The Holy Resurrection of Christ, Easter is the most significant, most solemn day in the life of an Orthodox believer. It crowns numerous church holidays that remind us of events related to the birth, life and ministry of Christ. There are many such
celebrations. They are usually divided into great and small. Today we will talk about twelve great holidays.
They, in turn, are divided into transitory and enduring. The first 3 are considered transitory. Their dates depend on what day Easter is celebrated.
Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem
It is celebrated a week before Easter. In our country it is better known as Palm Sunday. 7 days before the crucifixion, Christ was greeted as the Messiah, covering his path with clothes and throwing palm branches at his feet. In the harsh Russian climate, the palm tree was replaced with willow. On this day we take off our shoes to meet Jesus.
Ascension
Forty days after Easter, Jesus, after spending time with his followers, ascended to heaven. This happened before the eyes of the apostles and made a huge impression on them. Ascension always falls on Thursday, and on Wednesday the last Easter hymns are heard in the church. Until this day, you can greet each other with the words: “Christ is risen!”
Holy Trinity
Ten days after the Ascension, a miracle happened, about which Christ warned the apostles: the Holy Spirit descended on them. The disciples of Christ received the gift of prophecy and healing and spoke in unknown tongues. This day is considered to be the birthday of the Church. From that time on, the apostles began their ministry to spread the Good News.
Nativity of the Virgin Mary
On September 21, it is customary to celebrate the miraculous birth of Mary, the mother of Christ. Her parents were childless for a long time. Already in old age, Joachim, Mary’s father, retired to the desert for fasting and prayer. The first thing he learned upon his return was the news that his wife, Anna, would have a child. This is how the intercessor Mother of God was born.
Exaltation of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord
The cross on which Christ was crucified was found in Jerusalem by Saint Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine. Moreover, legend claims that she found all 3 crosses — Christ and 2 thieves. Which of them is life-giving was determined by applying them one by one to the body of a sick woman. 2 crosses did not make any changes, and when a third one was applied, the woman was healed.
On this day, September 27, they remember another event — the return of the cross to Jerusalem. In the 7th century, the Persian king sacked Jerusalem and took the Cross with him. After 14 years, Byzantium and Persia made peace and the Cross was solemnly returned to the city.
Introduction to the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary
On December 4, the church remembers the day when the Mother of God’s parents first brought her to the temple. After all, her mother Anna made a vow to dedicate the child to the Lord. She was 3 years old, but she did not feel sad about parting with her parents. Running up the steps, Maria didn’t even look back. She remained in the temple until she was 12 years old, until she was betrothed to Joseph.
Christmas
Not in the palace and not The Savior was born in rich chambers. He was born in a stable, swaddled, and placed in a manger. The shepherds were the first to come to congratulate the parents on the birth of an unusual child. Only after some time did the sages with rich gifts reach him. Everything in this story is important. The fact that Christ, the son of the living God, came to earth to give us hope for the Resurrection. That people worship him regardless of income and profession. That 2 thousand years ago all the prophecies recorded since the beginning of time were fulfilled.
Baptism of the Lord
Christ began his ministry with fasting and prayers. He spent 40 days in the desert, and then came to John the Baptist so that he would baptize him in the Jordan. There, the heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus and a voice was heard proclaiming Christ as his son. Therefore, the holiday has another name: Epiphany. All 3 hypostases of the Lord appeared to the world. Epiphany is celebrated on January 19.
Candlemas
On February 15, 40 days after Christmas, the church celebrates Candlemas (meeting) with the Lord. Elder Simeon was predicted that he would not die until he saw the Messiah. On the day that the baby Jesus was brought to the Jerusalem temple, Simeon immediately recognized the divine nature of the baby and loudly praised the Lord. He called Christ the light to enlighten unbelievers and the glory of the Israeli people.
Transfiguration of the Lord
Shortly before finishing his earthly journey, Jesus took 3 disciples and climbed Mount Tabor. There the disciples saw that his face shone dazzlingly, and his clothes became completely white. They saw Elijah and Moses and fell to the ground in horror. When they looked up, there was no one on the mountain except Jesus. The Transfiguration reminds us of the union of the earthly and the heavenly in the person of Christ and gives a hint of how we will all be transformed upon entering the Kingdom of Heaven. It falls on August 19, popularly called Apple Savior.
Assumption of the Mother of God
After the ascension of Christ, the Mother of God remained in the care of John the Theologian, but communicated with and supported all the apostles. One day an angel appeared to her and warned her that in 3 days her earthly journey would end. And so it happened. The apostles buried her in the Garden of Gethsemane. Thomas was not there; he returned only a few days later and wanted to see the body. When the coffin-cave was opened, the body was not there. Only the funeral covers remained.
The Mother of God appeared to the apostles on the same day and promised to be an intercessor before the Lord for all believers.
The Russian word “Assumption” does not mean death, but sleep, emphasizing the attitude of Christians to death as a transition to another world. They celebrate the end of the earthly life of the Virgin Mary on August 28.
An Orthodox holiday is an occasion to set aside time for fasting, prayer, and reflection. To realize what a great miracle has happened on earth and what an amazing future awaits us in heaven.
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