On December 22, Orthodox churches commemorate Saint Anne – the mother of the Virgin Mary, who brought Jesus Christ into the world. This significant event in the history of Orthodoxy is associated with the conception of the Most Holy Theotokos. In the folk calendar, this day is known as Dark Anne, Conception Day. In the past, women, especially pregnant ones, were honored during this time.
On December 22, festive services dedicated to the Mother of God – Saint Anne will be held in all Orthodox churches.
Saint Anne
Saint Anne lived in the 1st century BC. Her father, Matthan, was a priest who instilled in his children a deep love and respect for religion.
When Anne grew up, she got married. In her marriage to Joachim, Anne spent 50 years. However, the couple had no children, which was considered a sin at that time.
For years, decades, the spouses prayed, asking God to grant them a child. When despair reached its peak, Joachim withdrew to the desert, where he spent forty days alone.
Anne, left at home with grief, prayed and cried day and night. And one day a miracle happened: an angel appeared, bringing joyful news. He told Joachim and Anne that they would have a child. Thus, the couple had a daughter whom they named Mary.
This girl was destined for a special mission – to become the mother of Jesus Christ, the Savior of humanity. The day of the conception of the Most Holy Theotokos, which is honored alongside her birth, is considered to be December 22 (December 9 according to the old style).
Dark Anne, Conception Day: Folk Calendar
The folk holiday dedicated to Saint Anne and the conception of the Most Holy Theotokos is called “Dark Anne.” It is also referred to as Conception Day, which reflects the essence of this important event.
In ancient times, it was known that with Dark Anne, winter “asserts its rights” in full voice, frightening with severe frosts, cold winds, and darkness. Dark Anne coincides with the Day of the Winter Solstice, which is considered the shortest day of the year. From this point, the countdown to the new year began earlier.
Saint Anne’s Day was considered a holiday for beekeepers. On December 22, early in the morning, they would come to the apiaries where the hives stood to read a special incantation for the health of the bees and a good honey harvest.
Our ancestors considered Conception Day to be special, a women’s holiday. During this time, it was customary to protect and cherish women of all ages, including the elderly. However, special attention was given to pregnant women.
On Dark Anne, they were forbidden to approach fire, light it, handle sharp objects, or sew. According to the ancestors, this could harm the fetus. People believed that fire lit by a woman on Dark Anne would leave a mark on the child’s body, sharp objects could cause strange scars, and tangled threads would twist the umbilical cord.
What Can Be Done on Conception Day
The day of remembrance of Saint Anne should begin with a visit to the church. Festive services are held there at this time. In prayers addressed to the mother of the Most Holy Theotokos, it is customary to thank her for her patience, kindness, and mercy. One can ask Saint Anne for:
the conception and safe birth of children;
patience and mercy;
peace in the family and harmony between spouses;
help in family matters and raising children.
Prayer to Saint Anne
O most glorious righteous ones of Christ, holy Godparents Joachim and Anne, standing before the Heavenly Throne of the Great King and having great boldness toward Him, as He willed to be incarnate from your most blessed daughter, the Most Pure Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, we, the sinful and unworthy, flee to you as to a mighty intercessor and fervent supplicant for us. Pray for His goodness, that He may turn away His wrath from us, justly stirred up against us by our deeds, and that, overlooking our countless transgressions, He may turn us to the path of repentance and establish us in the way of His commandments.
Also, by your prayers, preserve our life in peace and ask for all good things necessary for life and piety from God, delivering us from all calamities and misfortunes, and from a sudden death, by your intercession, and protecting us from all visible and invisible enemies, that we may live a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and purity, and thus, having passed through this temporary life in peace, we may attain eternal rest, where, by your holy intercession, we may be deemed worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom of Christ our God, to whom with the Father and the Most Holy Spirit belongs all glory, honor, and worship, forever and ever. Amen.
Dark Anne: Folk Signs
Our ancestors knew: if the sun shines on Conception Day, January 1 will have wonderful weather. If it is gloomy and overcast outside, a strong snowstorm will soon come.
If it snows on Dark Anne, rain will follow. If a thaw begins – expect warm rain.
What Should Not Be Done on Conception Day
The folk holiday has its own prohibitions. For example, on Dark Anne, ancestors did not go into the forest. It was believed that one might not return from there, as packs of hungry and evil wolves roamed around, sensing people from afar. “On Conception, wolves gather, and after the Baptism, they scatter,” they said about this.
On Dark Anne, it was strictly forbidden to engage in handicrafts. It was believed that this would lead to illness and misfortunes in the home.
On Conception Day, it is forbidden to quarrel, deceive, and spread falsehoods about acquaintances. The punishment will be poverty and a multitude of problems that will follow one after another.
