Palm Sunday: signs and superstitions. Traditions and customs of the holiday

Among many church holidays there is one, though not the most important, but especially revered - the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. In the Slavic peoples it was called the Palm Sunday.

After a long winter and six weeks of fasting, a bright holiday begins. It is celebrated for eleven centuries. The awakening of nature after the cold usually falls on Palm Sunday. Signs of this day meant a lot to believers.

To understand the significance of celebrating, it is better to turn to the origins.

How did it all start?

The event from which the celebration of the Palm Sunday began began, is described by all evangelists. Jesus returned from Bethany after the resurrection of Lazarus. Suddenly, he decided to go to Jerusalem. At the gates of the city, the residents greeted him enthusiastically. Riding on a donkey, Jesus was glorified with hymns, throwing clothes, flowers and palm branches under his feet.

Everything that happened did not like the local priests. The veneration of a new faith threatened the old foundations. It was necessary to take some measures, and immediately.

Deciding to give the messiah to the court of the Roman procurator, they understood that they condemned Jesus to death. The early sentence and execution were not long in coming. From the day of entry into the city, Jesus left five days of earthly life.

Celebration does not have an exact date, but it is easy to determine the number of Palm Sunday. It's always the last Sunday before Easter.

Church status of the holiday acquired in the IV century. On the territory of Kievan Rus he came only in the XX century and that's when he began to be called Palm Sunday. A more severe climate did not allow the use of palm branches, and the willow for the Slavs was always a difficult plant.

Currently, three branches of Christianity celebrate the holiday - the Orthodox, Protestants and Catholics. They are united by Palm Sunday. The signs preceding this day are very similar in interpretation.

The Palm Week

The sixth week of the Easter (Great) fast is called the Verbna. Every day has a certain meaning and is expressed in the special conduct of church services. These days there is a preparation for the main festival, which will be held on Sunday.

Monday morning begins with the fact that mother-in-law visits their sons-in-law. It is believed that presenting a gift on the first day of the Palm Week brings peace and quiet to the family, the husband will not offend his wife.

The main culprit of these days is willow. It is observed, collected. In a particularly cold spring, they bring it to the house in advance, so that the buds on the branchlets will blossom. From it weave braids, wreaths, make family amulets.

As the Palm Sunday approaches, signs become especially important and meaningful. At this time it is customary to make forecasts for almost a year in advance about the weather and the future harvest.

Lazareva Saturday

Another holiday, celebrated on the Sabbath of the Palm Sunday, is the Resurrection of Lazarus.

Jesus was told that his friend and associate Lazar of Bethany was seriously ill, and asked to hurry. It was not clear why Christ was not in a hurry. And only after the news that Lazar had died, he started off.

When he arrived in Bethany, four days had passed since the day of death. Relatives and relatives of the deceased were in deep sorrow. Jesus prayed earnestly near the cave, where they buried Lazarus.

He appealed to God with a request to perform a miracle. After the prayer, the stone covering the entrance was pushed aside, and those present saw the miracle of resurrection. Deceased in the Bose 4 days ago Lazar was alive.

Lazarev Saturday Christians celebrate from the IV century. After three and a half centuries, a certain canon of conducting worship services was worked out that day. Hymns during the service point not to an accidental miracle, but to an important symbol of strengthening the faith.

After sunset, during the evening service, begin to consecrate the branches of pussy willow. This is the beginning of the celebration of Palm Sunday.

Feast of Palm Sunday

As already mentioned above, Palm Sunday according to the church canons begins on Saturday evening. But the main services and the consecration of pussy will be held on Sunday.

Among other things, in Russia this holiday is personified by the awakening of nature after a long winter. It is not for nothing that the northern Slavs have chosen the willow as the symbol of this day. The tree is a harbinger of spring. As soon as the sun warms up the air, the fluffy lumps poke themselves into the light. It is they who give faith in the fast warm days.

Orthodox Christians gladly meet Palm Sunday. How is this day celebrated in Russia? People of any age go to the nearest church on Sunday morning to consecrate willow twigs. Churchized parishioners serve, performing prayers and participating in the chant. Upon returning home, it is customary to lightly brush off the domestic willows with wishes of health and grace.

The consecrated branches are placed next to the icons, braided in braids, they are made of amulets, nailed to farm buildings. A year later, on the eve of the new holiday, the willow is burned.

If you know the exact date of the celebration, you can prepare in advance. How to calculate the number of Palm Sunday will be celebrated in this or that year? To determine the date, you need to know on which day Easter will be. Exactly one week before the Resurrection of the Lord celebrate the entrance of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem.

What not to do

Palm Sunday is a significant holiday for Christians. Any work on this day is undesirable. Some do not even recommend cooking. In the modern world, everything has become much simpler. There are such services and professions that imply the daily performance of work, regardless of the calendar dates. But if there is no special need in any case, it is better, of course, to postpone it.

In olden days, women were forbidden to comb their hair on this day, as well as on Annunciation. It is clear that now this is hardly possible. Although owners of long curls can and comply with the ban. Hair braided in a braid, covered from above by a kerchief, can quite do day without combing.

What other prohibitions are there on Palm Sunday? What is absolutely unacceptable is to indulge in gluttony. The end of the sixth week of fasting does not imply a plentiful feast. A little wine, lean dishes, cooked with vegetable oil, fish - this is the basis of the festive table.

It is strictly forbidden to use artificial willow branches. They are not brought to church and are not sprinkled with holy water.

Traditions of the holiday

The main and main tradition of the festival is the consecration of willow branches. It is believed that there should be exactly as many as a person in the family. In some nations of these branches, family charms are woven. Their strength is great. They protect the house from bad people and fire, save them from hurricanes and floods, from poverty, despondency and disease.

On Palm Sunday, signs for weather and harvest are particularly reliable. Generations support them in families. This is especially important for the inhabitants engaged in agriculture.

The tradition of laying coins in bread is from Belarus. Thus, you can determine who will be accompanied by luck and well-being all year round.

In some areas it is customary to invest the consecrated branches in the coffin to the deceased. This tradition goes back to the very beginning of Christianity. It is believed that thanks to the willow you can enter the gates of paradise and there greet the Savior. Among other things, the willow tree is a symbol of life and awakening.

Many beautiful and interesting traditions store Palm Sunday. As it is celebrated in other regions and countries, it is easy to find out. People of the older generation are just a storehouse of information. They will be happy to share it.

Palmberry markets are traditional. Children especially like this entertainment, as the main commodity is sweets. In addition, we offer pleasant little things for the farm and the same willow, collected in bouquets and decorated with ribbons and paper angels.

A tree grown from a consecrated branch multiplies prosperity in the house. Therefore, the bouquets brought from the church are put in water and carefully monitored if the roots will not appear.

Rituals and customs

Many people's signs on Palm Sunday have long outgrown in rituals, customs and rituals.

If you live near a river, then try to lower the willow branch of the water. If it floats away from you, then in the near future it is expected to add prosperity to the house.

Branches attached to the roof, protect the inhabitants of the house from disease and mental torment.

If you burn a bunch of consecrated willows and keep the ashes, it will protect the house from lightning and fire.

Breading children with branches on a holiday is the most common rite. With every blow, the defense against the evil eye and the desire for health are slandered.

And here is another custom to multiply prosperity. With a complete ban on doing anything on this day, it is still recommended to plant a house plant with thick round leaves. If the flower is taken and will grow rapidly - you can be sure that the wealth in the house will come.

Rites on Palm Sunday are traditions that go back centuries. Believe them, whether to observe - everyone decides for himself. For some, this is the principle of life, and for others it is only a beautiful supplement to the day off.

The use of consecrated willows in folk medicine

For a long time it was believed that a great healing force is enclosed in a willow. The sprinkling of holy water multiplies it several times. How can you use the twigs brought from the church on Palm Sunday? What to do with them for better health? Here are some examples of the use of pussy for medicinal purposes:

• Taking a decoction from the branches, you can get rid of headache, fever, temperature, insomnia.
• Rubbing the broth in sore spots relieves rheumatic pains.
• Infusion of willow on vodka will help cope with intestinal infections and disorders.
• Leaves are able to heal wounds.
• Swallowing blessed blooming buds helps with infertility.
• Infants sleep calmer after bathing in water, infused on willow branches.

Verba in folk medicine is used everywhere where it grows, and enjoys well-deserved respect.

Folk signs

People's signs on Palm Sunday have long been used. They are passed on from the elders to the younger ones and become part of our lives.

Calm sunny weather promises a warm windless summer and a rich harvest. A strong wind promised cool weather.

A cold but clear day gave hope to spring yields.

Palm Sunday without frost raises the chance for an abundance of fruits.

The number of blossoming earrings also served as an indicator of the future harvest.

And on this day it is customary to mentally invite a loved one, and the meeting will necessarily take place.

Every year for many centuries the church has opened the doors to everyone who believes in salvation. Palm Sunday is a holiday, symbolizing the strength of faith, its revival. Branches and bouquets of willows bring peace and protection to the house. Following the first rays of the sun in the hearts of a hope for the best. And let this day bears a lot of sadness, all the same it is a harbinger of the Bright Christ of the Resurrection and the salvation of all mankind.