Every day is great. History, customs, traditions and signs of Holy Week. Signs and traditions before Easter Wednesday and Thursday before Easter

Our ancestors noticed that many amazing things happen before Easter. With the help of folk signs, you will find out which signs from above should not be ignored in order to avoid serious difficulties.

If there is a seriously ill person in the house, on Maundy Thursday you need to bring a candle from the church and burn it at the head of the patient's bed. The remaining wax must be buried in the yard of a neighboring house.

So that prosperity and well-being reigned in the house all year long, on Thursday it is customary to move furniture and count money.

In Rus', girls who wanted to get married cut their hair on Maundy Thursday, and then kept it under their pillows until Easter.

Good Friday- day of mourning. To avoid trouble, in the morning you need to say the prayer "Our Father".

In order for babies to grow up healthy and strong, it is best to wean them on Good Friday.

If on Good Friday the first person you saw is a man, it means that great luck awaits you soon.

According to the sign, one who bathes on Good Friday will wash away all health from himself.

IN Great Saturday free time should be spent in prayer. Whoever has fun on this day will cry all year.

On Saturday, it is forbidden to borrow and lend money, so as not to lose health, good luck and prosperity.

On Easter the house must be clean so that the whole year is successful.

If on Easter morning a husband and wife embrace, they will live their whole lives in love and harmony.

By this time, Great Lent has already come to an end, which means that on Easter you can finally please yourself and your loved ones with your favorite dishes. It is allowed to serve red wine as drinks, but it is forbidden to abuse the drink.

In Rus', it was customary to make a wish to the sound of Easter bells. The sign says that it can come true exactly 33 days after Easter.

Whoever throws food from the refectory table on Easter, misfortunes will haunt him all year. It is advisable to bury the remaining dishes in the courtyard of your house or feed the homeless with them.

Before meeting the Bright Resurrection of Christ, it is customary to observe Great Lent. During this period, there are many prohibitions and restrictions that every believer must take into account. However, most of the important church traditions are connected precisely with Great Easter. In order not to anger Higher power, spend this day correctly, without violating customs. We wish you happiness and love, and don't forget to press the buttons and

Easter this year will take place on April 19, 2020, so many people are already interested in what the week before this holiday is called, what holidays precede Easter and what is supposed to be done every day. Let's talk about this in detail and clearly right now.

Answer the question about the traditions associated with last week before Easter, about those actions on the days that are usually performed at this time, it is better not from Monday, but from Sunday. In fact, this day marks the last holiday before Easter. And although the celebration is not celebrated on such a grand scale, no one forgets about it either.

The last Sunday before Easter (this year it falls on April 12, 2020) many people tend to buy willow branches in the morning. These branches are called willows, and Sunday is Palm Sunday.

The fact is that almost 2,000 years ago, the Savior solemnly entered Jerusalem. He came in peace, and the symbol of this was the donkey on which Christ sat (after all, the conquerors of the city always came on horseback). A huge number of people, imbued with the belief that he is the Son of God, enthusiastically rejoiced and rejoiced like never before in their lives.

They brought huge quantities of palm branches and threw them all over the path of Christ. The result was a whole path covered with branches. Of course, it was a special, solemn moment.

There are no palm branches in our area, so we buy willows and decorate our houses with them. This tradition appeared in Rus' a long time ago. Our ancestors with whole families went to willow groves, to the shores of reservoirs, to forests and tore these branches.

Of course, they are still being torn today, and most of us tend to simply buy willows, bring them home and put them in water so that the branches herald the arrival of spring and give joy to the whole family.

Why is the week called Holy Week?

And now actually about how and why the week before Easter is called ( this year it will be held from 13 to 19 April):

1. Actually Holy Week(or week) is so named because the word "passion" means "suffering". This refers to the suffering of Christ, who very soon will have to die on the cross, and then rise again and thereby show proof of a Divine miracle.
2. great week- since Easter is the main Christian holiday, which inspires great joy in people. Often they are also interested in how the days before Easter are called. Every day is called great - for example, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, etc. (or less often - passionate). And Sunday, as you know, is called the Bright Resurrection of Christ.
3. Red or Heart week in honor of the blood of Christ, which was shed for the salvation of people.
4. She is often called scary week, and this phrase does not need special comments.

Interestingly, Catholics also have their own analogue of Holy Week. Services on the eve of Easter are held throughout the week. At the same time, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Good Saturday enjoy special reverence - they are combined into the so-called Great Triduum.

Great Monday

On this day, two biblical stories are remembered:

1. The first is not even directly related to Christ. Believers read the Old Testament epistle about Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers. Close people betrayed this man, but he still remained faithful to God. Years passed, and Joseph became the second person in Egypt after the pharaoh. Therefore, this hero appears in the form of a sufferer who endured great trials, but was nevertheless exalted by God. Likewise, Christ, betrayed by Judas, eventually rose from the dead and conquered death and sin.
2. The second episode is connected with the biography of Jesus. One day he was walking with his disciples and saw a fig tree (fig tree), which, although growing, did not bear any fruit. The Savior compared her with people who, although they live and fulfill all their duties, suffer from spiritual barrenness. Faith, mercy, condescending attitude towards neighbors - this is what helps a person to feel peace of mind and get real fruits.

It is interesting that in Rus' it has long been customary on Great Monday to completely clean up the house, whitewash the corners, clean the barn, and wash the cattle. They began to prepare for the holiday in advance - after all, the expectation of the celebration brings us closer to a brighter day, doesn't it?

Maundy Tuesday

On this day, several sermons of Christ are remembered at once. The Savior taught the people about the resurrection of the dead, about the need to fulfill obligations not only to God, but also to the authorities, and also spoke about the Last Judgment.

All these and other stories edified people and awakened faith in them. After all, they were sincerely convinced that Christ was the Son of God, the Messiah, whose coming had long been expected thanks to the predictions of the prophets.

Great Wednesday

On Wednesday, they remember the story of the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Christ the Pharisee for only 30 pieces of silver. It is noteworthy that later Judas repented of his deed, fell into despair and committed another grave sin - he hanged himself on an aspen branch. The legend says that at first the traitor chose a birch, but she turned white with fear. But the aspen, after hanging, began to constantly tremble in the wind - as if shuddering with horror from what had happened.

On Wednesday, they remember one woman who helped prepare the body of the Savior for burial. Before meeting with Christ, she did not lead a completely correct lifestyle and was known as a sinner. The positive influence of Jesus, the sincere faith of this woman completely changed her way of life, and in the end she was forgiven.

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It is believed that on Wednesday confession has a special power. Therefore, believers can go to church, and also offer a prayer to the Lord for repentance for their sins.

Maundy Thursday

In the people it is also called pure. It is customary to go to the bath and carefully with the whole family. Moreover, this must be done before dawn - i.e. actually Wednesday night. Physical purity is no less important than spiritual purity - this should not be forgotten.

Until now, a large number of people tend to go to the bathhouse on Maundy Thursday or just take water procedures at home with the whole family. And on the same day, according to tradition, it is customary to prepare colored eggs.

The fact is that on Friday and Saturday it is better not to do household chores. And on Sunday it will be time to celebrate, so you should prepare in advance.

But of the stories that are remembered on this day, the main event is the Last Supper. Not only the texts of Holy Scripture are dedicated to her, but also some works of art - for example, the painting of the same name, which belongs to the pen of the legendary Leonardo da Vinci (drawn at the end of the 15th century).

The great master sought to convey the moment when Christ said to his disciples: "One of you will betray me." Of course, everyone present was in disarray - and this can be seen with the naked eye.

Interestingly, the painting has been kept in the monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie (Milan, Italy) since its inception. During World War II, a bomb hit the building. The destruction was quite serious, and the canvas itself was not damaged. There are many small and big miracles in life - you just have to look around.

Good Friday

Tragic events are approaching. Friday is the day when Christ was judged and crucified. A shameful death, to which only robbers were betrayed, was also prepared for the Savior, who healed people, forgave sinners, and rose from the dead. On this day they read the Holy Passion of Christ.

And during the evening service, they take out the shroud - this is a large-sized fabric on which the image of Christ lying in the tomb is embroidered (or painted). People stand around the Savior and mourn him.

But is the original fabric, which wrapped the body of the deceased Jesus, preserved? The well-known Shroud of Turin, a linen cloth (about 4 meters in length), claims to play this role.

It is believed that the face of Christ appeared on it, which is even captured on the negative of the photograph. Although the Orthodox and Catholic churches do not officially recognize the authenticity of this story, they nevertheless perceive the shroud as another symbol of the Savior's suffering.

Holy Saturday

Culmination of Holy Week. The Savior died on Friday, and on Saturday the body was placed in a coffin, which was placed in a cave. The entrance to it was blocked with a huge stone, which in shape resembled an egg. By the way, one of the legends claims that this is why the egg has become a symbol of Easter.

Many believers strive to get to the temple in order to take part in the Easter service - the all-night service, which is held from about 11 p.m. Saturday to 2-3 p.m. Sunday. You can stand for a few minutes, and for the whole time - depending on the possibilities of health.

But it is better, of course, to wait until the end of the service. After all, it is at this moment that you can be among the first people in the world who will say this year: “Christ is risen! He has truly risen!"

On these days, believers remember the sufferings of the Lord, and they also bring colored eggs and Easter cakes to the temple to eat. Also on Saturday in Jerusalem, in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Holy Fire descends. And although only representatives recognize the miracle Orthodox Church, the joy of believers is not diminished by this.

Holy Week is a special time, the culmination of the entire Christian year. As always, an interesting pattern works: the expectation of a holiday turns into a real holiday in itself. Of course, Easter is a great celebration, a real joy for Christians.

However, do not forget to holidays about the sufferings of the Savior, about what a sacred sacrifice was made for people. This is the main meaning of Holy Week.

Holy Week is dedicated to the memory of the last days of the life of Jesus Christ, his execution and resurrection, as well as preparations for the bright holiday. Baking, painting eggs and other preparations must be completed by Sunday. Easter is supposed to be celebrated, not cooked or cleaned.

Holy Week

The Passion of Christ (anonymous artist of the 15th century, the Netherlands)

Signs for the week were of great importance for our ancestors, as was the very essence of these dates. Even prisoners who committed serious crimes were released into the wild in the old days, so that they, too, had the opportunity to engage in their spirituality. Litigation was suspended until the end of the holidays.

According to church tradition, commemorations cannot be held at this time. There are no weddings. The Church does not approve of secular marriage during Lent, especially in Palm Sunday and Maundy Thursday. Baptism must be rescheduled for other dates.

Great Lent will end only on Sunday, those who observe it eat bread, vegetables and fruits. You can not have fun, sing and dance, especially on Good Friday. Whoever breaks the ban will cry all year. Quarrels, noisy showdowns, foul language are prohibited.

Signs for Maundy Monday

Holy Monday of Holy Week: Joseph the Handsome and the withered fig tree.

On the Monday of the Great Week, they remember Joseph the Beautiful, who was sold by his brothers to Egypt because of envy. Joseph personifies the suffering experienced by the Savior. Also, the date is associated with the curse of a fig tree that does not bear fruit. It is comparable to a soul devoid of spirituality - repentance, faith, good deeds.

After cleaning, it is worth doing a vegetable garden, a garden, house plants. The seeds planted on this day will give an excellent harvest. Those who do not eat and drink before midnight will have special luck in finding bird nests.

On Clean Monday, they don’t start cooking dishes for the Easter table - it’s still too early for this. Meat, milk and eggs must be purchased no earlier than the second day of the Week. In the autocephalous churches, preparations are underway for the rite of Chrismation. This is done until Wednesday, only once a year. On Maundy Thursday, the myrrh is consecrated.

On the morning of Holy Monday, you should wash yourself with water in which a gold or silver object lay. This helps to preserve youth, restore health and increase income.

The Eastern Slavs have Great Monday - Easter of the Dead, or Navi Day. It is dedicated to cleaning the cemetery and commemoration. During the latter, fasting is often broken.

Maundy Tuesday - preparation for Easter

On Tuesday, the denunciation of the Pharisees and scribes is remembered, as well as parables and conversations in the Jerusalem temple. On this day, the Savior told his followers about the tribute to Caesar, the resurrection of the dead, the Last Judgment and the Apocalypse, talents and ten virgins.

Great Tuesday. The Parable of the Ten Virgins. Modern Greek fresco

From time immemorial, on Maundy Tuesday, they have been engaged in preparation of festive clothes for Sunday. Everything related to this is allowed: from shopping to sewing and washing. The main thing is that by the evening you understand that you will put on clean, beautiful clothes on Bright Sunday.

You need to prepare or buy a tablecloth for the festive table and a towel that is taken to the Easter service. They must be white, red or green embroidery is allowed. Anyone who meets Easter with a dirty tablecloth or towel will suffer from bad luck for a year. If there is enough time, it is worth putting in order everyday wardrobe items and home textiles.

It is customary to buy not only clothes, products for Easter dishes are purchased on Tuesday. In the old days, they harvested firewood for baking Easter cakes and inspected the fields, planned work in the garden. On Maundy Tuesday, you can eat hot dishes without vegetable oil.

Remaining after winter healing herbs used to make teas and tinctures. Only women were involved in this, men were not supposed to touch health-improving fees until they were ready for use.

What to do on Great Wednesday of Holy Week

On Wednesday evening, Judas decided to make a deal with the Jewish elders. She brought him 30 pieces of silver. At that time, this was a substantial amount, sufficient to buy a home in the vicinity of Jerusalem. We also remember the sinner who washed Christ's feet with her tears in the house of Simon the Leper.

Giotto. Kiss of Judas

Great Wednesday, like Thursday - time for general cleaning. Some signs for Holy Week before Easter advise finish tidying up by Thursday noon. Therefore, it is better to start cleaning on Wednesday in order to have time for everything - scandals and illnesses come to dirty houses at Easter. Special attention - unnecessary things. Getting rid of them on Wednesday or Thursday of Holy Week is a good omen.

Products were bought on Tuesday, and on Wednesday - eggs were selected for Easter eggs and Easter eggs. Not everyone has a chicken coop now, so both days are considered to be good days for a trip to the supermarket. Signs say that eggs bought on Wednesday retain freshness longer. Work in the garden is allowed.

You can prepare a remedy for the evil eye. It is necessary to put salt under the roof of the house, and on Thursday, hide it so that no one knows. Salt should be added to the drink - a pinch per glass. Since Wednesday, soap has been taken out into the street, which they are going to use on Maundy Thursday. Some signs advise leaving it under the moonbeams, others - under the roof or on the threshold. In a city apartment, a balcony is quite suitable.

Maundy Thursday

On Thursday, the Last Supper is remembered, at which it was established sacrament of the Eucharist - communion, as well as Christ washing the feet of his disciples. On the same day, Judas made a deal, betraying the Teacher.

The Last Supper

Get up before dawn and take a shower or bath. Water of Pure Thursday - from all sins and diseases. For the same reason, cleaning is required. It must be completed before midnight, according to some signs - before noon. If possible, rearrange furniture and things, this will attract positive changes in all areas of life. You can clean up the graves of loved ones, in some regions of Ukraine and Russia - a memorial day.

Maundy Thursday is the best time of the year for haircuts for adults, children and even animals. This is especially true if this is the first haircut in your life. It removes sins and diseases. Count the money three times so that they are not transferred in the wallet for a whole year. You can’t borrow and lend money and things - luck goes with them.

On Maundy Thursday they cook - a strong remedy for damage, illness and family troubles. On the same day, it is customary to start preparing dishes for the Easter table. But you can’t eat them until Sunday morning - Great Lent continues until Easter.

Good Friday - mournful day

Remember Friday Judgment, suffering on the Cross and death of Jesus Christ. Honoring him, it is customary to observe Great Lent with particular rigor. Whoever abstains from food and drink on Friday will be protected from theft and intrigues of enemies for a year. Restrictions apply not only to food, but also to entertainment, relationships between spouses and other aspects of life. So Good Friday best time to wean the baby from the breast.

Crucifixion of Christ (fresco by Theophanes the Cretan in the Krestonicitsky Monastery of Athos)

Do not work around the house or in the garden. The exception is the sowing of bread and peas, this brings good harvest. It is undesirable to cut your hair and dye your hair - to loss of health. But in Eastern Europe, people bathe in natural reservoirs on this day to ward off diseases.

Bearing in mind the mournful atmosphere of the date, it is forbidden to have fun, laugh, rejoice, sing. As on Maundy Thursday, you can’t give anything away from home and borrow things and money so as not to lose your luck. You can bake Easter cakes and paint eggs.

To see a man, a young girl or a cat in the window immediately after waking up - you will live happily for three months. The old woman outside the window - to illness. A disabled person portends the death of one of the family members. Mother, father and child - reconciliation, family happiness, prosperity. Dog - to problems, birds mean receiving news and acquaintances.

Appeared in the disease and problems will quickly come to naught. The ash collected on this day cures the evil eye, alcoholism and depression. A consecrated ring keeps its owner from disease.

Saturday - beliefs about the eve of Easter

A sad and happy day at the same time. Jesus Christ is in the tomb, but it is known that his Resurrection will soon be celebrated. His soul is in hell, freeing others who were waiting for the Savior to come. This is the last day of Lent. People call him Quiet- Noise, songs and other entertainment is still banned.

Descent from the Cross by Rogier van der Weyden. 1435–1438

Saturday is the last day of Holy Week, when it is forbidden to borrow and lend money and things. But it is also undesirable to refuse those who ask directly - say that you can give the thing they need next week. Easter Eve is the best time to repent of your sins and ask for forgiveness.

You can’t work around the house and in the garden, fish, hunt, do needlework, but you can cook - by the evening all treats for the holiday should be ready. Signs allow you to clean the graves, decorate the house, buy gifts. Sleeping on the night before Easter is not accepted - there will be no harvest. On Saturday, the Easter basket is collected and put in order - washed and dried.

Each day of Holy Week has its own meaning, and many signs are associated with all six days before Easter. Some of them appeared in pre-Christian times and have other meanings of the date - the meeting of spring. Observing old signs, everyone can attract happiness and drive away troubles.

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• umnye-sovety.ru tell about the Holy Week before Easter - day by day

Today we'll talk about what to do on Holy Week before Easter. After Palm Sunday, Monday starts important point for the Orthodox - Holy Week. Great Lent is ending, and in these last 7 days for many, there is an opportunity to give their souls a chance to be cleansed, to spend this time in repentance, thinking about their sins and strict abstinence.

Holy (Terrible) week - we cleanse the soul, body and everything that surrounds us

After Palm Sunday, on Monday, we begin to restore order in our house. What must be done?

• Wash the windows and wash the curtains, thereby opening the way for Holy Easter to your home.
• Give unnecessary things to the poor, get rid of everything that is broken, spoiled. Especially do not feel sorry for cracked dishes.
• In the old days, walls were whitewashed during Holy Week, but in our time it will be enough to do general cleaning. Look in every locker, in every corner, remove dust and throw away everything you don't need. Wash the shades on the lamps. Clean pans and pots. Let your home breathe cleanliness.
• Launder clothes, put away winter clothes, put summer clothes in order, repair shoes.
• Get rid of harmful insects - cockroaches, bedbugs, ants.

Cleanliness in the house should ring.

Wednesday - expel bodily ailments

On Holy Week on Wednesday, a ceremony was held to get rid of bodily ailments. For it, you need to draw water from any source into a glass jar or earthenware jug, put it on the table under the images. They were baptized three times, read the Our Father and covered the dishes with a new handkerchief or a clean towel. At two o'clock in the morning they read a prayer again and were baptized three times, then they poured holy water over the body. A little water was left and poured under a tree until 3 o'clock in the morning. It was believed that the body washed in this way, got rid of all the sores and, as it were, was born again.

What to do on Maundy Thursday

Before sunrise, you need to wash your hair, swim and put on everything clean. Mentally at this moment ask the Lord on Maundy Thursday to help wash off what your soul is toiling about. At this moment, the heavens open and requests sincerely addressed to God will be heard and fulfilled. Forgive your offenders and debtors, and all the negativity that you wear on yourself will be washed off - the evil eye, damage, slander.

After bathing on Maundy Thursday, the beauties cut the ends of their hair so that the braid was thick and grew to the waist. Babies, who by this time were one year old, were sheared for the first time, and a piece of wool was cut from the cattle so that they would not get sick and be fruitful.

If a girl cannot find her betrothed in any way and wants to get married, have a strong family, then the towel that she used on Maundy Thursday, Easter Day and give to those who ask for alms at the church along with Easter cake and Easter eggs.

It was on this day that all actions related to cleaning, washing, ablutions ended. It was forbidden to sweep the floor and make rubbish, and it was forbidden to give something from the house.

In a clean house and with pure thoughts, a sacred action begins - baking Easter cakes and dyeing Easter eggs.

On the Power of Thursday Salt

Many rites on Holy Week were associated with Thursday salt, which had great power.

Each family member picks up a handful of salt and pours it into a paper or linen bag. This salt is then sacredly kept and applied. when you need to be cured of an illness, cleanse the house of filth, and the garden and cattle from evil eye.

Day of Sorrow - Good Friday

This is the day of the strictest fast. Even water is desirable to refuse. They said that if you don’t quench your thirst with water on this day, you won’t experience it all year, and any drink will be good.

On that day, Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross, martyred and atoned for all our sins. For all Christians, this day is the most mournful and sad, spent in prayers and abstinence from food and water. On that day, you can’t laugh and have fun, otherwise you will have to cry all year.

On Good Friday, you can’t pick the ground, so as not to invite trouble, you can’t plant anything, you can’t wash.

On this day, it is good to wean a baby from the breast - it will be healthy, happy and rich.

On this day, it is good to give alms or make a donation for the good of your neighbor.

Good Friday Signs

On this day in the morning they looked out the window.

• We saw a man - you will be lucky for three months.
• I saw an old woman - to illness.
• Young - all troubles will bypass.
• We saw a whole family - to peace in the house, to reconciliation.
• Dog - to longing.
• Cat - for profit.
• A bird is a new acquaintance.
• Disabled, crippled - to death.

Holy Saturday was spent in labor and completion of all pre-Easter affairs. You can bake Easter cakes and make Easter, paint eggs, prepare for the holiday of the Bright Resurrection.

In the evening they go to the church for an all-night service.

"Christ is Risen!" “Truly Risen!”

On Bright Sunday, wash your face with Thursday morning water. This rite is for wealth and health.

All family members should greet each other with the words "Christ is risen!" "Truly Risen!" Relatives and friends kiss each other, kissing, husband and wife - without prying eyes, in order to avoid separation.

Upon returning from the church with consecrated products, crossing the threshold, say three times: "Easter in the house - evil spirits from the house."

Then sit down together festive table. First they eat what they have consecrated. Then meat dishes - sausages, jelly, aspic, and finish the meal with a sweet Easter or Easter cake. Peel and cut one of the eggs consecrated in the church into as many pieces as there are family members at the table.

On Bright Sunday, people go to visit, invite guests to their place, rejoice and have fun, exchange treats, give gifts, serve to the poor and suffering. On this day, you can not frown and swear. Remember the One who gave his life for you, and be grateful to HIM.

If there are food left on the Easter table, in no case should you throw it away or feed it to animals and birds. Better bury it or lower it into the river.

Easter is followed by Bright Week, 7 days of joy and prosperity.

Eat and drink, be merry, but know your limits!