History of appearance
History is silent about when and who came up with the idea of devoting one day a year to communicating with best friends.
According to the overwhelming majority of supporters of the holiday, it all began in the thirties in the United States of America. The proposal to celebrate Friends' Day every year was made for the first time from the rostrum of parliament. The date of celebration was also announced - the first Sunday of the last summer month. But this event was not documented. Over time, Friends Day transformed into International Friends Day. And the number of those who joyfully celebrate this holiday increases every year.
Fans of the series “Friends” tried to connect the appearance of the holiday with the release of the first and last episodes of the film, but they did not find any points of contact on the calendar dates.
Fans of virtual communication tend to believe that the idea of such a holiday originated in the process of rapid development of social networks. The opportunity to meet an unlimited number of people expanded the boundaries of my usual social circle and allowed me to find good friends all over the world.
But no matter who the author was, the wonderful idea of celebrating International Friends Day found a response in the hearts of many. And this is not surprising. Friendship is a great and amazing feeling. It is born between people, regardless of race, religion, inclinations and characters.
Competitions
Song competition Participants of the competition are divided into two teams, each of which is given the task of remembering and singing songs about friendship. The team that sings the most songs wins.
Unusual dances Before the competition, it is necessary to prepare forfeits on which the names of various parts of the body will be written: right leg, left elbow, buttocks, stomach, neck. Each participant draws one forfeit. Then dynamic music is turned on and each participant must demonstrate the dance with the part of the body that he got. The most inventive and artistic participant wins.
Collection of Treasures Each participant in the competition is given a box or casket of the same size. Within the allotted time, all participants must fill their box with various items. You can only bring and place one item at a time. Each participant then counts how many items are in their box. The one who manages to collect the largest collection of treasures wins.
How to celebrate
Friends Day, despite its still short history of existence, already has its own traditions. First of all, this is an occasion, postponing pressing matters until tomorrow, to see like-minded people. Lively communication, the opportunity to remember difficult and joyful life situations, perhaps to remember comrades who are no longer with you - this is the leitmotif of friendly meetings on this day. And it doesn’t matter where good friends gather - outdoors, in a cafe, cinema or, for example, in a bowling alley.
It is not customary to give gifts on International Friends Day. But knowing the preferences and desires of a friend or girlfriend, you can please them with cute trinkets made by yourself. Or treat them to a holiday dish based on your signature recipe.
A great idea is to go hiking with a fun group. If time and weather permit, set up a tent camp. Stories, memories, evening gatherings and songs around the fire - perhaps this will become a good tradition for you to celebrate Friendship Day.
Similar holidays in Russia
- On July 30, Russia celebrates International Friendship Day.
- September 26th is the Day of Meeting Old Friends.
- Friendship Day is celebrated on September 27.
- December 7th is Drinking Buddy Day.
- November 5th is the Day of Looking at Old Photos.
- European Neighbors Day is celebrated on 31 May.
- May 21 marks the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.
How to find friends
Anyone, even a 100% introvert, needs friendly communication.
It would seem that finding friends in our time of such rapid development of the World Wide Web is easier than ever. Misleading statement. It’s easy to find like-minded people and create a group of interests. It is difficult to find loyal friends who, no matter how trite it may sound, show their best qualities in trouble. Helping without regard for one's own difficulties is a hallmark of true friendship.
The wider your social circle is in both the real and virtual world, the greater the chances of meeting someone whom you can rightfully call a true friend. Don’t hide in the “shell” of your own “I”, be open to new acquaintances and impressions. Don’t skimp on kind emotions and words, it will come back to you a hundredfold.
Present
Gift-entertainment. As a gift, you can give a friend movie tickets, organize a trip to bowling, billiards, a quest room, or a water park. This will allow you to spend time together and bring new positive emotions.
Photo gift. A T-shirt, a collage, a set of magnets, a calendar with funny photos of them together will serve as a touching and memorable gift.
Video message. For the holiday, you can record a video message to your friend, in which you can capture a memorable place for your friend or tell a touching story related to your friendship. Such a gift will come to the rescue if a friend is far away.
Gift based on interests. A friend will be pleased to receive a gift that is related to his hobby. This could be a new exhibit for the collection, handicraft supplies, fishing or hunting gear, or camping equipment.
Sayings about friends and friendship
Listen to the statement of the outstanding public figure and thinker Ralph Emerson: “To find a friend, you have to be one.”
According to the Roman philosopher Cicero, friendship, like the sun, warms the hearts of people and fills their souls with light.
Friendship is a feeling whose importance in human relationships can hardly be overestimated. During the hard times of war, a true friend sacrificed his life for his comrade. In difficult years, when Russia, plundered and plundered, rose from its knees, devoted friends helped those who found themselves on the brink of poverty and unemployment.
International Friends Day is an occasion to meet with faithful comrades, to say kind words to those who did not refuse help in difficult times, who share both joy and misfortune with you.
International
Interesting Facts
- Scientists have proven that people with similar character traits have the strongest friendships and last throughout their lives.
- A unique case of true friendship occurred at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. Two Japanese representatives received silver and bronze medals. As a sign of their devoted friendship, they cut the awards into 2 equal parts. By melting the two metals and mixing them together, each of the friends received an extraordinary medal.
- Strong friendship increases life expectancy by about 1.5-2 times.
Venerable Irinarch of Solovetsky, abbot
It is the day of remembrance of the abbot of the Solovetsky Monastery Irinarch. Lived until 1628.
The Monk Irinarch of Solovetsky took monastic vows at the Solovetsky Monastery and in his monastic life he zealously imitated the Monks Zosima (April 17) and Savvaty (September 27). In 1614, after the death of Abbot Anthony, Irinarch became his successor. At that time, the Solovetsky Monastery was of great importance in protecting northern Russia from the Swedes and Danes. The new abbot did a lot to strengthen the monastery. Under the Monk Irinarch, a stone wall with towers was built, deep ditches lined with stones were dug.
Taking care of the external security of the monastery, the monk paid a lot of attention to its internal, spiritual strengthening. Himself humble and meek, constantly immersed in the thought of God, he saw to the maintenance of a truly monastic spirit in the monks. Under the spiritual guidance of the Monk Irinarch, many worthy ascetics grew up in the Solovetsky Monastery. With the blessing of the abbot and with his patronage, the Monk Eleazar (January 13), a friend and associate of the Monk Irinarch, founded a monastery on Anzersky Island.
In the royal charter to the Solovetsky Monastery in 1621, the monks were commanded to “live according to the rules of the Holy Fathers..., in complete obedience to the abbot (Irinarch) and the elders.”
The monk spent the last two years of his life in the feat of silent prayer.
The saint reposed on July 17, 1628.
Great Martyr Marina (Margarita) of Antioch
Memorial Day of Saint Marina, who indulged in numerous torments and was beheaded in Antioch for her faith in Christ during the reign of Emperor Diocletian.
The Holy Martyr Marina lived during the reign of Emperor Claudius (c. 270). She was born in Antioch of Pisidia (in Asia Minor) and was the daughter of the pagan priest Edesius (Edesima). Her mother died when the girl was 12 years old, and her father entrusted the care of his daughter to the village nurse. Communication with local Christians and Marina’s natural inclinations favored the growth of the seed of true faith in her heart.
When she turned 15 years old, the love for Christ was so strong in her that Marina wanted only one thing and thought about only one thing - to participate in martyrdom and shed her blood in the name of love for Christ. Without hiding her desire, Marina was not afraid to publicly declare that she was a Christian and ridiculed the cult of idols. This earned her the hatred of her father, who disinherited her.
One day, the prefect of Asia, Olybrius, on his way to Antioch, saw the saint while she was tending flocks with other women of the village. Fascinated by Marina's beauty, he wished to take her as his wife and ordered his men to bring the girl. Arriving at the palace, she appeared before the magistrate, who asked her to give her name. The virgin answered in a confident voice:
“My name is Marina, I am the daughter of free parents from Pisidia, but I am a servant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who created heaven and earth.”
Then she was imprisoned in anticipation of a great pagan holiday, which was to take place the next day.
When she was again brought to trial and ordered to make sacrifices to the gods along with everyone else, Marina replied:
“I will offer a sacrifice of praise to my God, but never to your dumb idols, deprived of life!”
Olybrius begged her to take care of her youth and beauty. But she objected that all bodily beauty fades, while the torment endured for the name of Christ adorns the soul and prepares it for eternal bliss. The magistrate, angry at such insolence, ordered the maiden to be stretched out on the ground, beaten with spiked rods and her flesh torn with iron hooks. The saint’s blood flowed in an abundant stream and stained the ground, but Marina did not utter a single cry of pain and remained unperturbed, as if someone else was suffering in her place.
After several hours of torment, she was thrown into prison, where she prayed to the Lord not to leave her in the test and profession of faith. Suddenly, an earthquake occurred in the dungeon, releasing a huge serpent from the bowels of the earth. His eyes exuded fire and smoke, his nostrils exuded flames and abundant smoke, his tongue was blood-red, and the monster whistled terribly as it approached the saint. Seized by great fear, Marina turned with prayer to the Lord, our Savior, who deprived Satan of his power and freed the dead from hell with His cross. Then the serpent turned into a disgusting black dog, but the saint, strengthened from now on by the grace of God, grabbed him by the fur, pressed his neck with her foot and, taking a copper hammer, killed him with blows to the head and spine.
A bright light shone in the dungeon, emanating from a huge cross on which a white dove was sitting. The dove landed next to Marina and said:
“Rejoice, Marina, spiritual dove of the Lord, for you have won victory over the evil one and covered him with shame. Rejoice, faithful servant of the Lord, Whom you love with all your heart and for whose sake you have left all fleeting earthly pleasures. Rejoice and rejoice, for the day has come when you will accept the crown of victory and, clothed with it, together with the wise virgins you will worthily enter the nuptial rest of your Bridegroom and King!”
In the morning, Marina was again brought to the ruler's court. Since she was more firm than ever in her decision, Olybrius ordered her to be undressed and burned with torches. After this torture, she was thrown head down into a vat of water. And again the dove appeared, carrying a branch in its beak, and the cross shone above the vat, from where the saint rose, freed from her fetters. The dove was heard to say:
“Marina, go to the Bridegroom of all the righteous!”
Seeing such a miracle, many pagans present there converted to the true faith and asked the saint to instruct them in the teaching that would grant salvation. In the greatest rage, the ruler ordered them all to be beheaded along with Saint Marina.
Arriving at the place of execution, the martyr asked the executioners to give her time for prayer and, turning to the east, she turned to the Lord with a prayer to recognize the holiness of the soul and body of those who stood up for her defense. Having completed the prayer, she called the executioner to do his job, but, gripped by pious fear, he converted to the faith of Christ and refused to raise his hand against the saint. Then Marina said:
“You will not help me if you delay in doing what you are ordered.”
With a trembling hand, he cut off her head.
A certain Christian named Theotimus, who secretly brought food to the saint in prison, came for her body and buried her with dignity. During the era of the Crusades (1204), the relics of Saint Marina were venerated in Constantinople in the Church of Christ the All-Seeing (Pantepopt).
