Recently there was the Annunciation. And soon it’s Easter. Many rural residents are constantly interested in: is it possible to work in church holidays? In the countryside, especially in spring and autumn, there is a lot of work in the garden and courtyards. Moreover, Sundays are also considered church holidays throughout the year. To answer the question when to work, when not to work, and on which church holidays, I’ll try to summarize all the information on this matter: what I heard and read personally, what I heard from our priests, what I heard from people who constantly go to church.
Where did it come from, since when is it forbidden to work on church holidays?
The fourth commandment of God says:
“Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy: six days you shall do it, and in them you shall do all your work; but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, is for the Lord your God.”
With this commandment the Lord God commands us to work for six days and engage in necessary things to do, to which one is called, and dedicate the seventh day to serving Him and to holy works. Deeds pleasing to Him include: caring for the salvation of one’s soul, prayer in the temple of God and at home, studying the Word of God, enlightening the mind and heart with useful things. religious knowledge, pious religious conversations, helping the poor, visiting the sick and prisoners in prison, consoling the mourning and other works of mercy.
IN Old Testament Saturday was celebrated. In the New Testament times in which we live, Saturday in the first centuries of Christianity was replaced by Sunday.
A weekly withdrawal from ordinary activities allows a person to collect his thoughts, renew his physical and mental strength, and comprehend the purpose of his labors and, in general, of his earthly existence. Work is necessary, but the most important thing is the salvation of the soul.
The fourth commandment is violated not only by those who work on Sunday, but also by those who are lazy to work on weekdays and shirk their duties, because the commandment says: "Work six days." Those who, although they do not work on Sunday, do not dedicate this day to God, but spend it in nothing but amusements, indulge in revelry and any excess, also violate the fourth commandment.
By Sunday we must mean not only the resurrection, but also other holidays and fasts established by the Church.
Very detailed information about this and other commandments of God is written on the website 10zapovedei.ru.
Practical Application of the 4th Commandment
We are concerned with the practical application of this commandment in our time for rural areas, for people engaged in agriculture (the most noble occupation according to the testimony of the Old Testament).
So, let’s use a real example to examine the question of How to treat work on church holidays.
A farmer I know, Oleg, who has already outlined his personal experience on this site, after consulting with our local priests, does this:
On major holidays (list below) and Sundays no one works on his farm.
But... if there was an extreme need, for example, the wheat crops were very quickly eaten by some turtle, then the work on chemical treatment went on even on holidays, every hour was important.
This leads to one general rule: If there is work around the house or in the garden that can be postponed, then it is better to postpone it and do it after the church holiday. For example, paint a fence, chop wood, dig a well, etc. A day or two won’t solve anything, and your conscience will be clear, and everything will turn out in the best possible way later.
But... you can chop wood if you run out of wood and need to heat the stove in the house so that the family doesn’t freeze. It's the same with washing. If, for example, there are no clean clothes for the children and husband, then you can and should wash them. Also with ironing. What about feeding your family and pets? It is also possible and necessary. Even on Easter.
That is, everything must be approached with reasoning: you have to look at the circumstances. If you take Orthodox monasteries Where there are cows in the farmstead, they are fed and milked in the same way, even on major church holidays. And there is no contradiction here.
Often people work in production and only have weekends to spend in their gardens and gardens. There is simply no other time. For example, the deadline for planting some garden crops is already running out. In this case, many people in our area do this: they begin work when the Sunday service departs, or at least from lunch on a Sunday (holiday).
It has also been noticed, not only by me, but also by many people, that on a church holiday there is an urge to do some work that can easily be postponed to another day. This is the real temptation.
And you can give a lot of examples when work on church holidays did not end well. There were even tragic cases.
Some will say, when can you work if there are continuous holidays according to the church calendar?
This is far from the case. Big holidays not so much - 12. The rest are usually days of remembrance of Saints and days of veneration of icons of the Queen of Heaven. You can work these days.
But in Rus' there are also especially revered saints, or patronal feasts of churches. For that area, in this case, it is the day of the patron saint of this locality. In these cases, you can also refrain from work if you wish.
So, the most important Christian holiday - The Bright Resurrection of Christ, called Holy Easter. This is a moving holiday that falls on different dates every year.
7. Annunciation (angelic announcement Holy Virgin Mary about the incarnation of the Son of God from Her) - April 7
8. Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem ( Palm Sunday) - on the last Sunday before Easter
9. The Ascension of the Lord - on the fortieth day after Easter.
10. The descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles (Pentecost, or the day of the Holy Trinity) - on the fiftieth day after Easter (movable holiday)
It should be noted that the Feast of the Holy Trinity always falls on a Sunday. Immediately after, on Monday, the Day of the Holy Spirit is celebrated - also a big holiday. It is not advisable to work unless absolutely necessary.
Other most revered holidays
I will give a universal recommendation if you do not know what to do with work on a Holiday (Sunday).
Ask your priest and do as he blesses. In this case, he takes full responsibility upon himself. Just before you go to the priest, firmly decide for yourself that you will definitely follow his advice.
What to do on church holidays?
First, if possible, attend a church service.
Secondly, you can devote time to your loved ones who, due to their daily work, lack our care and attention. For example, take a walk with your children, go out into nature with them, go fishing, etc. You can visit elderly parents or just old acquaintances, or someone in the hospital.
And of course, no one forbids getting together with the whole family, friends, acquaintances, sitting at the festive table and drinking something alcoholic. Of course, in moderation. St. righteous John
Kronstadt:
Nowadays, many Christians consider it a sin to do something on holidays, for example, some necessary work, but do not consider it a sin to envy one’s neighbor, be at enmity, take revenge, or get drunk. Or they consider it a sin to eat something modest on a fast day, even due to bodily weakness, and without a twinge of conscience they despise or condemn their neighbor. For example, acquaintances are offended and deceived, weighed down, measured, and indulged in carnal impurity. O hypocrisy, hypocrisy! O misunderstanding of the spirit of Christ, the spirit of the Christian faith! Is it not inner purity, meekness and humility that he demands from us, first of all? Lord our God?
According to the fourth commandment, one must work for six days, but devote the seventh, Saturday, to serving God and godly deeds, leaving other concerns on this day. Nowadays, the Old Testament Sabbath has been replaced by the New Testament Sunday, and on these days we have to do a variety of things, but church holidays are still honored as holy days and are set aside for spiritual life.
Fourth Commandment
The call not to work on church holidays goes back to the wording of the fourth commandment, which reads: “... you shall work six days, and in them you shall do all your work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God.” On the seventh day, it was supposed to do works of mercy, study the Word of God, visit temples - live a spiritual life, take care of your soul. Church holidays dedicated to saints and events from the Bible also fall into this category.
The most revered of all holidays on which one should abstain from work is Easter, the Resurrection of Christ. It falls on a new date every year. But for most other holidays there are fixed days.
Twelfth Church Feasts
Christmas Holy Mother of God- September 21;
Exaltation of the Holy Cross - September 27;
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the temple - December 4;
Christmas - January 7;
Epiphany - January 19
Presentation of the Lord - February 15;
Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - April 7;
The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem - the nearest Sunday before Easter - moving;
Ascension of the Lord - 40th day after Easter, always on Thursday - moving;
Holy Trinity Day - the 50th day after Easter, always on Sunday - moving;
Transfiguration of the Lord - August 19;
Dormition of the Virgin Mary - August 28.
Great Church holidays
They are not among the largest and most famous, but nevertheless, if you have such an opportunity, it is recommended to refrain from working in them.
July 7 - Nativity of John the Baptist
July 12 - Holy Supreme Apostles Peter and Paul
May 21 and October 9 - Holy Apostle John the Theologian
May 22 and December 19 - St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
September 11 - Beheading of John the Baptist
October 14 - Protection of the Mother of God
July 21 and November 4 - Feast of the Icon of the Kazan Mother of God
What to do if you have to work?
None of the church prohibitions on working on weekends and holidays does not concern necessary and obligatory matters. Cooking, when it comes to the holiday table and food for the family, daily cleaning, harvesting in summer and autumn, urgent repairs in the house - these are matters that cannot be delayed, and therefore they are allowed and considered necessary. The recommendation concerns primarily those matters that do not fall into the category of necessary or can be postponed to the next day without damage.
In contact with
Classmates
Thanks a lot! May the Most Holy Theotokos help everyone who turns to her! Amen!
Most Holy Theotokos, pray to God for us! I hope that she will hear all our prayers and requests.
On September 21, Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas (Second Most Pure Day). The holiday is traditionally considered women's day, when a woman should be revered as a continuator of the family.
It is believed that on this day you need to ask for the most secret things - and the Mother of God will definitely help. For those married couples who do not have children, it is especially important to pray for the birth of a child on this holiday.
I want to tell you about a miracle that happened to me on this day, 11 years ago. It was very difficult, I didn’t really believe then, I didn’t go to church.
My husband drank and went out, I found out that I was pregnant. There was no money. I was leaving the hospital, and there was despair in my soul... I accidentally went into the temple, prayed and burst into tears. Some woman came up and said: “Don’t cry, she will help”... My soul somehow felt better. And two months later I met good man, I realized that I was falling in love... I told him that I was married and that I was pregnant from another man. He admitted that he loved him, asked me to marry him and said that he wanted to raise this child... Now we are together, I have an amazing husband who dotes on my daughter Mashenka...
history of the holiday
The holiday was established by the Church in the 4th century and is the first twelfth holiday of the church year, for according to the old style church year starts September 1st. Tradition told us about the circumstances surrounding this event.
In the small Galilean city of Nazareth lived an elderly couple - Joachim and Anna. Both spouses were righteous and pious. The holy spouses Joachim and Anna were childless for a long time and cried that they had no children. One day, on a great holiday, Joachim brought gifts to the Lord God to the Jerusalem Temple. But the priest did not want to accept Joachim’s gifts, because he was childless, and children were considered a blessing from God.
Meanwhile his wife, ex at home, also heard that the high priest in the temple refused to accept their gifts due to childlessness. She also learned that her husband, grieving and crying, had gone into the desert, and she began to cry. Anna went into her garden, sat down under a laurel tree, sighed and, looking at the sky with eyes full of tears, noticed above, on a tree, a nest in which little chicks were squeaking. “Even birds have children, but we don’t have such consolation in old age,” thought Anna.
Suddenly her Lord. He said, “You will conceive and bear a Daughter, blessed above all. Through Her, all earthly peoples will receive God's blessing. Through Her, Salvation will be given to all people. Her name will be Mary."
At the same time, an angel appeared in the desert to Joachim. He said: “Joachim! God has heard your prayer, and He is pleased to bestow His grace on you. Your wife Anna will conceive and bear you a Daughter who will be a joy to the whole world. Here is a sign for you that I am telling you the truth: go to the temple in Jerusalem, and there, at the Golden Gate, you will find your wife Anna, to whom I told the same thing.”
Surprised Joachim, thanking God with all his heart, joyfully and hastily went to Jerusalem, to the temple. There, as the angel told him, he saw Anna praying to God at the Golden Gate, and told her about the angel. She also told her husband everything she had seen and heard about the birth of her Daughter. After praying to the Lord and worshiping Him in the temple, the couple returned home.
Nine months later, Anna gave birth to a Daughter, the purest and most blessed. Above everything that has ever been created, the beginning of our salvation, our intercessor before God. Heaven and earth rejoiced at Her birth. On the occasion of Her birth, Joachim brought great gifts and sacrifices to God, and received the blessing of the high priest, priests and all the people for having been worthy of God’s blessing. Then he held a great feast in his house, and everyone rejoiced and praised God.
The Holy Church rightly calls Joachim and Anna Fathers of God, because Jesus Christ was born from their Most Holy Daughter, the Virgin Mary.
Traditions: what to do on this day
Mother of God, Mother of God, mother of the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus Christ. She is considered a “prayer woman,” an intercessor for women before God.
This holiday was called the Harvest Festival. The more people harvested, the longer the holiday lasted. It could last from three days to two weeks. These days, it was customary to visit each other and treat each other to dishes that were prepared from what was collected. And the more hospitable the table is, the better the harvest will be next year. In this way they tried to appease nature so that next year would be no worse than this one.
To visit young people - to teach intelligence. When all the cleaning work was completed, weddings began to take place among the people. So, if a wedding was recently celebrated in the village, then on that day all the old people living in the village went to the newlyweds. Of course, their parents and grandparents always came to visit the young people. The young housewife had to do her best on this day, set a rich table, greet her relatives and guards. People who had lived a long life treated themselves and taught the young how to live, what and how to do correctly. By the way, it was at such gatherings that knowledge was passed on to young people in the form folk signs. And if the young people did not shy away, but listened and were at their best, then their lives after that turned out just fine, both in family terms and in material terms.
IN old times women tried to go to the river early in the morning and meet this day by the water. It was believed that if a woman washed her face with water before sunrise on this day, she would be beautiful until old age. And if a girl washed her face before sunrise, she will be matched this year.
Renew the fire for a prosperous life. There was such a sign that from this day human life begins a new circle that will last one year. Such circles began every autumn on this day. This is a kind of New Year. Usually, in village houses, the so-called duty torch always burned, which was never extinguished, but a new one was lit from it. There were no matches then. But on this day it was customary to extinguish this torch and relight it. It was believed that if you do this on this day, then all illnesses and troubles will remain in the past. And in New Year you will take with you only the best, otherwise what you want to get rid of will remain in your old life.
The believer prays - the Mother of God smiles. On such a day, it was customary for the people to pray to the Most Holy Theotokos for everything that troubled the soul. It was believed that not a single prayer said on this day would go unheeded. Although, it should be noted that no matter what day you turn to the Mother of God, she will always help if a person needs her help. But this sign does not mean turning to the Blessed Virgin with requests. This means that the Mother of God will rejoice if believers simply offer prayers of thanks to her.
What not to do:
One of the important points is that on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary You should not consume meat and non-lenten foods, as well as alcohol. On this day, you need to fast, give up physical activity, homework, quarrels with loved ones, and condemnation. Relatives, relatives, and friends gather together for the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
We have already talked about what they do on this day. But I would like to add that Orthodox people We must not only pray and fast, but also maintain spiritual purity, do good deeds, help with words and warmth of soul.
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also called Mother of God holiday, Ukrainians celebrate September 21, 2017. This day is considered a joyful event, families go together to church services and don't take on hard work. We invite you to find out what you can do on this day and what you should abstain from.
Christians Eastern rite celebrate the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or the “Second Most Pure Mother of God” or “autumn”, because on this day folk calendar autumn is coming. Christians have long turned to the Mother of God, who became the unifying principle between God and the human race, and asked her for protection and blessings.
The feasts of the Mother of God are celebrated magnificently in places where churches were consecrated in her honor. Temple (throne) holidays usually take place with a divine service and a meal following it. Dinners are always held where all relatives gather around a round table.
Customs of the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary - what can and should be done on this day
1. This holiday is also traditionally considered women's holiday, when a woman should be revered as a continuator of the family. He obviously inherits the ancient Aryan holiday of Mothers in Birth, when our ancestors expressed gratitude to the guardians of the fields and the harvest, the grandfathers.2. Women who do not have children arrange a dinner and invite the poor - “so that the Mother of God prays for their children.” Women also order services in the church, and after the service they invite people to their place for lunch. They say that prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary of expectant mothers for the health and happiness of the children they are expecting have special power on this day.
3. The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated as a holiday of true joy. Therefore, on these days they did not work, did not fast, and after prayers they gathered cheerful feasts in the temple.
4. Also, the holiday has long been the last date for preparing a “magic” potion. It was believed that those gathered between the First (Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - August 28) and the Second Holy holidays love spell herbs had the special property of attracting a guy to a girl (a man to a woman) and vice versa.
Women collect a "magic potion" for the feast of the Virgin Mary
5. From the day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it was possible to send matchmakers to girls. Also on this day it is good to have a wedding and visit families for a feast.
6. Since ancient times, also on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, women tried to go to the pond early in the morning. It was believed that if a woman washed her face with water before sunrise on this day, her beauty would remain until old age. And for good health, children were doused with water on the doorstep.
7. Also on this day, onion week began - housewives removed this vegetable from the beds. And by the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the owners tried to collect the entire harvest; at this time, beekeepers began to prepare the bees for wintering - cleaning the hives.
8. At this time it usually gets cold, so before the Second Most Pure Church the potatoes should have been completely dug up and the ground sown with rye.
Signs and proverbs of the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
- The First Most Pure One came - nature put on a necklace, the Second Most Pure One came - she took the unclean mosquito, the Third Most Pure One came - the oak grove became leafless.The Most Pure One came - the tree was clean, but the Intercession came - the tree was bare.
Preclean - clean potatoes.
The Most Pure One came and the unclean One brought matchmakers.
The Dormition sows the rye, and the second one waters it with rain.
If the weather is sunny on the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, then the autumn will be warm and clear, without heavy rains. If the sky is gloomy on this day, then the autumn cold will come with rain.
If a girl washes herself towards the east of the sun, then she will definitely be wooed this year.
To avoid “evil eyes,” slander and illness, burn old clothes and shoes on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Is it possible to work on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary - September 21, on the Nativity of Christ - January 7? Is it possible to work on January 6 before Christmas, what work can be done and at what time - read the clergyman’s answers.
Answer:
IN church calendar There is such a thing as the Great and Twelfth Holidays, these include Christmas, the Epiphany, and some others. Their number is 12 according to the number of months of the year. You cannot work on such days except in the cases specified below.
This means that the answer to the question of whether it is possible to work on Christmas Day on January 7th, as well as to the question whether it is possible to work on Epiphany Day on January 19th, is unequivocal, and it is negative.
As for Christmas Eve, it is advisable to clean the house (apartment) the day before. Answering the question whether it is possible to work on January 6 before Christmas, it should be noted that during the day you can perform necessary work, for example, related to cooking, going to the store, etc. For a long time in Rus', it was customary on this day to decorate the Christmas tree, prepare and serve 12 Lenten dishes, preferably so that the number of eaters is even. If the last condition cannot be met, then a separate cutlery. You can eat these dishes after the first star rises.
But in evening hours You definitely can’t work on this day; you should attend services held in churches ( holiday services), avoid disagreements and quarrels with others. Also on this evening it is customary to visit close relatives living separately.
On which Orthodox holidays you can’t work?
To the Great Orthodox holidays work is not provided, because it is not for nothing that there is a proverb - “the day is holy and business sleeps.” Is it possible to work on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 21? Since this holiday is one of the Twelveties, the answer is clear: you cannot work on this day. It is not advisable to work on all other church holidays, but it is not forbidden. It should also be remembered that Sunday is also classified as a church holiday, so the attitude towards work on this day is similar. At this time, it is better to put things aside and devote Sunday to taking care of restoring mental and physical strength, and summing up the results of the past work week. Of course, work is important and necessary, but it is much more important for each person to think about saving his own soul.
If we are talking about patronal feasts of churches in various populated areas When the patron of each of them is honored, it is also better to abstain from righteous works.
If you don’t know what to do on church holidays, then first of all, make every effort to visit the temple, read Orthodox literature, spend time with loved ones, devote more time to children and other charitable causes.
Birthdays
