August 15: what holiday is today and what not to do
15 August 02:32
Today, on August 15, Orthodox and Greek Catholics celebrate an important religious holiday – the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is the day of the end of the Dormition Fast. [ Kommersant talks about the main traditions and prohibitions of this day.
Holidays in Ukraine
Archaeologist’s Day
Every year on August 15, Ukraine celebrates the professional holiday of archaeologists. This holiday is international in nature and is a chance to pay tribute to all those who have dedicated their lives to the study of history and cultural heritage. Thanks to their work, we learn more about the past and find lost artifacts that help us recreate the historical picture.
Religious holidays and their history
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
on August 15, Orthodox Christians celebrate one of the greatest twelve feasts, the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also known as the “First Pure.”
It symbolizes the end of the Virgin Mary’s earthly life and her ascension to heaven.
According to legend, the apostles miraculously gathered at her deathbed and after her burial discovered that the Virgin’s body had disappeared, which is considered proof of her ascension.
In Ukraine, this holiday has always been given special attention. The three main monasteries of the country-Kyiv-Pechersk, Pochayiv, and Sviatohirsk-are dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. Moreover, many churches throughout Ukraine are named in honor of this significant event.
Prayer for the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary
O Most Holy Lady, Virgin Mary, accept my humble request for help. You, who know all our pains and sufferings, have mercy on us and untie the knots of our physical and spiritual ailments. Heal our bodies and souls, strengthen our faith, so that we may glorify your name with dignity.
Amen.
Traditions of the feast
The feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos is also known as the First Pure. During the fall, three feasts are celebrated: august 15, September 8, and October 1.
It is said about these dates: “The First Virgin sows the rye, the second one waters it with rain, and the third one covers it with snow.” After the Feast of the Assumption, the time of weddings begins.
It is customary to attend church on this day. Christians traditionally bring seeds and ears of wheat from the new harvest for consecration, because this is the time of the harvest. In the church, they also light candles for the health of their relatives and friends and pray for the well-being of their loved ones, especially children.
As the Dormition Lent ends by the feast, this day can be celebrated with a sumptuous table, where freshly baked bread must be blessed. At the same time, the celebration was accompanied by useful traditions.
In particular, on the Assumption, people were engaged in winter preparations: they pickled cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, and other vegetables, as well as collected mushrooms and nuts.
Special importance was attached to dreams on the night of the Assumption. It was believed that what would be dreamt from August 14 to 15 would definitely come true in life, though not immediately.
Folk signs
The people associated this day with the end of the harvest, calling it “dozhynky” or “obzhynky”. There were the following signs:
- Good weather promises a cool “Indian summer”.
- A lot of cobwebs – to a frosty winter with little snow.
- Fog on the holiday portends a bountiful harvest of mushrooms.
- Rain on the Assumption – to a rainy and cold autumn.
- Rainbow – to a warm autumn.
What not to do on the Assumption:
- Perform hard physical labor, sewing, cutting or cleaning.
- Quarrel with family and wish evil to others.
- Walk barefoot on the dew, which was considered “the tears of the Virgin.”
- Rubbing your feet with new shoes promised “calluses” for life.
- On this holiday, one should not quarrel, show greed, envy, or wish evil on someone, because negative emotions can bring illness or bad luck to the family;
- Today, you cannot lend or borrow money, because by the end of the year you can lose your financial success;
- Prayer and church customs should not be neglected because you may lose good luck and prosperity;
- It is forbidden to throw away food. People believed that this was the way to “lose” prosperity for the coming year.
