A solemn divine service on the occasion of the Annunciation was held in Vitebsk

Orthodox believers today celebrate one of the great holidays – the Annunciation to the Most Holy Theotokos. Solemn divine services were held in all churches of the Vitebsk region. The service in the regional center, in the oldest church of the XII century – the Holy Annunciation Church – was led by Archbishop Dmitry of Vitebsk and Orsha.

It is believed that it was on this day – April 7 (new style), exactly nine months before the Nativity of Christ – that the Holy Spirit descended upon Mary, and she conceived Jesus Christ. For a long time, the Annunciation has been one of the most important and revered holidays in Orthodoxy. Performing any kind of work was strictly forbidden.

After the solemn liturgy and procession around the church, the head of the diocese addressed the attendees. He wished everyone goodness, love, patience, and strength of faith.

– On this day, good, glad tidings came to humankind that the Savior was to come, – noted Archbishop Dmitry of Vitebsk and Orsha. – We will always feel the Lord's care for us. Today, it is necessary to cleanse ourselves, and through communion, we unite everyone with the Lord. The most important thing for us is faith in our Orthodoxy. We answer all the questions people ask us. In any confession, in any religion. But, to our surprise, when we ask questions to Christians, we do not always hear answers. How can same-sex marriages be blessed? This is a violation of common sense. A boy is born into a family, grows up, and they begin to transform him into a woman, performing operations. What is the necessity for this? In my opinion, none. Therefore, let us love God with all our heart and mind.

By the way, the holiday is so revered that if it falls during Great Lent (as it does this year, for example), the fast is relaxed, and if it falls on Easter, it is celebrated simultaneously with the Resurrection of Christ.

Representatives of regional and city authorities shared the joyous event with believers: First Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Anatoly Linevich, Head of the Main Department of Ideological Work and Youth Affairs of the Regional Executive Committee Marina Novitskaya, Chief Specialist of the Administration of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Sergey Fadeyenkov, Chairman of the City Executive Committee Nikolay Orlov, Head of the Administration of the Zheleznodorozhny District of Vitebsk Alexander Sysoev. Together with the priests, the honored guests released white doves into the sky. This beautiful custom symbolizes the soaring soul, liberation from sin, and the joy of spiritual renewal.

Anatoly Linevich congratulated Orthodox believers on the holiday, wishing them peace, health, and strength of spirit.

According to folk beliefs, the Annunciation marks the arrival of spring: the Lord himself blesses the earth for sowing and fertility, that is, for human well-being. According to a prevailing belief, the weather on the Annunciation predicts the weather on Easter.

Photo by Petr CHIMKOVSKY