How the holiday appeared and why no one knows about it. What is National Unity Day? How the holiday appeared and why no one knows about it Why November 4th is called the Day of National Unity

The holiday was established in December 2004 on the initiative of the Interreligious Council of Russia, consisting of leaders of the country's traditional faiths, as a national holiday uniting all the peoples of Russia.

This new national holiday was first celebrated on November 4, 2005, but its history begins much earlier - several centuries ago.

Story

The date of the holiday was not chosen by chance - historically the Day national unity connected with distant events of the early 17th century, when in 1612 Moscow was finally liberated from Polish invaders.

At the turn of the 16th-17th centuries, a series of tragic circumstances occurred in Russia, and this era went down in history as the Time of Troubles. Historians believe that the immediate cause of the Troubles was the end of the Rurik dynasty. The situation was also complicated by the extremely unfavorable internal economic situation and foreign invasion.

At the call of His Holiness Patriarch Hermogenes, who died at the hands of the Poles for his loyalty to Orthodoxy and canonized saints, the Russian people stood up in defense of their homeland.

The first militia was led by the Ryazan governor Prokopiy Lyapunov. But due to infighting between the nobles and the Cossacks, who killed the governor on false charges, the militia disintegrated.

Then in September 1611 in Nizhny Novgorod, the zemstvo elder Kuzma Minin appealed to people to raise funds and create a militia to liberate the country. The population of the city was subject to a special tax for organizing the militia. At Minin’s suggestion, Novgorod Prince Dmitry Pozharsky was invited to the post of chief governor.

Monument to Minin and Pozharsky in Moscow

Letters were sent from Novgorod to other cities calling for the collection of the militia. In addition to the townspeople and peasants, small and medium-sized nobles also gathered there. The main forces of the militia were formed in the cities and counties of the Volga region.

The program of the people's militia consisted of liberating Moscow from interventionists, refusing to recognize sovereigns of foreign origin on the Russian throne (which was the goal of the boyar nobility, who invited the Polish prince Vladislav to the kingdom), as well as the creation of a new government.

For that time, a huge army gathered under the banners of Minin and Pozharsky, which in March 1612 set out from Nizhny Novgorod and headed to Yaroslavl, where a temporary “Council of the Whole Earth” was created - a government body in which the main role was played by townspeople and representatives of the minor service nobility .

Representatives of all classes and all peoples that make up the Russian state took part in the national militia to liberate the Russian land from foreign invaders.

With a copy of the miraculous icon of the Kazan Mother of God, revealed in 1579, the Nizhny Novgorod zemstvo militia managed to take Kitay-Gorod by storm on November 4, 1612 and expel the Poles from Moscow.

This victory served as a powerful impetus for the revival of the Russian state. And the icon became the subject of special veneration.

At the end of February 1613, the Zemsky Sobor, which included representatives of all classes of the country - the nobility, boyars, clergy, Cossacks, archers, black-growing peasants and delegates from many Russian cities, elected Mikhail Romanov, the first Russian Tsar from the Romanov dynasty, as Tsar.

The Zemsky Sobor of 1613 became the final victory over the Troubles, the triumph of Orthodoxy and national unity.

The confidence that it was thanks to the icon of the Kazan Mother of God that the victory was won was so deep that Prince Pozharsky, with his own money, specially built the Kazan Cathedral on the edge of Red Square.

In 1649, by decree of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, the obligatory celebration of November 4 was established as a day of gratitude to the Blessed Virgin Mary for her help in liberating Russia from the Poles. The holiday was celebrated in Russia until the 1917 Revolution.

IN church calendar This day became known as the Celebration of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in memory of the deliverance of Moscow and Russia from the Poles in 1612.

Thus, National Unity Day is essentially not a new holiday at all, but a return to an old tradition.

The essence of the holiday

This holiday no longer symbolizes victory, but the unity of the people, which made the defeat of the interventionists possible.

The holiday calls on people not only to remember the most important historical events, but also to remind the citizens of a multinational country about the importance of unity. It also serves as a reminder that only together can we cope with difficulties and overcome obstacles.

Representatives of 195 peoples and nationalities living on the territory of Russia belong to dozens of religious movements.

The main goal of the holiday, both pre-revolutionary and now, comes down to the unity of people of different religions, origins and status to achieve a common goal - stable civil peace, as well as respect for patriotism and courage, which was shown by the liberators of Moscow.

National Unity Day is an occasion for all citizens of the country to realize and feel like one people.

How to celebrate

The first Day of National Unity was solemnly celebrated in 2005 - Nizhny Novgorod became the main center of the festive events. The main event of the holiday was the opening of the monument to Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky.

This year they plan to celebrate National Unity Day as magnificently as in previous years. The most grandiose events are planned in Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod, where the militia of Minin and Pozharsky originated.

A large, multimillion-dollar procession through the city and laying flowers at the memorial to Minin and Pozharsky are planned.

On National Unity Day, patriotic celebrations, processions, celebrations, fairs, exhibitions, and so on are held. All major parks in Moscow have prepared a large entertainment program for National Unity Day.

The Kremlin will host a ceremony to present the Presidential Prize for strengthening the unity of the Russian nation and the “We are United” concert.

Solemn concerts, fireworks, and mass festivities will be held throughout the country.

The material was prepared on the basis of open sources.

14.09.2016

Among large quantity Russian holidays One cannot help but highlight National Unity Day, which is celebrated on November 4th. Let's figure out what events this significant date is dedicated to and why it was recognized as a day off by government decree. November 4th is not a new holiday, but symbolizes a return to old traditions.

This great and important day for Russia is inextricably linked with the historical events that took place in Moscow in the 17th century. In 1612, the city was captured by Polish invaders, who committed outrages, robbed, and killed the local population. And it was on November 4 that the people's militia, led by Russian national heroes Dmitry Pozharsky, a military and political figure, and Kuzma Minin, a Nizhny Novgorod citizen, a meat and fish seller, took Kitay-Gorod by storm.

Thus, Moscow was liberated from the Polish invaders. November 4 has become a significant date in the history of Russia and an example of heroism, courage and unity of all segments of the population, regardless of origin, status in society and religion. The people, united under a single flag, became the winner in the struggle for the liberation of their native land. The command of the well-trained and prepared military garrison of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth decided on complete and unconditional surrender.

This historic event confirms the great power of national unity. Many political figures and modern historians consider November 4 to be the most important day for Russia, which predetermined the end of the Time of Troubles back in 1612. It is also believed that it was November 4, 1612 that determined further historical events of the country, including the revolution, world and domestic wars.

National Unity Day is a red day on the calendar, serving as a reminder to the multinational people of the country of victories, triumphs, defeats, and fallen national heroes, emphasizing the need for unity, cohesion in achieving the intended goals along the path of economic development of the state, as well as building a fair society. Since 2005, Nizhny Novgorod has been considered the center of celebration of National Unity Day.

In 2005, the city held the grand opening of a monument to elder Kuzma Minin and governor Dmitry Pozharsky. Along with the celebrations in Nizhny Novgorod, in the capital and other cities of the Russian Federation, religious processions, laying flowers to Russian national heroes, numerous marches, creativity festivals, and holiday festivities are held, organized with funds from local budgets.

Also, heads of administrations and top officials of the state take part in the celebration of November 4, as the Day of National Unity. In 2013, the largest “Russian March” took place, attracting more than 20,000 participants. The great and significant holiday celebrated on November 4 is a celebration of love, kindness, care for loved ones and people in need, as well as their support!

Today, November 4, Russia celebrates National Unity Day. But, as it turned out, many do not know why this holiday is celebrated, although they enjoy the weekend. However, the weekend does not stop social media users from making fun of the strange red date, but for now we will tell you in honor of what and how it appeared in the first place.

National Unity Day has been celebrated in Russia since 2005. It was then that he became public holiday. According to other sources, this holiday is also called the Day of Military Glory. And they celebrate it in honor of the liberation of Moscow from Polish invaders in 1612.

Expulsion of Polish-Lithuanian interventionists from the Kremlin

How and why the Poles captured Moscow

It was a difficult year: taxes, disasters, prostitution, banditry and shortages in the army. It was impossible to put up with the latter, and they got down to business knowledgeable people. The seven most noble boyars who took power into their own hands. That's what they were called - the seven-boyars.

They came to power when the ruler of that time, Vasily Shuisky, was overthrown in July 1610. In our opinion - impeachment. And since he had no heirs, the boyars had to rule. Although they didn't really resist.

In those troubled times, when after the death of Ivan the Terrible the Rurik family dried up and there was no one left to rule, the boyars did not come up with anything better than to put the Poles in the kingdom. Although at first Boris Godunov tried to take power into his hands.

Then other boys tried to take power, although perhaps they were not there, but in the end the boyars gave the throne to effective managers from Poland, with whom Russia had fought the day before. According to the documents, the Polish ruler Vladislav IV entered the throne, and a Polish garrison was stationed in Moscow.

However, citizens did not like the Polish government. During the two years that the intervention ruled, theft, sodomy, and in some places cannibalism, if you believe some, rampanted in the country. As a result, a militia gathered and decided to drive the new government out into the cold, and in the literal sense.

How the Poles were expelled from Moscow

The rally began in Nizhny Novgorod. It was assembled by the local headman (something like a governor) Kuzma Minin. Prince Pozharsky, who was distantly related to Ivan the Terrible and the Rurik family in general, was appointed head of the operation. And he lived nearby, 60 kilometers from Nizhny on his own estate.

Pozharsky surprisingly quickly agreed to lead the militia, and together with Minin they went to Moscow to expel the foreigners. True, this could not be done quickly. It was necessary to besiege the city and fight with Polish troops, which was even depicted on one of the bas-reliefs.

But in the end they took Moscow. In addition, the Polish troops there themselves were already weakened by hunger and cold, since there was nothing to take and, however, nothing to eat. Later, such tactics would be applied to Napoleon’s troops, but that’s another story.

But in 1612 the interventionists were finally kicked out. And to this day there is a monument to Minin and Pozharsky in Moscow.

Why is National Unity Day celebrated?

However, let's return to the holiday. What does November 4 have to do with the extra weekend and why is it called National Unity Day? If you believe the same Wikipedia, then National Unity Day was deliberately introduced by the authorities in order to divert people's attention from another memorable date- November 7, when the revolution according to the old style was carried out.

In general, the idea of making November 4 a holiday was expressed by the interreligious council in 2004. The State Duma supported the idea. Patriarch Alexy II also put in a good word for her.

This day reminds us how in 1612 Russians of different faiths and nationalities overcame division, overcame a formidable enemy and led the country to a stable civil peace.

After this, as well as an appeal from the initiative group to State Duma Chairman Boris Gryzlov, the holiday appeared in the Russian holiday calendar.

However, some unreliable elements not only do not know what the holiday is in honor of, moreover, they make fun of it.

By the way, they did a nice thing on November 7 - now this day officially marks the anniversary of the famous Parade on Red Square in November 1941. Then the parade seemed to be started in honor of the 24th anniversary of the same October Revolution, but his contemporaries remembered him more for another reason - the demonstration of military power in Moscow, which was besieged by the Nazis and outright lost the first months of the Great Patriotic War. However, let's return to the November 4 holiday - it's time to see why our legislators chose this date.

The time of troubles begins

At the end of the 16th century, Russia entered one of the most unstable periods in its history. In 1598, the last tsar from the Rurik dynasty, Fyodor Ioannovich, died, leaving no heirs. The country was devastated - the countless aggressive campaigns of Ivan IV the Terrible had an effect, and the Livonian War was especially difficult for Russia. Historians wrote that ordinary people in those years were mortally tired - both from wars and from the authorities, which, after the brutal oprichnina, they simply stopped respecting. A serious factor of instability was crop failure, which provoked a terrible famine of 1601-1603, which killed up to 0.5 million people.

The authorities, represented by the new monarch, former boyar Boris Godunov, did not sit idly by. People flocked to Moscow in droves, where they were given bread and money from state reserves. But Godunov’s kindness played against him - the chaos only intensified due to the peasant gangs formed in the capital (they included serfs and servants expelled from noble estates due to the landowner’s lack of money and work).

The Time of Troubles began due to the spread of rumors that the legitimate heir to the throne - Tsarevich Dmitry Ivanovich from the Rurik dynasty - was still alive and not dead, as was commonly believed before. But the rumors were spread by an impostor who went down in history under the name “ False Dmitry" Having enlisted the support of Polish aristocrats and converted to Catholicism, in 1604 he gathered an army and set off on a campaign against Moscow. What helped him win was not so much his own talents as the failures of the authorities - the betrayal of governor Basmanov and the death of Godunov. On June 20, 1605, Moscow greeted False Dmitry with jubilation. But the boyars and ordinary Muscovites quickly realized that new king it is very focused on Poland. The last straw was the arrival of False Dmitry's Polish accomplices in the capital - on May 16, 1606, an uprising broke out, during which the impostor was killed. The country was headed by the representative of the “Suzdal” branch of Rurikovich, the noble boyar Vasily Shuisky.

However, it did not become calmer. The first two years of the new government were seriously threatened by the rebel Cossacks, peasants and mercenaries of Ivan Bolotnikov - there was a time when the rebels, angry with the boyar arbitrariness, stood near Moscow. In 1607, a new impostor appeared - False Dmitry II (also known as the “Tushinsky thief”) - a year later, seven significant Russian cities were already under his rule, including Yaroslavl, Vladimir and Kostroma. In the same year, the Nogai Horde and the Crimean Tatars for the first time in for many years decided to raid Russian lands.

Together with False Dmitry II, Polish troops came to Rus' (until unofficially). They behaved, to put it mildly, defiantly even for the interventionists - they plundered cities (even those that voluntarily agreed to the rule of the new “tsar”), imposed excessive taxes on the local population and “fed” in them. A national liberation movement arose, and it was supported by the authorities - Russia concluded the Vyborg Treaty with Sweden, according to which, in exchange for the Korelsky district, it received a 15,000-strong detachment of mercenaries. Together with them, the talented Russian commander, a relative of the legitimate Tsar, Mikhail Skopin-Shuisky, inflicted several sensitive defeats on the invaders.

But here Russia was unlucky again. Tsar Shuisky and his brother Dmitry, frightened by the popularity of Skopin-Shuisky, poisoned the young military leader (otherwise the power would be taken away!). And then, as luck would have it, the Polish king Sigismund III declared war on his neighbor, exhausted by internal problems, and besieged the powerful fortress of Smolensk. But in the battle of July 4, 1610 at Klushino, the Russian troops, led by the mediocre Dmitry, were defeated by the Poles due to the betrayal of German mercenaries. Having learned about the successes of the Polish army, False Dmitry II came to Moscow from the south.

In the capital itself there was already a new government - the boyars lost the last remnants of trust in the “boyar tsar” Shuisky and overthrew him. As a result, a council of seven boyars came to power, which went down in history as the Seven Boyars. The new rulers immediately decided who would become their king - the choice fell on the Polish prince Vladislav.

But here the people had already opposed - no one wanted a Catholic ruler. People decided that it was better to have “their” False Dmitry than Vladislav. One after another, even those cities that had previously fought desperately against him began to swear allegiance to the impostor. The Seven Boyars were afraid of False Dmitry II and took an unheard of step - they allowed Polish-Lithuanian troops into Moscow. The impostor fled to Kaluga. The people were on his side - people really didn’t like the way the Polish interventionists behaved in the country. The self-proclaimed Rurikovich really began to fight the Poles - he liberated several cities and defeated the army of the Polish hetman Sapieha. But on December 11, 1610, he quarreled with the Tatar guards and was killed. It became clear that no one except the Russians themselves would save the country.

People's militias

There were two of them. The first was headed by the Ryazan nobleman Prokopiy Lyapunov. His power was recognized by former supporters of False Dmitry II: Prince Dmitry Trubetskoy, Grigory Shakhovskoy, and the Cossacks of Ivan Zarutsky. The Poles knew about the conspiracy and were nervous: as a result, they mistook a domestic quarrel in the market for the beginning of an uprising and massacred thousands of Muscovites. In China Town alone, the number of victims reached seven thousand...

At the end of March 1611, the First Militia approached Moscow. The militia took several districts of Moscow (White City, Zemlyanoy Gorod, part of Kitay-Gorod), and then elected a “provisional government” called the “Council of the Whole Land”, led by Lyapunov, Trubetskoy and Zarutsky. But at one of the military councils of the militia, the Cossacks rebelled and killed Lyapunov. The two remaining members of the council decided to keep the Kremlin with the Polish garrison entrenched in it under siege until the Second Militia arrived.

Problems followed one after another. After a long siege, the Poles took Smolensk, the Crimean Tatars ravaged the Ryazan region, the Swedes turned from allies into enemies - Novgorod fell under their onslaught. And in December, Pskov was captured by the third False Dmitry... Soon the entire north-west of Russia recognized the next impostor.

The second militia arose in September 1611 in Nizhny Novgorod. Its basis was made up of peasants from the northern and central regions of Russia, as well as city dwellers. It was headed by the Nizhny Novgorod zemstvo elder Kuzma Minin. He was supported first by the townspeople, and then by everyone else - service people (military) and governors, the clergy, the city council. At a general gathering of townspeople, Archpriest Savva delivered a sermon, and then Minin himself called on his fellow citizens to liberate the country from the occupiers. Inspired by his speech, the townspeople decided that every resident of Nizhny Novgorod and the district would transfer part of their property to the maintenance of the “military people”. Minin was entrusted with distributing income - trust in him was one hundred percent.

For military leadership, he invited Prince Pozharsky. It was difficult to think of a better candidate - the nobleman was Rurikovich, in 1608 he defeated the troops of False Dmitry II, remained faithful to the Moscow kings, and in March 1611 took part in the battle for Moscow, where he was seriously wounded. Nizhny Novgorod residents also liked his personal qualities: the prince was an honest, disinterested, fair person, and made thoughtful and rational decisions. A delegation from Nizhny Novgorod went to see Pozharsky, who was healing his wounds, on his estate 60 km away several times - but the prince, according to the etiquette of those times, invariably refused and agreed only when Archimandrite Theodosius came to him. There was only one condition - Pozharsky was ready to cooperate only with Kuzma Minin, whom he trusted unconditionally in economic matters.

Pozharsky arrived in Nizhny Novgorod at the end of October 1611. Quite quickly, he managed to increase the number of militias from 750 to 3,000 people - the ranks of the liberators were supplemented by servicemen from Smolensk, Vyazma and Dorogobuzh. They immediately began to be paid a salary - from 30 to 50 rubles a year. Having learned about this, Ryazan, Kolomna, Cossacks and archers from outlying cities began to join the militia.

Good organization of work (both with money and with people) quickly led to the fact that the Second Militia - more precisely, the Council of the Whole Land created by it - became the “center of power” along with the Moscow “Seven Boyars” and the Cossack freemen of Zarutsky and Trubetskoy. At the same time, the new leaders - unlike the leaders of the First Militia - clearly knew what they wanted from the very beginning. In a December letter addressed to the population of Vologda, they wrote that they wanted to end civil strife, cleanse the Moscow state of enemies and not commit arbitrariness.

The militia left Nizhny Novgorod at the end of February 1612. Having reached Reshma, Pozharsky learned that Pskov, Trubetskoy and Zarutsky had sworn allegiance to False Dmitry III (the fugitive monk Isidore was hiding under his name). As a result, it was decided to temporarily stop in Yaroslavl. The ancient city became the capital of the militia.

Here the militia stayed until July 1612. In Yaroslavl, the Council of the Whole Land was finally formed, it included representatives of noble families - the Dolgorukies, the Kurakins, the Buturlins, the Sheremetevs, but it was still headed by Pozharsky and Minin. Kuzma was illiterate, so the prince “had a hand” in his behalf. To issue Council documents—letters—the signatures of all its members were required. It is characteristic that, due to the custom of localism that existed at that time, Pozharsky’s signature was only the 10th, and Minin’s was the 15th.

From Yaroslavl, the militia carried out military operations (against Polish-Lithuanian detachments and the Cossack freemen of Zarutsky, cutting off the latter from communications), and diplomatic negotiations - they decided to pacify the Swedes by cunning, offering the king’s brother the Russian throne, and asked the Holy Roman Empire for help in exchange for throne for the emperor's protege. Subsequently, both the Swede Karl Philip and the German Prince Maximilian were refused. At the same time, work was carried out to restore order in the controlled territory and recruit new militias. As a result, the number of the Second Militia grew to 10,000 well-armed, trained warriors.

The time to act has come in September (new style). The 12,000-strong detachment of the Polish hetman Chodkiewicz tried to release the Polish garrison locked in the Kremlin. On September 2, the first battle of the Moscow Battle took place: from 13 to 20 pm the cavalry detachments of Pozharsky and Khodkevich fought. Prince Trubetskoy, who seemed to support the Second Militia, behaved strangely: having asked Pozharskaya for 500 cavalry, he did not allow them to take part in the battle and support the militia. As a result, the hundreds of cavalry attached to the prince left him without permission and, together with part of Trubetskoy’s Cossacks, helped Pozharsky first push the Poles back to their original positions, and then push them back to the Donskoy Monastery.

On September 3, a new battle took place. Prince Trubetskoy again chose not to intervene in the battle, as a result of which the Poles occupied an important fortified point and captured a garrison of Cossacks. The intervention of the cellarer of the Trinity-Sergius Monastery, Abraham Palitsyn, saved the militia from defeat - he promised Trubetskoy’s Cossacks that they would be paid a salary from the monastery treasury, and after that they nevertheless joined the militia.

The decisive battle took place on September 4. The militia fought with the Poles for 14 hours. During the battle, Kuzma Minin distinguished himself - his small cavalry detachment made a daring foray and sowed panic in Khodkevich’s camp. The scales tipped on the side of Pozharsky’s army - together with Trubetskoy’s Cossacks, he put the Poles to flight. The very next day, the hetman left Moscow with the remnants of his army.

The Polish garrison remained - two detachments of colonels Strus and Budyla, defending the Kitay-Gorod area and the Kremlin. Both the traitor boyars and the future Tsar Mikhail Romanov were in the citadel. After a month-long siege, Pozharsky invited his opponents to surrender and in return promised to save their lives, but the arrogant Poles responded with a categorical refusal. On November 4, according to the new style, the militia stormed Kitay-Gorod (we celebrate this date as National Unity Day), but the Kremlin remained under the control of the occupiers. Hunger reigned in the Polish camp - according to eyewitnesses, the interventionists descended to cannibalism. On November 5, they finally surrendered. Budila's troops were captured by Pozharsky, and the prince, as promised, spared their lives. Strus's detachment was captured by the Cossacks - and every last one of the Poles was slaughtered. On November 6, 1612, after a solemn prayer service, the troops of Prince Pozharsky entered the city to the ringing of bells with banners and banners. Moscow was liberated.

In January 1613, the first all-class Zemsky Sobor in history was held in Moscow - it was attended by representatives of all classes, including the peasantry. The candidacies of foreign contenders for the Russian throne - Polish Prince Vladislav, Swede Karl Philip and others - were rejected. The delegates were also not interested in the “crow” - the son of Marina Mnishek and False Dmitry II, Ivan. But none of the eight “Russian” candidates, including Pozharsky himself, found full support. As a result, those gathered voted for a “compromise” option - the son of the influential Patriarch Filaret, Mikhail Romanov. The election that marked the beginning of the new dynasty took place on February 7, 1613.

The Time of Troubles in Russia, however, is not over yet. The new tsar had to deal with the rebellious ataman Zarutsky, the Swedes and a 20,000-strong detachment of Poles who, together with the Zaporozhye Cossacks, besieged Moscow in 1618.

Until 1640, the hero of the Time of Troubles, Prince Pozharsky, faithfully served the Romanovs - Mikhail Fedorovich and Alexei Mikhailovich trusted him with the most important matters.

The results of the Troubles were difficult. The Moscow state lost access to the Baltic for more than 100 years, and the strategic fortress of Smolensk for several decades. The amount of plowed land decreased by 20 times, and the number of peasants capable of working on it decreased by 4 times. Many cities - for example, Veliky Novgorod - were completely destroyed. But the most important result was still a plus sign - Rus', in conditions of external aggression and internal turmoil, retained its independence.

Monument to Minin and Pozharsky in Moscow from grateful descendants

People familiar with history know that this date - National Unity Day - is dedicated to the events of the Time of Troubles, when Moscow was liberated from enemies in 1612 with the help of a militia consisting of ordinary people, led by Minin and Pozharsky.

A reason to create a new holiday in Russia

Initially, the residents of our country celebrated November 7 as the anniversary of the well-known October Revolution. The Soviet Union collapsed, and people, by inertia, continued to celebrate this day, since it remained red on the calendar. Only now it was called. This continued for another 14 years after the collapse of the USSR, until the authorities decided that it was time to establish a new date. So what is the name of the November 4th holiday in Russia?

Alexy II, Patriarch of Russia at that time, at the Interreligious Council came up with the idea of reviving in the memory of people the end of the Time of Troubles and the image of Our Lady of Kazan. So that the people do not have unnecessary questions about what holiday is celebrated in Russia on November 4, the State Duma, after amending Labor Code decided that this date will be recognized as National Unity Day.

People's militia led by Minin and Pozharsky

At the beginning of the 17th century, Russia was in the grip of the Time of Troubles. The country was experiencing severe crises related to politics and economics, crop failures and famines, and foreign intervention. In 1612, she freed herself from the Poles with the help of Kozma Minin, a governor from Nizhny Novgorod, and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky. They organized which captured Kitay-Gorod and forced the foreigners to recognize the act of surrender.

Pozharsky was lucky to be the first to enter the city. He carried in his hands the icon of the Kazan Mother of God. In Rus' they sincerely believed that it was the Mother of God who protected the people from enemies at that time. In 1649, by decree of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, November 4 became dedicated to the Lady of Heaven. Until 1917, until a revolution occurred in the country, this day was special for all Russian people.

Celebration of the Kazan Icon of the Virgin Mary

Now the Orthodox also especially honor this day. What kind of holiday is November 4th in Russia? This is the day of glorification of the Kazan Mother of God. In 1612, he appealed to the people to pray and stand up for the defense of their native land from foreign invaders. Then a miraculous image of the Ever-Virgin Mary was sent to the militia to Dmitry Pozharsky from Kazan. Having endured a three-day fast, people with faith and hope appealed to the Queen of Heaven with a request that she give them strength to defeat their enemies.

The Mother of God heard their pleas for help, Moscow was liberated. Then the Time of Troubles in Rus' came to an end. Since then, people have known about the miraculous salvation of the country on November 4, which is now considered a holiday in Russia. In honor of this event, the Kazan Cathedral was built on Red Square in 1612. It was destroyed during the years of persecution of the church, and has now been restored.

The people's contradictory attitude towards this event

Many people do not understand what kind of date November 4th is, what holiday is celebrated in Russia at this time? Not everyone knows about National Unity Day; in particular, the older generation is accustomed to the date of November 7, when the events of the 1917 revolution are remembered. New holiday people who grew up in the spirit of atheism do not want to admit it. They still celebrate theirs 3 days later. The Communists in the State Duma were also initially against rearranging the date in the calendar, however, their votes were in the minority and did not have a significant influence on the decision.

Thus, some people believe that it is not good to violate old traditions by shifting the emphasis from one holiday to another, others (including many Orthodox Christians), on the contrary, are sure that this day is a revival of history. Everything returns to its place. But for 10 years now, November 4th has been celebrated. What kind of holiday is it in Russia without the opportunity to relax? This day is an official holiday.

National Unity Day or Harmony and Reconciliation Day?

Until now, some people are confused and cannot say which name of the holiday is correct. In this case, it will not matter whether each individual person knows what the November 4 holiday is called in Russia. The main thing is that people understand the meaning of this date in the calendar. The Russian people have always been famous for their unity and conciliarity in decision-making. This is how Russia was able to win many wars.

On this day, all contradictions and disagreements that provoke conflict situations should be forgotten. People need to become kinder to each other, since the roots of entire generations are closely intertwined. Only then will the meaning of what is celebrated on November 4 (which is a holiday in Russia) reach every person.

How is National Unity Day going?

Times are changing. Now more and more people are welcoming the introduction of November 4th. What holiday in Russia takes place without gala concerts and various events? Various events are dedicated to this day: demonstrations, mass processions, distribution of free gifts with state symbols.

A government reception is held in the Kremlin Hall, where people who have made a huge contribution to the development of the country receive their well-deserved awards. In the evening there are traditional folk festivals, all this ends with bright volleys of fireworks, so that the people will forever remember the date November 4th, what kind of holiday is celebrated in Russia on this day.