Orthodox Easter is approaching: what not to do on Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is one of the main Orthodox holidays and is considered one of the brightest and most blessed days after Easter and Christmas. How the holiday is celebrated and why the willow tree has become its symbol in Russia — in the Izvestia article.
Palm Sunday — what does the holiday mean, why is it called that?
Palm Sunday, or the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, is celebrated in the sixth week of Great Lent, on the eve of Holy Week and a week before Easter. This is one of the twelve feasts, that is, one of the 12 feasts associated with the earthly life of Jesus Christ and the Most Holy Theotokos. Palm tree, or (in Russia) Palm Sunday is the day when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey to celebrate Easter there. The day before, the Savior miraculously resurrected Lazarus, and the whole city enthusiastically greeted Christ, throwing palm branches at his feet. People believed that Jesus was the Messiah who would give them freedom, because the Jews were under Roman rule in those days. In Russia, willow, one of the very first plants to bloom in spring, began to be used instead of palm trees.
When will the willow tree be consecrated on Palm Sunday 2025
Willow branches can be consecrated in any church on the eve of the holiday, on Lazarus Saturday, April 12. On this day, the clergy are dressed in green robes, the color of life—giving and eternal life, and an all-night vigil is held in churches.
If it is not possible to be in the temple, the willow is sprinkled with holy water at home and a prayer is recited for the "sanctification of all things" — it is in most prayer books. Many people consecrate the branches at the Palm Sunday service. At the same time, an excerpt from the Gospel is read in churches at the Divine Liturgy, which tells about the entry of Christ into Jerusalem. A consecrated willow tree decorates the house. It is usually placed next to the icons, where it can stay for a year, and sometimes longer. The clergy remind us that willow branches are not the main thing in this holiday, the spiritual component is much more important.
For Orthodox Christians in 2025, Easter falls on April 20, and Palm Sunday falls on April 13.
How to choose a willow, what to do with last year's branches
They prepare for the holiday in advance, and palm bouquets are placed in water for a few days so that they can bloom. Fluffy yellow buds appear on the budding willow branch, which are popularly called "kittens".
Willow branches can be purchased both on most online marketplaces and in the temple. The cut should be fresh and smell good, and the bud stalk should not be dry. It is customary to make a bouquet of an odd number of branches. If you plan to cut them yourself, choose twigs from young and healthy bushes growing off trails and cemeteries.
It is not recommended to throw out the consecrated willow after the holiday. The priests suggest spreading branches along the river or burying them in earth and fire in a secluded place. Some branches take root in water, and then they can be planted in the ground. In addition, last year's willow is accepted in the temple along with old church calendars and icons — they are properly disposed of there.
Why has the willow tree become a symbol of the holiday
Willow branches are the main symbol of the holiday in Russia, Belarus and several other countries. They are not only the first to bloom in spring, but are also considered a symbol of kindness and purity, reaching for the sky. Willow symbolizes the victory of life over death, that is, the Resurrection of the Lord. Entering Jerusalem was the final earthly act of the Savior. Then there was prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal of Judas, the crucifixion, and the great mystery of the Resurrection. Curiously, the willow tree has become a symbol of the holiday only in Russia. In Italy, the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem is greeted with olive branches, in France with an orange, in Eastern European countries with dried flowers, and in southern countries with palm branches.
What can and cannot be done on Palm Sunday
On a bright holiday, it is recommended to put aside all worries and devote time to spiritual matters. It is assumed that believers celebrate this day with joy, just as the inhabitants of Jerusalem met Christ, who conquered death and resurrected Lazarus.
Despondency on non-public holidays is considered a mortal sin, and on holidays, even more so, one should not indulge in melancholy. That is why it is not recommended to go to the cemetery on Palm Sunday and on the eve of this day if the trip upsets you. However, if the soul asks, the clergy allow you to visit the cemetery and advise you to take willow twigs with you, but it is better to postpone cleaning.
On a public holiday, it is strictly forbidden to clash and swear. On the contrary, the church encourages you to make peace with your family, spend time with interest, go to church and visit your loved ones. A recent tradition is sending postcards on Palm Sunday with wishes of health, harmony and well—being.
Palm Week often falls on the warm days of spring, when the townspeople go to the cottages. But working in the city, as well as doing construction or other hard work, is not recommended on this day. It is popularly believed that plants planted on Palm Sunday will not grow properly and will not yield good harvests. This applies to flowers, trees, and vegetables, with the exception of crops that "grow upwards": peas, sunflowers, and bush cucumbers.
On Palm Sunday, those who observe Lent are allowed to relax in food: you can eat fish and fish dishes. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the strictest week of Great Lent, Holy Week. It ends with the main Christian holiday — Easter, or Bright Sunday.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
