Poetry is a journey into the world of our dreams, emotions, aspirations and hopes, which expresses the deep spirituality of peoples. Lyrical lines are ready to change the whole world. With its associations, metaphors and its own grammar, poetic language is another aspect of dialogue between cultures. World Poetry Day appeared in November 1999, thanks to the initiative of the UN, and began to be celebrated annually on March 21. The organization has recognized the important role of poetry in art and world culture over many centuries. The event promotes the efforts of small publishers, introduces the population to poetic folk traditions, and strengthens the connection between poetry and other forms of expression such as dance, music and painting. One of the main objectives of the day is to support linguistic diversity through poetic expression and endangered languages, and to be heard by one's people. Many people around the world revere rhyming lines and their authors. Government agencies, educators, community groups, and individuals are involved in promoting poetry. This event gives children the opportunity to get closer to enchanting rhyme and poetic language. Poetry lessons are held in the classrooms, where students and schoolchildren get acquainted with outstanding poets and learn about the different types of their creations. Servants of the muse can be invited to bookstores, cafes, universities and schools to read. Exhibitions and poetry evenings will showcase the work of various styles of poetic lines. World Poetry Day is not a public holiday, so countries have declared normal working hours. Significant works of poetry and the images of their creators are presented in various materials and media in order to promote the holiday. As Poetry Day is celebrated around the world, please take the time to learn more about poetry organizations and festivals in your region. And remember that it is rhyming lines that confirm our common humanity, showing us that all over the world people are worried about the same issues and feelings.

Historians claim that puppetry appeared in ancient Rome, Japan and Egypt. In ancient times, primitive people worshiped a totem animal, believing that it protected the entire clan and brought good luck. In Africa, sorcerers used Voodoo dolls for their rituals. In Egypt they made clay dolls representing the gods. In Japan, dolls were made from cloth and papyrus, and their faces and hands were made of porcelain. In Rus', figurines were used as a means of protection against evil spirits. Then various scenes began to be played out with the participation of the figures. People came up with ways to control artificial limbs and sewed clothes. Puppet theaters began to emerge. Puppets named after the Virgin Mary (Mary doll) appeared. The skits were aimed at themes of morality and ridiculed human shortcomings. Therefore, such fun was prohibited in the temple. Such entertainment came to Russia at the beginning of the 17th century. Theater groups began to travel all over the country with their performances. Every country has its own favorite puppet character. In Russia it is parsley, in Italy it is Pulcinella, in France it is Polichinelle. But they look the same: large nose, bulging eyes, wide smile, red cape and cap, loud, squeaky voice. Dolls began to be made from wood, fabrics, and paper. The principle of showing mini-performances remains the same as it was back in those days. They stretch the canvas, show a performance over it, putting puppets on the hand, or move the limbs with the help of canes, twigs, belts and threads. Now there are performances in which puppets and actors interact on stage without hiding from the audience behind a screen. There are robot dolls that move around the stage using electronics. The popularity of such characters also remains the same, arousing interest and viewing pleasure among both children and adults. Everyone gets only positive emotions, joy, and laughter from the performances. Only professionals can control such dolls, because this is a real art. Puppeteers are talented people, they bring dolls to life. The skill of the actors leaves no one indifferent. Puppet theater is a fascinating spectacle, a fairy tale, magic, mystery, enigma. Since 2003, they began to celebrate International Puppet Theater Day (Puppeteer's Day) on March 21. This is the initiative of Iran Jihad Zolfaghariho, an Iranian puppet theater figure. He proposed making an official holiday for puppeteers around the world. On this day, unusual puppet performances are shown, various puppet-themed celebrations are held, vibrant performances are held in theaters, meetings and discussions are held. Puppeteers all over the world are trying to make this not only their professional holiday, but also a bright, unforgettable holiday for all people. On Puppeteer's Day, people who make and display dolls are also congratulated on the holiday. On this day, many people give dolls as gifts. The Obraztsov Puppet Theater is the most popular puppet theater in Russia. Every day there is a free puppet show - a huge puppet clock comes to life. People come from all over the country and from other countries to see it.

International Day of Forest is a necessary holiday for society, which is celebrated in the spring - March 21. The European Confederation of Agriculture contributed to the approval of the holiday (in 1971), and the idea was officially confirmed by the UN General Assembly. Now March 21 is the most important “green” date, dedicated to the preservation of forests and awareness of society about environmental problems that arise against the background of the destruction of trees. In the Northern Hemisphere, this time is considered the true arrival of spring, because from March 21 (spring equinox) daylight hours increase, trees and all nature begin to come to life. Choosing the beginning of spring to celebrate Forest Day was an excellent decision to awaken people's consciousness at the same time as nature. Forests are a necessary element of the planetary ecosystem; their condition has a direct impact on society, ecology and the economy of countries. And most importantly, trees regulate the Earth’s climate, release oxygen, participate in the conservation of ground and surface water, are a habitat for all kinds of animals and birds, and preserve fertile soil and extraordinary landscapes. At the same time, the value of forests is not fully realized by society - many trees are cut down and destroyed every year. As the population grows, more and more bald areas appear where centuries-old pines, oaks and other types of trees once grew. In addition to anthropogenic influence, forests suffer from fires, natural disasters, and the harmful effects of parasites, insects and other living creatures. Many negative factors annually reduce forest areas throughout the Earth, which leads to irreversible consequences on a global scale. National wealth, such as forests, should be protected and increased. International Forest Day is primarily intended to draw the attention of society to the importance of preserving forests. On this “green” day, many countries organize all sorts of events (conferences, promotions, flash mobs, competitions, exhibitions, etc.) that are aimed at protecting forests. Forest documentaries are broadcast in universities and schools. Anyone can participate in tree planting and receive the necessary information about the importance of forests.

March 21st is a truly new day every year. This is how the name of the Navruz holiday is translated from Persian. Sometimes there is an incorrect translation, New Year. Indeed, in Afghanistan and Iran, the next calendar year begins on March 21. The choice of this date seems rational, reasonable and convenient. You can divide the year into 12 or 13 months, you can agree that there will be seven or ten days in a week, 28 days or about thirty in a month. In any case, it will turn out to be a convention invented by man. A day in which daylight is equal to night, the Sun rises almost exactly in the east and sets almost exactly in the west, does not depend on any symbols or agreements and is observed everywhere, with the exception of the polar regions. It is after this spring day at the end of March that stable weather sets in for the start of agricultural work, the active awakening of nature begins, the day noticeably becomes longer than the night. It's time to celebrate the New Year, which is what many people do. This is connected with ancient agricultural customs and has a history of almost three thousand years. Such a high significance of Nowruz and the involvement of a large number of people in the tradition of this holiday prompted the United Nations to establish a new date in the UN calendar, International Nowruz Day. The holiday is celebrated annually on March 21. The traditions of celebrating the “new day” are associated with renewal and cleansing. It is considered a good sign and a good omen to clean up your homes, make peace, pay off debts, and visit relatives and close friends. In almost all cultures, a typical dish for this holiday is sumalak - a dish made from wheat sprouts sprouted especially for this occasion. It is customary to prepare seven vegetable dishes; in some places even the names of the dishes must begin with the letter “C”. The seven in this case is a symbol of prosperity and abundance that the new agricultural year should bring. Ban Ki-moon, acting UN Secretary-General at the time of the founding of International Nowruz Day in 2010, noted that the tradition of this date goes back so far into the past, when even writing did not exist. This allows us to erase boundaries, overcome differences, unite and confront crises. Caring for the environment brings closer people and promotes friendship between very different cultures. Which, of course, is consistent with the values ​​of the United Nations. After all, hope for renewal is a powerful driving force.

On March 21, Down Syndrome Day is celebrated all over the world. This event was included in the list of international holidays in 2005. The initiator was the members of the VI symposium dedicated to this topic. In the Russian Federation, the date was first celebrated in 2011. At the same time, the UN declared March 21 as a day for a person with a similar disease. The innovation was developed in order to increase public awareness of the presence of such a problem. Down syndrome is one of the types of naturally occurring pathology acquired at birth, found in all corners of the planet and often provoking changes in physical characteristics, motor skills and health status. Free access to medical services, inclusive education programs and necessary research play a special role in the lives of patients. The day itself was chosen for a reason - it is a symbol for a disease caused by trisomy of one chromosome: in people suffering from this pathology, the 21st chromosome is present in 3 copies. Thus, it turned out to be the 21st day of the third month, that is, March. British scientist John Langdon Down in 1862 became the first to describe this disease, which later received his name, as a form of mental disorder. The relationship between the origin of the syndrome acquired at birth and the number of chromosomes was established in 1959 by a French doctor, Jerome Lejeune. The popular statement about the inability of special children to the educational process is incorrect. It is noteworthy that the discoverer of the disease dubbed it “Mongolism.” This term arose as a result of the fact that the patient’s face has certain similarities with representatives of the Asian-American race. But the international health organization abandoned this name in 1965 after an appeal from Mongolian specialists. It is likely that the current name of the pathology will someday be changed to something else. The National Institute of Medicine of America has already made recommendations regarding the elimination of the possessive form in the name of the disease, explaining this by the fact that the scientist Down did not suffer from the disorder. Down syndrome has certain physiological characteristics - in particular, a “flat face”, folds of skin in the neck, joint hypermobility, muscle underdevelopment and others. The main feature of the pathology is that a person develops much more slowly than his peers. Despite the well-known statement about the inability of special children to learn, they have the opportunity to learn not only the rules of personal hygiene, but also more complex skills. In the capital of Russia today there is the only theater on the planet where all employees suffer from Down syndrome. The group with the interesting name “Simple-minded” constantly goes on tour, gathering huge audiences. Every year on March 21, many countries host a variety of charitable and educational events, concerts, meetings and conventions.

Every year on March 21, the world celebrates the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Racial discrimination or racism is an international violation of human rights and infringement of one’s personality on the basis of belonging to a different race or nationality. In 1966, the UN General Assembly proclaimed this date as a day against racism. The date was not chosen by chance; it was on this day in the Republic of South Africa that 69 people were killed by police during a peaceful demonstration against apartheid legislation. People were just peacefully protesting against the mandatory passporting of African Americans, but it all ended in terrible bloodshed. This is why South Africa celebrates Human Rights Day on this day, while other countries celebrate it on December 10th. This tragedy literally blew up the public and the UN decided to fight racial discrimination, emphasizing that to a large extent everything depends on ordinary citizens. The problem of racism has its roots from ancient times; just remember the notorious acts of the Ku Klux Klan. They swore an oath that they would never allow equality between whites and blacks. Activists of the movement first sent a warning to the victim and if he did not leave the country, he would face inevitable reprisals. The victims were predominantly black, but sometimes white Republicans also suffered. The UN believes that racial discrimination is one of the main problems of the modern world. It hinders economic development and socialization and is a major obstacle to international cooperation and peaceful life. The General Assembly calls on all countries to participate in the elimination of all forms of racism and pledges to redouble efforts to defeat this problem together. Indeed, activists of nationalist movements commit terrible acts and their beliefs are a direct humiliation of human dignity. A person at birth does not choose his appearance and skin color, why is one person better than another, if only he has a European type of race? The ideas of Nazism never ended well, you just have to cite the Great Patriotic War as an example, because its initiator Adolf Hitler believed that only one Aryan race should dominate the world, and everyone else should either serve the Aryans or lose their lives. There is already so much evil in the world; we need to fight it, and not create new crimes. The UN is careful to ensure that all people have the same rights, regardless of race. In addition to March 21, the entire week following this date is called the week of solidarity with peoples who are fighting racial discrimination.

We call the Earth a blue planet because that's how we see it from space. But in fact, it is monochrome, because colors, in fact, exist only in the cerebral cortex, which processes the corresponding signals from the retina. How would humanity live without this amazing ability to “color” the world around us, in total black and gray colors? It’s probably more complicated, because neither painting nor decorative arts would have appeared, cooking, fashion and much more would have developed completely differently. Color is an amazing phenomenon, and there is even an international holiday dedicated to it - International Color Day. It is celebrated annually on March 21st. Why was this date chosen in 2009, when the holiday was established? After all, it cannot be said that color suddenly appeared on this day or that some epoch-making event related to it occurred? Indeed, the discussion of the proposed date was quite heated and many options were put forward. But they agreed on the proposal of Leonard Oberascher, a famous Austrian architect, psychologist, designer and artist, researcher of the principles of color perception and the history of color in spatial art. The vernal equinox, symbolizing the balance of light and shadow, optimally corresponds to the holiday of their visual interpretation - color. Because the perception of colors is highly subjective, even people see them differently. For example, what is for women - shades of mint, olive or lime, for men - is simply green. What can we say about animals and other inhabitants of the earth. Not all of them in the process of evolution needed to distinguish nuances of color. A person needed it - scientists believe that during the times of gathering, acute vision helped distinguish edible objects from dangerous ones. By making color vision the main sense organ, man thereby increased survival rates. But dogs, cats and most mammals did not require such a transformation. Therefore, a pet will equally love its blonde owner, even if she dyes her hair brunette. But asking him to bring a red ball and not a blue one is useless - in his eyes they are equally gray. Interesting fact! Some animals distinguish only two or a few colors, some - a similar number as humans, and there are representatives of the animal world, in particular, some types of crayfish, whose color palette is four times richer than that of humans. How do they see the world around them? The initiative to establish this holiday was taken by the International Color Association. This is a scientific society that studies all aspects of the phenomenon of color for the practical application of accumulated knowledge in other areas: medicine, art, science. The company is active: congresses and symposia every 4 years, awards to researchers, popularization of interesting scientific data related to color. The international organization includes representatives of about 30 countries, and in each of them March 21 is recognized as Color Day. Surprisingly, even today humanity does not know everything about the mechanisms and features of color perception, as well as the influence of this ability on areas of life. Scientific research continues and is revealing more and more information about this amazing phenomenon. It is natural that they try to coincide with thematic lectures, exhibitions, scientific debates and presentations, and conferences to coincide with the holiday. The formats of photo exhibitions, historical collections dedicated to color, competitions for artists, designers, and masters of applied arts are also popular.

Ancient Music Day is an annual international holiday celebrated on March 21. The main goal of concerts, conferences, anniversary events, and shows is to revive interest in authentic culture. The organizers organize performances in all countries of Europe, America, Africa, Australia, and Japan. Early music includes works by composers of the Middle Ages (500–1400), as well as the Renaissance (1400–1600). The Baroque style (1600–1750) is sometimes included in this category. Melodies and vocal parts are early music, if both the repertoire and performance are fully consistent with traditions. Early music is inseparably linked with other forms of art - dance, theater, architecture. The extensive repertoire covers events dating back more than a thousand years. Some works are widely known to the public. But a significant part of the masterpieces of the medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods is still waiting for its “finest hour”. The revival of early music began in the 50s of the twentieth century. “Retro” ensembles appeared in Europe. Musical groups accurately recreated medieval compositions. For scoring, ancient instruments were used, tuned using forgotten technologies. The ensembles used authentic interpretations of musical notation, copied the musicians' seating arrangements and vocal techniques. The first day of medieval music was celebrated in 2013. The initiator of the establishment of the annual holiday was Peter Pontwick, one of the directors of the European Network of Early Music (Reseau Europeen de Musique Ancienne). March 21 was chosen for two reasons. This is the date of birth of Johann Sebastian Bach and the first day of astronomical spring beginning in the Northern Hemisphere. In the 21st century, ancient melodies have become popular all over the world. International organizations and public foundations have emerged that devote their activities to this area. The holiday has become a formal occasion that unites connoisseurs of ancient music from all continents. Now the festive events are organized by more than 100 coordinators from almost all European countries, government agencies - the French Ministry of Culture, the European Broadcasting Union. Some areas are supervised by the European Commission. Local, regional, and national media take part in the project. Every year a new ambassador becomes the “face of the holiday”. The organizers choose a famous person who has achieved significant success in popularizing ancient music. For example, in 2020 Rachel Podger became an ambassador, in 2021 - Olga Pashchenko. The section of the official website dedicated to the holiday – https://www.earlymusicday.eu/, contains a list of planned events. You can view a list of events related to one of the participating countries. Many concerts are broadcast live. This is a great opportunity for busy people to experience living culture. Ancient Music Day is an attempt to rethink traditional values, to understand the sources of inspiration of composers and great performers of the past. Unknown pages of the historical musical heritage of Europe are opening up for a wide audience. The living energy of ancient melodies fills all listeners and participants with strength, harmony, and a sense of beauty!

International holidays - World Wood Day

International holidays - Education Freedom Day

1966 is an important date in the fight against racism and discrimination. It was this year that the UN General Assembly launched the International Day against Racism, which falls on March 21. The next 7 days are considered to be the Week of Solidarity with Peoples Fighting Against Racism and Racial Discrimination. This date is a warning and commemoration of the terrible tragedy that happened in South Africa in 1960. Then the police killed 69 demonstrators at a peaceful march in Sharpeville. The celebrations are aimed at drawing attention to the problems of racial discrimination around the world and helping to increase people's tolerance. Each year the celebration takes place under a different slogan, but the purpose of all events is to emphasize that there is strength in diversity. More than 500 organizations from all over Europe hold various exhibitions, presentations and conferences. Anti-racist posters, films and books are presented at the celebrations. Speakers include representatives who have directly encountered racial discrimination in their lives. The problem of discrimination is one of the most pronounced problems that modern society is struggling with. The number of racist attacks in Europe is constantly growing, and such actions are often met with passive social reactions. The goal of Anti-Racism Week is to raise public awareness among citizens of different countries. To effectively counter racism, education and self-reflection are key. Racism is everyday life today. Racial and ethnic discrimination is a sad and complex reality for millions of people. Racism can take many forms, from depriving people of the fundamental right of equality to ethnic hatred and even genocide. All this destroys the lives of many communities and people every day. A particularly important task of exhibitions is to instill tolerance and respect for diversity among the younger generation. Think about how many times have you experienced racial discrimination, such as denial of access to goods or services, or unequal treatment in the workplace?

Holidays of Georgia - Border Guard Day

International holidays - Mother's Day in Arab countries

In the Soviet school there was a lesson in which girls were taught how to cook, sew and mend clothes, and were taught the basics of washing clothes and cleaning the house. Future housewives knitted, cut aprons and nightgowns, basted details and smoothed out folds. Long before this, in the 1850s, home economics courses began to be taught to women in Switzerland, and in the USA at the beginning of the twentieth century. In America, the science of family was originally called “home economics.” The discipline is still taught today in various educational institutions as an elective or compulsory course in the secondary education system. Managing a home and running a household is both an art and a science. In order to popularize it, the International Federation of Home Economics organization was founded in Switzerland in 1908 as a platform for the exchange of experience. On her initiative, World Housekeeping Day has been celebrated on March 21 since 1982. In honor of the holiday, conferences, seminars and other events are held. Housekeeping has long ceased to be an exclusively female prerogative. Thus, in Italy in 2003, an organization of male householders was created. In the Scandinavian countries, representatives of the stronger sex were among the first to take leave to care for children after their birth, every day taking care of not only the child, but also the household. It includes both raising the younger generation and creating a daily routine, as well as planning the family budget, cooking and cleaning, and home interior design. The diverse activities and their significance prompted the organizers of the holiday in 2002 to hold ceremonial events dedicated to a new theme each year. In 2018, for example, it was “Economic Literacy: Healthy and Sustainable Cooking Skills,” a year later it was “Creativity and Innovation in Home Economics for Sustainable Development.” The idea of ​​the holiday is indicated in a press release published in September by the International Federation of Home Economics. In countries and regions, professionals, if necessary, modify the theme, giving additional meaning to the World Day. Thanks to the feminism movement, the roles and responsibilities of men and women in the twentieth century. have undergone transformation. Paying tribute to the fulfillment of responsibilities by one of the members in organizing the daily life of the family, June 8th is celebrated throughout the world as the International Day of the Housewife and Housewife. Just 100 years ago, this activity was not considered particularly honorable. Today, the social and economic importance of housekeeping is unquestioned. World Home Economics Day, which falls on March 21, calls for a change in attitude towards people who have dedicated their lives to caring for children, arranging their homes, and creating an atmosphere of comfort and coziness.

Italian Holidays - Tree Day

On March 21 (March 8, old style), according to the folk calendar, the Spring Solstice, Verbonositsa, is celebrated. This holiday is dedicated to the cycle of the sun, when daylight equals night and continues to increase every day until the summer solstice. Since paganism, the sun has been revered on this day. He was considered the main deity because he gave light and warmth to living beings. Various rituals were performed on the Spring Solstice. The peasants lit huge fires on the hill, jumped over them and danced in circles. They believed that this gave residents solar energy, health and longevity. The day was popularly considered the beginning of natural spring. The snow was already melting from the ground, migratory birds were returning en masse to their former habitats, and the first blossoms were beginning. In honor of the holiday, women sculpted birds from sweet dough and baked them in the oven. Then the children were treated to cookies, and they threw them into the sky and caught them. Such a ritual brought prosperity and health to the family. At the Spring Solstice, it was customary to draw symbols of fertility and new life on eggs: the earth, trees, sun, birds. A special amulet was prepared from painted eggs. Another day they called it the Verbosnitsa, since by this time the silver willow was blooming. Young girls went into the forest and broke its branches, and then carried them home and placed them near the icons. If the willow produced a leaf on Palm Sunday, happiness awaited the family. Illuminated willow branches had magical properties. They were used to ward off evil spirits and various diseases. Witches cured diseases in children by reading a spell and symbolically lashing them with willow branches. The owners easily beat their livestock with willow, thus fighting off diseases. In order to get rid of evil spirits in the house, they fanned the walls and swept the floor with a willow broom, and the collected garbage was burned away from the home. Dried willow was used as medicine. They insisted on the bark and rinsed the mouth with it if their teeth or throat hurt. In crushed form, it was sprinkled on a bleeding wound to stop the bleeding. It was also used instead of tea and added to herbal preparations. If you noticed the flowering of willows and the arrival of larks on Verbonositsa, you prepared for the warm spring season. Birds nesting in sunny places meant cool summers. A cloudy day promised a cold summer with frequent precipitation, a sunny day promised a hot summer. The fog foreshadowed a slight frost at night.

Parents, other relatives and teachers rejoice at the child’s achievements in studies, creativity, sports and other areas of life. Children who are confident in themselves can create real miracles. The adults who came up with this unusual holiday are convinced of this. Therefore, since 1997, every third Thursday of March is celebrated as the Day of Absolutely Incredible Children. A fun celebration, Absolutely Incredible Kids Day, has appeared on the calendar thanks to the Camp Fire initiative. Members of this organization encourage people to show attention to each child at least once a year - to praise and encourage his initiative, to send a letter with words of support and love. In honor of the holiday, children are told about their uniqueness and the ability to achieve great heights in any endeavor. The words of loved ones have great power - they can increase the self-esteem of both a primary school student and a teenager who is preparing to enter adulthood. Therefore, you need to repeat to your children as often as possible how talented and loved they are. In honor of the holiday, parents write touching notes or give cards to their child, telling them how unique, amazing and incredible he is. Moms and dads sometimes quote in their addresses writers and poets who dedicated works to children, for example, M.Yu. Lermontov: In honor of the Day of Absolutely Incredible Children, social media pages post posts with the hashtags #KIDday and #AIKD. Every child is unique, with different abilities and talents. The task of parents or guardians is to make children understand that their personalities are unique, and the possibilities for realizing their potential are limitless. Quiet people and rebels, thoughtful dreamers who paint fantastic pictures, and active inventors of devices and innovative technology... All these representatives of the younger generation, despite their temperament and character traits, are capable of changing the world for the better. This is what adults say during the celebration of the Day of Absolutely Incredible Children. In the poem by M.I. Tsvetaeva is talking about rebellious and disobedient stubborn people, to whom, according to the recollections of loved ones, the poetess herself belonged: It is not easy for parents whose child is restless and hyperactive to raise and develop the child. They play pranks and show their willful character, cutting off their pets' hair and smashing glass in their neighbors' windows with a ball. Eight-year-old American Lizzie Clark made 167 phone calls to the White House over the course of a year asking for Bill Clinton's daughter to come to the phone, and scratched the message “Wash me!” on the family car. and set my mother’s favorite orchids on fire with a lighter. The girl was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the most harmful child in the world. But this did not make the parents love their daughter any less, realizing that she would outgrow it, and her rebellious spirit would help her overcome any obstacles in adulthood. On the third Thursday of March, obedient and not so obedient boys and girls, diligent students and tomboys, scholars and aspiring musicians, brave daredevils and thoughtful young philosophers are congratulated. In honor of these glorious representatives of the younger generation, the Day of Absolutely Incredible Children was established.

Orthodox holidays on March 21:

On March 21, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Day of Remembrance of Athanasius and Lazarus of Murmansk. They both dedicated their lives to serving God and people, never once deviating from their sacred duty until the very end of their lives. Therefore, the memory of them, who lived many centuries ago, has survived to this day. Never in life would fate have connected these two people if the native of Constantinople, Lazarus, had not been sent to Russia to obtain a copy (a copy of the original) of the icon of Sophia the Wisdom of God. Upon arrival in Novgorod, he lived for several years under the Archbishop of Novgorod, and when he passed away, he left for Fr. Murmansk on Lake Onega. Lazarus built a hut and a small chapel for himself until the pagans who lived there burned it down. The monk took refuge from the angry crowd in a cave, but was unable to take with him the icon of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was dear to him. Suddenly he noticed this icon on a tree, after which it fell in front of him. He had a wondrous vision one more time, after which he erected a cross in that place. One day, through the power of prayer, he restored sight to a blind child; he was the son of a pagan leader. Believing in the power of the cross, the grateful father converted to Christianity. From that moment another story began, the history of the Murom Assumption Monastery, which was founded by the Monk Lazar. In 1391, the elder died and was buried near the cross, where he had a divine vision. The Monk Athanasius became the abbot of the monastery in the 15th century. and after three centuries the church ranked him among the saints. After his death, he was buried there, in the monastery. Now on this site is the Murom Assumption Monastery, one of the most ancient monasteries in Karelia. March 21 is an occasion for Orthodox Christians to remember two reverend elders who abandoned worldly life, spending their entire lives in prayer. Their exploits were mentioned more than once in the chronicles.

Memorial Day of St. Theophylact the Confessor

Feast of the Icon of the Mother of God “The Sign” Kursk-Root