Many of our fellow citizens are asking about November 4th. What kind of holiday in Russia? People familiar with history know that this date - Day of National Unity - is dedicated to the events of the Time of Troubles, when Moscow in 1612 was liberated from enemies with the help of a militia consisting of ordinary people led by Minin and Pozharsky.
Reason for creating a new holiday in Russia
Initially, the inhabitants of our country celebrated November 7 as the anniversary of the well-known October Revolution. The Soviet Union collapsed, and people continued to celebrate this day by inertia, since it remained red on the calendar. Only now was it called the Day of Concord and Reconciliation. This went on for another 14 years after the collapse of the USSR, until the authorities decided that it was time to establish a new date. So what is the name of the holiday on November 4 in Russia?
Alexy II - the patriarch of Russia at that time - at the Interreligious Council came up with the idea of reviving in memory of people the end of the Time of Troubles and the image of Our Lady of Kazan. So that the people do not have unnecessary questions about what holiday is celebrated in Russia on November 4, the State Duma, after amending the Labor Code, decided that this date will be recognized as the Day of National Unity.
Militia led by Minin and Pozharsky
At the beginning of the XVII century, Russia was in the power of the Time of Troubles. The country experienced severe crises related to politics and the economy, crop failures and famine, and foreign intervention. In 1612, she was freed from the Poles with the help of Kozma Minin - the voivode from Nizhny Novgorod - and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky. They organized a popular militia that captured China Town and forced foreigners to recognize the act of surrender.
Pozharsky was lucky to be the first to enter the city. He carried in his hands the icon of the Kazan Mother of God. In Russia, they sincerely believed that it was the Mother of God that protected the people from enemies then. In 1649, by decree of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, November 4 became a state holiday dedicated to the Lady of Heaven. Until 1917, until the revolution took place in the country, this day was special for all Russian people.
Celebration of the Kazan Icon of the Virgin
Now the Orthodox are also especially honoring this day. What is the holiday of November 4 in Russia? This is the day of the glorification of the Kazan Mother of God. In 1612, Patriarch Germogen appealed to the people with a call to pray and defend their native land from foreign invaders. Then Dmitry Pozharsky from Kazan was sent to the militia a wonderful image of the Virgin Mary. Having sustained a three-day post, people with faith and hope called on the Queen of Heaven with a request that she give them strength to defeat the enemies.
The Mother of God heard their pleas for help, Moscow was released. Then came the end of the Time of Troubles in Russia. Since then, people know about the miraculous salvation of the country on November 4, what kind of holiday in Russia is now considered. In honor of this event, Kazan Cathedral was built on Red Square in 1612. It was destroyed during the years of persecution of the church, and is now restored.
Contradictory attitude of the people to this event
Many people do not understand what date is such November 4, what holiday in Russia is celebrated at this time? Not everyone knows about the Day of Unity of the People, in particular, the older generation is used to the date of November 7, when the events of the 1917 revolution are recalled. People who grew up in the spirit of atheism do not want to recognize the new holiday. Still celebrate their own and 3 days later. The Communists in the State Duma were also initially opposed to a date shuffling on the calendar, however, their votes were in the minority and did not have a significant impact on the decision.
Thus, some people believe that it is not good to break old traditions by shifting the emphasis from one holiday to another, while the second (many Orthodox ones are among them), on the contrary, are sure that this day is a revival of history. Everything returns to its place. But for the past 10 years has been celebrated on November 4. What a holiday in Russia without the opportunity to relax? This day is an official holiday.
Day of national unity or Day of consent and reconciliation?
Until now, some people are confused and cannot say which of the holiday names is correct. In this case, it will not matter whether each individual person knows what the November 4 holiday in Russia is called. The main thing is that people understand the meaning of this date in the calendar. The Russian people have always been famous for their unity and collegiality in decision-making. So Russia was able to win in many wars.
On this day, all the contradictions and disagreements provoking conflict situations should be forgotten. People need to become kinder to each other, because the roots of entire generations are closely intertwined. Only then the meaning of what is celebrated on November 4 (which holiday in Russia) will reach every person.
How is the Day of National Unity?
Times change. Now more and more people welcome the introduction of November 4. What holiday in Russia takes place without gala concerts and various promotions? Various events are timed to this day: demonstrations, mass processions, the issuance of free gifts with state symbols.
A government reception is being held in the Kremlin Hall, where people who have made a huge contribution to the development of the country receive their well-deserved awards. In the evening, traditional festivities are held, it all ends with bright volleys of fireworks, so that the people will forever remember the date of November 4, what kind of holiday in Russia is celebrated on this day.