On April 8, Christians of the Eastern Rite celebrate the Cathedral of the Archangel Gabriel. This is a holiday dedicated to one of the main angels, it is believed that it was he who brought the Virgin Mary the news that she would become the mother of the Savior.

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history of the holiday.

Until the age of 14, the Virgin Mary was brought up in the temple, and after that she had to return to her parents or get married. But her parents had already died by this time, the Most Pure One herself promised God that she would forever remain a virgin.

Priests betrothed her to 80-year-old elder Joseph, her distant relative. Living in his house, Mary led the same modest life as in the monastery.

Four months after the betrothal, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary. He said to her: “Rejoice, Blessed! Lord is with you! Blessed are you among women" Gabriel told Mary that she had been chosen to be the mother of the Son of God.

Celebration traditions.

Churches hold services dedicated to the holiday.

Among the people, Gabriel was called the evangelist, since it was he who brought the good news to Mary. People believed that he saved from ailments, including fever..

On this day, the people sowed zucchini, beans, pumpkins, watermelons and melons. The potatoes were laid out so that shoots appeared on it.

If the snow had already melted, then peonies and roses were freed from protective shelters..