Today, September 8, 2025, a great holiday is celebrated for Orthodox Christians and Greek Catholics - the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Also known as the Second Immaculate Conception, this event honors the birth of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ.
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the 12 most important church holidays, marking the beginning of the church new year, which started on September 1, 2025.
History of the holiday
- History of the holiday
- Traditions of the holiday
- What to do on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- What is prohibited to do
- Folk signs
The holiday of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary dates back to the VI century. According to legend, the relatives of the Virgin Mary - Joachim and Anna, a couple who lived together for 50 years, were not blessed by God with children. Rumors of the couple's barrenness spread among the Jews, who considered it a punishment for sins.
One day, a priest refused to accept a sacrifice from Joachim and insulted him. This angered Joachim, and his wife Anna went to the garden.
Sad, Joachim prayed to God with tears, and then an angel appeared, prophesying the birth of a child. The old man promised to dedicate her to God. Meanwhile, Anna also saw the angel, who brought her similar joy. The couple had a daughter, who was named Mary.
The essence of the holiday is to glorify the Mother of God - the first event for which the Lord prepared to save humanity. It also reminds that one must believe and trust God, even if no one believes in us.
Traditions of the holiday
This day honors the birth of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. On this day, it is customary to collect the harvest, give thanks for it, and begin to prepare the beehives.
Earlier, it was customary to visit each other, choosing all day, cooking large dishes at home.
On the day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it was believed that prayers to the Virgin Mary for comfort are especially effective, especially when it comes to children's blessings.
Many girls and women would go to the water to wash their faces before dawn to preserve their beauty and find a husband more quickly. For the health of children, thresholds were rinsed with water, and old clothes and shoes were burned.
What to do on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
This is one of the important holidays for believers, when they honor the Mother of God and pray for her intercession.
Here are a few important things to do on this day:
- Visit the church. Attend the service, light a candle and pray. If you cannot go to church, you can pray at home.
- Pray for help. Turn to the Mother of God for hope and peace in the family, for help for the childless and relief during childbirth.
- Take care of mothers. This day especially honors mothers by helping and caring for them.
- Family dinner. Traditionally celebrated at the table with the whole family.
- Do good deeds. Give alms and help those in need. It is believed that good returns as happiness.
What is prohibited to do
On the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, you should not:
- quarrel and argue;
- avoid church service under the guise of household chores;
- be dissatisfied;
- hold onto past grievances.
Folk signs:
- Clear on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary - expect a good autumn.
- The Immaculate Conception - clean potatoes.
- The Immaculate Conception brings uncleanness to the elders.
- The first Immaculate Conception sows, the second waters.
- Sunny Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary - clear autumn. Cloudy - cold and rainy.
- Washing one's face on this holiday brings beauty.
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is an important Christian holiday that honors motherhood and faith in God. This day symbolizes hope, trust, and good deeds, as well as reminding about the importance of family and relatives' values.