At the end of April 2016, Orthodox Christians are preparing to celebrate the brightest holiday - the Resurrection of Christ, Easter. And Palm Sunday, one of the brightest and brightest days of Lent, introduces us to the anticipation of a great event. How to properly prepare for Holy Week and celebrate Palm Sunday - in the material on the site
History of the day: Hosanna to the Son of David!
The story of Palm Sunday (or Palm Sunday, as it is usually called in other countries) originates in the books of the New Testament. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the apostles, at the direction of Jesus, take a colt and a donkey in Bethany. After which Jesus rides on a donkey into Jerusalem, where the people meet him, laying clothes and palm branches on the road with exclamations: “Hosanna (“glory”) to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!
On the same day, according to the Gospels, upon arriving in Jerusalem, Jesus overturns the tables of the money changers and livestock sellers in the threshold of the Jerusalem Temple, saying: “It is written, My house will be called a house of prayer; and you have made it a den of robbers,” which displeases the servants. However, the high priest was afraid to seize Christ in front of all the honest people, because they feared a riot.
Throughout the day, the blind and lame come to Jesus and he heals them. In the evening Jesus leaves Jerusalem and spends the night in Bethany.
The interpretation of the Feast of the Entry into Jerusalem was embedded in the very text of Holy Scripture: the evangelists note that the solemn entry of Christ coincides with the description of the coming of the Messiah according to the Book of the Prophet Zechariah: “Rejoice with joy, daughter of Zion, rejoice, daughter of Jerusalem: behold, your King is coming to you, righteous and saving, meek, riding on a donkey, and on the colt of a donkey who is the son of the yoke.”. Thus, the holiday symbolizes another fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament by the ministry and mission of Christ Himself.
In addition, this holiday is a kind of entrance of every Christian into Holy Week - just as for Jesus Christ this day precedes His Way of the Cross. For all Orthodox Christians, Palm Sunday precedes days of especially strict fasting and prayer and symbolizes the beginning of the way of the cross to Calvary along with the Savior.
Where did the willow come from in Rus'?
Researchers find the first mention of the use of willow instead of leaves and branches of a palm tree in the service for the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem in the Izbornik of Svyatoslav. It was difficult to obtain palm branches in Russia and other countries with cold climates, so people cleverly circumvented this problem by replacing the palm tree with willow.
On this holiday, believers come with branches, usually of willow plants - willow, willow, willow or other trees that are the first to bloom in the spring. However, in the south of Russia they use flowers and branches of other trees, including palm trees. In Russia, where there are no such trees, and where the willow is the first to bloom, its branches have been used since ancient times.
In this regard, the common people began to call the holiday Palm Sunday. But its real name is the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, or the Week of Vai, Flower-Bearing Resurrection.
Folk signs for Palm Sunday
If it rains on Palm Sunday, expect a good harvest.
- If the weather is dry on Palm Sunday, you may not expect a harvest.
- If on Palm Sunday there are clouds in the sky, it’s cloudy, but there is no rain, the harvest will be quite good, but not as much as we would like.
- 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.
Folk customs and traditions on Palm Sunday
In Rus', it was a common custom among the people to lightly hit each other with willow on the day of Entry into Jerusalem. At midnight, young people went around the houses singing, at the gates they shouted: “Open it, open it, young one, beat it with a camel, give it more health than before!” Entering the hut, they lightly beat the sleeping willow branches with branches, saying: “Whip the willow, beat them to tears!”, “Get up early, beat the ram!”, “We beat them to be healthy.”
The common people give the blessed willows a special cleansing power, they believe in saving livestock from damage, diseases, the evil eye, predatory animals, evil people and evil spirits.
Palm bazaars were considered a special feature of Palm Week in Rus'. They were especially loved by children, as they presented a wide selection of children's toys, books and sweets. There they bought willow tied in bunches, and merchants tied a decoration - a paper angel - to the purchase. He was called the “willow cherub.”
Orthodox table for Palm Sunday
You cannot work on Palm Sunday - the same rule applies to the kitchen. In this regard, all dishes for the home table were usually prepared on Lazarus Saturday.
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 any age go to the nearest church on Sunday morning to bless 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 owners of long curls can observe 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, pleasant little things for the household are offered 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 indoor plant with fat ones 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 though this day is fraught with a lot of sadness, it is still a harbinger of the Bright Resurrection of Christ and the salvation of all mankind.
The willow in Rus' has always personified holiday, spring, new life, upcoming update. That is why it has also become a religious symbol. In Orthodoxy, willow branches are called “branches of virtue”: they metaphorically stretch towards the sky. By the way, the Old Testament says that people had to bring the “firstfruits” of living things to the temple... On Palm Sunday, those observing fasting are finally allowed fish and wine.
The willow is consecrated on Saturday at the All-Night Vigil. At home they place it in water, and then the branches can be planted in the ground. If they have stood for a long time and have dried out, they must be taken to the temple and burned in the church oven...
Another belief is associated with the willow: they say that on the night of December 4, when the feast of the Entry of the Virgin Mary into the Temple begins, shortly before midnight, the ice-covered willow buds open, making a crackling sound, and leaves even appear from them...
Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem riding a donkey: this animal was an emblem of peace, in contrast to the “warlike” horse. They greeted Him with delight: people even spread their clothes on the road to honor Christ. The rumor about the miracles performed by Jesus, about the resurrection of Lazarus, which happened the day before, reached Jerusalem.
But Palm Sunday is considered one of the most tragic church holidays. After all, the enthusiastic residents of Jerusalem expected political victories from Christ, that he would end the Roman occupation and take revenge on the enemies of the people of Israel. And when Christ did not live up to these mundane hopes, the anger of the crowd turned against Him.
Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh comments on these events as follows: “And Christ bequeathed life to us; He taught us that apart from love, apart from the willingness to see in your neighbor the most precious thing that is on earth, there is nothing!.. He taught us that human dignity is so great that God can become a Man without humiliating Himself . He taught us that there are no insignificant people, that suffering cannot break a person if only he knows how to love. Christ taught us that the only way to respond to the emptiness of life is to respond with a prayer to God: “Come, Lord, and come quickly!”
And those few who heard the voice of the Savior, who chose love and humiliation, who wanted to love at the cost of their lives and at the cost of their death, received, according to the false promise of Christ, life, abundant life, victorious, triumphant life... This is a holiday , which we now remember, which we now celebrate; this is the day of the most terrible misunderstanding: some are left with their house empty, others enter the house of God and themselves become the temple of the Holy Spirit, the house of Life.”
Palm Sunday is a moving holiday (depending on the date of Easter) - and this year the date of its celebration falls on April 8. Palm Sunday is celebrated 6 days before the crucifixion of Christ and a week before Easter.
What is the meaning of Palm Sunday, and what is its history?
History of Palm Sunday
The holiday of Palm Sunday is associated with the famous entry of Christ into Jerusalem riding on a donkey, which is where his suffering on the cross began. Accounts of this event can be found in the Gospels of all four evangelists - Mark, Matthew, Luke and John.
The holiday of Palm Sunday is so important for all believers because Jesus' entry into Jerusalem symbolized the beginning of his voluntary suffering for the sake of people. And his entry into the city on a donkey was connected with the fact that in the time of Christ all earthly kings and victors entered Jerusalem on donkeys or horses, and the people greeted them with shouts and waves of palm branches. But Christ entered not as a conqueror or an earthly king, but as the king of the kingdom of heaven and the conqueror of sin and death. And he knew what awaited him, consciously going to death for the sake of all living.
In Rus', this holiday was called Palm Sunday, because its symbol is the first blossoming branches - branches of willow, willow or willow (willow plants). What customs associated with the Palm Sunday holiday were there in Rus'?
Palm Sunday holiday: customs
The branches of willow plants (usually willow) on Palm Sunday symbolize those branches with which the Jews greeted Christ during his entry into Jerusalem. 
On Palm Sunday, willow branches are blessed in the church and placed at home next to the icons until the next Palm Sunday. In Rus', it was believed that illuminated willow branches have mystical powers and help drive away evil spirits from the house, its inhabitants and livestock. A willow twig was a surefire remedy against the evil eye, damage, attacks by predatory animals and various other troubles of life.
In general, a lot of signs and customs were associated with willow and the Palm Sunday holiday. For example, such “entertainment” was considered useful: after the morning service, children, acquaintances and relatives were lightly hit with a consecrated willow with the words: “Whip the willow, hit them until they cry.” I don’t hit, the willow hits. Be as healthy as a willow." Before the first pasture, the cattle were given several willow branches to eat, and a few more willow branches were placed in the barn. It was believed that such rituals bring good health and ward off evil spirits. And unmarried girls or those who had just gotten married were struck with a blessed willow so that they would have many healthy children. By the way, the willow was not chosen for this by chance - in Rus' it was believed that the willow was one of the most tenacious and strong trees. There was even a belief that no matter what soil and no matter how you stick a willow branch, it will still take root and grow. Therefore, what, if not the willow, could give health and well-being?
Willow on Palm Sunday also helped to solve important problems and matters. To do this, it was enough to eat 3 willow buds, illuminated in the church on Palm Sunday, and wash down the “meal” with holy water with thoughts about a matter in which luck is needed. True, it was not recommended to often resort to the help of willow - once again there was no need to disturb higher powers in order to avoid problems.
Willow on Palm Sunday could even help in love affairs. It was believed that if from the very morning on Palm Sunday a girl began to think about her loved one, who, unfortunately, in turn, did not pay attention to her, then in the evening he would come to her house and invite her for a walk. Perhaps the fulfillment of a wish on Palm Sunday is somehow connected with the power of the willow, but perhaps this is another manifestation of the thesis that thought is material. But, one way or another, on Palm Sunday, wishes come true faster!
Willow was sold in Rus' at willow bazaars, which children loved very much. After all, in addition to willow branches, you could buy interesting toys, books or goodies at palm markets on Palm Sunday. And a figurine of an angel - a willow cherub - was necessarily tied to a bunch of willow trees. 
On Palm Sunday, despite fasting, it was allowed to eat fish. In addition, on Palm Sunday they cooked porridge, adding palm catkins.
Signs for Palm Sunday
Many different signs were associated with willow and Palm Sunday. For example:
“Cattle are driven into the field for the first time (on Yurya) with willow on Palm Sunday”,
“If Palm Week is a great week, with matinees, then the yari will be good”,
“In the palm frost, spring bread will be good”,
“The willow is leading to muddy roads, driving away the last ice from the river”.
And if suddenly on some day after Palm Sunday a thunderstorm began, people took an illuminated willow branch standing near the icons and placed it on the windowsill. It was believed that in this way one could protect the house from being struck by lightning.
The holiday of Palm Sunday has interesting story and rich in customs and omens. And its significance lies in the series Orthodox holidays is not in doubt. By the way, the Palm Sunday holiday is another reason to go with the whole family to the forest for palm branches or just take a walk in the park and breathe fresh air!
Palm Sunday is the holiday preceding Easter, celebrated by Christians on the sixth Sunday of Lent. It is accompanied by a long service, and the main tradition in Russia is the lighting of willow branches.
Story
On this day, the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem is celebrated, about which all four evangelists write - Matthew (21 chapters), Mark (11), Luke (19) and John (12). The point is that in those days, on the eve of Easter, thousands of pilgrims flocked to Jerusalem from all over the Middle East, and then a rumor spread that Jesus raised Lazarus. People were waiting for Jesus of Nazareth, the savior of Israel. They believed that the Messiah would appear to the people on Easter.
(Giotto di Bondone - Jesus entry into Jerusalem)
The Son of God rode into the city on a donkey, which meant a symbol of peace (on a horse - a symbol of war). They say that the gate through which he entered still exists, but has been tightly walled up for many centuries. The people greeted him with exclamations of “Hosanna (glory) to the son of David!” and each one touched Jesus lightly with a palm branch, expressing devotion and love. These are the roots of the modern tradition of hitting loved ones with a consecrated willow, while saying: “I don’t hit - it’s the willow that hits! The willow whips - it hits you to tears!”
The Lord's entry into Jerusalem is the second coming, when he appeared as the King of the World and Judge. The first time he appeared before people as the Redeemer of the sins of the human race.
Why is it called "Verbnoye"
The people greeted the coming of the Tsar with palm branches - this is what the residents of the Middle East and countries where this tree grows use. In those parts the holiday is called “Palm Sunday”. The use of willow in the Russian tradition is very easy to explain - there are simply no palm trees. That is why the church traditionally uses the willow, which is the first to greet spring. Willow and willow twigs are also sometimes used.
Willow branches are the main attribute of the holiday. On this bright day, people come to church with twigs to honor the Tsar, the victorious death and sin. The clergy wear green vestments, which are a symbol of the rebirth of life.
In the pre-Petrine era there was a kind of ritual. The Patriarch rode "on a donkey" - a white horse "disguised" as a donkey - as a symbol of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. From the Place of Execution he presented blessed willow branches to all those gathered. Gifts were given in turn, according to status - first, the twigs went to the tsar, then to bishops, boyars, Duma clerks, and finally to the common people.
Palm Sunday traditions
Orthodox Christians keep blessed willow branches for a whole year. There is a tradition of decorating icons and red corners with them. Many owners, coming from church, first of all planted a couple of branches near their house, and only then began to frame the icons.
What is allowed by tradition and what is not:
On this day you can’t work, you can’t comb your hair, and you can’t take your cattle out to pasture. Also, traditions prohibit cooking hot dishes, so it’s better to take care of this in advance. As for food in general, heavy, fatty foods are not consumed, but fish and vegetables are allowed.
Some folk weather signs that fall on this day are also associated with this holiday:
- If it rains, expect a bountiful harvest.
- If the sun is shining, there will be a rich harvest again, and even a warm summer.
- If a strong wind blows, this means a cool and windy summer.