Feast Day
The feast day is observed on Bright Friday, that is, the Friday following Pascha (Easter). It is the only feast day which may be celebrated during Bright Week, as all other commemorations which happen to fall during this time are usually transferred to another day. The propers (hymns and prayers) of the feast are combined with the Paschal hymns, and there is often a Lesser Blessing of Waters performed after the Divine Liturgy on Bright Friday.
There is also a commemoration of the Icon of the Theotokos the Life-giving Spring observed on April 4 (Julian Calendar) / April 17 (Gregorian Calendar).
This type of icon spread throughout the Orthodox world, particularly in places where a spring was believed to be sacred. In old Russia, continuing Greek traditions, there was a custom to sanctify springs that were located near churches, dedicate them to the Holy Mother, and paint icons of her under the title The Life Giving Spring.
Read more about this topic: Life-giving Spring
Famous quotes containing the words feast and/or day:
“If you want to feast on sea-dragon’s flesh, go down to the sea yourself.”
—Chinese proverb.
“Punishment followed on a grand scale. For ten days, an unconscionable length of time, my father blessed the palms of his child’s outstretched, four-year-old hands with a sharp switch. Seven strokes a day on each hand; that makes one hundred forty strokes and then some. This put an end to the child’s innocence.”
—Christoph Meckel (20th century)