Palm Sunday is celebrated a week before Easter. Accordingly, the holiday has no fixed date. Its official church name is "The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem." Believers understand well what event in the life of Christ he is dedicated to.
Instructions
Step 1
The beginning of the holiday was laid by the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem on a donkey. This moment was the first step of the Son of God along the path of his suffering on the Cross. The appearance of Christ in Jerusalem meant that he embarked on this path voluntarily.
Step 2
At that time, kings and conquerors rode into the capital of Israel on donkeys or horses. The people greeted them with joyful shouts. People were waving their pre-prepared palm branches. But Christ entered Jerusalem not as an earthly ruler, but as the king of heaven, the conqueror of sin and death. He understood well what fate awaited him, but he was ready to accept a martyr's death for the sake of saving people.
Step 3
In Russia, the branches of willow plants, most often willows, became the symbol of the holiday, which is why it was named Palm Sunday. On the holiday, the branches were consecrated in the church and placed next to the icons until Palm Sunday next year. It was believed that they are endowed with sacred power that helps ward off evil spirits from the house. The willow branch protected from damage and the evil eye, attacks of predatory animals and other troubles.
Step 4
Many signs and customs were associated with the holiday of Palm Sunday. For example, children and sometimes adults - friends and relatives - were lightly hit with a blessed willow branch. It was believed that this simple ceremony would bring them health. Before the first pasture, cattle were fed a few branches of willow, and a few more were left in the stable in order to drive away the evil spirits. Girls of marriageable age or young women who recently got married were hit with a willow so that they would have many healthy and beautiful children.
Step 5
Since ancient times, the willow in Russia has been considered a very strong and viable plant. They said that wherever a willow branch was stuck, it would still grow. Therefore, she served as a kind of symbol of health and well-being.
Step 6
Palm Sunday brought good luck in love. They believed that if a girl in love from the very morning thinks about a young man who, perhaps, does not pay attention to her, then in the evening he will certainly look into her house and invite her for a walk.
Step 7
Willow twigs were sold at special willow bazaars, which children especially liked to visit. After all, there you could buy toys, books or sweets. In addition, to each purchased bundle of willow, a figurine of an angel called a verbum cherub was certainly tied.
Step 8
Despite the fact that Palm Sunday falls on Lent, it was allowed to eat fish in honor of the holiday. The hostesses prepared fish pies and porridge for the festive table, to which they added the so-called willow earrings.
