These three holy martyrs are supposed to ask for healing from diseases, help in finding a second half, well-being. When is the feast of Faith, Hope, Love, what date should these saints be honored? What can and cannot be done on this day? Folk omens and traditions associated with the Orthodox solemn day.
Holiday history Faith, Hope, Love
This event has a long history, which dates back to the times of Ancient Rome (more precisely, to the era of the reign of Emperor Andrian). Legend has it that at that time there lived a kind Christian woman named Sophia, who was famous not only for her piety, but also for her beauty. The woman lost her husband and alone raised three daughters, she raised them in the Orthodox faith.
Rumors about the beauty and wisdom of Sophia reached the emperor, and he wished to meet the preacher. The emperor ordered the woman to make sacrifices to the pagan gods, but she refused. After that, all the daughters were tortured to death by order of the ruler. Sofia buried the girls, prayed to the Lord incessantly for two days, and then she herself departed to another world. The Faith, Hope, Love holiday, which will take place on September 30 in 2018, is intended to remind believers of this event.
Folk signs and traditions
In order to honor the memory of the martyrs, in the morning women had to cry, throw out negative emotions. After that, in the countryside, the so-called. "Rural saints". In other words, it was a bride show, in which young girls and young guys looked closely at each other and chose a mate.
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Married women performed a simple ritual that brought prosperity and material abundance to their families. It was supposed to bake bread in the morning, then go to the temple and buy three candles. Two of them were set on fire and left at the icon of Jesus Christ, and the remaining one was carried home and placed in the center of the baked bread. At noon it was necessary to set it on fire and read the cherished words 40 times:
Holy Martyr Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia! I pray you - become a support and protection for me and my family! With true faith in Jesus Christ, the son of God. Amen!
The spellbound bread will need to be treated to the whole family, and the crumbs will need to be given to the birds. It is believed that such a ritual is able to protect the family from all evil and negativity.
It is not at all necessary to fast on this day; it is even allowed to drink wine, but only white. Married women who have children are supposed to pray for the health of their children on the holiday of Faith, Hope and Love. If a married woman cannot get pregnant for a long time, then she should ask for help in front of the icon of the three martyrs. It is considered that such a request will not be refused.
Remembering the three martyrs Vera, Nadezhda and Lyubov, prayer services, evening and morning services are held in Russian churches. On this day, you can ask the Lord to end family quarrels and for reconciliation with relatives.
In Russia there was an interesting tradition associated with the holiday "Faith, Hope, Love". In the morning that day, women and girls cried - it was believed that this would protect the family from troubles, protect the house from evil spirits, and generally ward off all sorts of hardships. There was also a belief that tears shed on this day would help get rid of existing diseases, drive out everything bad from oneself.
What can not be done on the holiday of Faith, Hope and Love
You need to know that on this great day to somehow insult a woman or bring a child to tears is a great sin. On the contrary, it is advisable to ask for forgiveness from the person before whom you have done wrong. There are some other prohibitions:
- Do not drink alcohol (maximum 1 - 2 glasses of white wine)
- Don't show too loud fun
- Do not use foul language, do not quarrel with loved ones, with neighbors
- Do not hold wedding or wedding ceremonies
Women on this day were not supposed to work or do household chores. Of course, in our time, not everyone can afford not to work even on a major church holiday. Therefore, in order to observe the traditions with which the holiday Faith, Hope, Love in 2018 is associated, it is enough to refuse to do those things that you can transfer to another time.