Palm harvest is the twelfth holiday. Easter and Twelfth Feasts. Main holidays of the Orthodox Church

Twelfth holidays- These are twelve holidays dedicated to the events of the earthly life of Jesus Christ and the Mother of God. All twelve holidays are included in the list of holidays, but are inferior to " holiday of holidays and celebration of celebrations» - .

By theme, all twelve holidays are divided into Lord's And Mother of God, and according to the time of celebration - into transitional (movable) and non-transitionable (immobile). There are nine holidays that are not transferable, and three that are transferable. Services Twelve Feasts of the Fixed Circle are located in the Menaions of Menstruation, where services to saints and holidays are located for every day of the year. Services twelfth holidays of the moving circle are in the Lenten and Colored Triodions, where all the services of the Easter cycle are recorded. All twelve holidays have pre-celebration, post-celebration and giving.

The significance of the twelve holidays in Orthodoxy

The twelfth holidays for every believer who regularly attends and observes all fasts have important. This importance was predetermined by our distant ancestors, from the time of the existence of the Mother of God and Jesus Christ. In most modern states, cultural, folk and religious traditions are intertwined in a fairly close way. Even though functionality of the electronic age, we cannot yet abandon the historical heritage that contains multiple miracles, secrets and mysteries. In Russia, until 1925, all twelve holidays were also state holidays. The solemnity and observance of the significance of such holidays has not lost its relevance in our time. Some of them are officially celebrated in most countries of the world, when citizens are freed from labor and work. The approval at the legislative level of interaction between the State and the Church once again confirms this theory.

Twelfth Immovable Holidays

Intransient, that is, fixed holidays from year to year, for many centuries now, have a constant date. It is worth noting that in almost all Orthodox calendars, holidays are celebrated according to the new and old styles (written in brackets). Christmas Holy Mother of God it is customary to honor September 21. Why do we mention this holiday in the first place? Simply because according to the old style calculus church calendar starts exactly on September 1st. This is what the legend says, because the establishment of this holiday took place back in the fourth century. The Most Holy Theotokos, also known as the Virgin Mary, was born into a family of poor and rather elderly, but no less happy spouses, on September 8 (old style), that is, September 21 according to the new style, in distant Nazareth. The girl became the mother of Jesus Christ as a result of the immaculate conception, and therefore there could be no other way than her canonization.

Exaltation of the Holy Cross noted September 27. Dedication in a certain sense to the cross, as a symbol of eternal and heavenly life, is known not only in Christianity, but also in many other religions. The cross commemorates the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ as the atonement for the sins of all mankind.

The next hierarchical level is occupied by the holiday Introduction to the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary, December 4. On this day, for the first time and especially solemnly, three-year-old Mary was introduced into the temple in the city of Jerusalem.

Nativity, the brightest, kindest and no less solemn holiday, it is customary to celebrate Jan. 7. The supernatural birth of the Child of God from the immaculate Virgin Mary makes him especially grace-filled and unusual.

Holiday Epiphany or Epiphany, noted January 19. On this day the miracle of the appearance of the Faces of the Holy Trinity occurs. Jesus Christ was baptized in the waters of the Jordan River. God the Father blesses him with a voice from heaven, in the presence of many people. At the same time, the Holy Spirit descends to Jesus in the form of a white dove.

The Orthodox Church, according to gospel history, approved February, 15(new style) like a holiday Presentation of the Lord. God himself, speaking in the form of the Holy Spirit, promised Elder Simeon life on Earth until he saw Jesus Christ.

According to Church tradition, the unexpected and miraculous Good News is received by the Virgin Mary on the day April 7. She was informed by the Holy Spirit immaculate conception and the birth of the Divine Infant Christ. There are many traditions and customs associated with this day. This day is celebrated Annunciation.

Transfiguration(August 19) is associated with another significant event in the history of the Birth and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. On this day, he appeared to his disciples in a shining image, like the sun, in white robes, thereby confirming that there is an end to every suffering, and eternal life awaits everyone who believes in it.

Fasting before Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 28). It is customary to commemorate the mournful day with mournful prayers, with the purpose of consolation and edification for all Christians.

Twelfth Moving Holidays

One week before the celebration of Easter, it is customary to celebrate a moving holiday Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem that is Palm Sunday . On this day, Jesus Christ was accepted as the Savior and Messiah, welcoming and recognizing him as a type of God. They laid clothes before him, expecting blessings and salvation from worldly suffering.

Ascension of the Lord celebrated on the 40th day after Easter. According to legend, Jesus Christ ascends to heaven, to God the Father, thereby ending the ministry of earthly life. The holiday always falls on Thursday and reflects the sacredness of the entry of the Son into heavenly temple to His father.

The Holy Trinity falls on Sunday, the 50th day after Easter. Before this day it is customary to celebrate Trinity Parents' Saturday and remember the dead.

Orthodox calendar

The calendar in Rus' was called the monthly calendar. It covered and described absolutely the entire year of life of the peasants; in it, each day corresponded to certain holidays or weekdays, folk signs, all kinds weather conditions. The Orthodox calendar is divided into two parts according to the principle of its moving and fixed parts. The most significant days of celebration and fasting for a Christian are determined by Easter. It is by taking into account all the factors of the lunisolar calendar that the Easter holiday is first calculated - the most important and main holiday in every sense. The calculation of the first spring full moon follows immediately after the vernal equinox. Movement exact date Easter itself occurs within 35 days, that is, from April 4 to May 8. Thus, the date of this holiday moves, but the day of the week, that is, Sunday, remains unchanged. Periods of fasting and other traditionally religious days associated with the celebration of this unique holiday for believers are counted based on this principle.

All twelve feasts, both the Lord's and the Theotokos, have special days:

• forefeast- these are the days preparing the holiday;
• after-feast- continuation of the holiday;
• giving- the final point in the celebration of the holiday; the main points of the festive service are repeated at the service.

Some of the Lord's holidays, in addition, are preceded and concluded by special Saturdays and weeks (Sundays).

All twelve holidays have one day of pre-celebration, with the exception of:

• The Nativity of Christ - 5 pre-holiday days, due to the fact that Christmas is the largest of the Twelve holidays;
• Epiphany - 4 days before the holiday, for Epiphany is the second Twelfth holiday after Christmas;
• There is no pre-celebration of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, due to Great Lent and the fact that the day of the holiday itself falls on Holy Week(V church calendar the week begins with the Resurrection);
• There is no pre-celebration of the Ascension of the Lord, for the holiday itself is the day after the celebration of Easter, which is higher than all holidays (the holidays of the Feast and the Triumph of Solemnities), therefore the pre-celebration of the Ascension “does not fit” in its place;
• There is no forefeast day of the Holy Trinity.

The number of days of post-feast varies from 1 to 8 days, depending on the greater or lesser proximity of some holidays to others or to days of fasting. The last day of the post-feast is called the giving of the holiday and differs from the other days of the post-feast in the greater solemnity of the divine service, having in the service most of the chants and prayers of the holiday itself.

Divine service

Services for the twelve feasts of the fixed circle are located in the Menaions of the Months, where services to saints and holidays for each day of the year are located. Services for the twelve feasts of the moving circle are located in the Lenten and Colored Triodions, where all the services of the Easter cycle are recorded.

During the pre-feast period, at services dedicated to the ordinary days of Menaion, chants of the coming great holiday begin to appear, increasing in number and culminating on the day of the holiday itself, when only these festive chants are sung. On the days of the post-feast, the content of the services again returns to the saints and the events of the Menaion, but there are also festive chants, the number of which decreases, and on the day of the celebration they again predominate.

At the festive all-night vigil of all twelve feasts, lithium is served (which means “intensified prayer”). At the litia, church-wide and local saints are remembered, and special petitions are made for deliverance from all sorts of disasters. At this time, a special litany is sung with repeated “Lord, have mercy.” Then there is a blessing of five loaves (in memory of the gospel miracle of feeding 5,000 people with five loaves), as well as wheat, wine and oil. This custom dates back to ancient times - it is the consecration of the “fruits of the earth”, during which people pray to God to send abundance, prosperity and peace. During the burning of the bread, the troparion of the holiday is solemnly sung three times.

Divine service of the Twelve Feasts of the Lord

There are only eight twelve feasts of the Lord.

• Impermanent holidays: The Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord, the Nativity of Christ, the Baptism of the Lord, the Presentation, the Transfiguration.
• Moving holidays: Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, Ascension, Pentecost.

Features of the service:

1. The service of the Lord's holiday will be the same on any day of the week (even if the holiday falls on Sunday, then Sunday service simply “reclines”).
2. If the Lord's feast falls on Sunday or Monday, then at Great Vespers " Blessed is the husband", if from Tuesday to Saturday, then " Blessed is the husband» is cancelled.
3. During the liturgy, festive antiphons are sung.
4. At the Small Entrance, an entrance verse is added to the deacon’s speech before the Royal Doors, after which “ Come let's worship" is not sung, but the troparion of the holiday is sung.
5. They have special leave.
6. On the day of the Twelfth Feast, Great Vespers is celebrated in the evening with the evening entrance and the Great Prokeme. If the holiday happens on Saturday, then the great prokeimenon is transferred from the evening of the day of the holiday to the vespers of the holiday itself and is read at the great vespers instead of the ordinary prokeimenon.
7. During the celebration of the holiday, one Apostle and one Gospel of the day are read at the Liturgy.

Divine service of the twelve feasts of the Virgin Mary

There are only four twelve feasts of the Theotokos: Introduction, Assumption, Annunciation and Nativity of the Virgin.

These holidays are supposed to All-night vigil. If the holiday falls on weekdays and on Saturday, then the service for the holiday is served, if on Sunday, then there is a combination of two services - the Virgin Mary and Sunday. This happens because the Lord’s holiday, which is Sunday, cannot be canceled by a smaller holiday, even if it is the twelve, since the Mother of God is not higher than Christ.

Features of the service:

1. On “Lord, I have cried” the stichera of the holiday are sung.
2. After Prokeme Vespers (“ The Lord reigns, clothed in beauty") the proverbs of the holiday are read.
3. At the Blessing of the Loaves (not to be confused with the Litiya), the troparion of the holiday is sung three times.
4. On " God Lord"The Sunday troparion is sung twice, on " Glory even now"troparion of the holiday.
5. Polyeleos, magnification of the holiday with a selected psalm and Sunday troparia for the immaculate.
6. Sunday antiphons of the current voice, but the prokeimenon and the Gospel of the holiday.
7. After the Gospel it is sung “ Having seen the Resurrection of Christ»
8. The Sunday stichera according to the Gospel is replaced by the stichera of the holiday.
9. The canon is read on Sunday, the Mother of God and the holiday.
10. After the 3rd song of the Canon, the Sunday kontakion, after the 6th of the Theotokos.
11. The choruses of the 8th song are not sung, but read “ The most honest».
12. « Holy is the Lord our God" is not cancelled.
13. After the Great Doxology, the troparion is only Sunday.
14. At the Liturgy at the entrance " Risen from the dead...", but not " prayers of the Mother of God».
15. Prokeimenon, Apostle, Alleluia, Gospel and sacramental verse - first for Sunday, then for the holiday.
16. « Worthy to eat" is replaced by a worthy person.
17. At the glorification after the dismissal, or at the prayer behind the pulpit, the troparion, kontakion and magnification of the holiday.

The righteous Joachim and Anna lived in the city of Nazareth. Both of them lived to old age, but had no children. They fervently prayed that the Lord would give them a son or daughter, and made a promise that if a child was born to them, they would dedicate him to serving God at the temple. The Lord heard their prayer: they had a daughter, whom they named Mary.
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on September 21(8).

Troparion, voice 4th:
Your Christmas, Virgin Mary,
joy to proclaim to the whole universe:
from You has arisen the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God,
and having broken the oath, I gave a blessing,
and having abolished death, he gave us eternal life.

Kontakion, voice 4th:
Joachim and Anna reproach childlessness,
and Adam and Eve were freed from mortal aphids,
Most Pure One, in Your holy Nativity.
This is what Your People celebrate,
having freed yourself from the guilt of sins, always call Ti:
The Mother of God and the nourisher of our life gives birth to barren fruits.

2. Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the Temple

(Introduction). When the Virgin Mary was three years old, Joachim and Anna fulfilled their promise and brought Her to the Jerusalem Temple. The High Priest met the Virgin Mary at the entrance and, at the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, led Her into a special place, the Holy of Holies, where he himself could only enter once a year. The Virgin Mary remained to live at the temple and spent most of her time in prayer and reading sacred books.
The Blessed Virgin Mary lived at the temple until she was 14 years old. After this, according to the law, She had to return to her parents or get married. But Joachim and Anna had already died by this time, and the Virgin Mary did not want to get married, since she had promised to remain a virgin. Then the priests betrothed Her to a distant relative, the eighty-year-old elder Joseph, so that he would take care of Her as his daughter. Joseph lived in Nazareth: he was a poor man and was engaged in carpentry.
The Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos is celebrated on December 4 (November 21).

Troparion, voice 4th:
Today of God's favor the transfiguration
and preaching the salvation of men:
in the temple of God the Virgin clearly appears,
and proclaims Christ to everyone,
We too will cry out loudly:
Rejoice, fulfillment of the Lord’s vision.

Kontakion, voice 4th:
The Most Pure Church of the Savior,
the valuable palace and the Virgin,
sacred treasure of the glory of God,
today he is brought into the house of the Lord,
co-leading grace, even in the Divine Spirit,
The Angels of God are singing:
This is the village of heaven.

3. Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-38)

(Annunciation). When the Virgin Mary lived with Joseph, the Archangel Gabriel was sent to Her by God to tell her the good news about the birth of the Savior of the world from Her. He appeared to Her with these words: “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with You, blessed are You among women.” The Virgin Mary was embarrassed and thought: what does this greeting mean? The Archangel continued: “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God; You will give birth to a Son and call Him Jesus.” The Virgin Mary asked in bewilderment: “How can this be when I am not married”? The Archangel answered Her: “The Holy Spirit will come upon You and the power of the Most High will overshadow You, therefore the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.” The Virgin Mary said with humility: “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to Your word.” And the angel departed from Her.
The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on April 7 (March 25).

Troparion, voice 4th:
The day of our salvation is the greatest,
and the manifestation of the sacrament from the ages,
The Son of God is the Son of the Virgin,
and Gabriel preaches grace.
In the same way, we will cry out to the Mother of God:
Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Kontakion, voice 8th:
The elected Voivode is victorious,
like having gotten rid of the evil ones,
Let us sing thanksgiving to Thy servants, O Mother of God:
but as having an invincible power,
free us from all sorts of troubles,
let us call Ti: Rejoice, Unbrided Bride.

4. Christmas (Luke 2:1-21)

(Christmas). The Roman Emperor Augustus ordered a national census to be taken in the land of Judea under his control. To do this, every Jew had to go and register in the city where his ancestors lived. Joseph and Mary went to the city of Bethlehem to register. Here they could not find a place in the house, since a lot of people had gathered in Bethlehem on the occasion of the census, and they stopped outside the city in a cave where shepherds drove cattle into a bad pagoda. Here at night the Blessed Virgin gave birth to a Baby, wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger.
On the night of the Nativity of Christ, the Bethlehem shepherds grazed their flocks in the field. Suddenly an angel appeared to them. The shepherds were afraid. But the angel told them: “Do not be afraid! I bring you great joy: on this night the Savior of the world was born, and this is a sign for you: you will find a Child wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” At this time, many angels appeared in heaven, praising God and singing: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
When the angels disappeared, the shepherds began to say: “Let us go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about.” They came to the cave and found Mary, Joseph and the Child lying in a manger. They worshiped Him and told Joseph and Mary what they had seen and heard from the angels. On the eighth day after His birth, He was given the name Jesus.
Christmas is celebrated on January 7 (December 25).

Troparion, voice 4th:
Your Nativity, Christ our God,
The rise of the world, the light of reason,
there are servants of the stars in it
I follow a star,
I bow to you to the Sun of Truth
and I lead you from the heights of the East:
Lord, glory to You!

Kontakion, voice 3:
The Virgin is giving birth today to the Most Essential,
and the earth brings the den to the Unapproachable:
Angels and shepherds praise,
The wolves travel with the star:
For our sake, the Young Child, the Eternal God, was born.

5. Presentation of the Lord (Luke 2:22-39)

(Candlemas). The Jews had a law that on the fortieth day after his birth the first son should be brought to the temple to be dedicated to God. In this case, they sacrificed: the rich - a lamb and a dove, and the poor - two pigeon chicks. When Jesus Christ was forty days old, the Virgin Mary and Joseph brought Him to the Jerusalem Temple and, since they were poor, they sacrificed two doves. On the same day, Elder Simeon came to the temple, who was predicted that he would not die until he saw Christ the Savior. He met Mary and the Child and, taking Him in his arms, said: “Now I can die in peace, because my eyes have seen the Savior of the world.”
In the temple there was the widow Anna the prophetess, 84 years old, who told those present that this Child is the Savior of the world.
The Presentation of the Lord is celebrated on February 15 (2).

Prayer of St. Simeon the God-Receiver,(sung at Vespers, 1st part of the All-Night Vigil):
Now dost thou release thy servant, O Lord,
according to Your word, in peace;
for my eyes have seen Your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all people,
light in the revelation of tongues
and the glory of Your people Israel. (Luke 2:29-32).

6. Baptism of the Lord (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:32-34)

(Baptism). When Jesus Christ turned 30 years old, He went to the Jordan River to John the Baptist to be baptized by him. John at first refused, saying: “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered him: “Leave it, we need to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John baptized Him. When Jesus Christ emerged from the water, the heavens suddenly opened above Him and the Spirit of God descended on Him in the form of a dove, and the voice of God the Father was heard from heaven: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Since the Holy Trinity appeared during the Baptism of the Lord, this holiday is also called Epiphany.
The Epiphany of the Lord is celebrated on January 19 (6). On this holiday, in the church, water is blessed twice. The first time after the Liturgy, which is served on the day before the holiday. This water is called “Evening Water”. For the second time on the day of the holiday after the Liturgy, a religious procession takes place, which is called “Walking to the Jordan.” During this Procession of the Cross the water is blessed, which is called “Epiphany water”.

Troparion, voice 1st:
In the Jordan I am baptized to You, Lord,
Trinitarian worship revealed:
Your parents' voice bears witness to You,
calling your beloved son:
and the Spirit, in the form of a dove,
your worded statement:
appear Christ God,
and the world of enlightenment, glory to You.

Kontakion, voice 4th:
You appeared today to the universe,
and Your light, O Lord, shines upon us,
in the minds of those singing Ty:
You have come and you have appeared as an unapproachable Light.

7. Transfiguration of the Lord (Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36)

(Transfiguration). Shortly before His suffering, Jesus Christ took with Him three of His disciples: Peter, James and John and went up with them to Mount Tabor to pray. While He was praying, the disciples fell asleep. When they woke up, they saw that Jesus Christ had been transformed: His face shone like the sun, and his clothes were white as snow, and Moses and Elijah appeared to Him in glory and talked with Him about the suffering and death that He had to endure in Jerusalem . When Moses and Elijah left Jesus Christ, Peter exclaimed: “Lord! we feel good here; We will make three tents: one for You, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and they heard a voice from the cloud: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; Listen to him." The disciples threw themselves to the ground in fear. Jesus Christ approached them, touched them and said: “stand up, do not be afraid”! The disciples stood up and saw Jesus Christ in his usual form.
The Transfiguration of the Lord is celebrated on August 19 (6).

Troparion, voice 7th:
You were transfigured on the mountain, O Christ God,
showing to Your disciples Your glory, as to a man:
may Your ever-present light shine upon us sinners,
through the prayers of the Mother of God, Light-Giver, glory to Thee.

Kontakion, voice 7th:
You appeared on the mountain,
and as a place that contains Thy disciples,
I have seen Your glory, O Christ God:
Yes, when they see You crucified,
suffering will then be understood as free,
they preach to the world,
for You are truly the Father's radiance.

8. Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-17; Mark 11:1-19; Luke 19:29-48; John 12:12-19)

(Palm Sunday). Six days before Easter, Jesus Christ left Bethany for Jerusalem. Halfway along the road, at his request, the disciples brought a donkey and a colt to him so that he could ride on them. They covered them with their clothes and Jesus Christ sat down and rode to Jerusalem. And as He rode, a multitude of people came out of Jerusalem to meet him. Some took off their clothes and spread them along the road; others cut palm branches, carried them in their hands or threw them along the road, and everyone loudly exclaimed: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the Highest! The children especially diligently and joyfully greeted the Savior and even in the temple shouted to Him: “Hosanna to the Son of David”!
The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem is celebrated on Sunday, a week before Easter. During the service, willow trees (instead of palm branches) are blessed and distributed. This happens during Lent, before Holy Week. On this day, students usually receive communion with their parents and teachers.

8a. Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-11; Luke 24:1-12) (John 20:1-18; Corinthians 15:3-5)

(Resurrection of Christ. Resurrection. Easter of Christ). On the first day after Saturday, early in the morning, Jesus Christ rose from the dead. At the same time there was a strong earthquake. An angel of the Lord descended from heaven; his appearance was like lightning, and his robe was white as snow. He rolled away the stone from the door of the tomb and sat on it. The warriors standing guard fell to the ground out of fear and became as if they were dead, and then, having come to their senses, they fled. Some of them came to the high priests and told what had happened. The high priests gave them money and taught them to say that at night, while they were sleeping, the disciples of Jesus Christ came and stole His body.
Feast of Feasts, Resurrection of Christ, Easter, celebrated on the first Sunday after the first spring full moon between April 4 (March 22) and May 8 (April 25). At midnight (Saturday to Sunday) Easter Matins is served, followed by the Liturgy. After these services ends Lent and you can break your fast (eat modestly, not fast). Easter is celebrated for seven days.

Stichera at the beginning of Matins, voice 6th:
Your Resurrection, O Christ the Savior,
Angels sing in heaven:
and vouchsafe us to the earth
with a pure heart Thank you.

Troparion:
Christ is risen from the dead,
trample down death by death,
and to those in the tombs life was given freely.

9. Ascension of the Lord (Mark 16:15-19; Luke 24:46-53; Acts 1:2;4-26)

(Ascension). On the fortieth day after the resurrection from the dead, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to His disciples and told them to stay in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit. Then He led them out of the city to the Mount of Olives and, raising his hands, blessed them, and when he blessed them, he began to ascend into heaven. Finally, a bright cloud hid Jesus Christ from the sight of the disciples. They looked at the sky for a long time. Suddenly two angels in white robes appeared to them and said: “Men of Galilee! Why are you standing and looking at the sky? This Jesus, who has ascended into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him ascend into heaven.” The disciples bowed to the ascended Lord and joyfully returned to Jerusalem.
The Ascension of the Lord is celebrated in the fortieth day after Easter, always on Thursday.

Troparion, voice 4th:
Thou art exalted in glory, O Christ our God,
joy created by the student,
the promise of the Holy Spirit,
the former blessing notified to them:
for You are the Son of God, the Savior of the world.

Kontakion, voice 6th:
Having already looked after us,
and uniting those on earth with those in heaven,
You are exalted in glory, O Christ our God,
not leaving at all, but remaining persistent,
and cry out to those who love Thee:
I am with you, and no one else is with you.

10. The descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles (Acts 2;14:23)

(Holy Trinity. Trinity. Pentecost). On the fiftieth day after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the apostles with the Mother of God and other believers were together and prayed. At three o'clock from the beginning of the day, a noise was suddenly heard from the sky, as if from strong wind, and filled the whole house where they were, and tongues of fire appeared and rested on each of them. Everyone was filled with the Holy Spirit and began to praise God different languages, which were not known before.
In Jerusalem at that time there were many Jews who came from different countries, on the occasion of the Feast of Pentecost. Hearing the noise, they gathered near the house where the apostles were, and were surprised that simple, unlearned people spoke different languages. Then the Apostle Peter spoke and explained to the people that they had received the Holy Spirit from Jesus Christ, who was crucified but rose from the dead. Those who heard this sermon were touched in their hearts and asked Peter: “What should we do?” Peter answered them: “Repent and be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. And on that day about three thousand people were baptized.
The descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles signifies the end of the New Testament and the beginning of apostolic preaching and history Christian Church. The events before the Descent of the Holy Spirit are described in the Gospel, and the Descent itself and after it are described in the book of the Apostle.
The descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles is celebrated on fiftieth day after Easter and is called the day of the Holy Trinity or Pentecost. The Holy Trinity always happens on Sunday and is celebrated for three days. There is no fasting throughout the week, that is, Wednesday and Friday are not fasting; that's why it's called "solid".

Troparion, voice 8th:
Blessed are you, Christ our God,
Like the wise fishers of phenomena,
sending down the Holy Spirit upon them,
and with them catch the universe,
Lover of humanity, glory to Thee.

Kontakion, voice 8th:
When the tongues merged,
dividing the languages ​​of the Most High:
when the fiery tongues were distributed,
in connection with the whole appeal:
and accordingly we glorify the All-Holy Spirit.

11. Dormition of the Mother of God

(Assumption). After the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ, Mother God's vein in Jerusalem in the house of the holy Apostle John the Theologian. She was notified of her dormition three days in advance by the Archangel Gabriel. Then, according to Her desire, all the apostles, except Thomas, were miraculously gathered to Jerusalem by the power of God. At the hour of her death, an extraordinary light illuminated the room where she was Mother of God; The Lord Jesus Christ Himself appeared and received Her most pure soul, and Her apostles buried Her body in the Garden of Gethsemane, in the cave where the bodies of Her parents and righteous Joseph rested. Three days later, the Apostle Thomas arrived and wished to venerate the body of the Mother of God. But when they opened the cave, they did not find a body there. The apostles stood in bewilderment. Suddenly the Mother of God Herself appeared to them and said: “Rejoice! I will always be your prayer book before God.”
The Dormition of the Mother of God is celebrated on August 28 (15).

Troparion, voice 1st:
You preserved your virginity at Christmas,
in the Dormition you did not forsake the world, O Mother of God,
You reposed to the belly, Mother of the Being of the Belly,
and through Your prayers You deliver our souls from death.

Kontakion, voice 2:
In prayers the never-sleeping Mother of God,
and in intercession there is immutable hope,
the coffin and death cannot be withheld:
like the Belly Mother,
Place it in the womb of the ever-virgin One who is infused into the Belly.

12. Exaltation of the Holy Cross

(Exaltation). The first Christians were ancient Jews and experienced great persecution from Jewish leaders who did not follow Jesus Christ. First Christian martyr, Holy First Martyr Stephen, was stoned to death, for Christian sermon. After the fall of Jerusalem, many times more terrible persecution of Christians began from the pagan Romans. The Romans were against Christians, since Christian teaching was the complete opposite of the customs, morals and views of the pagans. Instead of selfishness, it preached love, put humility in place of pride, instead of luxury, taught abstinence and fasting, eradicated polygamy, promoted the emancipation of slaves, and instead of cruelty called for mercy and charity. Christianity morally elevates and purifies a person and directs all his activities towards good. Christianity was prohibited, severely punished, Christians were cruelly tortured and then killed. This was the case until 313, when Emperor Constantine not only freed Christians, but also made Christianity the state faith.
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross is celebrated on September 27 (14).

The Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord, the last of the twelve feasts, is described in the textbook on the Law of God as follows:
Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The persecution of Christians continued for about three hundred years, and ended only under Emperor Costantine the Great, who himself accepted Christian faith. His mother, the pious Queen Helena, went to Jerusalem to find the cross on which the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified.
It was pointed out to the queen that the cross of Christ was buried in the ground, and a pagan temple was built in that place. When, by order of Elena, they broke down the building and began to dig the ground, they found three crosses and next to them a tablet with the inscription: “Jesus Christ of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”
To find out which of the three Crosses of the Lord they began to place on the deceased. No miracle happened from the two crosses, but when they laid the third cross, the dead man was resurrected, and thus they recognized the cross of the Lord.
Everyone who was there wanted to see the holy cross. Then the Patriarch of Jerusalem Macarius and Queen Helena stood on an elevated place and erected a cross, and the people bowed to him and exclaimed: “Lord, have mercy!”

Troparion(Tone 1)
God bless your people,
and bless Your inheritance,
victories by an Orthodox Christian
granting to the resistance,
and preserving Your residence by Your Cross.

In Russian(translation by ANM)
God bless your people,
and bless Your inheritance,
victory for Orthodox Christians
grant on enemies
and preserving Your residence by Your Cross.

Kontakion(Tone 4)
Ascended to the Cross by will,


Orthodox Christians rejoice in Your power,
giving them victories for comparison,
benefit to those who have, Your weapon of peace,
invincible victory.

In Russian(translation by ANM)
Ascended to the Cross by will,
your namesake new residence
Grant Thy compassions, O Christ God:
make the Orthodox Christians glad in Your power,
give them victories over their enemies,
benefit to those who have, Your weapon of peace,
invincible victory.

Why are church holidays established?

Holidays are established to remember the benefits of God and to give thanks to God for them. Taking one away from the bustle of everyday affairs and paying attention to the spiritual, holidays revive and deepen faith, cultivate the spirit of piety, and strengthen one in life by faith.

What is the biggest church holiday?

Easter - the Resurrection of Christ - “holidays, Feast and Triumph of celebrations.” “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith is also in vain” (1 Cor. 15:14).

What does the word "Easter" mean?

The word “Passover” translated from Hebrew means “transition, deliverance.” Celebrating the Old Testament Passover, Jews remembered the liberation of their ancestors from Egyptian slavery and the transition to the Promised Land. Celebrating the New Testament Easter, Christians celebrate the deliverance of all mankind from slavery to sin and the gift eternal life and blessedness through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

What is the twelfth holiday?

These are twelve (“twelve” in Slavic) great (big) holidays dedicated to the remembrance of events associated with the earthly life of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Mother of God, and having a fateful significance in the history of mankind.

What holidays are the Twelfth?

These are eight holidays dedicated to the Lord and four holidays dedicated to the Mother of God (dates are given according to the old/new style):

• Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8/21),
• Exaltation of the Honest and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord (September 14/27),
• Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary (November 21/December 4), Nativity of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ (December 25/January 07),
• Epiphany (Epiphany) (06/19 January),
• Meeting of our Lord Jesus Christ (02/15 February),
• Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (March 25/April 7),
• Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) (7 days before Easter),
• Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ (on the 40th day after Easter),
• Trinity Day (Pentecost) (on the 50th day after Easter),
• Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ (06/19 August),
• Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15/28).

What holidays are called great?

Great holidays:

• Circumcision of the Lord (01/14 January),
• Nativity of the Honest Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John (June 24/July 7),
• Glorious and all-validated Supreme Apostles Peter and Paul (June 29/July 12),
• Beheading of the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John (August 29/September 11),
• Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary (October 01/14).

How to celebrate church holidays?

On church holidays, you need to reduce all external affairs to a minimum in order to devote yourself to prayer and spiritual experience of the sacred event being celebrated.

These days should be dedicated to God: if possible, attend church services (preferably confession and communion), after church pray at home, read Holy Bible and the works of the holy fathers, do works of mercy (for example, visit the lonely, sick, prisoners, feed the poor).

You cannot work on holidays unless absolutely necessary. The holiday should be cherished and honored.

What does “pre-celebration” and “giving away” of the holiday mean?

IN church celebration Great holidays should be distinguished between the day of the holiday itself and the days of the pre-celebration, post-celebration and giving away of the holiday.

During the days of the forefeast, the Church prepares believers for a worthy celebration of the holiday with prayers and chants in honor of the upcoming holiday.

The days of after-feast constitute a continuation of the holiday. These days, the Church remembers and glorifies the event of the former holiday.

The last day of the post-feast is called the day of the celebration of the holiday and differs from the days of the post-feast in the greater solemnity of the divine service, because it contains most of the prayers and chants of the holiday itself.

Can Orthodox Christians celebrate Valentine's Day?

The transfer of this holiday to Orthodox soil is not harmless, as it is often used as a reason for promoting debauchery. Orthodox Christians have their own holidays and days of remembrance of saints glorified by the Orthodox Church. The name Valentin means strong in Latin. The Orthodox Church has glorified as saints several ascetics of faith, piety and martyrs who gave their lives for Christ, bearing this name. The days of their memory are indicated in the Orthodox church calendar.

Do believers celebrate their birthday?

Yes, they do. Life is God's great gift. Earthly life is given to man to prepare for eternal life. Orthodox believers turn to God on their birthday prayers of thanksgiving for the past years and try on this day to confess and partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. Covered and festive table for treating family, friends and relatives.

What does the “holiday” of March 8th mean?

An outrage against the religious feelings of believers, since usually on this day Lent is already underway and the celebration of “Women’s Day” almost always falls on evening service on the eve of the first and second discovery of the head of John the Baptist, when the Church again remembers the martyrdom of the Baptist of Christ, the cause of which was female licentiousness, vindictiveness and deceit.

The anti-Christian orientation of “International Women’s Day March 8” was obvious at the time of its inception. This later human desire for comfort and homely joys gave him attractive features. And initially this day was conceived by Clara Zetkin precisely as a holiday of militant atheists, comrades in the revolutionary struggle, “liberated” women - freed from the duty of wife and mother, from chastity and modesty, from gentleness and kindness.

TWELVETH HOLIDAYS
The twelfth holidays are celebrated in honor of major events earthly life of Jesus Christ and his mother, the Virgin Mary. These special holidays- twelve, that’s why they are called twelve (from the Old Russian two by ten- twelve).
Twelfth holidays are organized orthodox calendar. They are divided into intransient, fixed by calendar dates, and passing, counted from the day Easter, the date of which changes and is calculated using special tables - Easter. Easter is considered by the Orthodox holiday of holidays and is not included among the twelve feasts. Russian Orthodox Church Twelfth holidays are celebrated according to old style, therefore, modern calendars indicate two dates - according to new style and old style.
The twelve holidays stand out Lord's holidays related to the earthly life of Jesus Christ, and Mother of God holidays, associated with the earthly life of the Mother of God.
TO Lord's holidays relate:- celebrated on January 7 (December 25) in memory of the birth of Jesus Christ. - celebrated on January 19 (January 6) in memory of the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. Presentation of the Lord- celebrated on February 15 (February 2). Word Candlemas V Church Slavonic language means "meeting". According to the Gospel, on the 40th day after birth, in accordance with the law, the baby Jesus was brought to Jerusalem. The righteous Simeon also came there, who was predicted that he could not die until he saw the new God - Christ. Simeon saw Jesus and thanked God that he could now peacefully die.
As a "meeting", Candlemas in folk tradition associated with the change of seasons. By folk beliefs, on this day from in the spring meet, and if there is a thaw on Candlemas, then spring will be early and warm. Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem - celebrated a week before Easter in memory of the day when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem and the people greeted him with palm leaves. In Russia, on this day, instead of palm branches, believers decorate churches with branches. willows- the first bush to bloom in spring. Blessed willow bouquets are also placed at home. The holiday has a common name - Palm Sunday. Ascension of the Lord - celebrated on the 40th day after Easter in honor of the day when Jesus Christ completed his earthly life and ascended to Heaven, or ascended. Trinity(Holy Trinity Day) - one of the main Christian holidays. IN Christian teaching The Holy Trinity is God, one in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The holiday was established, according to legend, in honor of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles on the 50th day after Easter. Hence another name for the holiday - Pentecost. This event is interpreted by the church as the beginning of the widespread spread of Christianity. On Trinity, churches and houses are decorated birch branches (cm.). On Saturday before Trinity ( Trinity Saturday) go to cemeteries and remember ( cm.) deceased.
The Trinity of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is reflected on the famous icon Andrey Rublev, created by him for the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra Sergius of Radonezh. The Russian Church considers this image of the Trinity to be the best and canonical. "Trinity" Rublev is stored in Tretyakov Gallery . Reproductions of the icon are often placed not only in church literature, but also in secular books about Russian culture, one of the symbols of which is the “Trinity” in our time. Transfiguration - celebrated on August 19 (August 6) in memory of the day when Christ, during prayer, was transformed in front of his disciples, revealing his divine essence: his face began to radiate radiance, his clothes became white. At this time, the voice of God the Father was heard from heaven, saying: “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him.” Transfiguration is not only a church holiday, it is one of the favorite Russian national holidays. He is called Apple Spas . It is believed that apples ripen only on this day ( cm.). On this day, fruits are blessed in the church, most often apples. Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Elevation of honest and life-giving cross of the Lord) - celebrated on September 27 (September 14) as a holiday in honor of the location of the place of execution of Jesus, the Holy Sepulcher and cross, on which Jesus Christ was crucified. The only one of the twelve holidays not directly related to the earthly life of Christ.
TO Mother of God holidays relate: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary - celebrated on September 21 (September 8) in memory of the birth of the Virgin Mary - Theotokos. Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the Temple - celebrated on December 4 (November 21) in memory of the day when the three-year-old Virgin Mary was first brought to the temple by her parents to serve God. Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - celebrated on April 7 (March 25) in memory of the day when, according to legend, the Virgin Mary received good(good, happy) news from Archangel Gabriel that she will become the mother of the God-man. Since ancient times on Rus' There was a tradition on this day to release birds to freedom. Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary - celebrated on August 28 (August 15) as the day of the death of the Virgin Mary. The holiday is called the Dormition (“falling asleep”) because the Mother of God died quietly, as if falling asleep. , taking place from August 14 to 27, is called Assumption.
On the twelve holidays, especially solemn services are held. These days, many believers visit churches and temples.
Temples are often named after the twelfth holidays ( cm., ), in which the central place is occupied by icons dedicated to the corresponding holiday: for example, in the Annunciation Cathedral Moscow Kremlin temple icon is the icon “Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary” (XVII century), in the Trinity Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra - “Trinity” (XIV century) by Andrei Rublev. The themes of the Twelve Feasts are also reflected in the paintings of cathedrals. Icons depicting the twelve feasts usually comprise festive rite Russian iconostasis.
Themes and plots of the twelve holidays occupy a significant place in Russian classical painting. Widely known: painting A.A. Ivanov “The Appearance of Christ to the People”(1855), paintings of the Kyiv Vladimir Cathedral (1885–1893) V.M. Vasnetsova, mosaics and church icons Savior on Spilled Blood V St. Petersburg(1894–1897) M.V. Nesterova. About the place of the twelve holidays in life Russians, holiday traditions are described in the famous book I.S. Shmeleva"Summer of the Lord" (where the word summer means 'year').
Willow is a symbol of Palm Sunday:

Palm Sunday on Red Square in Moscow. Palm Bazaar. Photography from the beginning of the 20th century:


Festive rite of the iconostasis:

Russia. Large linguistic and cultural dictionary. - M.: State Institute Russian language named after. A.S. Pushkin. AST-Press. T.N. Chernyavskaya, K.S. Miloslavskaya, E.G. Rostova, O.E. Frolova, V.I. Borisenko, Yu.A. Vyunov, V.P. Chudnov. 2007 .

See what "TWELENTH HOLIDAYS" is in other dictionaries:

Twelfth holidays- in worship Orthodox Church twelve great holidays of the annual liturgical circle (except Easter). They are divided into the Lord's, dedicated to Jesus Christ, and the Theotokos, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. To the great... ... Political science. Dictionary.

TWELVETH HOLIDAYS, 12- the most important Orthodox church holidays: Nativity of Christ, Epiphany (Epiphany), Presentation of the Lord, Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), Ascension of the Lord, Trinity Day, ... ... Modern encyclopedia

TWELVETH HOLIDAYS- 12 most important Orthodox church holidays: December 25 (January 7) Nativity of Christ, January 6 (19) Epiphany (Epiphany), February 2 (15) Candlemas, March 25 (April 7) Annunciation, a week before Easter, entry into Jerusalem (Palm) Sunday), 40... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

Twelfth holidays- TWELVE, and it counts. quantity (old). Same as twelve. The invasion of twelve languages ​​(about Napoleon's army during Patriotic War 1812). Dictionary Ozhegova. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova. 1949 1992 … Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary

Twelfth holidays- (also twelfth holidays) the twelve most important holidays after Easter in Orthodoxy. Dedicated to the events of the earthly life of Jesus Christ and the Mother of God, they are among the great holidays, in the Typikon they are marked with a red cross in a full circle ... Wikipedia

TWELVETH HOLIDAYS- Gospel cover depicting holidays. Serbia. Beginning XVI century (MSPC) Gospel cover depicting the holidays. Serbia. Beginning XVI century (MSPC) [twenties] [Greek. Ϫωδεκάορτον], 12 holidays, in Orthodox. traditions considered the most important after... ... Orthodox Encyclopedia

twelfth holidays- 12 most important Orthodox church holidays: December 25 (January 7) Nativity of Christ, January 6 (19) Epiphany (Epiphany), February 2 (15) Candlemas, March 25 (April 7) Annunciation, a week before Easter Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem … … encyclopedic Dictionary

twelfth holidays - stable combination Twelve Most Important Orthodox holidays: Christmas/Christ on January 7 (December 25), Epiphany on January 19 (6), Wednesday on February 15 (2), Annunciation on April 7 (March 25), Entry of the Lord on Jerusalem /m (Palm... ... Popular dictionary of the Russian language

Twelfth holidays- the twelve most important church holidays after Easter. Some of them have established dates once and for all: the Nativity of Christ on December 25/January 7, Epiphany (Epiphany) on January 6/19, the Presentation of the Lord on February 2/15, the Annunciation... ... Orthodox encyclopedic dictionary