On September 21 — the Nativity of the Theotokos

The Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar is generous for holidays. On Sacred letters, almost each day is devoted to some image or an event. Among the other the twelve great - twelve most important holidays after Easter concerning Jesus and Bogoroditsy's terrestrial life differ. Some among them are dated concrete number, others - move when counting days and months.

What on September 21 church holiday?

Holiday on September 21 - the Nativity of the Theotokos and Prisnodev of Maria. Its existence it is started since 4 centuries. During that time the church proclaimed this day sacred and specified to read it annually.

The church holiday falling on September 21 has the deep prehistory described in the ancient Legend. The events which became the celebration reason happened in Nazareth to a usual aged married couple. Their only difference from the others - absence of children. Joaquim and Anna suffered, without having a consolation in the evening of life and high priests of the temple them did not favor. The grief and despair brought Joaquim far to the desert where to him the Lord's angel with a consolation and a marvelous gift was. The married couple learned about the forthcoming birth not of the ordinary child, but big pleasure for the whole world. Joaquim with Anna hurried to the Temple will bow to the Lord. 9 months later their daughter - Maria (Jesus Hrest's mother) came to the world.

The religious holiday is for the first time mentioned on September 21 at the Constantinople patriarch Prokl and in a breviary of the Father Gelasiya (439 - 446). Also data on light date occur in the writing of prelates Augustine, Epifan, John Chrysostom.

What is possible and it is impossible to do on a holiday of the Nativity of the Theotokos?

Divine holiday on September 21 - the Women's Day devoted to the Virgin's birth. National traditions contain a set of female ceremonies and customs on health, beauty and youth. All of them lead filling by the energy necessary for cultivation of children and preservation of rest in a family.

The Nativity of the Theotokos is also known under the name Second Prechistaya or Small Prechistaya. Earlier on a holiday on September 21 met matushku-Oseninu. Day was devoted to gratitude for a good harvest or goddesses of fertility and a matrimony. Women went to water with oat bread, sang and danced at the river. After - broke bread and treated all passing.

Now many forgot that it is impossible to do on September 21. On the Nativity of the Theotokos you should not work and use heavy food. This day it is better to pray, visit much church and dear people, meagrely to eat and remain pure soul.