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 blessed willow had healing properties, so they touched people with branches, wishing them health, placed them at the head of the sick, applied them to sore spots, and 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 amulets and talismans for themselves 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- not an 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, no need, 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 cities, of course, they kept indoor plants, but in 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 has been noticed that in the house where the money tree 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 on 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.
With old willow that has stood for a year, they sweep all the corners, windows, thresholds,
they thank her for her service and burn her.
It is necessary to lash all domestic animals and animals on the back with the new holy willow,
Saying out loud: “Whip willow, beat me to tears,” this adds health.

. Buds, fluffy leaves from holy willow
help with female infertility and enuresis.

. Today you can bake holy willow fluffs into bread
and give to sick pets - they will be healed.

To everyone who helps their loved ones with castings
or another method to remove damage or treat,
this amulet against interception will come in handy: today you need to eat on an empty stomach
3 willow buds and wash down 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 Orthodox man, then before that you need to take communion.

Rituals. Willow and its strength.

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 birch, in folk culture was associated with the idea of ​​rapid growth, health, vitality, and 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 for willow 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 hits 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.

The ancient Slavs believed that the willow has magical properties. They called the willow “Perun vine”, in honor of the god Perun, their main deity. Since the willow is the first to come to life after winter and its branches are covered with soft and fluffy earrings, it was an obligatory participant in all spring rituals. Children were bathed in a decoction of willow twigs to keep them healthy. It was believed that the willow could preserve livestock, protect against lightning, and protect crops from rodents and bad weather.

Subsequently, the pagan veneration of the willow grew into the spring Christian holiday - Palm Sunday. According to biblical legend, the Jewish people greeted Christ entering Jerusalem with vayas, that is, branches of a Jerusalem willow or date palm. In honor of this, the willow became the ritual tree of the Sunday of the sixth week of Great Lent, called Palm Sunday.

• In the old days they believed in the magical power of the willow. To preserve crops, it was planted in the field. It was believed that if you throw a willow branch against the wind, you can calm the storm. To stop the hail, it was necessary to throw a willow branch into the yard. To stop the fire, you need to throw a willow branch into the fire. To pacify the thunderstorm, willow branches were burned in the oven “so that the smoke would ward off the thunderstorm and the devil would not hide in the chimney.”
• A bunch of spring willow in the house is a very ancient amulet. It can prolong the life of all living things in the house.
• Our ancestors believed that the willow could indicate witches and sorcerers. So, if on Holy Saturday you throw a willow twig into the stove and after that a woman knocks on your door asking for a loan of light, then she is a witch.
• Infertile women were advised to eat willow buds after lighting it in church. And to protect yourself from fever, you had to eat nine pussy willow catkins.
• At the same time, an old and hollow willow was considered a cursed tree. An old willow, unlike a young one, is like a pump, pumping out strength from all living things that are nearby. Therefore, you cannot plant it near the house. According to Belarusian legends, it was forbidden to drink the water collected under the willow tree during the period from Palm Sunday to Easter. It was believed that after the consecration of the willow in the church, the devils who warmed themselves on it in the spring fell into the water under the willow.
• There is also such a sign among the people: whoever plants a willow near his house with his own hands prepares a spade for himself. It is implied that when a shovel can be made from a planted willow, the person who planted it will die. True, this sign is quite benign, since the willow grows for quite a long time and the person who planted it will most likely die of old age.
• A young willow is a donor tree. It is able to absorb negative energy and relieves pain. In case of mental imbalance, hysteria, neuroses, depression, you need to press your spine against a tree, or wrap your arms around it for 10-15 minutes, no more. You can relieve pain and in small pieces willow trunk. In the old days, rheumatism, toothache and headaches were treated this way.

From ancient times to the present day, there has been a tradition: upon coming home from the church where willow branches were blessed, to whip livestock and small children with them, saying: “Willow, whip, beat them to tears!” It was believed that this would protect against diseases and increase health.

Is it possible to plant willow on the plot?

You can't plant willows - Bad sign: “Whoever plants a willow prepares a spade for himself”. That is, it will die when it is possible to make a handle for a shovel from a willow tree.

Palm Sunday is celebrated a week before Easter. This year it falls on April 1st, and on next year- April 21. The holiday itself symbolizes the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. The whole difference is that there are no palm trees in our area. Therefore, willow branches are blessed. That's why it gets its name. Candles and willow in the hands of church parishioners on this day are a symbol of the victory of life over death. It is believed that the consecrated willow protects the home.

After Palm Sunday, children need to be whipped with willow to make them smart: history and signs of the holiday

The holiday got its name in Rus' in the 10th century, when people introduced the ritual of breaking willow branches on the banks of rivers. Then they illuminated it with holy water and took it to their home. Beliefs say about healing properties willow twigs. They applied them to sore spots, touched other people with them, thereby wishing them health. When children were lashed with willow, it meant that they should not get sick all year and should grow up healthy and smart.

In order to heal and be healthy, willow buds were added to bread dough. Willow amulets were supposed to impart courage and physical strength. Therefore, the guys wore them with pleasure. In addition, buds, ground into a pulp, were added to ointments for burns and wounds. They were used to treat skin diseases.

After Palm Sunday, you need to whip the children with willow to make them smart: various ways to use willow

Success at work and on the road is guaranteed if you eat a couple of willow buds. The tradition of placing willow branches in the corners of rooms and decorating icons with them has been preserved to this day. Another tradition that has not survived is to shower the newlyweds with willow buds.

Those women who dreamed of children, but could not get pregnant, ate 10 kidneys on the fifth day after the end of their periods. It was believed that this would help solve the problem. To endow both people and animals with sexual power—such qualities were attributed to the willow by our ancestors. For this purpose, livestock was lashed with willow branches and hung in the barn.

Unused blessed branches cannot be thrown away until the next holiday. They were burned and the ashes were thrown into the river. You had to know where to get the branches. They chose the youngest ones and those that grow best near water bodies. It was forbidden to take those that grew near the cemetery.

After Palm Sunday, children need to be whipped with willow to make them smart: traditions and rituals

Signs for Palm Sunday helped predict the harvest:

• those who have a consecrated willow at home are protected from being struck by lightning;
• a willow thrown into a fire will help put out the fire faster;
• thrown into an ice drift - will protect you from flooding;
• on Palm Sunday, rain means a bountiful harvest;
• dry weather means a bad year;
• clouds without rain to a normal harvest.

These days they simply decorated their house with willow branches for Have a good mood. It symbolized spring and the awakening of nature.

It is difficult to list all the rituals associated with this holiday. There are several of the most popular ones:

• Burning a willow twig will help protect your home from the risk of fire;
• The ritual of moving a willow twig on water will help to bring prosperity and goodness into your home;
• An eaten willow bud will give you health for the whole year;
• If on the eve of Palm Sunday the willow buds bloom, then the year will be good and fruitful.

In the photo: Palm Sunday in the Church of the Archangel Michael. Gomel.

Time flies so quickly. It seems like just yesterday New Year, and the day before yesterday was Easter, as Palm Sunday came again, Easter again in a few days.
I’m wondering, is Palm Sunday a holiday for you personally?
How do you celebrate it? What customs do you observe? Do you go to church to shine willow branches?
Or is this the most ordinary day off or workday for you, when you have to dig and sow in the garden, when every minute in the field is precious?

Do you know when to pick willow branches for consecration and what to do with last year’s ones?

A week before Easter, Orthodox Christians celebrate the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem.
On this day, willow branches are blessed in all churches. This is very ancient holiday with its own customs and traditions, about which nothing is written in the Bible.
But many people don’t even know how to properly collect and consecrate willow, and then store it at home. Is this how you collect willow branches?
That’s right, before going to church or right along the way we find a willow tree or a bush of seals, peel off the required number of branches from it or buy it directly from the church, fortunately, they sell bouquets in abundance there, stand in a line and wait for the priest who is walking in a circle or in a square and pours a specially trained broom over the willows, heads, and clothes of a huge number of people who have been reincarnated as devout people.

HISTORICAL REFERENCE: When Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, he knew perfectly well what fate had in store for him. The city greeted him joyfully, covering the road under his feet with palm leaves. Therefore, the symbol of the feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem is palm leaves. But in our climatic conditions palm trees do not grow, and Easter comes very early, it is believed that the willow blooms first and its branches are ideal for this purpose.

According to tradition, willow branches for Palm Sunday are plucked on the eve of the holiday, on Lazarus Saturday, or a couple of days before it. The bouquet must be placed in water and fresh, unwilted branches must be carried to the church. The number of twigs in the bouquet should be odd

When is the willow blessed in church: on Saturday or Sunday?
It is correct to illuminate the willow on Saturday.
On the eve of Palm Sunday, on Saturday evening, festive services are held in churches - the All-Night Vigil. You should come to this service with willow branches and candles.
After reading the Gospel, the priest says a special prayer, walks around the people holding willows with a censer and sprinkles them with holy water. It is at this service that believing parishioners receive grace.
Repeated sprinkling occurs on Sunday morning, after the liturgy.

As a rule, people who have become devout go to the blessing of the branches in the morning, without even going to church, they line up in a circle, the priest comes out and we know what is happening. The people came to receive grace! But this sprinkling is no longer preceded by that special prayer.
So, what happens is what happens.
They came, stood around, even managed to quarrel several times right in the church yard, put the branches in a bag and go home to celebrate. I couldn’t think of anything about having a fight. Yesterday I myself heard several times: “Why are you standing in front of me? Is there not enough other space for you?”, “Move further, you are covering the priest for me, holy water will not fall on me!” I just wanted to say that even a barrel of holy water wouldn’t help her.
How do people not understand that everything is much deeper and more serious than the performance they are putting on?

It is not for nothing that priests are indignant that Palm Sunday today has turned from a holiday dedicated to the Lord into the day of the consecration of the willow. People come to church not to praise Christ, to remember his wonderful deeds, but simply to sprinkle the willow twigs in their hands with holy water. Will it bring any benefit to the soul and body? Church officials have their doubts. For true grace one must come to the All-Night Vigil service.

What to do with the consecrated willow after the holiday?
After the consecration, the willow branches should be brought home and stored in a red corner, placed behind the icons, or you can put them in a vase so that the twigs dry or in water, then the plant will remain fresh for a long time or take root. It will be possible to plant it somewhere in the yard or in another place.

How many willow branches should you put at home?
At home you need to place the number of willow branches equal to the number of family members, or any odd number.

You cannot distribute your willow to anyone, either in church or after it. If someone who cannot go to church for sprinkling himself asks you to do this, then you need to collect a separate bouquet for this person.

How long should a willow tree stand after Palm Sunday?
The blessed willow branches remain in the house until the next Palm Sunday, that is, for a whole year.

Where to put last year's blessed willow?
Willow branches consecrated in the church acquire the character of a shrine.
Priests advise burying last year's consecrated branches in places where people do not walk and animals do not relieve themselves. Somewhere in the garden or on a summer cottage.
You can throw it into the river, burn it in an oven or on a fire. You can also feed it to animals.

Traditions of the Slavs.
Upon arriving home from church, it is customary to symbolically whip all household members, especially children, with willow. It is believed that then the plant gives them strength and health, and they say: “Be as strong as the willow, as healthy as its roots and as rich as the earth!”

It is believed that willow buds can be eaten after consecration to protect oneself from diseases and troubles,
get pregnant or successfully complete some important undertaking.
They stuff the deceased's pillow with willow and place it in the coffin so that his soul goes to Heaven.
These priests folk traditions considered absurd.

Willow branches are not a talisman. In the spiritual sense, the house is protected from evil by the prayer and faith of those who live in it. If there is godlessness and debauchery going on in the house, then no little willows, icons and sprinkles, no crosses on the walls will save you.

Don't want to miss new posts? Add me as a friend and subscribe to blog updates!
Add as a friend
Subscribe to updates.

Did you like this post? Please support me by liking this post on your in social networks, or you can just write a comment! Your opinion is important to me!

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

Lazarev Saturday

Another holiday celebrated on Saturday of Palm Week is the Resurrection of Lazarus.

They sent news to Jesus that his friend and associate Lazarus from Bethany was seriously ill, and they asked him to hurry. It was not clear why Christ was in no hurry. And only after the news that Lazarus had died did he set off.

When he arrived in Bethany, four days had already passed since his death. The relatives and friends of the deceased were in deep sorrow. Jesus prayed earnestly near the cave where Lazarus was buried.

He cried out to God to perform a miracle. After the prayer, the stone blocking the entrance was moved away, and those present saw the miracle of the resurrection. 4 days ago Lazarus turned out to be alive.

Christians have been celebrating Lazarus Saturday since the 4th century. Three and a half centuries later, a certain canon for holding services on this day was developed. Chants during the service do not indicate an accidental miracle, but an important symbol of strengthening faith.

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

Palm Sunday holiday

As already written above, Palm Sunday, according to church canons, begins on Saturday evening. But the main services and the blessing of the willow are held on Sunday.

Among other things, in Rus' this holiday symbolizes the awakening of nature after a long winter. It is not for nothing that the northern Slavs chose the willow as a symbol of this day. The tree is a harbinger of spring. As soon as the sun warms the air, fluffy lumps hatch into the light. They are the ones who give faith in warm days to come.

Orthodox Christians joyfully celebrate Palm Sunday. How is this day celebrated in Russia? People of all ages go to Sunday morning to the nearest church to bless the willow branches. Churched parishioners stand at the service, performing prayers and participating in chants. Upon returning home, it is customary to lightly whip the household with willow with wishes of health and grace.

Blessed branches are placed next to icons, braided into braids, made into amulets, and nailed to outbuildings. A year later, on the eve of a new holiday, the willow is burned.

If you know the exact date of the celebration, you can prepare in advance. How to calculate what date Palm Sunday will be celebrated in a given year? To determine the date, you need to know what day Easter will be. Exactly one week before the Resurrection of the Lord, the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem is celebrated.

What not to do

Palm Sunday is a significant holiday for Christians. Any work on this day is undesirable. Some don't even recommend cooking. IN modern world everything has become much simpler. There are services and professions that require daily work, regardless of calendar dates. But if there is no particular need for something, then it is better, of course, to postpone it.

In the old days, women were forbidden to comb their hair on this day, just like on the Annunciation. It is clear that this is hardly possible now. Although the owners long curls It is possible to comply with the ban. Hair braided into a braid, covered with a scarf on top, can easily go a day without combing.

What other prohibitions exist on Palm Sunday? What is completely unacceptable is to indulge in gluttony. The end of the sixth week of fasting does not imply a rich feast. A little wine, Lenten dishes prepared with vegetable oil, fish is the basis of the festive table.

Holiday traditions

The main and main tradition of the holiday is the blessing of willow branches. It is believed that there should be exactly as many of them as there are people in the family. Some peoples use these branches to weave family amulets. Their strength is great. They protect the house from unkind people and fire, save from hurricanes and floods, from poverty, despondency and disease.

On Palm Sunday, signs for the weather and harvest are especially reliable. They are supported by families for generations. This is especially important for residents involved in agriculture.

The tradition of putting coins in bread comes from Belarus. In this way, you can determine who will have good luck and prosperity all year long.

In some areas, it is customary to place consecrated branches in the coffin of 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 heaven and greet the Savior there. Among other things, the willow tree is a symbol of life and awakening.

Palm markets are traditional. Children especially love this entertainment, since the main product is sweets. In addition, we offer pleasant trifles for the household and the same willow, collected in bouquets and decorated with ribbons and paper angels.

A tree grown from a blessed branch increases wealth in the house. Therefore, bouquets brought from church are placed in water and carefully monitored to see if roots appear.

Rituals and customs

Many folk signs on Palm Sunday have long grown into rites, customs and rituals.

If you live near a river, try lowering a willow branch into the water. If it floats away from you, then in the near future an increase in wealth in the house is expected.

Branches attached to the roof will protect the inhabitants of the house from illness and mental anguish.

Whipping children with branches on holiday is the most common ritual. With every blow, a wish for health is spoken.

Here is another custom for increasing wealth. Even if there is a complete ban on doing anything on this day, it is still recommended to plant a houseplant with thick round leaves. If the flower is accepted and grows rapidly, you can be sure that wealth will come to the house.

Rituals on Palm Sunday are traditions that go back centuries. Whether to believe them or comply with them is something everyone decides for themselves. For some, this is a principle of life, and for others, it is just a beautiful addition to a day off.

Use of consecrated willow in folk medicine

It has long been believed that willow contains enormous healing power. Sprinkling with holy water increases it several times. How can you use twigs brought from church on Palm Sunday? What to do with them to improve health? Here are some examples of the use of willow for medicinal purposes:

• By taking a decoction of the branches, you can get rid of headaches, fever, temperature, and insomnia.
• Rubbing the decoction into sore spots relieves rheumatic pain.
• Willow infusion with vodka will help cope with intestinal infections and disorders.
• The leaves are capable of healing wounds.
• Swallowing consecrated blossoming buds helps with infertility.
• Babies sleep more peacefully after bathing in water infused with willow branches.

Willow in folk medicine It is used wherever it grows and enjoys well-deserved respect.

Folk signs

Folk signs for Palm Sunday have long come into use. They are passed down from elders to 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 for spring crop yields.

A frost-free Palm Sunday increases the chance of an abundance of fruit.

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

And on this day it is customary to mentally call on your loved one, and the meeting will definitely take place.

Every year for many centuries in a row, the church opens its doors to everyone who believes in salvation. Palm Sunday is a holiday symbolizing the power of faith and its revival. Willow branches and bouquets bring peace and protection to the house. Following the first rays of sunshine, hope for the best arises in our hearts. And even if this day is fraught with a lot of sadness, it is still a harbinger of the Light Christ's Sunday and the salvation of all mankind.