Today, Orthodox believers honor the appearance of the icon of the Holy Mother of God in the city of Kazan.
People call this celebration Summer Kazan.
In Rus', on this day it was customary to go to church and pray asking for help in work or study.
In addition, it was necessary to present some kind of gift to your loved ones or friends.
The image of the Holy Mother of God first appeared in the 16th century AD. At that time, Ivan the Terrible conquered Kazan, where the local inhabitants professed Islam.
During the specified time period, the Mother of God appeared to a local girl, Matrona, in a dream, indicating the place where the sacred icon was located.
The girl and her parents went to where the Holy Mother of God had told her to go. There, in the ashes of the fire that had struck Kazan, Matrona found an icon wrapped in a rag.
Matrona told Archbishop Jeremiah about her miraculous discovery, after which the local mayor moved the icon in a religious procession to the Annunciation Cathedral.
During this journey, two blind men carrying the sacred image miraculously regained their sight.
A monastery was later founded at the site where the icon was found. Matrona and her mother took monastic vows there.
What you can't do on Summer Kazan
On this day, many people followed certain rules:
- did not initiate any trips or travels;
- were not lazy or idle;
- did not start any new business.
It was on July 21 that it was considered a grave sin to commit ungodly acts, namely, to lie, envy or intimidate. Otherwise, according to beliefs, one could lose happiness.
What can you do on Summer Kazan
Today it is recommended to work hard both on your summer cottage and at home.
In addition, you should go for a swim in a pond - water, according to beliefs, will help you gain health.
It is also worth picking berries in the forest and then making jam from them.
