Symbol of freedom and faith: a beautiful tradition revived at the church on the grounds of the National Centre RUSSIA
Today marks one of the main Christian holidays — the Annunciation. According to an old tradition, birds are released after the Liturgy on this day. This custom has been revived at the church of the National Centre RUSSIA. The importance of the tradition was explained by Priest Dimitry Kashirin, acting rector of the Church of Saint Seraphim of Sarov on Krasnopresnenskaya Embankment.
"With the revival of church life in Russia, the old pre-revolutionary tradition of releasing birds into the wild is returning. These birds symbolise the free will of a person — it is precisely this that made the Annunciation possible. In addition, the dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. This is confirmed by the Gospel account of the Baptism, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Saviour in the form of a dove", said Priest Dimitry.
According to the priest, the Annunciation is one of the twelve great feasts of the Russian Orthodox Church, one of the most important dates in the Christian calendar, and it holds a special place as a link between the Old and New Testaments. Father Dimitry recalled that, according to the Gospel of Luke, on this day the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Most Holy Theotokos, the Virgin Mary, and announced that the Son of God would be born from her.
At the National Centre RUSSIA, traditions coexist harmoniously with the newest chapters of history. Visitors to the exposition "Journey Across Russia" perform the song "Moscow Nights" on a real bell tower installation. The symbol of the National Centre RUSSIA, inspired by the image of the lion from the Dmitrievsky Cathedral in Vladimir, represents the revival of national culture, as well as the country's stability and security.
As part of the visit, a working meeting was held with Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA Natalia Virtuozova.
The Literary Club "What to Read?!" is an original project of the National Centre RUSSIA.
The large-scale event will take place on 8 July, the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity, at the National Centre RUSSIA in Moscow.
