Contents
The Annunciation is celebrated annually 7 April and is included in the list of the twelfth – 12 most important Orthodox holidays. It was on this day, exactly 9 months before the birth of Christ, that the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary and told the good news that she would become the mother of the Savior.
Among the people, the Annunciation is usually celebrated quietly – first in the church at a festive service, then at home, in a narrow family circle.
One of the main traditions of this day is the release of doves. This bird is considered a good herald and a symbol of the holiday. Believers believe that the dove will certainly take to heaven a prayer about who released it.
We talk in detail about other Annunciation traditions and signs in our material.
The history of folk signs for the Annunciation
Signs are an element of culture, an opportunity to trace how the traditions of our ancestors developed. Folk omens for the Annunciation are no exception. They, too, have come a long way, for years people have been noticing and interpreting surrounding events, passing this knowledge from mouth to mouth, from generation to generation. Our grandparents are the keepers of folk wisdom. It was thanks to them that we were able to restore the signs for the Annunciation, which we will discuss below.
signs of the weather
Weather signs exist for almost every day of the year. And they, most likely, will still be more accurate than the forecast from our weather forecasters.
- What kind of weather will be on the Annunciation, expect the same for Easter. But if on April 7 the heat is unusual for mid-spring, then Easter will be cool.
- Snow Annunciation – for a lean year.
- If there is a thunderstorm on this day, nuts will be well born in the summer, if it rains a little – mushrooms, rye and wheat.
- A rainy day leads to full-flowing rivers and good fish catches all year round.
- Wind and fog promise a fruitful summer.
- If the holiday turned out to be moderately warm, then there will be a good harvest in the fields all year round.
- Migratory birds return, bringing summer with them.
- Cranes fly high on this day – to bad weather.
- Swallows in the sky – to a warm spring.
“Bird” signs
On the Annunciation, during a walk, you need to carefully observe which birds are most often encountered on the way.
- Pigeons – to a happy and joyful spring.
- Sparrows, swallows – to stability and peace.
- Tits – to pleasant changes in life and love.
- Crows – to despondency.
- Dead birds are in trouble.
Signs with prosphora
Prosphora is one of the symbols of the holiday. After the morning service, believers were required to bring home several prosphora from the church. They were eaten during a festive feast (it was believed that this was good luck), and the crumbs left from the prosphora were poured into food for pets (so that they would not get sick in the coming year).
There was an interesting tradition associated with these consecrated loaves. On April 7, before dinner, a coin was hidden in one of the prosphoras. At the table, when the whole family gathered, everyone took a piece of bread for himself. The one who came across a prosphora with a surprise will succeed in his endeavors all year.
agricultural omens
Farmers and farmers should take into account these signs.
- It was believed that if on this day you ring the basins and make all sorts of noise, this will scare away predators for a whole year and help keep the cattle intact.
- In the evening they collected and kept the ashes from the stove – they sprinkled diseased plants with it. It was believed that Annunciation ash was able to heal them and preserve the harvest.
- The Annunciation has always marked the beginning of spring. The next day the sowing began.
What can and cannot be done on the Annunciation
A festive day is an occasion for joy and fun. Over the years, our ancestors have developed a set of rules on how you can behave on the Annunciation, and what is better not to do on this day.
- Peace and harmony should reign in the family on this day. You can not swear and quarrel, it is worth spending time in communication with each other.
- As with any big holiday, you can’t clean, work in the house or garden. It is worth giving up even washing and washing dishes.
- On the Annunciation, girls are not allowed to braid braids, sew or knit – these actions also apply to labor.
- Blagovest is the time to spread the good news. On this day, charity work and donations to help those in need are especially welcome.
- On April 7, you can visit relatives and close friends. It is better not to visit unfamiliar people on this day and not to receive them at home.
- You can not borrow and lend – otherwise the money will not be found all year.