Traditionally, it was customary to ask the Mother of God to help childless women to give birth to a child. In ancient times this day was called the Feast of the Mother of God.
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated as a holiday of real joy. Therefore, in these days did not fast, and after prayers in the temple gathered cheerful feasts.
What you mustn’t do on the Second Blessed Virgin
- on this day it is not allowed to swear, swear profanely, wish evil to others, gossip – it is considered a violation of the purity of the great holiday.
- On the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin it is forbidden to work hard physically, clean, wash, knit, sew, embroider – it is better to spend the day with prayer in your heart, otherwise it will be considered disrespect to the Virgin Mary.
- It is also forbidden to chop wood or do repair work.
- It is forbidden to refuse alms to those who need it.
- It is forbidden to wipe the festive table – the crumbs are not swept to the floor, it is considered a sign of greed.
- It is forbidden to wear dirty or patched clothes on this day – it is considered a great disrespect to the holiday.
- It is forbidden to bathe a child on the holiday – according to traditions it can be dangerous for his health.
- It is also forbidden to share bread with strangers – it can be done only with close people.
traditions of the feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God
1. By the Nativity of the Virgin it is customary to gather the whole harvest, and to give thanks for it, to start cleaning the beehives.
2. It used to be customary to visit each other on this day, to set tables generously.
3. On this church holiday you can ask the Virgin Mary for the most intimate things, and especially relevant requests for the birth of a child from childless couples.
4. On the Nativity of the Virgin Mary many girls and women went to the reservoir to wash themselves before dawn – it is believed that this way you can keep your beauty until your old age and find a man faster.
5. for children’s health, thresholds were doused with water and old shoes and clothes were burnt.