Wednesday and Thursday before Easter. Holy Week is the last and strictest week of Lent. Holy Week of Great Lent by day: what you can eat before Easter

associated with many traditions and beliefs. Each day of the week has recommended and prohibited activities.

The week before Easter is called by Christians the Holy Week, White Week, but the most common name is Holy Week. Each of her six days is special.

On this day, Christians remember the gospel story about how Jesus cursed a fig tree (fig tree), covered with green leaves, but completely barren, which immediately withered in front of His companions.

This miracle has an important moral significance for every person: at every moment a person must be ready to meet God, so as not to be spiritually empty and fruitless.

On this day, it is customary to clean the house: paint, wash, clean.

By church rules, on Great Monday, all strife, foul language and impure thoughts are prohibited. From food allowed bread, vegetables and fruits. But according to an unwritten rule, many Orthodox spend this day in strict fasting, without food and water.

You can’t sing and dance on Maundy Monday - this is a sin.

On this day, Christians remember the parables of the Second Coming of Christ, the ten virgins, and the talents.

On Tuesday, it is customary to finish darning, washing and ironing clothes. Preparations for the holiday continue: they prepare not only clothes, but also choose a tablecloth, which will cover the festive table, and a towel, with which they will go to the Easter service.

On this day, it is allowed to eat hot food without vegetable oil. They also buy food for Easter.

In addition, Tuesday is a day of teaching.

On this day, Christians remember the betrayal of Judas. It is on this day that Judas betrays the Savior for 30 pieces of silver, thereby choosing spiritual death.

On Wednesday, they finish home improvement work and start buying eggs to dye for Easter. According to legend, eggs bought on this day will not spoil for a long time and will be perfectly colored.

On this day, it is customary to eat food without oil.

This day is popularly known as Pure Thursday.

This day usually starts very early. Thursday is bathing day. It is believed that water on this day has healing powers, and bathing and prayer itself help to preserve the health of the whole family for a whole year.

On Thursday they begin to cook paska (cakes). It is believed that before kneading the dough, it is necessary to pray and cleanse the soul, otherwise the pasta will not work.

Also on this day, it is customary to take communion, as well as put bread and consecrated salt on the table.

Traditionally, on Thursday it is customary to buy new clothes for children. However, it is advisable not to give money, as it reminds of the betrayal of Judas.

This day is popularly known as Good Friday.

Friday is the strictest pre-Easter day, on which you can not do anything around the house, sing, dance and listen to music.

In memory of the sufferings of Christ, food is forbidden.

It is believed that "he who laughs on Friday will cry for a whole year."

An integral part of the divine services on this day is the Shroud - a large-sized cloth depicting the body of Jesus Christ in the coffin. It is forbidden to eat until it is taken out at the evening service.

According to legend, Joseph of Arimathea wrapped the body of Jesus Christ after His suffering and death on the Cross in the Shroud of Turin.

This day is considered a day of rest.

On Saturday, they remember the burial of Jesus, as well as His victory over death in Hell and entry into Paradise.

On this day, they finish painting eggs and collect the Easter basket.

In the evening, the Holy Liturgy is held, after which the good news of the Resurrection of Christ is announced.

Great Lent ends on Saturday.

Recall that earlier "Apostrophe" talked about, which is celebrated a week before Easter.

Very soon, the most important holiday for all believers - for which people are preparing spiritually and physically, following the instructions. There are only a few days left and soon that important week will begin before the great holiday. Due to the increased interest of our readers, we are publishing important information about the Holy Week with a description of the traditions of each day.

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last week before called Passionate . Also in ancient times, this week had many names - Red, Red, Great, Holy Week, Holy Week. During this period, they were actively preparing for the celebration of Easter (therefore, it is now relevant, proven, tasty and original, etc.). Each day of the week before Easter had its own traditions, which were sincerely honored.

The week before Easter begins Holy Monday. On this day, it was necessary to finish all the work around the house and on the site near it: paint, repair, clean, without putting it off for other days.

Maundy Tuesday the last week before Easter was usually devoted to work with clothes: washing, ironing, darning. On other days, these works are not recommended.

IN Great Wednesday they took out the last garbage from the house, and everything necessary for preparation.

The week before Easter has a special spirituality. The conditions of fasting become even stricter. On this day they say that you can’t do anything around the house, sing, dance, listen to music. Nothing should be eaten in memory of the sufferings of Christ. Everyone should know these in the last week before Easter. In the evening, during divine services, the Shroud is carried out in the church.

Holy Week is dedicated to remembrance last days life of Jesus Christ, his execution and resurrection, as well as preparations for 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.

By church tradition, commemoration at this time cannot be arranged. 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 what you will wear in Bright Sunday clean, nice clothes.

You need to prepare or buy a tablecloth for the festive table and a towel that is taken on 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.

The healing herbs left after the winter are used to make tea 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

Holy Wednesday like Thursday is the 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 - strong remedy from spoilage, 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. Therefore, Good Friday is the best time to wean a 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. An exception is the sowing of bread and peas, this brings a 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 on 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.

Easter is the oldest holiday in the Christian world. The week between Palm Sunday and Easter is considered the period of the most important rites and ceremonies. This is called Holy Week, and certain days are called great.

Holy Week before Easter is special period for all believers. These days you need to be especially virtuous, not to commit bad deeds. The last week before Easter obliges believers to observe a very strict fast.

Week before Easter: rituals

Starting Monday, it is important to put your house in full order. Cleanliness must be in every corner. All rites and rituals this week have a deep meaning and bring us closer to the mystery of the Resurrection. Unfortunately, gradually we forget about the old customs and rituals. Today we are becoming more and more forgiving of ourselves. Result? Our level of spirituality is decreasing, and the most important experience for Christians - Easter is gradually reduced to a simple holiday that does not carry anything behind it.

Holy Wednesday was the prologue to the Easter Triduum. Holy Wednesday for farmers is an important day before sowing. The owners sprinkle holy water on the fields to ensure a good harvest.

Palm Sunday begins with the sacred rites of Easter. These days you can bring luck, finances to yourself, remove damage, the evil eye. During Holy Week, children often speak for seizures. To do this, you just need to take sacred water, say a prayer and sprinkle on the baby.

Easter Triduum - three days before Easter

The last three days of Holy Week - Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Good Saturday are called the Holy Triduum.

Holy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is the day that should be dedicated to cleanliness. It is believed that if on Maundy Thursday your house is covered with dust and dirt, you will live the whole next year.

Rites of Maundy Thursday:

1. The main ritual of this day is bathing at sunrise. It can be more than just taking a shower or a bath. You can simply wash your face or pour water from the tap. It is believed that all water on this day is sacred. In order for a girl to attract the attention of guys, a special conspiracy must be said before washing.
2. Small children who are six months old are cut for the first time on this very day. Also, a piece of wool is sheared from cattle for well-being.
3. In order to bring prosperity and peace to your family, everyone who lives in your family should take a pinch of salt and pour it into one bag. This salt is called "Thursday salt". It is removed and stored in a place protected from the eyes. If there is no harvest or discord in the family, this amulet will help.
4. From Maundy Thursday to Friday, believers do not sleep, but pray all night.

Washing yourself in the morning, you can ask the Lord to cleanse the soul from negative and evil thoughts, and the body from diseases.

Holy Friday

Good Friday is the last Friday of Lent, which lasted 48 days. Fasting is dedicated to the severe torment before the death of Jesus Christ, who was crucified on that very day. It is considered the most mournful of the year and there are special prohibitions for it, which it is advisable to adhere to. On Pyatok (Good Friday) until three o'clock in the afternoon, people observe a strict fast. At the end of the time, you can only eat bread and drink water.

The rites of Good Friday are as follows:

1. In no case should you do laundry on this day.
2. Early in the morning, wipe the corners of each room with a clean rag and keep it away from prying eyes. According to the beliefs of our ancestors, in this way it is possible to remove pain in the back and joints.
3. Also, the ancestors believed that it was possible to cure an alcoholic with stove ash, which must be taken on that day.
4. On Good Friday, people who suffer from depression are reprimanded.
5. If you want to have protective amulet for the rest of your life, bless the rings in church and wear them.
6. It is believed that if you bake bread in Pyatok, it will never get moldy and will cure many diseases.

Try to avoid work on this day, especially related to sowing vegetables, planting trees.

Holy Saturday

Holy Saturday is the last day before Easter. It is believed that the eggs that were laid on this day protect a person from misfortune. Long time ago chicken eggs considered a symbol of new life, they were painted in the brightest and most beautiful color - red.

Dried Easter cake served as a talisman for all believers. It protects every house from diseases and all troubles throughout the whole year.

The beginning of Holy Week is associated with a very strict restriction in food. Fasting people even try to drink water as little as possible. If fasting is not observed, a hunger strike can harm the body, and there is not much point in this. But respecting and recognizing the requirements of the church, making adjustments to the diet will still not hurt. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, drink clean water. Of course, alcohol is out of the question.

On this day, you can clean the pets' housing, as well as audit the refrigerator (there are recommendations to completely remove all food from it, wash it thoroughly and put fresh food in). Be sure to buy food for cattle and poultry, so that it is enough for all the holidays.

Tuesday

On this day, cleaning of the house begins, but before sunrise it was necessary to have time to drink all the living creatures with milk from ground flax and hemp. If this is not possible, clean water can also be used. This tradition helps to preserve the health of livestock and poultry. If there is no household, you should not relax. In the house for Tuesday and Wednesday, it will be necessary to put things in perfect order, wash the windows, sort out things, throw away everything unnecessary, wash, iron the linen. If you have been planning to buy a rug or new curtains for a long time, this day is ideal for such purchases.

Wednesday

On this day, it is customary to commemorate the dead. A family gathers at the table, the housewives set the table for 12 dishes according to the number of apostles. Food must be lean. Traditionally, a piece of soap and salt were placed under the roof at night. It was believed that if you perform ablution with it on Pure Thursday, you can protect yourself from illness and failure for the whole year. Salt was carried to the service and consecrated.

Thursday

This day begins long before sunrise. Obligatory ablution with prayer will bring only health. Water cannot be drained. It is desirable to give it to animals or just pour it into the street. Salt is consecrated in the temple, and then the housing is cleaned with its help. By this time, the room should already be cleaned. Sprinkle salt in the corners, read a prayer, and then sweep it with an old broom and throw it away with it. For protection against evil eye salt is sewn into a canvas bag and hung in the right corner near the front door. On Maundy Thursday, they bake Easter cakes and paint eggs for Easter.

Friday

Good Friday should be passed in humility. On this day, you can not swear, raise your voice, it is advisable to limit yourself to food. The house cannot be cleaned either. But guys and girls are allowed to tell fortunes before Easter.

Saturday

On this day, all pre-holiday preparations are completed. Food is being prepared, and with a margin, because after Easter for three days it will not even be possible to approach the stove. Believers go to the evening service, which flows into the vigil. Those who sleep at night may invite misfortune upon themselves. Of course, this is if the reason is disrespectful.

Sunday

After consecration in the temple, you need to clean one egg and share it among all your loved ones. When everyone gathers at the table, it is necessary to start the meal with Easter cake and krashenka. This will need to be done throughout the weeks after Easter. At the table, you can’t behave provocatively, you shouldn’t talk loudly and laugh, and even more so, you don’t need to start conflicts.

We are sure that the information will be useful to you. To make Easter a moment of spiritual cleansing, remember that not celebrating the holiday according to the rules is a great sin, the punishment for which can be very severe.