Traditions and Rites on the Day of Commemoration of the Martyrs of Sebaste

It happens that at the very end of the war there is a last, most important battle with huge losses. This was the case before the victory of Christianity in the Roman Empire. In 320, in the province of Armenia (modern Turkey) in the city of Sebasti, 40 soldiers were martyred for their Christian faith. Their feat did not go unnoticed. Every spring the Orthodox Church commemorates 40 Martyrs of SebasteThose who died with the name of Christ on their lips.





The Forty Martyrs of Sebaste is a great Orthodox holiday, popularly known as a holiday. 40 saints, or Forty, is celebrated on March 22 according to the new style (on the old - March 9). Today. "Site" He will tell you his traditions and what is forbidden on this bright day.





The history of the holiday begins in the distant 313 year, when the Emperor Constantine the Great decreed religion. But not all the pagans accepted defeat and continued the confrontation.

At that time in the city of Sebasti there was a military garrison led by the fierce pagan Agricolaus. He in every way persuaded the soldiers to renounce Christ and return to idolatry. He promised them money, fame and honor, but the brave refused. Such disrespect angered the warlord, and he ordered the soldiers to be stripped, tied up and taken to a frozen lake.

But the Lord gave strength to the future martyrs and comforted them: “He who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live.” Do not be afraid, for you will receive the crowns of incorruptibility.





For greater temptation, Agricolaus ordered to put a bath on the shore, which was drowned all night. To be warm enough was to deny Christ. But the soldiers remained steadfast and faithful. Christianism. Only one person went to the warm air. But as soon as he opened the doors of the steam room, he fell dead due to a sharp temperature drop.

At dawn, the Lord sent grace to the martyrs: the river melted, the water became warm, and a bright crown appeared over the heads of each of the men. Shocked by a miracle, the watchman joined the martyrs with the words: “And I am a Christian!”





The warlord was more angry than before. On his orders, the soldiers were imprisoned and severely beaten. But even in the face of death, the soldiers did not cease. pray. A few days later, the lifeless bodies were burned, and Agricolaus ordered the remains thrown into the river.

The Bishop of Sebasti heard about the incident. He immediately went in search of the remains and immediately saw them: the bones of the martyrs glowed in the dark. The bishop gathered them and buried them with all honors.

This story quickly spread around the world. On the day of the funeral (March 9, old style), forty martyrs of Sebaste are commemorated to this day. It is customary to pray diligently if you want loved ones to safely finish military service.

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In ancient Russian tradition, the feast of 40 saints was called Soroki. It also marked the beginning of spring, because these days birds return from warm countries. To honor the memory of the Sebasti martyrs, the hostess baked lean buns in the form of birds - "larks".

That's it. fathers According to our pious ancestors, the larks symbolized the song of glory to the Lord, exalted by the martyrs, their humility and aspiration upward, to the Kingdom of Heaven, to the Sun of Truth – Christ.





The holiday falls on Lent.But the fast is getting easier. March 22nd is celebrated liturgy. Hard work and housework (cleaning, gardening) should be postponed. You can cook, you can bake bread. It is forbidden to swear and swear, give and borrow money.

On this day, go to church. morning-servicePray for your relatives and friends and set (if possible) 40 candles for the rest of the soul of the forty martyrs of Sebaste. Ask the Lord for protection from adversity.





Day 40 Saints in 2019 The year falls on a Friday. And tomorrow, March 23, will come the Universal Parent Saturday of the 2nd week of Lent. Remember all the loved ones who have passed into the other world, and if possible go to the cemetery. Put the graves in order, pray for the souls of the dead, but do not carry lush plastic bouquets, food and alcohol.

At home, you can bake larks, distribute them to children and all neighbors. Invite guests to the house and talk about the good. March 22 is not accepted to be sad, because thanks to the feat of the Sebasti martyrs, we have the opportunity to live and enjoy life in Christ.





With the festival of Forty, our ancestors have many signs. These traditions live among people as part of history, but do not blindly follow them, because most of them have pagan roots.

You don’t have to guess, scatter poppy, tie 40 threads around the site and break 40 bars in the hope that life will change. It's a big sin. On March 22nd (and every day) you should do good deeds.





Now. Lent. The perfect time to reevaluate your actions, repent and start living a new life. Orthodox holidays and fasting are an opportunity to purify the soul, repent and draw closer to God.

In a little more than a month there will be a great feast – the Resurrection of Christ. Blessings are not the main thing on this day. It is much more important to keep fasting, to defend midnight, to confess and to take communion. Do not neglect worship, go to the temple, pray and share the joy of the bright holiday with all your relatives. Live with God and everything will be fine!

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