Palm Sunday in Orthodoxy is called one of the most important Christian holidays - the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. Its date is floating, in 2024 it falls on April 28. The solemn day is always celebrated on the eve of Holy Week - the last week of Great Lent before Easter. Believers go to worship in the temple with willow branches, and after their consecration they bring them home, where they are reverently kept next to the home iconostasis.
History of the holiday
The Lord's entry into Jerusalem turned into a date especially revered by Christians in the 4th century.It is based on the memorable event of the earthly life of Jesus Christ. When the Son of God performed the miraculous resurrection of his friend Lazarus, the news of this quickly spread throughout the area surrounding Bethany, where the miracle took place. Therefore, when the Savior mounted a young donkey and headed for Jerusalem, the inhabitants greeted him with delight. They scattered flowers before Him and lined the path with palm branches.
However, the Jews saw in Christ an earthly king who is able to bestow we alth and power, and not God, who calls for eternal life. Since He did not live up to their expectations and did not immediately free the Romans from power, a few days later other cries began to be heard from the crowd: “Crucify Him!”. The Savior was martyred to atone for the sins of all mankind.
In Rus', this mournful holiday was established in the 10th century - it began to be called Palm Sunday because by this time willow branches are blooming, symbolically replacing palm branches.
Orthodox traditions
The twelfth holiday may fall at different times, but invariably falls between March 28 and May 1. Traditionally churched people begin it by visiting the temple and participating in the divine liturgy. It is easy to find out what date Palm Sunday is celebrated: in the Orthodox calendar, it is always marked on the eve of Holy Week, and in 2024 it falls on April 28. Willow branches can be consecrated the day before, at the all-night vigil, and on the most significant date for every Orthodox Christian. Believers try to confess and take communion.
Sunday is a day off for most people, so nothing prevents you from inviting relatives and friends to a meal after the service. However, it is important to remember that Great Lent continues, therefore, in 2024, when gathering at the table with treats on Palm Sunday, it is more correct to refrain from animal products - meat, milk, eggs. You should not get too carried away with lenten dishes, as well as fish, caviar and wine.
The Church calls to celebrate this event with pious deeds and reading spiritual books. In everyday life, too, you should be more careful not to destroy a bright, sublime mood. No need to spend your free time on hard physical work, general cleaning, repairs, moving, as well as on noisy feasts with the use of large amounts of alcohol. There are no restrictions on performing routine work.
Folk omens on this day
Palm feast in Rus' has long been accompanied by an abundance of signs and rituals fixed in the folk calendar. Most of them are based not only on church institutions, but also on pagan rites. In 2024, many people will also not reject the centuries-old experience of our ancestors and will try to do what they can and what they consider necessary and right:
- feed wild birds - this will help them live until a real warm spring, and those who do a good deed will expect a strengthening of material well-being;
- brew a decoction of willow buds and use it afterwards to improve well-being, strengthen he alth, become emotionally stable;
- plant a new flower at dawn - to attract money to the house where it will stand;
- eat a fluffy willow bud asking for more happy days.
Our ancestors carefully watched the weather. Every Christian was sure that by natural phenomena it would be possible to determine what God had prepared for the near future and for the future. The peasants noticed even the slightest nuances, because it was very important for them: it depended on the weather when to sow bread and harvest, mow hay and drive cattle to pastures. According to folk signs:
- rain on the day when the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem will be celebrated, set up for a dank summer, and the generous sun promised to please with dry and hot summer days;
- completely melted snow on the roofs - to a warm and sunny May;
- at dawn, many-voiced bird singing is heard - for a successful year.
There was such a belief: if you stick a consecrated willow into the ground, it will protect the crop, throw it into the fire - it will help tame the flame, direct it against the wind - the storm will not be terrible. The twigs with buds brought from the church must be kept near the icons and handled with care and reverence.
Verba helps cleanse home energy, makes the space more cozy and warm.
In 2024, as before, the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem will be celebrated exactly one week before the Holy Resurrection of Christ. This is one of the twelve main Orthodox holidays. The symbolic meaning of the Palm Feast is the remembrance of Christ's entry into the path of suffering chosen by Him on the cross for the salvation of all mankind.Then the Son of God was recognized as the Messiah, the Savior.
