On August 28, Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin. This day is the end of a two-week fast and is dedicated to memories of the death of Mother Jesus Christ.
This holiday is very clean and even a little sad, celebrate it with all my heart. In the church it is considered that the Holy Virgin left this world, and God took her soul to himself. She ascended to heaven to help everyone who needs help and asks for her in her prayers.
At the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on August 28, various national signs and superstitions are known, which are popular to this day.
Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - signs and customs
The holiday began with a trip to the temple, where bunches of wheat ears were taken for consecration. After the end of the Divine Service, the parishioners along with the priest went to the field where the stubble was consecrated.
Also, this holiday was popularly called Obzhinka. Until that day, it was necessary to have all the remaining bread. It was believed that if you manage to till the day of Mary to plow the land, then you can still have time to shake the living man's life. Therefore, those who worked in the field from dawn to dusk, as a rule, collected a good harvest. Lovers usually did not have time to finish harvesting, and eventually completely started their farm.
Three days before the Assumption and three days after were considered the most successful for sowing winter crops. During this period the earth takes seeds well. Shoots appear on time and they are so strong that they are able to withstand even the coldest winter.
As this day was the end of the fast, the Russian people held a big feast. Many guests called for a roasted rooster, fish, eggs, and a quarter of vodka was served to every guest.
In this great holiday, in no case should one speak evil. With all relatives and neighbors it is necessary to establish relations and ask each other for forgiveness. Signs on the feast of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos on August 28 read that from that day engagement begins. With great anticipation, this holiday was awaited by unmarried women. But if the girl did not get married before this church holiday, it was believed that she was sitting in the girls until the spring.
At the Assumption, the girls went to the forest for the viburnum. Between them even competitions were arranged - who will first run to the bush with this curative berries, he will certainly marry this year. Then the collected Kalina was decorated with houses, because it was considered a charm .
It was forbidden for the Dormition to walk barefoot on the ground, even if the weather was warm. People say that this can lead to serious illnesses.
In the old days people put on old shoes, while thinking about the issue of interest, and went about their business. It was believed that if the corn was rubbed, the outcome of the planned case would hardly be successful. Or success will cost a lot of effort.
Popular signs about the weather for the Assumption
Since the Assumption falls on the end of the summer, our ancestors predicted the weather for the coming autumn and winter, comparing with the weather conditions of this day.
It was believed that if on that day a rainbow appeared in the sky, then autumn promises to please even warmer days. Clear weather on this holiday foreshadowed a rainy and cold autumn.
Also pay attention to the amount of spider webs spiders have spoiled. If it was a lot - then, winter promises to be frosty, but not too snowy. If the Dormition was dense in the morning, the heat will continue for a long time.
The beginning of a thunderstorm on this holiday said that the next 40 days will be rainy and cold weather, winter will come early and be very harsh.