Palm Sunday - customs, do's and don'ts. Palm Sunday

What is Palm Sunday?

Palm Resurrection symbolizes the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. This is a Christian holiday that is celebrated in the sixth week of Lent and precedes Easter. The celebration of Palm Sunday is described in detail in the Gospels of Matthew, Luke, John and Mark. It is also mentioned in the works of the great 4th century theologian Epiphanius of Salam (Cyprus).

To understand the essence of the holiday, it is necessary to turn to the prophecy of the Old Testament about the resurrection of Lazarus, the new Messiah and Savior of the people of Israel from Roman oppression. On Saturday (in Christianity this day is called Lazarus Saturday, the day before the celebration of Palm Sunday), the news that the new king of the Jews had risen and would appear to the people on Easter (Jewish Passover) spread throughout Jerusalem. In those days, kings, to show that they had good intentions, always rode into Jerusalem on donkeys, since this particular animal was a symbol of peace. The people greeted their rulers with greetings and palm branches. Jesus decided not to change tradition: his solemn entry into Jerusalem was supposed to emphasize that a new king-savior and the long-awaited Messiah had been revealed to the people.

Why did the holiday get the name Palm Sunday, if it was customary to greet rulers with palm branches? Everything is very simple. The palm tree is a southern tree and it does not grow everywhere. Therefore, palm branches were replaced by Christians with branches of pussy willow, willow, or other trees that grow in the country of celebration and bloom in early spring.

Signs and traditions of Palm Sunday

The main tradition of Palm Sunday is the blessing of willow branches in the church. It is believed that these branches will protect houses from fires and floods throughout the year, and their owners from poverty, disease and adversity.

The signs of the holiday, of course, are also associated with magical properties, which are attributed to willow. It is believed that if before Palm Sunday many willow “earrings” appear (buds have blossomed), then the whole year will be fruitful, fertile and rich in good events.

Conspiracies and rituals for Palm Sunday

There are several simple rituals you can perform on Palm Sunday. First, “put” the consecrated willow on the water. The twig will float away - goodness and prosperity will “float” to the house. Burning a consecrated willow branch protects the house from fire. A consecrated branch stuck into the roof of the house (you can also attach it in the upper corner of the ceiling) will become a talisman of your health and peace of mind. If you want to wish a person well and good luck, lightly whip him with a willow twig. There is no better blessing to be found on this holiday.

On Palm Sunday, it is customary not only to perform rituals, but also to speak. If you want to improve your health and get rid of headaches, the day before the holiday, comb your hair, put a couple of hairs in water and pour it over the willow. Diseases will go into the ground along with the water. You can also attract money using a willow spell. On the eve of the holiday (on Lazarus Saturday), take left hand a willow twig, and with the right one cross yourself and read “Our Father.” Then ask the Almighty to save you from financial problems and send prosperity to your home. The enchanted twig must be blessed in church on Sunday.

What should you not do on Palm Sunday?

Palm Sunday is great holiday. You cannot work on this day. Also, do not prepare hot dishes (all meals should be prepared in advance). Do not forget that Palm Sunday is celebrated during Lent. The table should be very moderate: in addition to the foods allowed by Lent, you can only eat fish. And on Palm Sunday you can’t comb your hair. Therefore, the health ritual mentioned above should be performed only on the eve of the holiday.

Palm Sunday is a Christian holiday celebrated in honor of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. This event happened exactly one week before the resurrection of Christ, therefore, today the date of the holiday is changing. Each time it depends on the arrival of Easter. In 2017, Palm Sunday is celebrated on April 9. People often ask the question: “Palm Sunday - what to do?” Traditions come to their aid. From them, believers will learn why the willow tree is a symbol of the holiday, what they do on Palm Sunday, and what they should not do on this day under any circumstances. The information contained on this page will also add to your knowledge base. You will learn what to do with fresh and last year's willow and how the day of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem is celebrated in other countries.

Palm Sunday - What to do with willow on the holiday?

People greeted Christ riding a donkey into Jerusalem with palm branches. Since then, Christians living in warm latitudes have been decorating their homes with palm branches. Palm trees, of course, do not grow in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. That is why the palm tree as a symbol of welcoming Christ and faith in him in these countries is replaced by willow. Believers go to the forest, to a lake or river and pick its branches with fluffy cute buds. Later, the plucked branches are blessed in the church.

There are no green palm trees in Russia...

There are no green palm trees in Russia,
Only birch trees and maples,
Let it fluff over the water
Young willow branch!

The willow gives us branches -
Let's take them to God's temple,
And to the sound of the bell
Let's put them near the icons!

How does a willow blessed on Palm Sunday help?

It is believed that the willow consecrated on Palm Sunday helps the sick to recover and adds strength and endurance to a person. If there is a sick person in the house, branches of this plant are placed next to his bed. Traditional healers crush willow buds and add them to creams and ointments. They rub on sore spots, treat wounds and skin infections. They say that travelers who eat a couple of willow buds before setting off will avoid troubles on the road. Housewives preparing delicious homebaked bread, add the buds of this plant to the dough.

I’ll put a willow branch in a vase...

I’ll put a willow branch in a vase,
I will light a candle at the icon.
I will glorify Palm Sunday
And I’ll quietly whisper a prayer.
It is impossible to learn to believe.
Believing constantly is hard work.
I pray for those who are in difficult life
They believe sincerely and live by faith.
Tomorrow begins Passion Day.
Let me, Lord, pray through this.
By death on the cross he opened the gates of Heaven for us,
So, God forbid, I sin!

Palm Sunday - What to do with last year's blessed willows?

Every time before the onset of Palm Sunday and Easter, many ask: “What to do with last year’s willows?” Indeed, one cannot raise one’s hand to throw away a plant consecrated in the church. The willow stood in the house all year, protecting it from quarrels and other misfortunes. However, the time is already coming to break new branches, and many are at a loss as to what to do with the old willow.

How to properly get rid of last year's willow before Palm Sunday?

Of course, you cannot throw away a consecrated plant that protects your home from misfortunes all year round. You can proceed as follows. The branches of the old plant need to be burned, and the ashes from it should be thrown into a body of water - a river, sea, lake. Under no circumstances should willow ashes be thrown onto the street or in the trash.

What should you never do on Palm Sunday?

Palm Sunday is a major Christian holiday. As on other major church holidays, you cannot work on this Sunday a week before Easter, especially in the garden. Planting willow is also prohibited. On this day you should completely forget about sewing, washing and cleaning, knitting, embroidery and any handicrafts.

What is a sin to do on Palm Sunday?

It is a sin to neglect church holidays and customs that have developed over centuries. The church prohibits working on Palm Sunday. Of course, this does not mean that the housewife must necessarily leave the entire family without dinner, and the owner, in the event of an unexpected breakdown of equipment in the house, must not repair it. The biggest sin on Palm Sunday is wasting time: gambling, drinking and similar activities.

What do Christians do on Palm Sunday?

Already on the morning of every Palm Sunday, you can see passers-by on the streets with “bouquets” of willow branches in their hands. Early in the morning they went to the reservoirs where this species of plant of the willow family grows and picked its branches. The plucked branches must be consecrated in the temple. After you have brought the willow into the house, its branches need to be placed in water. The water in a jar or vase with willow needs to be changed regularly - then the plant will live in your house until the next holiday of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem.

A. Fet. The willow is all fluffy

The willow is all fluffy
Spread out all around;
It's fragrant spring again
She blew her wing.

The clouds are rushing around the village,
Warmly illuminated
And they ask for your soul again
Captivating dreams.

Diverse everywhere
The gaze is occupied by the picture,
The idle crowd makes noise
People are happy about something...

Some secret thirst
The dream is inflamed -
And over every soul
Spring is flying by.

How to celebrate Palm Sunday and signs of the day

In the morning, after attending the liturgy and consecrating the plant, you need to return home and celebrate the holiday in family circle. Lent is not over yet, but on this day it is not forbidden to eat fish. It will be interesting to watch the weather. According to the signs of Palm Sunday, the rain that begins on this day brings a good harvest. The drought on Palm Sunday, on the other hand, suggests otherwise. People believe that a house where there is a blessed lightning bolt will not be struck by lightning. The ashes of last year's willow branches can hold back floods.

A. Blok. Willows

Boys and girls
Candles and willows
They took it home.
The lights are warm,
Passers-by cross themselves
And it smells like spring.
The breeze is distant,
Rain, little rain,
Don't blow out the fire.
Palm Sunday
Tomorrow I'll be the first to get up
For the holy day.

Now that you have learned everything about Palm Sunday - what to do on the holiday, what to do with last year’s willows, what to avoid during the celebration of the Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem, you will be able to celebrate the solemn day of April 9, 2017 correctly. Don’t forget to remember or write down everything about the weather on this day, and then check whether the signs relating to Palm Sunday actually come true.

03/31/2018 03/31/2018 by Mnogoto4ka

Palm Sunday or the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem is celebrated at its own time every year. This is a moving holiday. When to celebrate Palm Sunday depends on when Easter is celebrated. Palm Sunday is always celebrated the week before Easter. Thus, Palm Sunday falls on April 24 in 2016, April 9 in 2017, April 1 in 2018, April 21 in 2019, and April 12 in 2020.

HISTORY OF PALM SUNDAY

Palm Sunday symbolizes the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. The only difference is that in Russia we use willow branches instead of palm branches. Let's take a short digression and remember the eve of Palm Sunday - Lazarus Saturday. Four days have passed since Lazarus died. His sister Martha met Jesus Christ with the words: “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” And Jesus answered her: “Your brother will rise again.” They came to Bethany, to the cave where the deceased was buried. Jesus Christ ordered the stone to be rolled away, then, having prayed to the Heavenly Father, he turned to Lazarus: “Lazarus, get out!” He immediately got up and left the cave.

Jesus Christ went to Jerusalem. Approaching the city, he mounted a donkey and rode through the gate. People already knew about the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus, and met Jesus Christ as the King of the liberator from earthly sin. The people greeted the Savior with the words: “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” Many laid clothes on the ground and laid palm branches. The entry on a donkey itself symbolizes peace in the East, but if they entered on a horse, then this is a sign of war. Jesus Christ showed everyone that he came in peace. The Lord came to Jerusalem voluntarily, knowing what torment and suffering He would have to go through. Later, people with various ailments come to Jesus Christ, and He heals them. In the evening the Savior goes back to Bethany.

We are with you, standing in the church in Palm Sunday, we hold in our hands lighted candles and willow branches, which unitely symbolize the victory of life over death. We, in prayer, greet Jesus Christ as the Conqueror of death and hell, the liberator of our sins. Willows blessed with holy water should be kept at home. We don't have palm trees in Russia, so they replaced them with willow.

The Christian Church introduced the holiday of the Lord's entry into Jerusalem in the 4th century, and in Rus' it appeared in the 10th century and began to be called Palm Sunday, since the willow had the same meaning as palm branches. According to the traditions of the holiday on the eve of Palm Sunday, in ancient times, Russian people went to the banks of the river to break willow, and this was a real rite. The willow was always blessed in the church with holy water, however, this tradition has survived to this day.

In warm countries, this day is celebrated with palm branches, but in our country at this time of year the leaves on the trees have not yet bloomed. Branches of evergreen conifers have traditionally been used in burial ceremonies, so they cannot be used.

According to signs and beliefs, it was believed that the consecrated willow has healing properties, so they touched people with twigs, wishing them health, placed them at the head of the sick, applied them to sore spots, whipped children so that they would not get sick during the year and grow up healthy. Crushed dried willow buds were added to various medicinal decoctions, which were used to treat wounds and skin diseases. Sometimes the buds were added to bread and other baked goods, and some baked bread in the shape of a willow twig. Palm porridge was made from the opening buds. But willow not only heals, it gives physical strength, courage and courage, so many young men made themselves amulets and talismans from willow buds.

It was believed that if you eat a few willow buds before a long journey or some serious undertaking, then only success will await a person on his path and in his business. Icons were decorated with branches and hung in the corners of rooms, which many still do to this day. Also, amulets made from willow buds were worn by women who did not have children. According to legend, you had to eat ten kidneys five days after the end of your period, this was supposed to help in conceiving a child. To ensure that the offspring were healthy, a willow twig was placed under the feather bed, and the newlyweds were showered with buds.

Our ancestors believed that willow could impart sexual power not only to humans, but also to livestock. That is why domestic animals were lashed with a blessed willow branch, branches were hung in barns, and before the first pasture in the field, these branches were fed to the animals so that they would not be poisoned by poisonous herbs, or become victims of diseases, thieves and predatory animals. Not a single day goes by without weather-related signs. And Palm Sunday is no exception.

If it rains on Palm Sunday, expect a good harvest. This sign is based on many years of observations of our ancestors. They noticed that if it rains on a given day, the harvest will be simply wonderful. If, on the contrary, the weather is dry, then you may not expect a harvest. And, if the sky is cloudy, cloudy, but there is no rain, then the harvest will be quite good, but not as much as we would like. It was also believed that the willow could protect the house from natural elements. A house in which there is a consecrated willow branch will not be struck by lightning. If during a fire you throw a willow into the fire, it will go out faster and the flame will not spread to another building. And twigs thrown into the water during ice drift will help avoid large floods.

If by the next Palm Sunday there were still unused branches in the house, then under no circumstances should they be thrown away. They must be burned and thrown into a stream or river, and the water should not be stagnant. When choosing new branches, they gave preference to young trees growing near rivers. It was forbidden to take branches from trees growing near the cemetery, or on which there were nests and hollows.

Many people, believers and not, even today, on the eve of Palm Sunday, decorate their home with willow branches, because this plant gives joy and awakens spring in the heart.

SIGNS FOR PALM SUNDAY

If you tap a willow twig on your body, you will be healthy for a whole year. Perhaps this is the only sign that people know about today. First, a willow twig is blessed on this day in the church, and after that the twig is tapped on the body and the sentence is said: “Be as strong as the willow, as healthy as its roots and as rich as the earth.” This preference is given to the willow because it is, perhaps, the most tenacious tree that exists in nature. It is believed that even if a willow stick is stuck into the ground upside down, it will still take root and grow. It is for this reason that willow can give health to a person, because it itself is very strong.

Eat a willow bud and an important matter will be resolved. It was customary to keep consecrated willow branches for a whole year near the icon. If you have to go to important negotiations, or you are about to start a very important business for you, and you are not sure of the result, then willow will help you here too. But only the willow that was consecrated in the church on Palm Sunday will help. When going on an important task, you need to tear off three buds from a branch and eat them, washing them down with holy water, while thinking about your business. True, this property of a twig can only be used as a last resort. Constantly, don’t, it’s better not to disturb the willow, it can go sideways.

On Palm Sunday, think about your loved one, he will come. Superstition? More likely. But before, a young girl, if she liked some guy and he didn’t pay any attention to her, would wait for this very day. Starting in the morning, she began to think about who was dear to her heart. Her thoughts were somehow incomprehensibly transmitted to this guy. And in the evening he came to her to invite her for a walk. In principle, it has long been proven that human thought is material. Everything we think about inevitably happens sooner or later. real life. Perhaps Palm Sunday has such an energy that allows us to bring our thoughts to life much faster than on any other day.

Plant a houseplant on Palm Sunday and you will be rich. Previously, it was believed that if you plant an indoor flower on this day, it would attract money into your life. In the cities, of course, they kept houseplants, but in the villages there was no time for that. But those who knew about this sign and planted indoor plants quickly got back on their feet. But this sign has several features that few people know about. Firstly, if the flower withers within a month, then you will have to live your whole life in poverty. And secondly, you only need to plant plants with large and fleshy leaves. By the way, one of these plants is now called the money tree. In order for it not to wither and grow well, you need to know the special rules for planting and caring for it. By the way, it was noticed that in the house where Money Tree It grows well, there is always prosperity and there is no shortage of money.

Poultry is not allowed outside - the witch will spoil it. Perhaps earlier they were confident in this sign, but not now. It was believed that a week before Great Easter the witches began to go on a rampage. After all, starting from Easter and all the holidays, their power temporarily decreased. So they tried to cause mischief, so to speak, for the future. It was believed that it was on poultry that witches took revenge. But it’s not known whether to believe this sign or not. But in villages to this day, those who keep the bird try not to let it out into the street on Palm Sunday.

There are holidays that we have heard about and know about, but we do not know about the signs associated with this day. We don't worry too much because we don't know what customs to follow. But when troubles happen in our lives, problems appear, then we begin to think where all this comes from, and why all this is on our heads.

BELIEFS FOR PALM SUNDAY

Headaches are spoken of on Palm Sunday.
To do this, after combing your hair, remove the hairs from the comb and put them in water.
Pour this water over the willow tree on Palm Sunday and say:
“Water, go to the ground along with your headache.”

On Palm Sunday they cast a love spell on a willow tree.
To do this, break a twig and say:
“As long as the willow lies behind the icon,
Until then, my husband will not stop loving me, he will not forget me. Amen".
Place the willow behind the icon. Just don’t throw away the enchanted twig under any circumstances!

Remember that the branches from Palm Sunday must be preserved. They help in the treatment of many diseases!

It is believed that on Palm Sunday it is customary to hit the back of the person you wish good health with a willow.

But know that the one who slapped you on the backside wishes you harm.
Since, having lashed with willow on this great holiday, they may wish you harm, and it will come true.

They consecrate the willow. And then they keep it in the house all year in a vase or behind icons.
They sweep all the corners, windows, thresholds with an old willow that has stood for a year, thank it for its service and burn it.
You need to hit all your pets and animals on the back with a new sacred willow and say out loud: “Whip willow, beat me to tears,” - this will add health.

Buds and fluff from holy willow help with female infertility and enuresis.

Today you can bake the fuzz of the holy willow into bread and give it to sick pets - they will be healed.

To everyone who helps their loved ones with castings or other methods to remove damage or treat,
This amulet against interception will come in handy: today on an empty stomach you need to eat 3 willow buds and drink it with holy water.
Then say:
“St. Paul waved the willow and drove away other people’s illnesses from me.
Just as it is true that Palm Sunday is celebrated, so it is true that
that other people’s illnesses don’t bother me. Amen".
If you are an Orthodox person, then before this you need to take communion.

RITES. WILLOW AND ITS POWER

Willow is still a significant plant in the folk Orthodox culture of Russians. It gave the name “Palm Sunday” to the church’s twelfth feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, celebrated on the last Sunday before Easter. According to the Gospel, Jesus Christ went with his disciples from Bethany, where he raised Lazarus, to Jerusalem to celebrate Easter there. On the way to the city, Christ saw a donkey tied to a tree, on which he rode into the city. The inhabitants of Jerusalem, having learned about the miracle of the resurrection of Lazarus, enthusiastically greeted the Savior with palm branches called “vaii” and a song of praise. On the road along which Jesus was traveling, people threw palm branches and spread out their clothes. In memory of this event, in Christian churches on the day of the holiday it is customary to consecrate decorated tree branches. Among the Russians, the place of the palm branch was taken by the willow, and the week before the holiday began to be called “Verbna”, “Verbnitsa”.

Ideas about unusual properties willows, however, go back to pre-Christian, pagan times. This plant, like the birch, in folk culture was associated with the idea rapid growth, health, vitality, fertility. These ideas are based on the fact that willow blooms its buds earlier than other plants. A blossoming tree symbolized the coming spring and, according to mythological consciousness, could convey health, strength and beauty to humans and domestic animals.

Willow was quite widely used in calendar rituals of Russian peasants. Despite the fact that Palm Sunday was church holiday On this day, numerous rituals with willow were performed, based on archaic beliefs. It was customary to go to the forest to pick willows before sunrise on Lazarus Saturday, on the eve of Palm Sunday. The brought branches were often immediately decorated with paper flowers and ribbons, but sometimes this was done only after their consecration or on the eve of Easter. They went to church to bless the willow on the same day for the evening service or on Sunday morning. The consecrated branches were placed in the front corner of the shrine or placed behind the icons, where they were kept until St. Yegoryev's day or all year. In Siberia, a “teremok” was made of straw for the willow tree, decorated with rags, ribbons and hung in front of the icon.

Upon arrival home after the consecration of the willow, and sometimes right next to the church, each member of the household, and most often children, was hit with it, as it was believed, “for health.” At the same time they said: “The willow is red, hit until you cry, be healthy!”, or: “I don’t hit - the willow hits, the willow whips until you cry.” In many areas, for the same purpose, cattle were whipped with willow or given a twig or buds of the plant to eat.

In the Central Russian zone, in order for sheep to be “fed”, they were fed with a special loaf or bread in which willow buds were baked. In some places, the shape of kidneys was given to ritual cookies, which on Lazarus Saturday were brought to church for blessing along with willow cookies. In the Kostroma province it was called “lamb”, in Moscow - “lamb”, “granny” or “akatushki”, in Ryazan - “nuts”, “kytka”. Cookies were baked according to the number of livestock and poultry, and in some local traditions - for all household members. In the Ryazan region, when feeding sheep with cookies on Palm Sunday, it was believed that they would each bring a pair of lambs, and the holiday itself was called “lamb holiday.”

The Russians everywhere placed and still place blessed branches in the red corner next to the icons. Previously, willow was stored until St. Yegoriev's day or all year. Throwing it away after whipping cattle was considered a sin. Usually these branches were stuck in the barn under the roof, “so that the cattle would not wander,” or thrown into the river, “let them float on the water”; sometimes they burned it in a furnace. Belarusians kept willow all year behind icons until the new Holy Monday. On the same day they burned it and placed a new consecrated willow near the images. When going to new house Some of the willow branches were left in the old house, and half were transferred to the new one.

On Yegoryev Day, in many localities, each cattle was hit with a willow during the ritual of the first pasture for grazing, and after pasture they fed it, believing that these actions would ensure a good offspring and protect them from wild animals throughout the grazing season. They did the same on the day of St. Nicholas the Great: on this day, and especially when driving the horses out at night, the first of the season, they were lashed with willow branches.
On Ivan Kupala in Volyn and Podolia, a willow tree or branch was used as a festive attribute: girls decorated the plant with flowers and danced around it, and after a while the boys burst into the girls’ circle, grabbed the willow and tore it apart. This ritual is close in meaning to numerous agricultural rituals of the East Slavic tradition using stuffed animals made of plant material, and its purpose is to influence the forces of nature so that the harvest is successful.

As can be understood from the examples given, magical functions were attributed to willow in the popular consciousness. Willow branches blessed on Palm Sunday were endowed with special powers. The producing properties of the plant are obvious from its magical meaning sentences that were pronounced when children were whipped with willow: “Grow like a willow!”, “As the willow grows, so do you grow!” In some areas, barren women ate the buds of the blessed willow in the hope that it would help them give birth to a child. The beekeepers stuck willow branches around the apiary so that the bees would swarm well, more bee colonies would be born, and they would bring the owner honey and wax in abundance.

In the Penza province there was a ritual of calling out to young women, in which it is obvious that a positive meaning was attributed to the willow. At midnight on the eve of Palm Sunday, young people went around the houses where the newlyweds lived and shouted near the gate:
“Open it, open it, young one, hit it with a camel, give it more health than before.” The young woman unlocked the gate, and the crowd entered singing: “If only there would be a harvest of grain, multiplying livestock.” Everyone sleeping in the hut was lightly hit with a willow, saying: “We hit to be healthy,” and also: “Get up early, hit the ram.” The last to be whipped was the young one as she bowed, escorting the singing youth out of the gate.

The productive power of the willow was also used directly in agricultural rituals. So, after the first pasture of livestock, the twigs could be broken and scattered across the field, and the buds could be crushed into grain intended for sowing. In the Smolensk region, part of the willow brought after cattle pasture was stuck into the ground in a grain field - “so that the earth would come to life faster”, “so that the rye would grow well and grow fluffy, like a willow”; the other part was hidden behind the icon - “so that the cattle would return home.” Here the housewife threw the rod, which she used to drive out the cattle, into the manure in the barn; at the same time, she jumped as high as possible “so that flax would be born.” In some places, willow branches were stuck in the four corners of the field to protect the crops. In the Tambov province, willow was generally planted in the field for this purpose. In Belarus, with the consecrated willow they went out for the first plowing of the spring field and to plow up the virgin lands.

In addition to producing, willow was endowed with healing properties, which were used both in for preventive purposes, and directly in folk medical practice. In the Yenisei province, consecrated willow was fed to cows and sheep on Maundy Thursday - Thursday of Holy Week, and they said: “It’s not I who give, but the willow.” Just as the talnik does not dry, so you, my God-given cattle, do not dry.” Willow, even unconsecrated, was also widely used to treat people.

In Kuban, willow was used in the treatment of childhood diseases. To do this, early in the morning, before sunrise, they went to the river and there they cut the willow three times, nine branches each. At the same time, they counted from nine to one three times. Arriving home, they lowered them into hot water one bunch of nine branches and bathed the child near the window from which the sunrise could be seen. At noon, they put a second bunch of willow in hot water and bathed the child near the window, opposite which the sun stood at that moment. In the evening, when the sun was setting, the same actions were performed with the last bunch of branches in front of the window looking west. At the end, all the willow branches with water were taken to the river and poured out with prayer so that they would float on the water. It was believed that the disease would recede. In the Vitebsk region, sick cattle were fumigated with willow, they ground it into powder and covered wounds with it, they made a decoction from it and drank it for various diseases, and also used it as a lotion for tumors and bruises.

Willow in folk culture was attributed protective qualities. All Eastern Slavs widely believed that a consecrated branch could protect from thunderstorms, storms, other natural disasters, from evil spirits and diseases. The Russians in the Tambov province believed that a willow thrown against the wind could drive away a storm, and thrown into a fire could pacify it. People everywhere believed that the willow stored in the red corner would protect the house and the entire household from thunder and lightning. During hail, Belarusians placed a bunch of consecrated willow on the windowsill to pacify the elements and avoid hail in the grain fields.

Along with the fact that willow is widely used in the ritual sphere and is an attribute of one of the largest Christian holidays, V folk beliefs it belongs to the trees cursed by God. According to legend, Christ’s tormentors made pins from it to hold the cross together. For this, willow, according to popular belief, is subject to turning by worms, and devils sit in dry willow. In this regard, the famous Ukrainian proverb is indicative: “I fell in love like the devil with a dry willow.” According to the beliefs of Belarusians, the devil sits on a willow, especially an old one - dry and hollow, from Epiphany to Palm Sunday. In the spring, the devils warm themselves on the willow tree, and after it is blessed on the holiday, they fall into the water, and therefore from Palm Sunday until Easter you cannot drink water drawn under the willow tree.

PRAYERS ON PALM SUNDAY

KONDAC 13

Oh, Jesus Christ, Lamb of God, formerly prepared for the slaughter, now coming to Jerusalem for free passion! Accept this little prayer that we bring to You with the branches and branches, so that in these most honorable days we will follow Your footsteps in silence and meekness of spirit and in tenderness and purity of heart, and so may we remain with You throughout the entire time of our earthly journey. And make us worthy to partake without condemnation of the Divine joy of Your Holy Pascha here on earth, so that when we come to Heavenly Jerusalem we will unite with You forever, with all the saints, singing the Angelic song: Alleluia.

IKOS 1

The faces of Archangels and Angels look with fear and trembling from the heavenly heights at Thy, Christ the Savior, in Jerusalem to the free passion of entry and from the Apostles invisibly accompanying Thy King, and with the Jewish children “Hosanna in the highest” I offer to Thee and sing the hymns of the blue: Blessed be You, O Lord our God, have visited and created deliverance for your people. Blessed are you, Lord Christ, for you came and granted salvation to your children through the Cross. Blessed art thou, who callest Adam from the depths of hell. Blessed are you, who came to Eve from ancient sorrow to grant freedom. Blessed are you, who preach peace to Israel and the salvation of the nations. Blessed are You, proclaiming the New Covenant by sprinkling Your blood. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

KONDAC 1

Chosen to the King of Mountain Zion, Meek, Saving and Righteous to our Savior, to You, carried and sung by the Seraphim on the Cherubim on high, we now behold the lot that has ascended and to Jerusalem for the free passion of the future. For this reason, we worship Your ineffable condescension, and with the branches and branches we tenderly gather You, and with the Jewish children we cry to You: Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest!

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ our God, seated in the highest with the Father on the Throne, carried on the wings of the Cherubim and sung by the Seraphim, in the days of His flesh He deigned to sit on the foal of a donkey for the sake of our salvation, and received hymns from the children and into the Holy City of Jerusalem first six days of Easter, come to the free passion, may you save the world by Your Cross, burial and Resurrection! And just as then the people who sat in darkness and the shadow of death, having accepted the branches of trees and the branches of dates, found Thee, the Son of David, confessing Thee, so also we now on this pre-feast day, in imitation of those branches and branches in the hands of those who bear them, have been observed and preserved. And as these people and children offer “hosanna” to You, grant us also, in psalms and spiritual songs with pure and undefiled lips, to glorify all Your greatness on this holiday and throughout the entire week of Your passion and to reach without condemnation and partake of the Divine joys of Holy Pascha on bright days Your Life-Giving Resurrection, may we sing and glorify Your Divinity together with Your Originless Father and Your Most Holy and Good and Life-Giving Spirit, always now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

On April 21, 2019, we will celebrate a bright spring holiday that almost everyone knows - Palm Sunday. And in exactly a week, as usual, Easter will be celebrated. Both dates have been celebrated for almost 2000 years. It is interesting that many people still wonder what to do on Palm Sunday and on the eve of this day. Let's try to cover this issue in detail.

Palm Sunday, like Easter, is one of the most beloved spring holidays almost all people. Not every person goes to church these days, but willows with fresh buds can be seen in almost every home.

And we all know the historical events associated with Palm Sunday. The Savior, exactly a week before being resurrected, rides a donkey into the holy city of the Jewish people - Jerusalem. An enthusiastic crowd of greeters who believed in him as the Messiah carpeted the path with magnificent, lush palm branches.

In ancient times, people paid attention to symbols and signs, perhaps more than today. So Christ’s entry into Jerusalem was perceived as nothing other than a good symbol: after all, he was driving not a horse, but a donkey. It turns out that Jesus entered as a Savior, but not as a conqueror.

Today, all believers remember these interesting events with great respect. To understand the main meaning of the holiday, it is not even necessary to master all the subtleties of theology. It is obvious that Christ won the hearts of people through peace and not through war. So he entered the city as a winner. But the people who met the Savior were not his captives. They shared the joy of meeting someone in whom they sincerely believed.

Therefore, Palm Sunday as a holiday has not lost its relevance, and there is no reason to doubt that people will not celebrate it in 100 years. A pleasant spring day, fresh willows (after all, palm trees, of course, do not grow in our area) - all this is a visible symbol of the revival of nature after a long winter. And most importantly, this is the basis of our good hopes for the fulfillment of all good plans.

What to do before the holiday

Few people know that the day before the holiday is also revered in Christianity. It is called Lazarus Saturday, because according to legend, on the eve of entering Jerusalem, the Savior raised an acquaintance of his friends, Lazarus, from the dead. This event in itself is an interesting symbol. And the very fact of the resurrection allowed people to once again be convinced that Christ is the promised Messiah from God.

Therefore, on the eve of Palm Sunday it is better to prepare for the holiday. As a rule, they try to prepare in advance delicious table(but, of course, without gluttony), and also to tidy up everything around. If possible, all this work is done on Friday, since on Saturday it is better to be with family and remember God, perhaps, do some kind, selfless deeds.

What do they do on Palm Sunday itself?

Of course, the main symbol of Palm Sunday is fresh willow (willow) branches. It is interesting that this tree is the first to gain buds in our latitudes. You've probably noticed that whenever Easter is celebrated, the willows still ripen, because nature has no bad weather.

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In Rus' there was a good tradition of going for willows with the whole family. On the eve of the holiday, households, neighbors, and entire villages went out to groves and to the shores of reservoirs and plucked fresh willow branches with budding buds. Willows were used to decorate the house, icons, and bright corners in every room. And of course, they were given to all relatives and friends.

What to do in church

The first thing on this day is to go for the willows and illuminate the branches in the church. It will be great to buy them in advance and go straight to the holiday service in the morning. In principle, it doesn’t even play a special role here how often a person goes to church or whether he is baptized. There are no prohibitions - the main thing is to do everything sincerely, from the heart, and not for the formal observance of custom.

In addition, it is in the church that you can feel a rather unusual, special festive atmosphere. This is especially important for people who are still single or going through difficult times. Sometimes you need to take a small step, and changes for the better can happen as if by themselves.

Of course, believers know what they do in church on Palm Sunday. It is necessary to go to worship services in the morning. If a person strictly adheres to fasting, he simply must be in the congregation of believers. Well, everyone else can just pay a little attention and enjoy the holiday atmosphere.

What do they do at home

And here’s the most important question: what do they do at home on Palm Sunday? Of course, the first thing you need to do is to sincerely congratulate all your family, friends, guests and neighbors on this holiday. By the way, in Rus' since time immemorial there has been an interesting custom: the blessed branches of willows are lightly struck loved one and wish him health. And for those who are planning some important event, you can eat three kidneys and sincerely believe that the situation will turn out well.

You can make small bouquets from willows and place them in bunches in water - this is the most important thing to do on Palm Sunday at home. If there is an icon in the house, then several branches must be placed next to the holy face. This way we enhance the beneficial effect of willow and also recharge home environment, tuning in to all the best.

On such a beautiful day, it is better to try to devote more time to your family. Why not bake some delicious homemade cakes? After all, perhaps, there is no cozier smell than the one that comes from hot buns. By the way, in Rus' they baked flour balls (like koloboks) and hid willow buds in some of them. Children can still appreciate this fun today - try playing this interesting game with them.

For those who observe fasting, on such a day a small relaxation is allowed: you can eat fish dishes, and also a little good red wine (for example, church cahors). Of course, you shouldn’t have lavish feasts, much less abuse alcohol. After all, the meaning of the holiday is pleasant family communication, memories of the Savior, who will very soon, in exactly 7 days, be resurrected. Well, that, as they say, is another story.

Hello, dear readers. Orthodox Palm Sunday is an amazing holiday, shrouded in legends and secrets since ancient times. Today you will find out how this holiday came to us.

The essence of Palm Sunday. Why a willow twig?

Palm Sunday is celebrated a week before Easter. What date is Palm Sunday this year? Since Easter comes every year on different days, then Palm Sunday does not have one date.

According to the Christian version, it was on this day that the Lord entered Jerusalem. How it was?

In 30 AD era, all the surrounding areas of Jerusalem were excited by the rumor of a traveler who heals the sick and revives the dead! Rumors spread about Jesus Christ, who performed miracles of healing.

The city authorities became concerned about the security of their position, and the common people saw their savior in the Teacher. To be unnoticed, the Savior rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. In addition, the donkey meant the good intentions of its rider, and the horse foreshadowed war.

It was a real triumph! People rejoiced, not hiding their great joy! They covered the path where the Savior was supposed to pass with palm leaves, showing the greatest honors.

Since palm trees do not grow in our area, Orthodox Church I decided to take a willow instead of a palm tree, which begins to welcome spring earlier than anyone else, and the holiday was called Palm Sunday.

In these holidays Lent is still ongoing, but for the sake of the holiday, fasting people are allowed to eat fish and drink it with wine. On this day in Rus', fish pies were baked and mash was placed on the table.

There were also interesting customs, for example, baking holiday bread according to the number of people living in the family. A coin was hidden in one of them, and the one who came across it was doomed to happiness, health and good luck throughout the year.

How to celebrate the holiday

What do they do on Palm Sunday? On this bright day, like hundreds of years ago, people go to the temple, carry bouquets of willow, rush to consecrate them, and then bring them home. At home, children and relatives are lightly tapped on the back with blessed branches to drive away all misfortunes, illnesses, and failure.

Besides:

• Willow protects the home from fires.
• The branches protect those living in the house from evil spirits.
• Plant buds treat many diseases. If there is a sick person in the house, then place a willow at the head of the bed.
• According to tradition, children are bathed in a decoction of the blessed willow to keep them healthy.
• Willow buds help against infertility. Therefore, desperate women eat them, while fervently praying to the Most Holy Theotokos.

On this day they do not do dirty housework, but spend time eating, meeting with relatives, and going to the cemetery.

Girls read marriage conspiracies.

What to do with willow

What does blessed willow mean?

The older generation knows about its significance, and the young also need to know that this is a real shrine with magical properties and strong energy.

Prepare the twigs in advance, but you only need to pick young twigs from a bush that grows far from water.

After consecration in the temple, two branches must be taken to the cemetery, and several branches must be hidden in the stable, as a talisman. From several branches you can prepare medicine. And the rest should be placed in the house under the images.

How to preserve willow until next year?

The bouquet should be placed in a vase without water or tied and placed under the icons.

What to do with the branches left over from the last Palm Sunday?

As you already know, they are endowed with magical powers, therefore, they cannot be thrown into the trash. You can burn it, but you need to collect all the ashes and bury them in the ground. Bury it where strangers do not go.

You can let them go with the flow of the river, but not where there is stagnant water, but with the flow, so that the river takes them away from the house. You can take them to church to be burned there with prayer.

If the willow has taken root, then plant it away from the house. If you go to the forest, then put them under a shady bush. There is a custom to sweep the corners of the house with twigs and then burn them at the stake.

Many lay people dry them and store them, like on a shelf with icons. Anyway, the holiday should be celebrated with a new willow.

To make your wishes come true - signs on Verbnoye

Many signs are associated with Palm Sunday:

1. To solve an important matter, you need to eat a plant bud.
2. If, when going on an important business, you eat 3 willow buds and drink holy water, then the matter will be accomplished in your favor.
3. If you think about your loved one on this day, he will definitely come.
4. Anyone who plants a flower with fleshy leaves on this day will certainly become rich. But the flower must not wither, otherwise life will pass in poverty.
5. Sunny weather promises warm weather, nice summer and a bountiful harvest.
6. Strong wind - cold weather.
7. Rain on a holiday means a big harvest.

Dear friends, do not miss this bright holiday. The Church opens its doors to everyone who believes in salvation, in whom hope for the best lives.