Annunciation: what can and what is forbidden to do on this day

For Christians of all denominations, the Annunciation is a special holiday, which is called the beginning of a new era and the foundation of Christian Gospel history. Like any church holiday, the Annunciation is accompanied by rituals, prohibitions and important things that must be done on this day.

The date of the Annunciation is fixed - it is celebrated on March 25, but it falls on different periods of Great Lent.

What can't be done at the Annunciation: church prohibitions

The story of the holiday described in the Gospel reads: the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the young Virgin Mary and brought her the good news (hence the name of the holiday - Annunciation) that the virgin was chosen to become the mother of the Son of God. At the same time, the immaculate conception of Mary, the future Savior of the human race, took place.

The Day of the Annunciation is perceived by believers as one of the brightest and most joyful days, and therefore it is impossible to quarrel, clarify relationships, conflict and scold children on the Annunciation.

Heavy work cannot be done on the Annunciation, sewing and knitting, general cleaning and repairs are not recommended. True, church officials do not insist on the strictness of this prohibition, arguing that they should be guided by common sense, but they do not forget to think about the essence of the Annunciation. Nevertheless, among the people, the prohibition to work is considered important, even the proverb is relevant: "On the Annunciation, a bird does not build a nest, a girl does not weave braids."

Since the Annunciation falls on the period of the pre-Easter Lent, it is still not possible to eat products of animal origin. Although a relaxation is made on the Annunciation - it is allowed to eat fish.

Source: instagram @milawellness

Folk bans on the Annunciation

Christian traditions among the Slavs are firmly intertwined with folk, sometimes pagan signs and rules. This also applies to prohibitions on the Annunciation. Yes, people believe:

• You can't put on new clothes for the Annunciation - it's hard to explain why.
• It is not recommended to dye your hair, cut your hair, or even comb your hair - our ancestors believed that this is how you can entangle the threads of your destiny.
• It was believed by the people that on the Annunciation, especially in the morning, it is impossible to light a light (previously it was candles or lamps), because it is possible that the angelic fire will not be noticed.

What can and should be done on the Annunciation

1. First of all, of course, believers should go to the church for the gospel service. If you bake prosphora at home - special unleavened bread, you can bring them with you and consecrate them. But most often prosphora are distributed in the church to all believers - one per person.
2. On the Annunciation, March 25, it is customary to prepare Annunciation salt in a special way, which has healing properties, especially if such salt is consecrated in the church.
3. On this day, the church provides relaxation, so you can cook and eat fish and fish dishes for the Annunciation.
4. Another interesting folk belief is that if you whisper words of love to a man (or a loved one) before dawn on Annunciation Day, you can preserve mutual feelings for many years. At least for an hour until the next Annunciation. There is another version of this belief - during the day you need to be able to say "love" to a man 40 times.

Source: Instagram @dima3370

Folk signs for the Annunciation

• On the Annunciation, spring finally defeated winter.
• What kind of weather is at the Annunciation, it will be the same at Easter.
• Rainy weather and a thunderstorm on the Annunciation - the summer will be dry and hot.

Believes or not in folk signs, or adheres to church rules, it's a personal choice. But, agree, there is a lot of positive in these laws.