May 1 - Spring and Labor Day. Enshrined in official status in 1992, this holiday has a long history and extensive geography. Its beginning dates back to 1886, when Chicago workers took to the city square demanding social guarantees and an 8-hour standard working day. The rally ended in a clash with the police and bloodshed: 6 demonstrators were killed. A few days later there was a response to the actions of the authorities - a bomb was detonated, killing 8 policemen. 4 people accused of organizing the terrorist attack were sentenced to death. In memory of this date, the Paris Congress of the Socialist International proclaimed May 1 as International Workers' Day. In 1890, it was already celebrated by trade unions in Russia, and by the end of the century another 142 European states had joined. May Day became a symbol of the class struggle of workers for their rights. After the October Revolution, the country, which had taken a course toward militant atheism and the fight against “obscurantism and prejudice,” needed new holidays to replace church ones. May Day, henceforth called International Day, fit perfectly into this concept. Plus, it coincided with the spring Easter holidays. In 1918, for the first time on this occasion, a military parade of the Red Army was held in Moscow. This tradition was maintained for half a century until 1968. It was later joined by parades of athletes and the air force. In 1928, another day off was added to the holiday - May 2. For a country with a 6-day working week, this was a real gift. During the times of “developed socialism,” the ideological component of May Day took on a different direction. At mass marches, columns of demonstrators expressed solidarity with the “class struggle of the proletariat against the imperialists” under the slogans “our goal is communism” and “no war!” In 1970, the First of May was returned to its original historical name - International Workers' Day. In 1990, processions under May Day flags took place across the country for the last time. People demanded freedom, change and a way out of the economic impasse. In December 1991, the USSR sank into oblivion. Today, May 1, in the Russian Federation is the state Spring and Labor Day. Traditionally, on these days, Russians open the summer season, and political parties and trade unions hold various events and public actions.

In 1996 in Kazakhstan, the traditional Soviet May Day gave way to a holiday that was especially significant for the republic - the Day of Unity of the People of Kazakhstan. A decree on a new holiday was issued by President N. Nazarbayev in October 1995. The idea of ​​the holiday was approved by the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan. Assembly sessions, chaired by the President of the Republic, make decisions in the field of relations between nationalities. Deputies of the Parliament of Kazakhstan from the assembly express the interests of all nations of the country. Under the auspices of the People's Assembly there are councils of experts, a club of journalists, public funds, and a methodological center for teaching languages. The main goal of the functioning of all these institutions is to strengthen ties between numerous ethnic groups. The composition of the republic's population was determined as a result of multiple migrations of nations and nationalities. The relocations were spontaneous, forced, and organized. Russian and Ukrainian serfs moved in search of freedom. In socialist times, thousands of Germans, Koreans, Greeks, Poles, Chechens, Kurds, Kalmyks, Tatars, and Iranians were deported to the Republic of Kazakhstan. Then one and a half million virgin lands came to develop the fallow lands. By 1991, Kazakhstan had become home to people of more than 140 nationalities of 17 faiths. With the acquisition of independence, Kazakhstan proclaimed the main value to be harmony and peace in a multi-ethnic republic. The main character traits of Kazakhstanis are peacefulness, friendliness, and goodwill. Since ancient times, the endless Kazakh steppes have dictated their own laws of life - obligatory hospitality to a good guest, selfless provision of help without requests or entreaties. The inhabitants of the steppes understand the value and uniqueness of a person of any nation, culture and religion. The essence of the Day of Unity of the People of Kazakhstan is mutual trust and respect of peoples. In all cities, colorful processions are held, parades are held, fun events, competitions, and festivals are held. National cultural centers provide an opportunity for the country's population to learn more about the traditions of friendly nations. Having lost its communist coloring, May Day became the favorite holiday of Kazakhstanis.

Classic, sports, acupressure, Thai, cupping, honey, stone massage, Spanish... All these are massage techniques used for the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, body shaping and relaxation. The procedure is one of the most useful and enjoyable, so both adults and children enjoy attending the sessions. May 1 marks the Day of Therapeutic Massage, one of the types of therapy that has been present in the medical practices of many nations since ancient times. Therapeutic Massage Awareness Day has been celebrated all over the world since 2014. The holiday is dedicated to raising people's awareness of therapeutic massage - its health benefits and the need for regular treatment. This type of therapy is used both during the treatment of diseases of joints and ligaments, injuries and muscle sprains, and after it - at the rehabilitation stage, and has no limits for application. Osteochondrosis, curvature of the spine and flat feet are not the only things that therapeutic massage can successfully treat. With its help, they normalize metabolism and fight obesity, tone the skin of the face and remove wrinkles. Therapeutic massage can be both an independent remedy and an auxiliary one in the treatment of various diseases. So, during pneumonia, to alleviate the patient’s condition, vibration or tapping of the chest area is performed to improve the release of sputum. For a number of diseases of the internal organs, visceral massage is indicated, in which a specialist performs a series of manipulations with the anterior wall of the abdomen. Vacuum cupping therapy, mentioned in the manuscripts of Ancient Egypt, is used to treat hypertension, cellulite, frequent colds and to improve body tone. The life of a modern person is full of stress. Therapeutic massage copes well with their negative impact on the body in the form of physiological clamps and blocks. The skin is the largest organ, by acting on which you can influence the state of the spinal cord, central nervous system and other systems. During stroking and pressing on muscles and joints, a neuro-reflex effect is produced on the body. So, with acupressure, pressing on a point activates certain centers that relieve tension. When the patient's receptors are pressed on the skin, the massage therapist's energy is converted into a nerve impulse, which reaches the central nervous system and begins to correct the functioning of all body systems. In honor of Therapeutic Massage Awareness Day, various educational events and master classes for specialists are held. How can people who are far from medical practices celebrate the holiday? Therapeutic massage day is a good reason to take care of your body: sign up for a session and undergo one of the most pleasant types of therapy.

In philosophy, comprehensive love for all living things is contrasted with deep attachment to a partner, religion, power, art and other phenomena. This approach does not contribute to the development of morality and morality in society. Participants in the movement, which calls people to harmony and the manifestation of sincere feelings for all humanity, decided to fight the current state of affairs. That's why Global Love Day is celebrated on May 1st every year. The Global Love Day holiday appeared in 2004 in the USA and Canada on the initiative of city mayors, state and provincial governors, and other officials. In 2022, more than 830 statements were made by government officials in America and Europe to recognize the celebration as an international holiday. Its founders are the Harold W. Becker Love Foundation and the Global Harmony Alliance. According to the organizers of the events held on May 1, the holiday should inspire people to internal changes, show warmth and care for others. Every person should find a place in his heart for love for his neighbor, which will contribute to living in a safe and harmonious world without conflicts and wars. In honor of the holiday, which later became international, thematic lectures, exhibitions and competitions among poets, writers and artists are held. The main condition for participation is that all work must be dedicated to love. Winners receive awards from Harold Becker's The Love Foundation. In 2019, the Dalai Lama called for the celebration of Global Love Day for followers of Buddhism. In honor of the holiday, meetings are held between people who stand for the unity of humanity, despite the racial, cultural, religious and national affiliation of its representatives. F.M. Dostoevsky said: “The world is saved by beauty.” The great writer and humanist did not mean external attractiveness, but the positive moral qualities of a person, the wealth and generosity of his soul. The founders of the holiday post on their platforms information translated into 37 languages ​​about charity events in which everyone can take part, and photographs of people doing good. Volunteers work on May 1 under the motto “Love begins with me.” Global Love Day is an excellent occasion to remind your loved ones, verbally or in writing, how dear they are to you. Videos and photographs of participants in charity events dedicated to the holiday are published on the Internet. Postcards and voice congratulations on the Day of Global Love are posted on social networks. In honor of the celebration, they forget about quarrels and ask those around them for forgiveness for the insults they have caused. Such behavior of millions of people, according to the founders, can change the world for the better, filling it with harmony, peace and love.

The delivery of letters in Ancient Greece and Rome was carried out by horse and foot messengers, tabellarii, who were in the service of the emperor. Only patricians, officials and clergy used the state mail. Centuries later, ordinary people became able to send parcels, letters and postcards. Stamps are used to pay for mail delivery services. One of them, depicting the profile of Queen Elizabeth on a dark background, Black penny, went on sale in London on May 1, 1840. The date became the reason for the establishment of the Birthday of the postage stamp. In honor of this event, Great Britain received a special privilege. It, unlike other states, is exempt from the obligation to indicate the name of the issuing country on stamps as required by the Universal Postal Union. In 1835, Rowland Hill proposed to unify fees for sending correspondence throughout Great Britain. 5 years later, Parliament adopted his project, setting a fee of 1 pence for a black postal sticker and 2 pence for a blue one. To commemorate this, a stamp was issued for Hill's 200th birthday in 1995 with his portrait in front of the Black penny. The idea to celebrate the stamp's birthday belongs to the famous German philatelist Hans von Rudolphi. He voiced his proposal at a meeting of the Bundestag in 1934 and met with support among deputies. Postage signs were actively used to promote the ideas of the Third Reich. In the first decades since the establishment of the solemn day, the stamp was celebrated by philatelists from Germany, Austria, Luxembourg and France. Collectors from Great Britain and its colonies began celebrating the holiday in the mid-1970s. In the USSR, Postage Stamp and Collector's Day was not particularly popular, although the countries of the socialist bloc annually issued new stamps of different denominations for the solemn date. Since 1966, the Philately magazine has been published in the Soviet Union. The publication contained information about the history of postal business, stamped envelopes, international exhibitions, foreign stamps and collectibles. In the 1990s, postal departments around the world began to use the holiday to popularize philately among young people. Thus, in France, characters from famous comic books began to be depicted on stamps. In the Russian Federation, a mobile application has been created for this purpose - the game "Collector". In the Russian Empire, the first “wafers with a design in an approved form” began to be glued onto “ordinary simple envelopes” 15 years after the introduction of this practice in Great Britain. The corresponding circular was issued by the Postal Department on January 1, 1857. Connoisseurs consider this date to be the birthday of the Russian stamp. By May 1, according to tradition, commemorative postage signs and miniatures are issued. They depict historical figures, significant events of the past and present. In honor of the holiday, thematic exhibitions and festivals are held, special cancellations and other promotions are carried out. In the age of the Internet, with the advent of e-mail, stamps began to be printed mainly for philatelists. But paper items are still in demand, so so far not a single letter or postcard is complete without the coveted color sticker.

The pagan holiday Zhiva is celebrated after midnight on May 1st. Zhiva (Zhivena), or Yarilitsa, is the mistress of late spring and life, the patroness of the entire Slavic family. She comes to earth in the form of a cuckoo, revered in the land of the Slavs. When Zhiva leaves a person, death takes possession of him. Therefore, the ancient Slavs pleased Zhiva in every possible way. According to legends, at this time the borders between worlds opened and all evil spirits came to people. That is why it was not recommended to wear black clothes, so as not to attract her. People had prophetic dreams, and their innermost desires, made with pure thoughts, came true. Winter for the Slavs was akin to death, so they greeted the fertile late spring with honors. On this holiday, houses were decorated with ribbons and wreaths, and treats were prepared for Mother Zhiva. People remembered the deceased without tears, inviting them to admire the beautiful Zhiva. They cajoled the goddess and her assistants Zhivitsa near the sown field so that the harvest would be rich. They did not forget about the owner of their own home - the Brownie, bringing him treats on a saucer. They themselves performed cleansing and washing rituals, making good wishes. After midnight, in the first hours of the holiday, a fire was lit on a hill or on the river bank. Women used brooms to clear the place of evil spirits. All night long people danced around the fire, wove wreaths, played burners, and sang songs in praise of Zhiva. An obligatory attribute of the holiday was a staging of a journey to the world of Navi - the incorporeal world of spirits and demons. Particular attention was paid to jumping over a fire, which symbolized the Smorodina River. She separated the world of the living (Yav) from the world of the dead (Nav). This is how people were cleansed of evil impulses and gained energy and health. Early in the morning they called a cuckoo in a birch grove and treated it to millet porridge. Also on this day they took their first bath in the river after winter. In honor of the Living Cuckoo, birds were released from their cages. And they themselves baked “larks” and treated their relatives and friends. We didn’t work all day, gaining strength before the difficult month of Traven.

On May 1, all Germans ordered and noisily celebrated the May Day, or, as it is commonly called in Germany, Maifeiertag. This event is directly related to the revival of nature, its flourishing, since winter has already finally passed and has completely given up its rights to the long-awaited spring. If you look at the traditions and customs of the May Day, we can conclude that the Germans took quite a lot from their ancestors, the pagans. So, the main symbol on this day is the Maibaum, or Maypole, which is installed in the central square of all German cities. It is a tall pillar with a wreath on top. The tree is usually decorated with green twigs and flowers. It must also have seven multi-colored ribbons. In small towns, the metal tree pole itself is decorated with beautiful carvings. So, on it you can see figures of men and women, churches and cathedrals, and tools. The Germans claim that the Maypole represents life itself, health and fertility. Seven ribbons are all the colors of the rainbow, which always appears in the sky when the rain stops and the bright sun comes out, which contributes to a good and rich harvest. The pillar symbolizes the masculine principle, but the wreath symbolizes the feminine. And together they give new life. It is also very important that May 1 is a day off in all federal states of Germany, which gives the Germans the opportunity to have a good and heartfelt rest. Almost all cities host folk festivals: fairs with tastings of national cuisine, festive concerts with cheerful songs and fiery dances, and competitions. For example, in some villages, shirts and boots are tied to the top of the Maypole, and whoever can get there will receive a gift. But late in the evening, when it is already well dark, everyone can admire the festive fireworks.

Beltane (sometimes spelled Beltane) is a Celtic festival celebrated at dawn on May 1st, symbolizing the onset of summer. This word is used to name the month of May in some Gaelic languages: Irish, Scottish. The exact translation is “Fire of Bel”, which is directly related to the name of the main Celtic god of the Sun and fire, and, accordingly, fertility. Beltane is one of the eight most significant pagan holidays, characterizing the beginning of the agricultural period, and included in the Wheel of the Year. This is a closed cycle of holidays, condemned by the Christian religion, which has tried to get rid of everything pagan as much as possible. With the advent of Christianity, Beltane was replaced by a church holiday - Walpurgis Night. Many traditions and rituals have been preserved, for example, lighting fires, but the meaning has changed dramatically - instead of worshiping Mother Nature, it symbolized a witch hunt, the expulsion of wickedness. The wheel of the year allowed ancient people to express respect for nature and glorify the constant flow of time and life itself. The end of the winter period and the celebration of summer included mandatory ritual ceremonies aimed at preserving crops and livestock - the main sources of the community’s well-being. Over the course of several days, brushwood was collected for two large fires located on the nearest hill or hill. The ceremony was carried out by Celtic priests - Druids, in which all residents of the settlements participated. The night before, they climbed these hills with their livestock and waited for the first rays of the sun to light the ritual fire. Pagan traditions included solemn sacred chants and dances praising the gods. It was imperative that cattle were driven through the fires, which were considered sacred, to ensure protection from pestilence. The indispensable attributes of the Celtic festival were the May Bough and the May Bush, associated with the rites of the Druids and being the prototypes of the modern May tree. The rituals emphasized that it was with the onset of Beltane that a new, annual union of earth and sun was formed, giving rise to the growth of the harvest. Currently, the holiday has preserved traditions as much as possible only in some rural areas of modern Europe, but attention to it is gaining momentum, especially to ritualism and semantic load. The search for oneself and one’s “I” leads modern people, tired of information flows, to a simple and understandable religion of nature, the worship of its spirits. Paganism, along with Islam and Christianity, undoubtedly has the right to exist. In any case, Beltane marks the arrival of the warm season and is filled with bright energy.

For many years, Russia has had a law on dacha amnesty. According to it, gardeners and vegetable gardeners register ownership of plots and buildings on them, erected without obtaining permits, according to a simplified scheme. The practice of illegally using allotments and planting plants on abandoned or no-man's land is common throughout the world. Thanks to caring people, flower beds appear near public buildings, green areas near high-rise buildings and real oases in industrial areas. Guerrilla gardening as a way to combat dense buildings and imperfect urban landscapes appeared in the 1970s in the United States. Since that time, participants in the movement in 30 countries around the world have been engaged in landscaping abandoned spaces, vacant lots and roadside embankments, holding campaigns to reduce the frequency of lawn mowing and other activities. In 2007, an initiative group of gardeners from Brussels established an unusual holiday. International Sunflower Guerrilla Gardening Day is celebrated annually on May 1st. The movement owes its origin to the term “guerrilla gardening” by Liz Christie and her Green Rebel Group, who in 1973 turned an unkempt plot of land in a New York City neighborhood into a garden. Decades later, Liz Christy Garden, which fell under the supervision of the city parks department, is still cared for by volunteers. The partisans plant not only flowers and trees on abandoned lands. In Honduras, bananas grow on abandoned plantations and in public places, in Poland - pumpkins, in Belgium - sunflowers, in Finland - meadow plants, in New Zealand - cabbage. Guerrilla movement as a form of protest gets its name from the methods participants choose to transform the urban landscape. Thus, seed bombing is used to plant grass and bushes in hard-to-reach places. The partisans drop “seed bombs” consisting of humus, clay and plant seeds onto the plots. Landscapers install benches in parks and plant seedlings at night. Thanks to the coordinated work of 1,000 like-minded people, a public garden emerged on a vacant lot in the Nørrebro district of Copenhagen during the nightly event “Garden in a Day.” These and other initiatives are an act of demonstrating the right of people to change the face of the city in order to improve its ecology and infrastructure. International Guerrilla Gardening Day calls for a review of land ownership that is located within or in close proximity to a city. According to volunteers, vacant lots and areas that are in a neglected state should be handed over to people who are ready to improve them by planting plants. And then the prediction of Vladimir Mayakovsky, with whose work foreign “green rebels” are most likely not familiar, will come true: “In four years there will be a garden city here!”

Kuzma Ogorodnik is celebrated on May 1 (April 18, old style) according to the folk calendar. The name of the holiday is associated with the church date of veneration of St. Cosmas of Chalcedon, who served as a bishop in the 8th-9th century. Cosmas was born in Constantinople, and from adolescence devoted himself to serving the Lord - he became a monk. When he was elevated to bishop of the city of Chalcedon, he strengthened the Orthodox faith among his parishioners. During the reign of Leo V the Armenian, severe persecution of admirers of icons began. The authorities removed Cosmas from his post and imprisoned him in prison. They tried to convince him to change his attitude towards icons through persuasion and torture. However, unable to bear the latter, the saint died. Kuzma (Kosma) was popularly considered the patron and protector of garden harvests. On this day, they prayed to the saint for the safety of the crops and asked him to give a generous harvest. Peasants went to their lands to garden and sow seeds of carrots, radishes and beets. That’s why the day got its name – Kuzma Ogorodnik. People believed that only women should do sowing. Firstly, sowing work is not as hard as digging up the ground. Secondly, the residents believed that the seeds sown by a man would only be good when they bloomed, but the plant would not bear fruit. Before sowing seeds into the soil, women performed a ritual with them. They were sprinkled with water from an underground source, or the seed was carried to the spring for soaking three mornings in a row. Then they whispered a conspiracy for greater yields. To avoid the evil eye, the ritual was carried out in secret from relatives and neighbors. The date of Kuzma Ogorodnik was celebrated on Cuckoo Day. The bird was called the keykeeper of paradise, since it was the last migratory bird to return to its homeland from warmer climes. In autumn, the cuckoo was the first to fly away. However, in the spring it brought with it the final onset of warmth. Having noticed it, the residents could go to sow flax. The appearance of the cuckoo did not particularly please the population, because many signs with it led to bad news. Noticing a cuckoo on the roof of a house, people believed that a dead person would soon appear in it. Kukushkin's flight overhead promised imminent death. Seeing a bird flying for a long time over the village meant that a fire would start in it. If she cooed on a tree without leaves, the peasants expected a hungry year. Also, other signs about the future pointed to Kuzma Ogorodnik. The good weather of that day predicted that by the end of May, stormy days would come on the contrary. The falling rain foreshadowed increased yields in the fields. The alder blossoms meant a good time for sowing buckwheat.

For the Chinese, the Heavenly Empress or Tianhou Mazu is the true mistress of the sea, the mistress of the elements, who can save from the destructive forces of nature, and when angry, send a deadly typhoon or flood. Late Chinese mythology distinguishes the goddess as the most powerful and important celestial beings, capable of completely changing the destinies of those living today. In China, many temples dedicated to the Heavenly Empress have been erected. In them, Tian-hou is depicted as a proud woman sitting on a throne of waves or floating in the clouds. You can find analogues using the traditional golden throne in an intricate embodiment with a bright interweaving of ornaments and figures. Matsu is a central figure, but not alone. As a rule, she is depicted with two servants, one of whom gazes intently into the clouds, and the other listens warily with his hand to his ear. A distinctive feature of the Chinese goddess is the crystal clear whiteness of her face. For example, in Taiwan, the Heavenly Empress is depicted with a black face, which does not in any way affect the level of her veneration and adoration among believers. The cult of the goddess traces its origins back to the 10th and 11th centuries from a girl from a simple fishing village whose name was Lin. A skilled fisherman had the ability to sail through the stormy sea waters on an old mat, and was transported from island to island on clouds. Lin used her super abilities to save her loved ones who were in trouble in the depths of the sea. When she turned 28, an even greater miracle happened - the girl ascended to heaven and became the mistress of all water. Since then, the Chinese have considered Mazu the mistress of water movements, the patroness of fishermen and sailors. Believers love and revere the goddess of water infinitely. Initially, the Chinese gave her the name of Heavenly Concubine (Tian-fei), and then elevated her to the celestial empress (Tian-hou). There are over 200 million Mazu worshipers around the world. Everyone whose profession or place of residence is connected with the sea firmly believes in the saving and destructive power of the goddess. Her birthday is invariably celebrated, which is designated the 23rd day of the third month of the lunar calendar. Traditionally, on the eve of the holiday there is a mass pilgrimage to the temples of the Heavenly Empress. Hundreds of thousands of believers go to honor their patroness and enlist her support in worldly affairs. A week before Tian-hou's birthday, circumambulation ceremonies are held with the image of the deity. Dressed in gold, a luxurious statue in a specially decorated palanquin appears on the streets of all localities. Locals believe that such “walks” of the goddess provide prosperity, peace and protection from the destructive power of the elements for the whole year. Well-prayed statues are especially popular; as a rule, they are brought from big cities or ancient temples. On Tianhou Mazu's birthday, a ritual of incense burning and offering of gifts takes place. The action takes place only within the walls of the temple. For this purpose, a temple with the strongest statue is selected, in front of which hundreds of incense sticks are lit. You can bring your own statue to a temple with a solid history in order to imbue it with the strength and energy of a more powerful statue. There are no restrictions on the choice of temples, so pilgrimages can often take place in the most remote areas. Distance does not matter for believers; they can walk an impressive distance to worship the ancient statue of the Heavenly Empress. Traveling to distant temples and inviting statues from other regions serves a positive social function. This is a period of spiritual unity of the entire people, a sure way to remember and honor one’s roots, respect one’s religion, sacredly preserving its age-old truths.

Orthodox holidays on May 1:

Great Wednesday or Wednesday of Holy Week is the day on which Judas succumbed to temptation and decided to betray Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver. At the same time, the sinner repented of her actions, shed precious myrrh on Christ, thereby preparing him for burial. According to biblical records, on the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, Jesus was in Bethany. Simon the leper invited him to dinner at his house. There is still debate about who this man was. According to the law of Moses, healthy people had to refuse contact with those with leprosy. If Simon once suffered from this disease and was later cured, then it is unlikely that such a nickname could stick with him for a long time. Some believe that Jesus healed the sick man the day before. Simon was completely healthy, but he still retained his nickname, since too little time had passed since the miraculous recovery. Others believe that Simon the leper and Simon the Pharisee, who refused to honor Christ, are one and the same person, but this version has too many contradictions. Anyway, Jesus accepted the invitation and came to dine at Simon's house. At this time, the council of high priests had already decided to use cunning and kill Christ. When Jesus was in Simon's house, an unknown woman, who is called a sinner, poured myrrh on him. While the Savior was dining, a woman entered the room carrying an alabaster vessel in her hands. It was full of the precious backgammon world. The woman's name is not mentioned anywhere. There are several versions that reveal her identity. Only three women anointed Jesus with chrism. The first was Mary Magdalene in the house of Simon the Pharisee - a man whose image for some merges with the image of Simon the leper. The second woman was Lazarus' sister. The third remains a stranger, but many interpreters believe that it was still Mary Magdalene - a sinner who had already anointed the Savior in the past. The woman approached the sitting Jesus, stood behind him, quickly knocked off the neck of an elegant vessel and poured precious myrrh on his head. The disciples began to murmur as the wonderful aroma spread throughout the room. They did not understand why this senseless waste of such a rare incense. Jesus lived poorly. He didn't even have a permanent home. The disciples began to be indignant that this ointment could be sold and the money distributed to the poor. The Savior stopped dissatisfied conversations and protected the woman. Jesus said there was nothing wrong with what she did. Caring for the poor is a laudable deed, but the poor will always be before the eyes of the disciples, and Christ will not be with the disciples for long. The Savior said that the woman anointed his body for the upcoming burial and everyone would know about this good deed of the sinner. In sermons about Christ, the action of this woman will certainly be mentioned. At the same time, in contrast to the repentance of the sinner, the soul of one of the twelve disciples of Judas succumbed to temptation. Judas decided to betray Christ and took payment in the amount of thirty pieces of silver. On this day, churches condemn the act of Jesus' disciple and praise the sincere repentance of the sinner from the house of Simon the Leper. On Wednesday evenings, general confession is performed in many churches. On the night from Wednesday to Thursday, Jesus had the last supper with his disciples, at which he instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist. The next morning will be dedicated to this event. The Liturgy of Holy Thursday will be served in all Orthodox churches around the world. On Wednesday they started cleaning the house. Carpets were carefully beaten, floors were washed, clothes were washed. In Rus' there was a rather interesting ritual that was supposed to heal a person from illnesses. It was equated with some kind of rebirth. First, a person had to go to a river or well to scoop up a mug of clean water. He made the sign of the cross three times and covered the container with a clean cloth. Usually a towel was used. At two hours after midnight you had to get up, cross yourself three times again, take off your clothes and wash your body with this water, leaving a little on the bottom. There was no need to wipe yourself after this ritual. They put clean clothes directly on the wet body. The remaining water was poured out of the mug within the next hour after the ceremony.

Memorial Day of Saint Cosmas of Chalcedon

Feast of the Maximov Icon of the Mother of God

Memorial Day of St. John of Thessalonica