgorod Icon of Sophia, the Wisdom of God. Revered icons of the Dormition of the Mother of God: Kiev-Pecherskaya (1073), Bakhchisarai, Ovinovskaya (1425), Pskov-Pecherskaya (1472), Semigorodnaya (XV), Pyukhtitsa (XVI) and Zvenigorodskaya (1864). Icons of the Mother of God: Atskurskaya (I), Bethlehem-Tsilkanskaya (IV), Blachernae, Vladimir-Rostovskaya (XII), Khakhulskaya (XII), Mozdokskaya (XIII), Gaenatskaya (XIII), Chukhloma (XIV), Borovenskaya (XIV), Vladimir-Florishchevskaya (XV), Crimean-Mariupol (XV), Surdegskaya (1530), Adrianovskaya (XVI), Tupichevskaya (XVII), Kvabtakhevskaya, Metekhi.

Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Ever-Virgin Mary

Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary- the last twelfth fixed holiday of the church year (August 15 (28). It is preceded by a two-week fast. It is known from the New Testament that the Mother of the Lord occupied an honorable place among the apostles (see Acts 1:14).

Church Tradition concerning the Dormition of the Mother of God is based on the testimony of the Hieromartyr Dionysius the Areopagite and the writings of Bishop Meliton of Sardis, compiled in the 2nd century. Shortly before her dormition, the Blessed Virgin received a revelation about this from an angel of God. By the Providence of the Lord, the Apostles began to gather in Jerusalem. St. John of Damascus said that they flew together like clouds and eagles to serve the Mother of God. Apostle Thomas was the only one of the apostles who was not present at the burial of the Virgin Mary. He came to Jerusalem after two days on the third and began to cry near the tomb. The apostles took pity on him and rolled away the stone from the tomb so that Apostle Thomas could venerate the holy body of the Ever-Virgin. But Her body disappeared, and only burial shrouds lay in the cave. The Most Pure Mother of God was raptured into eternity immediately in her body.

“Jesus, seeing the Mother and the disciple standing here, whom he loved, said to His Mother: “Woman! Behold, Your son. Then he says to the disciple: Behold, your Mother! And from that time on, this disciple took Her to himself” (John 19:26-27).
The Gospel of John tells that Jesus, undergoing the suffering of the Cross, entrusts his Mother to the care of his beloved disciple John. The Most Holy Theotokos settled in the house of John the Theologian not far from the Mount of Olives. She was with those who supported and affirmed the young Christian Church. Those who believed in Christ came to Jerusalem from distant countries to see and hear the Mother of God. The apostles wrote down everything that She told about Her life and about the earthly life of Her Son. Church historian Nicephorus Callistus outlined in detail the legend that conveys the circumstances of the Dormition of the Mother of God. The legend is based on the testimony of the holy martyr Dionysius the Areopagite and the writings of Bishop Meliton of Sardis, compiled in the 2nd century.
Nicephorus Callistus wrote that many of those who did not believe in the teachings of Christ made attempts on the life of the Mother of God. She left the house only to go to church and was always accompanied by loved ones. Often She came to the Holy Sepulcher on Golgotha and prayed there. During one of these visits, Archangel Gabriel appeared to Her and told Her about Her imminent relocation from this world to the heavenly world, handing Her a palm branch as a pledge. The Most Holy Theotokos told Joseph of Arimathea about this as good news, because She was soon to see Her Son. Through the prayer of the Mother of God, it became so that at the time of the Dormition, the Apostles from distant countries began to gather in Jerusalem. St. John of Damascus said that they flew together like clouds and eagles to serve the Mother of God. She told them that she would be leaving them soon. During a conversation with the Apostles, the Apostle Paul miraculously appeared before Her with his disciples. The hour had come when the Dormition of the Mother of God was to take place. The apostles surrounded the bed on which the Virgin Mary was staying. A sudden light eclipsed the flames of the burning candles, and Christ himself descended, surrounded by Angels and Archangels. Those who saw this were filled with sacred awe. The Mother of God said: “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked upon the humility of His servant.” Without suffering, as if in a dream, the soul of the Blessed Virgin left this world and went to Eternal Life.
The Holy Apostles Peter, Paul, James and others carried the bed on which the body of the Most Holy Theotokos lay, through all of Jerusalem to Gethsemane. A cloud of light appeared above the procession and the sounds of heavenly music were heard. The high priests were informed about the funeral procession. They sent guards to disperse the procession, but a cloud descended to the ground and blocked it from the attackers. Footsteps and singing were heard, but no one was visible. The high priest Athos tried to overturn the bed, but his hands were cut off by an invisible force. Afonia was horrified and repented, he received healing and began to confess the teachings of Christ. By evening, the holy Apostles placed the body of the Most Holy Theotokos in a tomb and closed the entrance to the cave with a large stone.
By God's providence, Apostle Thomas was not present at the burial of the Mother of God. He came to Jerusalem after two days on the third and began to cry near the tomb. The apostles took pity on him and rolled away the stone from the tomb so that Apostle Thomas could venerate the holy body of the Ever-Virgin. But Her body disappeared, and only burial shrouds lay in the cave. The Most Pure Mother of God was taken to heaven in her body. In the evening of the same day, the Mother of God appeared to them at dinner and said: “Rejoice! I am with you all the days." In response, the Apostles exclaimed while breaking bread: “Most Holy Theotokos, help us.”
The Feast of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary is solemnly celebrated in Gethsemane, at the site of Her burial. A temple was erected here in which the burial shrouds of the Virgin Mary are kept. In the 4th century. the sacred cover was transferred to the Blachernae temple. In 866, the Russian fleet approached Constantinople, and the city was besieged by pagans. The Emperor and Patriarch of Constantinople prayed all night in the Blachernae Church, and then immersed the funeral robe of the Mother of God into the sea. Suddenly a storm arose and scattered the Russian ships in different directions. Rus' suffered a defeat, which marked the victory of Christianity.
In the Russian Orthodox Church, the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God is especially revered, as are the miraculous icons of the Dormition: the Kiev-Pechersk, two icons of the Moscow Assumption Cathedral, the Pskov-Pechersk and others.

Ovinovskaya Icon of the Mother of God received its name from the appearance of the boyar Ioann Ovinov. Ovinov lived near the St. Nicholas Monastery in the Kostroma province. When he decided to build a new church in this monastery instead of a dilapidated one, then, going to look at the place for the temple, at the very monastery gates he met two beautiful young men with an icon of the Mother of God. The young men said: “Rejoice, John! Your wife’s parents sent you this icon and ordered you to build a church in the name of this icon and St. Nicholas,” they gave him the icon. He brought the icon into the monastery and told the abbot and the brethren about his miraculous vision. John Ovinov built a temple and placed an icon in it. The icon worked miracles. Her appearance took place in the 15th century. It is located in the Paisiyev Monastery of the Kostroma Diocese.

Semigorodskaya Icon of the Dormition of the Mother of God written by Rev. Dionysius Glushitsky in the 15th century. (Commemorated June 1). It was brought by hermits from his monastery to impenetrable forests, located 20 miles from the monastery, across the Dvintsa River, and here it was placed in a church built for the Semigrad volost, which is why the icon received the name Semigorodnaya. During the plague in the 15th century. all the inhabitants of this volost died out, and the church stood in desolation for about a hundred and fifty years. In 1593, one old woman, Juliania, who had been lying in relaxation for 3 years in the Moscow Novodevichy Convent, had a vision of the Mother of God herself, who promised her healing if she went to the Seven-City Hermitage and renewed it. The old woman made a vow to fulfill the command of the Mother of God and received healing. In 1602 she built a monastery and lived here until her death with some sisters. At the end of the 17th century. the monastery has been converted into a men's monastery.

Tupichevskaya Icon of the Virgin Mary is located in the Tupichevsky Monastery in the city of Mstislavl, Mogilev diocese, which is why it is called that. In 1847, in memory of the reunification of the Uniates, a religious procession with this icon was established from Mozolovsky to the Mstislavsky monastery.

Pskov-Pechersk Icon of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary is located on the border of Livonia in the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery, founded at the provincial town of Pechery, 56 versts from Pskov, on the occasion of the appearance of an icon over an ancient cave, from which the city, monastery and icon took their name. In 1472, the revealed icon became famous for many miracles. Through prayers before this icon in 1581, the Most Holy Theotokos saved both the city of Pskov and the Pechersky Monastery from the invasion of the Polish king Stefan Batory. The Poles had already made a breach in the city wall, but as soon as they brought the icon along with another shrine to the breach, the army was inspired, and the enemies were driven back into the breach, knocked off the walls and driven into the field, where some were beaten and others were taken prisoner. After this, Batory wanted to take at least the monastery, where, in addition to the monks, there were only 200-300 soldiers for defense; but the defenders of the monastery courageously repelled these attacks.

Surdeg Icon of the Virgin Mary is located in the Surdega Holy Spiritual Monastery of the Kovno diocese of Vilkomir district. She appeared in 1530 near a dilapidated church in the town of Surdegah, under a spring, and a monastery was built here. Once Catholics stole this icon, but as soon as they brought it into the Bernardine Monastery, the face of the Queen of Heaven on it became invisible to the people, and the kidnappers’ jaws curled, and then it was returned. In Lithuania, Courland and Belarus, the Surdega icon attracts numerous pilgrims from all sides - not only Orthodox, but also Catholics and Old Believers.

Orthodox and Church holidays in August.

Published 08/28/17 00:20

Today, August 28, the national holiday Obzhinki, the Day of Declaration of Montenegro as a Kingdom, the Day of Lake Sevan in Armenia and other holidays are also celebrated.

What church holiday is today, August 28, 2017: when is the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 2017

August 28, 2017 marks one of the 12 main Orthodox holidays of the year - the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This day is dedicated to the memory of the death of the Mother of God. The word “dormition” does not symbolize the death of an ordinary person, but the ascension of spirit and body to God.

According to legend, after the ascension of Jesus Christ, the Most Holy Mary remained in the care of the Apostle John. When King Herod began the persecution of Christians, the Mother of God and John settled in Ephesus, where she constantly prayed and asked the Lord to quickly take her intkbbach to yourself. One day, Archangel Gabriel appeared to her and informed her that after three days her earthly life would end.

Before leaving, the Virgin Mary wished to see all the apostles who preached Christianity in different cities. Her wish was fulfilled, and the apostles gathered at the bed of the Virgin Mary, where she humbly accepted death.

The coffin with the body of the Virgin Mary was buried in a cave. The apostles remained at its foot for three more days and prayed, but the Apostle Thomas was late for burial. He was allowed to open the entrance to the tomb and venerate the holy remains, but there was no body in the cave, and the apostles were convinced of the bodily ascension of the Mother of God.

Before the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Christians hold the Dormition Fast, and on August 28, parishioners break their fast. Housewives prepare holiday dishes that are served to families and those in need.

According to tradition, on this day people harvest vegetables and fruits and make preparations for the winter. Also, guys in Rus' got married on this day.

On the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, you cannot wear new or uncomfortable shoes, otherwise you will feel discomfort all year long.

You cannot swear, offend your neighbors, refuse to help those in need, be rude or be in a bad mood.

On this holiday, it was forbidden to walk barefoot and stick sharp objects into the soil, which was believed to harm the earth and lead to crop failure.

Obzhinki

The national holiday of the end of the harvest - harvesting - is celebrated on August 28. Today the reapers rode across the compressed field, asking the earth to return to them the strength spent on harvesting.

At the gatherings, a ritual of curling the “beard” (“goat”) was performed. A few ears of corn were left on the field and tied with ribbon. It was believed that this would help the earth recover.

The last sheaf was dressed up and carried to the village, where festivities began with tables laden with food, dancing, and songs.

Good weather portends a stormy second half of September. A rainbow means a long, warm autumn, and if there is no frost in the morning, there will be no frost for another two weeks.

Day of declaration of Montenegro as a kingdom

Traditionally, on August 28, Montenegro celebrates an important memorable date - the Day the country was declared a kingdom. From 1515 to 1851, Montenegro was ruled by rulers - spiritual leaders. And when Danilo I renounced his priesthood, he became the first secular leader of the country. After he was killed, power passed to Nicholas I in 1860.

Nicholas I was first a prince and then a king of Montenegro. He is also known as the poet of the famous song in Montenegro, which is called the Serbian Marseillaise. In 1910, on August 28, when it was the anniversary year of the 50th anniversary of his reign, Nicholas I proclaimed the country a kingdom, and he himself became the first king.

On the eve of the First World War, 4 years later, Nicholas assumed the emergency powers of an autocratic monarch. But in 1917, according to the Corfu Declaration, the merger of Montenegro with Serbia was announced. This state existed until November 26, 1918, and after that, it became part of the new Kingdom of Serbs, Slovenes and Croats.

Lake Sevan Day in Armenia

On the last Sunday of August every year since 1999, Lake Sevan Day is celebrated in Armenia. This decision was made by the Ministry of Nature Protection of the Republic. The program included the preservation of Lake Sevan and events related to this topic. Scout and environmental groups take part in such events.

Sevan is a high-mountain lake in the country, the largest in the Caucasus. It is located at an altitude of 1900 meters, its area is 1240 square kilometers. 28 rivers flow into Sevan. The water here is freshwater, and the surface has an azure blue color. The lake is also known for cultural monuments and recreational resources located near the coast.

Here you will find clean air, mineral springs, beautiful nature and so on. And on the shore of the lake there is an amazing artificial forest. Among the most famous historical monuments of the lake is the Sevanavank Monastery.

1850 - the premiere of Richard Wagner's opera Lohengrin took place in the German city of Weimar.
1920 - by decision of the Soviet government, the All-Russian static population census began.
1941 - the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR issued a decree “On the resettlement of Germans living in the Volga region.”
1941 - The Tallinn transition began.
1974 - the Council of Ministers of the USSR approved a new Regulation on the passport system.
2004 - in Moscow, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexei II received the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God from Pope John Paul II.

Johann Wolfgang Goethe 1749 - German poet.
Catherine of Mecklenburg-Strelitz 1827 - Russian Grand Duchess.
Vladimir Shukhov 1853 - Soviet engineer.
George Hoyt-Whipple 1878 - American physician.
Yuri Trifonov 1925 - Soviet writer.
Arkady Strugatsky 1925 - Soviet writer.
Vladimir Ivashov 1939 - Soviet actor.
Natalya Gundareva 1948 - Russian actress.

In honor of this event, on August 27, during the evening service in all churches, the Shroud with the image of the Mother of God is taken out of the altar and placed in the middle of the temple. The shroud is kept in the middle of the temple until the burial ceremony, when it is carried in a procession around the church, writes rian.com.ua.

Below is some background information.

August 28, 2015 — Feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary

On August 28, the Orthodox Church celebrates the great holiday - the Dormition of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. This holiday belongs to the twelve, notes religions.unian.net.

The Most Holy Theotokos is revered all over the world. Thousands of churches, monasteries, and many laurels are dedicated to her. The Church honors the Most Holy Theotokos as “the most honorable Cherubim and the most glorious without comparison Seraphim.” These words characterize the Mother of God. None of the angelic ranks can compare with Her.

After the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Mother of God was in the care of one of the apostles, John the Theologian. At the end of her life, She spent a lot of time in prayer at the Holy Sepulcher. According to legend, during one of these prayers, the Archangel Gabriel announced that in three days She would die, and presented a palm branch as a symbol of victory over death.

The Most Holy Virgin awaited the end of her earthly days calmly and even with joy - after all, She knew that there, in Heaven, she would meet Her Son and Her God. Before her death, the Blessed Virgin Mary wanted to see all the apostles, who by that time had gone to different places to preach the Christian faith. Despite this, the desire of the Mother of God was fulfilled: the Holy Spirit miraculously gathered the apostles at the bed of the Most Holy Theotokos, where She prayed and awaited her death.

The apostles buried the Mother of God in the tomb of Her parents, the righteous Joachim and Anna, in which the ashes of Her husband, Joseph the Betrothed, rested, at the very foot of the Mount of Olives, or the Mount of Olives, near the Garden of Gethsemane, where Christ so loved to talk with his disciples and where He was arrested. This place is now an underground Orthodox (Greek) temple.

On the third day after death, the apostles moved away the large stone that blocked the entrance. However, they did not find the Virgin Mary; there were only funeral shrouds in the tomb - Jesus took to Heaven not only the immortal soul of the Virgin Mary, but also her body.

On this day, believers will ask for help and intercession from the Most Holy Theotokos. “In prayers, the never-sleeping Theotokos...” - these words from church hymns confirm that indeed the Most Holy Theotokos unceasingly prays for us before Her Son and asks Him to have mercy on us sinners.

Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary: traditions

We invite you to find out what you can do on this day and what you cannot do.

Traditions

On this holiday, you should think about your mother, who may need your help.

The holiday of the Assumption is best spent with your parents at a festive and fairly well-fed table.

Also, on this day, people in the old days did not work, but celebrated the end of the harvest.

It was customary to plant cucumbers on Assumption. Because it was believed that this would help “stick” the husband to the house.

On the eve of the holiday, the last sheaf collected from the fields was kept in the house and even a sundress was put on it.

On the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, girls read spells for love and attracting suitors.

On this day it was customary to bless the bread of the new harvest in the church. No one eats a crumb until they return from church. Everyone is waiting for the sacred piece of bread. The remains of the bread were carefully wrapped and placed under the icon. These pieces were then fed to the sick, believing in their healing power. It is considered a great sin to drop even a crumb of consecrated bread on the floor, much less trample it underfoot, writes lady.obozrevatel.com.

What not to do

- On this day you should not pick up piercing or cutting objects, or cook food. Believers break bread with their hands, since they cannot use a knife.

— You can’t go barefoot to the Assumption; it was believed that in this way you can collect all the diseases. Dew on this day is the tears of nature that the Mother of God has left this world and cannot be with people and help them.

- You cannot wear old or uncomfortable shoes on this day - to avoid problems in life. It is believed that if you rub your leg on this day, a difficult life awaits you, full of problems and failures.

- On this day you were allowed to work, especially if you did not finish some work you started or if someone needed to help.

Signs

The first (young) Indian summer began with the Feast of the Assumption. It lasted until September 11 and was used to determine what the weather would be like during the second Indian summer (from September 14 to 28).

If the first half of September is dry and warm, then after 14 it will definitely rain.

If frosts come after the Assumption, then autumn will be protracted.

At the Assumption they found out the weather for the next month.

Farewell to the Assumption, welcome autumn.

If a rainbow appears on Assumption, it means a long and warm autumn.

You won’t find a guy before the Assumption - you won’t get married until spring.