Review of holidays today in the world and Russia. Church holidays.
- Today is the day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God November 4, 2022 - what can and cannot be done, how to celebrate, traditions and folk signs
On November 4, 3 Orthodox church holidays are celebrated. The list of events informs about church holidays, fasts, and days of honoring the memory of saints. The list will help you find out the date of a significant religious event for Orthodox Christians.
Folk signs on November 4
- The south wind blows for several days in a row - leading to snow.
- If the sky weeps on this day, then winter will follow the rain.
- If the day starts with fog, there will be a thaw.
- On Kazanskaya before lunch – rain (autumn), after lunch – snow (winter).
- On Kazanskaya, a clear day means cold weather.
- The day turned out to be foggy - a sign of warm weather.
- Clear and sunny weather all day means frost.
- It almost always rains on this day.
- If it rains on this day, expect winter to come soon.
- It didn’t rain - this means a difficult and lean year.
- The supplies in the bins for Kazanskaya don’t even think about decreasing - in time for the harsh, frosty winter.
- Getting ready for a long journey means bad luck on the way.
- If you ventilate the cellar on this day and fumigate it with smoke from dried juniper grass, no one will touch the supplies and they will not dry out until spring.
- They prepared for this day in advance: they baked pies and loaves, prepared delicious dishes, and set the festive table.
- On this day, the first real frost often occurs.
- In the evening, the rooster crowed at the wrong time, indicating a change in weather.
- Good people don’t travel far away (to go away) to Kazanskaya.
- What Kazanskaya shows, winter will say.
- If you marry Kazanskaya, you will be happy.
- In Kazanskaya the frost is not great, but it is not good to stand.
Day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
In the Orthodox tradition, the day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is considered one of the important holidays; it is interesting that it is celebrated twice a year: in the fall on November 4 and in the summer on July 21. Actually, on July 21, the miraculous acquisition of the image is celebrated in Kazan, and in winter in connection with the victory of the Russian army over foreign invaders.
The miraculous discovery of an icon
One of the early copies of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.
The appearance of the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos occurred July 28, 1579 , old style, in Kazan.
- Fire. In those days there was a big fire, the city was badly damaged, even the central Kazan Kremlin burned out almost half. Gentiles and pagans gloated, however, it was from this day that the establishment of the Orthodox faith in eastern Russia began. Together with other fire victims, Onuchin Daniil, a serving archer, worked to restore his home.
- Appearance of the Virgin Mary. One day, the Mother of God appeared to his ten-year-old daughter Matrona in a dream and pointed out where Her icon could be found, hidden here in the land of the Gentiles by secret Christians. The girl told her parents about the vision, but they did not pay any attention to it. The Mother of God appeared to the girl three nights in a row and ordered her to get the icon.
- Finding an icon. In the end, Matrona was able to persuade her mother. They came to the burnt house and began to dig the ground in the place indicated to them. Having dug about 1 meter where the stove had previously stood, they found the icon of the Mother of God. Almost all of the fabric had decayed due to dampness, but the icon was preserved in excellent condition.
- Placing the icon in the cathedral. The good news quickly spread throughout Kazan. The miraculous image, in front of a large crowd of people, was taken to the Church of St. Nicholas closest to the place of discovery. Archbishop Jeremiah himself arrived in the city and solemnly transferred the found icon from the Annunciation Cathedral, the main temple of Kazan.
- Temple and monastery. Ivan the Terrible, after learning the history of the miraculous icon, ordered the construction of a church at the site of its discovery and the founding of a nunnery. Matrona and her mother were the first to take monastic vows.
Here is what a witness to these events, priest Ermolai , who later became Patriarch Hermogenes, writes about these events:
Do not show the image of your Lady either to the saint of the city, or to the ruler of the ruler, below a nobleman or a rich man, below a wise old man: but show your honest treasure, an inexhaustible source to those who come with faith, your wonderful image, a certain man from the simple, who has wisdom in shooting war, This young woman, ten years old, named Matrona.
Delivering Moscow from the Poles
Procession of the Cross on November 4, 1612.
Years passed, the “Troubled Times” of 1605–1612 came, the former priest Ermolai rose to the rank of patriarch. In the most difficult times, when the Poles occupied Moscow, Patriarch Hermogenes was imprisoned, but still managed to send a message to Nizhny Novgorod:
Write to Metropolitan Ephraim in Kazan, let him send him to the regiments to the boyars and to the Cossack army... so that they stand firmly for the faith, stop robbery, preserve brotherhood, and as they promised to lay down their souls for the house of the Most Pure One and for the miracle workers, and for the faith, they would do so ...
It is believed that from this day the liberation of Rus' from the invaders began:
- Nizhny Novgorod militia. The Nizhny Novgorod residents were the first to respond to the patriarch’s appeal and began to gather a militia under the command of Prince Dmitry Pozharsky.
- Kazan militia. Squads also arrived from Kazan to Novgorod and brought with them a copy of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. The image was solemnly handed over to the prince in Yaroslavl. From that day on, the Blessed Virgin began to patronize the militia, and it was as a result of Her intercession that Russia was saved.
- Assault on Moscow. The Russian militia, despite the lack of provisions and weapons, the autumn cold and internal contradictions, still advances to storm Moscow, which is occupied by the Poles.
- Vision of Archbishop Arseny. And at this time in Moscow, among other prisoners, Bishop Arseny of Elasson was in captivity. On November 3, 1612, Sergius of Radonezh appeared to him and told him: “Through the intercession of the Mother of God, tomorrow Moscow will pass into the hands of the besiegers.” Arseny found the right man and managed to send news to the militia about his vision.
- Liberation. The next day, November 4, the Russian army won a victory and took Kitay-Gorod in battle. And two days later, the squads with the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God and the religious procession entered the Kremlin. Bishop Arseny came out to meet them with the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, which he was able to preserve in captivity.
From that year on November 4 (October 22, old style), it was decided to celebrate a special celebration in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. At first, the holiday was celebrated only in Moscow, but since 1649 it was declared all-Russian.
November 4 conspiracies
Conspiracy if your loved one was predicted to die soon
Take his undershirt without washing it - with sweat, with blood, with traces of illness - wipe the patient with this shirt, take it to the field or to the forest (whichever is closer to you). Try not to have anyone nearby. Read the curse over the shirt and burn it. Don’t wait for your shirt to burn in front of you, leave, don’t look back at the disease on fire. If you start talking to someone on your way home, consider it all in vain. Don't do this on Saturday, Sunday or Monday.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Lord walked along the earth, helping people, raising them from the grave. Raise, Lord, Thy servant (name) from his sick bed, his death bed. Turn away from death from bodily torment, Turn to life through Your name, my deed. Extend your servant (name) to the earthly age. Amen.
How to celebrate this day?
Historically, all believers went to churches on November 4 and prayed for peace, the health of their loved ones and happiness in the family. After the liturgy, as a rule, they went on a religious procession with icons around villages and cities. Today this tradition has been preserved, although slightly changed. Nowadays, as a rule, processions are organized only along the main streets.
Our ancestors believed that on the day of the Kazan Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary it is good to get married, since it will turn out to be strong and happy. And this is not surprising, because the Virgin Mary is considered the patroness of the family. Therefore, if you have long wanted to get married, then November 4 is the most suitable day for this.
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Prohibitions on the holiday of the Kazan Mother of God
1. On this day you cannot show negative emotions and get angry. It is forbidden to swear, use foul language, envy and wish bad things on others.
2. Doing household chores related to cleaning, washing, repairs, sewing and other handicrafts is also prohibited.
3. It is forbidden to travel to Osennaya Kazanskaya, otherwise the road home will be very long.
4. In addition, our ancestors believed that you should not go on a trip to Kazan Autumn, otherwise the return journey home would be very long.
Traditions and rituals
1. By the day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, people tried to complete the construction work. During this period, women met their husbands who came from work, prepared a delicious dinner and set the tables.
2. According to tradition, on this day unmarried women went into the forest to look for a birch leaf covered with frost. If you peered at him for a long time, you could see the image of your future husband.
3. On this holiday, it is customary to go to church and pray at the icon of the Kazan Mother of God for the health and well-being of yourself and your loved ones.
4. If you get married on this day, the union promises to be especially strong, and the parents should give the newlyweds an icon of the Kazan Mother of God.
5. If you purchase it on this holiday, it will be endowed with special powers. The face of the Mother of God will help protect your home from fire, illness and misfortune.
Prayers before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Kazan”
The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is one of the most powerful icons of the Mother of God. Before her they pray for a wide variety of help in difficult life situations.
Most often asked:
- about health and healing from illnesses of yourself, children, loved ones (for example, with eye disease), - about a successful marriage (your own or your child's), - about maintaining peace in the family, - about the gift of children (successful conception) and successful childbirth, - about the granting of good work and success in business, - about protection from all injustice and accusations (in prison, before court).
Read both prayers, one after the other. If you don’t have time for thoughtful reading, read one of these prayers. Remember that it is better to devote yourself completely to reading one prayer than to skim through them all.
First prayer
Oh, Most Holy Lady Theotokos, Queen of Heaven and earth, the highest angel and archangel and the most honest, pure Virgin Mary of all creation, good Helper to the world, and affirmation for all people, and deliverance for all needs!
Look now, O All-Merciful Lady, upon Your servants, who pray to You with a tender soul and a contrite heart,
falling to You with tears and worshiping Your most pure and wholesome image, and asking for Your help and intercession.
Oh, All-Merciful and Most Merciful Pure Virgin Mary!
Look, O Lady, at Your people:
For we, sinners, are imams of no other help than to You and from You, Christ our God who was born.
You are our intercessor and representative.
You are protection for the offended, joy for the sorrowing, refuge for the orphans, keeper for widows, glory for virgins, joy for those who cry, visitation for the sick, healing for the weak, salvation for sinners.
For this reason, O Mother of God, we resort to You, and looking at Your Most Pure Image with the Eternal Child held in Your hand, our Lord Jesus Christ, we offer You a tender song and cry out:
have mercy on us, Mother of God, and fulfill our request, for all things are possible through Your intercession, as glory befits You now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
Amen.
Second prayer
Oh, Most Holy Lady and Lady Theotokos!
With fear, faith and love, falling before Your honorable icon, we pray to You: do not turn Your face away from those who come running to You.
Pray, merciful Mother, to Thy Son and our God, the Lord Jesus Christ, to preserve our country peacefully and to keep His holy Church unshakable from unbelief, heresies and schism.
There are no imams of any other help, no imams of other hope, unless You, Most Pure Virgin, are You the all-powerful Helper and Intercessor of Christians.
Deliver all who pray to You with faith from the falls of sin, from the slander of evil people, from all temptations, sorrows, troubles and from vain death.
Grant us the spirit of contrition, humility of heart, purity of thoughts, correction of sinful lives and the remission of sins, so that we all praise Thy greatness with gratitude, we will be worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven,
and there, with all the saints, let us glorify the Most Honorable and Magnificent Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Prayer three
O who will not please Thee, O Blessed Virgin, who will not sing of Thy mercy to the human race.
We pray to you, we ask you, do not leave us perishing in evil, dissolve our hearts with love and send your arrow to our enemies, may our hearts be wounded by peace against those who persecute us.
If the world hates us - You extend Your love to us, if the world persecutes us - You accept us, give us the grace-filled strength of patience - to endure the trials that happen in this world without grumbling.
Oh, Lady!
Soften the hearts of evil people who rise up against us, so that their hearts do not perish in evil - but pray, O Blessed One, Thy Son and our God, may he pacify their hearts with peace, but let the devil - the father of evil - be put to shame!
We, singing Thy mercy towards us, the evil, the indecent, will sing to Thee, O Most Wonderful Lady of the Blessed Virgin, hear us at this hour, the contrite hearts of those who have it,
protect us with peace and love towards each other and towards our enemies, eradicate from us all malice and enmity, so that we may sing to You and Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ: Alleluia! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
