On January 8, Christians of the Eastern Rite celebrate the Cathedral of the Most Holy Theotokos. This is a holiday in which the Virgin Mary is venerated, as well as other saints associated with her and Christ..

What is customary to do on a holiday.

Among the people, this day was considered “female”, it was also called “baby porridge”. Women took a spoon with them and went to visit, where they ate porridge, which the owners had specially prepared for them..

Pregnant women, women in labor and midwives were also honored on the holiday.. They were given gifts, baked bread and pies. It was believed that in this way it is possible to provide a woman with an easy birth. Pregnant women and their husbands were forbidden to work on the holiday.

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On this day, women also visited the midwives who delivered their babies and treated them to dinner..

On a holiday, it is customary to pray to the Virgin Mary, and also to praise her. It is celebrated the day after the Nativity of Christ, since it is the Mother of God who is the one from whom the Savior was incarnated..

The holiday also honored the prophet David, saints Jacob and Joseph.

It was customary to celebrate the Cathedral of the Most Holy Theotokos noisily and cheerfully, carolers continued to go from house to house and sang carols.

Prayer to the Mother of God.

Come and glorify the Mother of the Savior, who remained a Virgin after Christmas. Rejoice, living city of the King and God, in which Christ dwells, who has accomplished salvation.

We will praise with Gabriel and glorify with the shepherds, saying: Mother of God, pray from you incarnate for our salvation.