Churched people have their own memorable dates and holidays. All of them are associated with the names of saints or the events of the earthly and heavenly life of God and the Virgin.
Orthodox holidays in December are the Introduction to the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos, the day of remembrance of the holy noble Grand Duke Alexander, the Great Martyr Catherine, the feast of the icon of the Mother of God, called the “Sign”, is also the day of memory of St. Andrew the First-Called, who was one of the twelve apostles close to Jesus, memory of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and others.
Let's talk about some of these dates and events.
Orthodox holidays in December begin with the greatest triumph of this month - the introduction of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the temple.
What is this event, and why does the Church consider it especially significant?
Before the Virgin Mary was three years old, she lived in a Nazareth house, and after her parents Anna and Joachim fulfilled their promise to God - to dedicate their daughter to the service of the Most High. Gathered together, all relatives and virgins from Nazareth escorted Mary to Jerusalem.
Young virgins with candles went ahead of the whole procession, followed by parents with their daughter.
The Divine Lady was accompanied and surrounded by ethereal, heavenly angels throughout the journey. The maidens walking in front of the column were performed all the way by the David Psalms.
In Jerusalem, when the procession approached the temple, on the threshold they were already met by local clergymen, and was headed by their bishop Zacharias.
To enter the temple, Mary had to go through 15 steps, which symbolized the fifteen power psalms. When Mary crossed this path, Zachariah showed her her place for prayers in the Holy of Holies.
At this temple, the Most Holy prayed and lived until her betrothal with Joseph the Righteous. This event was the beginning of the holy way of the Virgin, therefore, the Day of her introduction to the temple is celebrated.
Orthodox holidays in December also carry their significance, as in other months. But we are talking about those who complete the past year and precede the great feasts of Christmas and Epiphany.
Another of the most famous and revered events that is included in the holidays of December is the day of remembrance of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
Many good deeds and miracles on earth and at sea have been created by the great righteous. He helped all people in need, saved them from drowning, freed them from enemy captivity, saved them from prison, granted them deliverance from death and healed many ailments, gave insight to the blind, lame - the ability to walk, hearing - to the deaf, dumb - speechless. Many saints performed magical acts. He helped the poor and hungry, he was always a secret intercessor for defenseless and weak people.
And to this day, Nicholas the Wonderworker works miracles and helps those who bring him their tremulous, sincere prayers, filled with pure faith in the Triune God, the Father of the Son and the Holy Spirit. Nikolai the Miracle Worker is especially revered in Russia. Therefore, on the day of his memory, thousands of believers celebrate the triumph of goodness, which always accompanied St. Nicholas.
Holidays in December provide an opportunity for parishioners of Orthodox churches to once again recall the lives of saints, the biblical events of great importance for believers, to honor those events that took place before and after the birth of Christ.
Holidays are necessarily accompanied by solemn services in the temple, chants dedicated to the revered event.
These are the holidays in December celebrated by our Orthodox Church. And, although December is a time of strict Christmas Lent, there are days that are recognized as holidays, and you can come to the temple and take part in general prayer, noting important and revered events.