Orthodox holidays are important for understanding the very essence of Christianity. They are far from always dedicated to happy and joyful events, but they are always associated with the spiritual world of a person. Involvement in Orthodox holidays helps a person to escape from earthly worries, to come closer to higher spheres. Christian holidays are dedicated to the church glorification of the most significant religious events, revered icons or the celebration of Saints.
Easter - Bright Sunday of Christ
The main Orthodox holiday is Easter, Bright Sunday of Christ. At the same time, Easter is the main event for Orthodox Christians, Catholics prefer Christmas. It is not recommended to sleep on Easter night, so as not to oversleep the main events of the holiday. In the evening, Christians go to church for all-night vigil, and upon their return they sit down at the festive table. Even a person who died on Easter is considered happy, since the gates of paradise are open to everyone on this day. Every Orthodox Christian on Bright Sunday of Christ should greet others with the words: "Christ is risen!", Receiving in response: "Indeed he is risen!"
Twelfth holidays
Easter is followed by the twelve feast days. There are only 12 of them, hence the name, which comes from the Old Russian "two by ten".
Nativity of Christ is the second most important among Orthodox holidays, which is celebrated on the night of January 6-7. On this night, Christmas services are held in Orthodox churches. The holiday is established in honor of the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ. In Russia, the celebration of Christmas was accompanied by many folk customs, including caroling, dressing up, Christmas and Christmas divination.
Christmas is followed by other great twelve-year holidays: Epiphany, Meeting of the Lord, Annunciation, Transfiguration of the Lord, Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, Nativity of the Virgin, Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord, Introduction to the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos, Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem or Palm Sunday, Ascension of the Lord, Trinity Day.
A number of Orthodox holidays are dedicated to the Apostles (for example, Saints Peter and Paul), there are also holidays dedicated to the miraculous icons of the Mother of God, and Holy See. Altarpieces are festivals dedicated to a saint or an event from which the name of the temple originated. In the old days, patronal feasts were especially revered and celebrated by all parishioners.
Orthodox holidays represent one of the brightest and eventful pages of Russian spiritual culture. Their lofty meaning enlightens and ennobles the souls of people, sometimes regardless of the degree of faith. In addition, they also carry an educational function, introducing people to the history of the Christian faith, the traditions of Russian Orthodoxy and folk customs.
