May 2 is a holiday or not?

So the long-awaited May holidays came , and many people have a logical question: "What kind of day is this - May 2?" May 1 - Day of Spring and Workers, May 9 - Day of the Great Victory. And what is celebrated and celebrated on the second day of May? May 2 is a holiday or not? We will try to understand.

Prehistory

And that only in the history of this day did not happen, for example, Isadora Duncan married all the favorite people's poet Sergei Yesenin in 1922. It was she who was devoted to so many of his works. Or in Paris in 1902, for the first time, the famous Georges Miles film with the sci-fi bias "Flight to the Moon" was released for the first time. Later this twenty-minute masterpiece will win all possible awards in the field of cinema. And in Russia in 1785, with the light hand of the Empress Catherine II, the "Granted Letter to the Nobility" and "The Charter of Honor to Cities" were published. These were very important reforms that left their mark on history. But this day is not celebrated all the above. So then on May 2 what holiday?

Taking Berlin

Perhaps, at the heart of the solemn date lies something more global. It was on May 2, 70 years ago, the Soviet army under the command of marshals G. Zhukov and I. Konev completely captured the capital of fascist Germany Berlin. At about 3 pm the German troops voluntarily laid down their arms, the enemy was defeated. More than seventy thousand people were taken prisoner, including very important personalities. For example, the commander-in-chief of the defense of Berlin, General Weidling, the right hand of Goebbels, doctor of historical sciences Fritsche, who later during the interrogation will confirm the fact of the suicide of the Fuhrer. Well, most importantly, it was on May 2, not 9, that the Reichstag was taken. The very picture known to all of the history books, where the citizens of the USSR Egorov and Kantaria proudly squeezed the Victory Banner, was made then. But this only meant one thing: victory is very close!

And although the importance of this feat is enormous, it is nevertheless not stated anywhere that we celebrate this very act. Then May 2, what a feast? We will understand further.

The birth of the great

Many famous people were born on this day. Well, for example, this is the birthday of Catherine II herself, which has already been mentioned in this article. Or on a given day, a Russian philosopher, theorist, critic of literary works, V. Rozanov, once celebrated his birthday. This day could well be dedicated to Jerome K. Jerome, an English writer who brilliantly knew how to expose the vices of modern society in his works, remember only "Three in a boat, not counting a dog." People's Artist of Russia, conductor with a long experience of practice, known not only in Russia, but also abroad - V. Georgiev - also was born on May 2. And on this day, very media personalities were born: L. Konevsky, actor and TV presenter in Russia, and D. Beckham, a football player, a model, practically an icon for so many of our contemporaries. But all this, you see, is not that. They can not give the official day off because of Beckham's birthday, or even Catherine the Great.

Then, perhaps, this day is entertaining by the fact that on this date some extremely famous historical personage died. We continue to search for facts.

The death of the great

Here the list is as great and brilliant. What is only the name of Leonardo da Vinci! This creator and scientist of the Golden Renaissance is literally known to everyone in the world. On this day, I. Aivazovsky, a Russian artist who was inspired mostly by the sea surface, died. His dynamic, romantic works, filled with the freshness of the sea breeze, are also known to very many. Maya Plisetskaya is the beauty and pride of Russia, Russian ballet is a phenomenon abroad glorified, and M. Plisetskaya and her school are the standard in this art form. Presidents, actors, military figures, the list here is very extensive. But all this is not the same, there can not be a spring and a bright holiday on May 2 is dedicated to the death of someone, even a great one.

Namedays on May 2

Many people celebrate their name day on this day. True, the names on this day according to the church calendar pop up exclusively male, but still. May 2 - the bright name-days of all Antonov, Georgiev, Nikiforov, Feofanov and Ivanov. It is necessary to convoke guests and to celebrate this bright day in the circle of the closest people. Only again, for the official general day off, the scope is not enough. This is not the basis of celebration.

St. Matrona of Moscow Day

If we are already talking about the Orthodox calendar, it should be noted that on this day, on May 2, it is necessary to celebrate the day of the Blessed Matron of Moscow. The story of this girl is extremely famous and instructive, and what is most important is true.

From birth the girl Matrona, who was born in Russia, not far from Moscow in 1881, was blind. Parents even wished to initially abandon their daughter, but still they did not. According to legend, it happened because of the holy sign that Matrona's mother appeared.

From an early age, when Matrona remembered herself, she always knew how to cure diseases and willingly helped people. Only then at the age of eighteen her legs were cut off, and the girl was no longer able to walk. She is transported to her relatives in Moscow, and she will spend the rest of her life in the capital.

The story of Saint Matrona is also interesting because she was a prophetess, and, according to legend, she was visited at the very beginning of the Great Patriotic War by Stalin himself with questions. But this legend does not bear any evidence.

Treated Matrona mostly herbal remedies. Many people went to her to be treated. And not only from Moscow and its suburbs, but also from all over Russia. That's why when Matrona herself predicted her death, and it was in three days, a lot of people came to say goodbye to her. And for today Saint Matrona Moscow is one of the most revered and beloved saints in the Christian pantheon.

But again, very rarely Christian holidays are declared days off, because even in the Constitution of the Russian Federation it is written that we live in a secular state. Therefore, the reason for the holiday date and not in this event. Rather, on the contrary, it only complements the main reason. So what is it? We approach the main thing.

No reason

And there is no reason, the fact is that the second number only reinforces the May Day holiday, the Day of all working people. It's just a day off. When workers after pickets and processions, which are usually held on May 1, can calmly rest and stay with their family, do their own business and enjoy the wonderful spring weather. There is no high meaning in the May 2 celebration. In the Soviet Union May 1 was introduced as the Day of Workers' Solidarity, and 2 served as an additional day off for the working people. Some even interpreted this "anomaly" in that people simply did not have enough time to plant potatoes or simply work in the garden. Here is an extra day for the workers and was given, do to him what you will. May 2 is a holiday of the day off.

It is interesting that in the 90 years this holiday was tried to cancel, considering it unreasonable. But only then it was decided that this would provoke violent discontent among the population. So they left it.

Summing up: May 2 - a holiday or not?

So that's how interesting it turns out, on this day in history there was a lot of interesting things, someone was born, someone was dying, but only here we note, perhaps, not this, but, as on the first day in May, the greatness and significance Human labor. And it's really wonderful that on the second day of warm May everyone can have a good rest before further achievements. Yes, comrades, May 2 is a holiday of spring and labor!