The Ascension of the Lord is one of the main church holidays, celebrated annually on the fortieth day after Easter, which always falls on Thursday and in 2018 falls on May 17.
On this day, the Church remembers the Gospel events associated with the last moment of Jesus’ stay on earth after his Holy Resurrection - at this time the Savior completes the work for which he came to earth and ascends to his Father.
history of the holiday
According to the Gospel tradition, the history of the Feast of the Ascension begins from the moment when the Lord ascended to heaven, showing people the way to the future resurrection. But why didn’t Christ disappear, saying goodbye to the apostles, didn’t melt into a cloud, but commanded his disciples to go out to the Mount of Olives and see his return to heaven?
The disciples forgot about earthly affairs and problems and looked into the sky at the Savior with delight. They rejoiced at His return to the Father. Therefore, the Ascension does not symbolize departure or termination of relationships, it is a call to a personal, humble ascent to God, following Christ, into His Kingdom! This is the meaning and joy of this great holiday.
Since ancient times, there has been a tradition of baking special rye pancakes with a filling called “Christ’s path” for the festive dinner. IN finished form they resembled peasant shoes, which is why they were also called “God’s Okutka”, “onuchki”, “lapotki”. The Orthodox believed that during his 40 days on earth, Jesus wore out his shoes, so new clothes were baked for him.
The Ascension of the Lord is considered a memorial day. On this day, our grandmothers baked funeral ladder breads from three types of dough: rye, unleavened or yeast. These breads were brought to church, to the cemetery and distributed to those in need.
Our ancestors believed that on the Ascension Christ walked the earth in beggarly clothes. Therefore, on this day you need to give generous alms and not turn away from the poor.
The main folk signs for the weather associated with the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord
For example, the main folk signs on the Ascension of the Lord about the weather are associated with rain. It is believed that if it rains on this holiday, then you should not expect a good harvest. Heavy rain with a thunderstorm predicts a cold summer, and light “blind” rain predicts a mushroom autumn. But a beautiful rainbow on Ascension - auspicious sign, promising prosperity and well-being to all Orthodox.
Signs sacred to the Ascension of the Lord
Our ancestors believed that if a chicken laid an egg on this day, it should be hung under the roof of the house and it would protect the inhabitants from troubles and misfortunes.
If the holiday turns out to be rainy, there will be many diseases in livestock and crop failure.
If you swim in the river on this day, your health will be good.
Hearing a crow cawing is a good sign.
If you hear a magpie chirping, this means money, but you need to cast a special spell so that it brings good things to the house.
Beliefs on the Ascension of the Lord
On Ascension, birch branches were woven to find out the fate of a sick person. Several of them were braided into a braid, and if 10 days before Trinity the branches are alive and do not wither, then the mysterious person will recover; if not, you should prepare for the worst.
In the same way, girls told fortunes about their future marriage.
In the old days, on Ascension, a bonfire was lit in the evening, which symbolized the onset of passage and the flowering of nature. They led “spikelets” or round dances, the first “cumulations” on green Christmastide.
Dew on this day was considered healing, and the medicinal properties of herbs were enhanced and maintained until the onset of Ivan Kupala (the night of July 6-7).
In the forty days between Easter and Ascension, the poor and sick people were especially revered. It was forbidden to throw garbage and spit on the street, because “you can end up in Christ by coming into houses disguised as beggars.”
The Christian holiday of the Ascension of the Lord was celebrated in 2017 on May 25. It falls on the 40th day after the Resurrection of Christ (Easter) and with it the whole cycle of spring church holidays ends. There is no specific date for the Ascension - forty days after Easter fall on different days May or June. Forty days in this case is not a random time period. After this period after birth, the parents had to carry the child to the temple - this is the law and commandment of Moses.
Despite the fact that the holiday is absolutely Christian, it, like some others, intertwines pagan traditions and beliefs of our Slavic ancestors, which came from the times of worship of Yaril the Sun.
The end of Christ's ministry on earth
As Scripture says, the resurrected Christ gathered his disciples on the 40th day after Easter and led them to the Mount of Olives, where he ascended. But he first warned the disciples that within ten days the Spirit of God would descend on them and they would become incredibly strong to preach and bring the truth to the world. At the same time, he rose into the sky, where he was picked up by a cloud. This is what the disciples said, realizing that this was the completion of Christ’s ministry on Earth. But, according to believers, there is no sadness in this holiday - the Son of God remains with them. He, in human form, gave them hope of resurrection after death. But for this the church calls for repentance.
A holiday that was supposed to be sad is perceived as joy from the feeling of presence higher power in everything - in every dawn and chirping of birds, in blooming flowers and the laughter of a child. For Russia, this holiday is significant for another event - back in 1799, it was on this day that Pushkin was born. Then it was Thursday and it was heard throughout the country bell ringing, and the Orthodox rejoiced.
How is the Ascension of the Lord celebrated?
In the evening before the holiday, an all-night vigil service is held in churches. The next day there is a solemn liturgy, which ends with the removal of the Shroud from the temple. On the Feast of the Ascension itself, it is customary to remember deceased relatives. For this, housewives baked rectangular pies stuffed with onions. They were decorated with rungs made of dough - such a ladder was considered the road to Christ. They commemorated the dead with eggs or cooked fried eggs.
It was believed that requests addressed to God on this day would be heard. You couldn't ask material assets. The exception was pleas for money for the treatment of a seriously ill person.
The youth led round dances - boys and girls stood in two circles, face to face. They took each other's hands - this created a living bridge, along which a girl walked with a wreath of wildflowers on her head. Then another girl replaced her and also walked along the “living bridge.” So this round dance moved from the outskirts to the field.
What is forbidden to do on the Ascension of the Lord
On this day, by Orthodox traditions, it is not recommended to clean the house or do other “menial” jobs. Greet each other with the words “Christ is Risen!” from this day forward, too. It is important to try not to think about the bad and set yourself in a positive mood.
By this holiday, sowing work in the fields was usually completed and preparations for Trinity began. It is better to spend this holiday with family and loved ones, to remember the dead. It was believed that on this day the doors of hell and heaven were open - the righteous, together with sinners, would be able to rejoice in the Ascension of the Lord.
Signs and fortune telling for the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord
From that day on, people were allowed to swim in reservoirs without fear. If it rained on Ascension, it was believed that the year would be a lean year. If it rains three days after the holiday, then the losses from crop failure will not be so large-scale.
Fortune telling on a birch tree was popular - young unmarried girls braided birch branches into their braids and watched how they would behave in this state. If you wait until Trinity, it’s too early to get married. Such fortune telling with birch branches was carried out to find out whether a seriously ill person would survive.
Housewives baked ladders from flour - they had 7 rungs. Such ladders were consecrated in the temple and kept dried in the house for a whole year so that all household members would be alive and well. And with the help of such a ladder they used to guess - they threw it off the roof and looked: if it broke and crumbled, then there would be no luck; if it remained intact, such a person was considered almost a saint. Children took such ladder breads to the graveyard for remembrance or to the field so that the harvest would be better.
Another sign of the Ascension holiday is that if a chicken laid an egg on this day, it was not eaten. Any conspiracy from ill-wishers was read over him. Then this egg was hidden in the attic so that it would protect the house and its inhabitants from slander and the evil eye, and various troubles.
It was considered lucky to hear the chatter of a magpie or the cawing of a crow on this day. It was necessary to have time to pronounce the plot and wait for luck.
We invite everyone to visit the Rasputin cafe, where a variety of dishes and fine wines await you. An excellent mood will be given by live pop vocals (link to the show) performed by talented artists. talented artists.
One of the most important Orthodox holidays is approaching! It is important to spend it correctly so that prosperity and good luck will be with you all year! It is believed that no one should be denied alms or requests on this day; it is important not to pass by an unfortunate person. After all, the Lord himself may be in his guise.
On May 25, 2017, the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord is celebrated. The Ascension of the Lord takes place on the fortieth day after Easter, so it always falls on Thursday.
It is believed that during these 40 days from Easter to Ascension, Christ wanders the earth, watching how ordinary people live, punishing sinners - the greedy rich, and rewarding the righteous - people who are pure in heart and soul.
You can’t swear and wish other people harm, it will come back to you a hundredfold. You definitely need to read the prayer to the Ascension of the Lord, visit the temple, and do a good deed.
The Ascension ended the earthly ministry of Christ.
HE conquered death, thereby giving every person the opportunity to be resurrected in glory.
Ascension of the Lord in 2017: folk signs
If for 40 days (from Easter to Ascension) you help the disadvantaged and feed the poor, the year will not only be rich in harvest, but also successful in all respects: good health household, harmonious relationship with life partner, strong financial position.
All housewives baked ritual pastries on the eve of the Ascension of the Lord. If in the process of baking pies or cookies a small part of the dough remains, which is not enough for a full-fledged pie (cookie), then you can expect an addition to the family within a year. The girl will definitely get pregnant.
Signs based on birch twigs were popular in Rus'. Birch branches are very thin, flexible and pliable. When unmarried girls wanted to know whether they were destined to get married this year, they plucked three branches and braided them.
If the braid held tightly, did not unravel, and remained straight, then the wedding is not far off. If the braid came unraveled, the girl was destined to sit “in girls” until the next Ascension.
Birch could tell not only about marriage, but also helped to predict what awaits the future of a person who suffers from a serious illness.
The patient's relatives plucked 10 birch branches, brought them home, and put them in a pot. If for 10 days (before Trinity) the branches remained fresh and green, it means that the relative will definitely be able to overcome his illness, but if the branches withered, he will not be able to recover.
The night before the Ascension was called Nightingale, since nightingales and other birds sang especially loudly, melodiously and ringingly during this period. They seemed to glorify Jesus by inviting people to do the same.
If it rains heavily all day on Ascension, unfortunately, the year will not be very fruitful.
In ancient times, all girls wore long hair, which were braided into a tight braid (braids) at night. If on the morning of Ascension a girl notices that her braid has become very disheveled or unraveled during sleep, marriage will soon await her.
On this joyful day, you need to try to maintain peace and tranquility in your soul. Try not to quarrel with your loved ones, do something good for them.
On this day it is not recommended to engage in heavy “black” labor. However, you should not shift your work to others, just try to postpone it to another day, and devote this one to prayer and spiritual enlightenment.
On the Ascension of the Lord you cannot think about bad things. Instead, it is advised to remember deceased relatives. It is also better to spend this day with your family.
In the old days, it was forbidden to throw garbage and spit on the street, because “you can get into Christ, who comes to houses in the guise of beggars.”
The Ascension of the Lord is a major church holiday, which is celebrated 40 days after Easter. It always falls on Thursday. In 2018, Ascension is celebrated on May 17. For Orthodox Christians, this holiday is one of the most significant. There are many signs, traditions and customs associated with the Ascension of the Lord.
Within forty days after his resurrection, Jesus Christ appeared to the apostles more than once, taught them the basics of the creation of the Church and gave instructions on the initiation of other people into the faith. The earthly ministry of God the Son ended with the Ascension. He was able to defeat death, and gave people the faith that they, too, could be resurrected after their death.
Ascension of the Lord: signs and superstitions
In Rus', many traditions were associated with the holiday. Our ancestors believed that on this day spring was coming to an end and summer was coming. The Ascension symbolized the full revelation of nature. There was a change from warm spring days to hot summer days. In the evening, it was customary to light a large fire, symbolizing the blossoming of nature and the onset of the passage. From this day on, winter crops and rye produce ears.
People believed that for forty days after Easter, Christ walked the earth and watched over mere mortals. He encourages the pure in soul and thoughts to become righteous, and punishes sinners.
The Ascension of the Lord is one of the Twelve Feasts. An all-night vigil is served on the night from Wednesday to Thursday.
On Ascension, they baked a pie with cabbage, potatoes and green onions. The top of the bun was decorated with crossbars, making it look like a ladder. In general, the staircase is considered a symbol of this holiday. According to it, Christ supposedly ascended to heaven. Therefore, various baked goods were made in the form of ladders. It was customary to invite guests, or to go visit yourself. Holiday baked goods were brought to relatives and friends.
They baked rye bread-ladders. They were carried to the field or to the garden, where they were crushed. They did this so that there would be good harvest. Such baked goods were also taken to the graves of deceased relatives. It was believed good sign, if the bread is eaten by birds.
Girls and unmarried women baked pancakes and treated them to single men to attract attention. And in order to always be healthy and beautiful, they wove wreaths from dandelions and put them on their heads.
Guys in love, in order to attract the love of the girl they liked, on this day collected a bouquet of field herbs and brought it to their beloved’s house. They put it on the threshold and left. There was a belief that if a girl smells flowers, she will definitely fall in love with the giver.
They told fortunes on birch branches. The girls wove them into their braids. It was believed that if the branches did not wither before Trinity, you would get married that year.
If you cut yourself on Ascension, you need to say “Lord forgive me” three times. Then the bleeding will stop and the wound will heal quickly.
In the morning they collected dew. They believed that she had medicinal properties. The dew was given to the sick to drink and was used to treat wounds.
If it rained on Ascension, people went outside with their heads uncovered. It was believed that after such a procedure the hair would grow well. It was believed that if it rained on this day, then one should expect it on Trinity. But if it was dry, then there will be no precipitation over the next six weeks.
On Ascension, a ritual was performed to attract money. To do this, they took bills or coins and buried them in the ground. They believed that thanks to this ritual, the financial situation would improve significantly.
We looked at the behavior of birds:
- if a crow croaks under the window, then expect bad news;
- a dove coos - for a love date;
- a magpie screams - a new addition to the family.
Mothers of marriageable girls performed a ceremony to attract suitors. They baked bread and crumbled it in different directions so that suitors would come from everywhere and the daughter could choose the most worthy one.
If a married couple for a long time If she couldn’t have children, she had to go to church in the morning, attend the service there, and then return home, without talking to anyone along the way. At home we had to try again to conceive a child.
On this day you can make a cherished wish. To make it come true, write what you want on a piece of paper, place it in bread you baked with your own hands, which you then take to church and leave there.
A person born on the Ascension of the Lord will live a long and happy life. He will always be lucky in everything.
Ascension: Do's and Don'ts?
On this holiday, it is customary to remember deceased relatives and visit their graves. It was believed that for 40 days (starting from Easter and ending with Ascension) the doors of heaven and hell are open. Therefore, sinners can meet the righteous.
On the Ascension of the Lord you cannot perform any homework, and it is also better to refuse gardening work. Greeting people with the words “Christ is Risen” is also not supposed, since 40 days have already passed since Easter.
It is better not to lend money on this holiday, as there is a high probability that the money will not be returned to you. If the person really insists, then ask him to come another day.
There is no need to sort things out and start conflicts. It is believed that whoever quarrels on Ascension will remember the insult for that year.
Video: Ascension of the Lord
After forty days from the Great Day Church holiday The resurrection of Christ - Easter, is celebrated on an equally significant day for Christian believers (Thursday) - the Ascension of the Lord. In the Orthodox calendar 2019 it is set for June 9.
The Ascension (Latin - ascensio) is described in the history of the New Testament as the ascension of the Savior Jesus Christ to heaven in the flesh, his reunion with the Lord God - his father.
The Feast of the Ascension 2019 begins to be celebrated on Wednesday evening with an all-night vigil. Thus ends the celebration of the Great Day. From Thursday morning, June 9, until the evening, churches have divine liturgies, accompanied by bell chimes. Lay people come to churches and commemorate their departed parents and loved ones, and those who cannot do so devote time to thinking about the meaning of existence and remembering the deeds of Jesus. The holiday in a unique way shows people that death is not terrible, that the soul is eternal.
On festive table It is customary to bake unsweetened “ladder” pies with seven (or less) steps, symbolizing the path to heaven. Green onions are a must in pies. They sacred the baked goods, eat them themselves and treat their guests.
Also, on Ascension, field work began.
There is a whole series of rituals of this day associated with going out into the field:
- Stand in the field near your plot (when noon has passed), pray and throw the onion pie into the air, saying: “Grow my garden just as high!” Then eat the bread.
- Ritual for girls: bring pre-prepared scrambled eggs to the field in a scarf and, moving from one field to another, eat it. Then ride on the grass with sentences: “The grass grows towards the forest, but the rye ripens towards the barn!” You can also take fresh eggs and cook them right in the field. When eating it, throw your spoons up and say: “As my spoon flew high, let the rye grow!”
- In the places where the fields are demarcated, decorated birch trees are installed, around which young men and women dance, throw eggs boiled the day before and chant: “Let the crop grow up to the sky!”
Another ritual that required attention was dedicated to the cuckoo.
In popular fashion, it was nicknamed “The Baptism and Funeral of the Cuckoo Bird.”
The ritual is connected with an interesting fact noticed by people: when the wheat starts to spike, the cuckoo stops cuckooing. Only girls should participate. A human-sized doll, a cuckoo, was made from a large amount of grass, dressed in a girl’s outfit and decorated with namist (beads), a belt, rags, and ribbons.
Under a birch tree, the cuckoo covers itself with a scarf and crosses itself three times. Then the girls exchange handkerchiefs and crosses, kiss and hug. The eggs are eaten right there, and the shells are hung on tree branches to the accompaniment of “kumite” songs. Baptism takes place a day or two before the Ascension itself. And directly on the holiday, or the next day, the cuckoo is “buried”: buried secretly from everyone, or hung on a tall tree.
Significant signs about the weather on Ascension
Folk omens promised the weather on the holiday would be the same as in Maundy Thursday was.
Ascension Day in Rus' signified the full onset of spring, its blossoming and preparation for the imminent arrival of summer. The symbol of the pre-birth and full bloom of nature was a fire lit at the dawn of the evening. Merry round dances were held around the fire, the girls performed the first rites of “cumulsion” (exchanging gifts and kissing through a wreath curled on a birch tree).
You can also check popular statements related to rain and wind:
Heavy rain will be considered a bad omen on June 9. This weather promises a bad year for 2019, and brings failures in business and various ailments to people. A cold piercing wind will bring drought. But the hot, summer weather of the holiday will give you health and a good harvest.
Knowledgeable people collect dew from herbs and plants on the morning of Ascension Day. Folk tales say that this is living water that heals all ailments.
On the Friday before the Ascension of the Savior, fasting was required. Compliance with this rule guaranteed a person protection from drowning.
Superstitions and prohibitions: what to watch out for
In order for the holiday to pass correctly and without bad consequences, it is important to find out what actions on this day can bring trouble to careless people. By folk beliefs, the night of Ascension is called the nightingale, because these birds of paradise sing louder than usual. And if suddenly someone bothers to catch the nightingale on a holiday, the year 2019 will continue with failures and adversity.
You cannot ignore the poor and the wretched - every Christian should do all sorts of good deeds. Under no circumstances should one say: “Christ is Risen!”, because in churches on the day of the Ascension the shroud is taken out. You also can’t do cleaning or laundry on Ascension 2019, but working in the field and sprinkling “ladders” on the arable land will be good.
There is another superstition that is interesting for unmarried girls: birch branches are woven into girls’ braids and if the woven branches do not wither until the next morning, then the wedding will definitely take place.
So, despite all the superstitions and signs of the Ascension, you need to understand that the celebration of the Ascension of Jesus into heaven in 2019 should take place in joy and optimism. You shouldn’t allow yourself to become despondent or keep bad thoughts in your head, but you should have fun and look for the positive in everything.
