How many willow branches should be in the vase. Palm Sunday: traditions, the meaning of the holiday, which twigs are “correct. The meaning of the name "Palm Sunday"
There are Orthodox holidays, especially beloved by the people. This is the day Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem. People threw palm branches at his feet. This is how they met in the East key persons... In our places, they usually use willow.
But every time a problem arises: what to do with these fluffy twigs after the holiday? You can't just throw them in the trash. They are consecrated in the church. Houses are standing behind icons, near crucifixes, near fireplaces, stoves. In the stables of pets. Or in vessels filled with water. The willow protects your entire home from various misfortunes, sores, quarrels. So whole year.
The main thing is not to sin
However, not everyone is aware of what to do with the willow after Palm Sunday. It is generally accepted that she does not lose her wonderful medicinal properties until next spring.
What is the right thing to do? Get rid of last year's branches on a holiday or on the eve of it? And when to bring the newly cut off for consecration? These are not formal questions. People want to do it by the rules. According to the laws of the church. To once again do not sin.
So what to do with willow branches after Palm Sunday? You can collect them all together and put them into a river, lake, stream, pond. Let them sail in peace.
Also, some people prefer to simply burn the willow twigs that have dried up in a year. However, attention! Ashes must be scattered where neither passing people nor animals will trample it. It is not forbidden to pour ashes into the river.
Plant a new tree
Are you still preoccupied with the problem of what to do with the willow after Palm Sunday? How do you like this proposal? The willows were in your vase. You changed the water from time to time. And the twigs gave roots. The best (and most beautiful!) Is to plant in a clearing in a forest or somewhere near a river. Let it grow, reach for the sun. It makes people happy. And maybe this willow will again be consecrated by people in the church.
In general, willows can be stored for several years in a row. However, every spring it is better to celebrate the holiday with fresh twigs.
In memory of the departed
In our area there is a tradition that has lived for centuries. If you follow it, then you will never have a thought about what to do with the willow after Palm Sunday.
Such a ritual is known. Neighbors, relatives usually know that a person is living the last days... And on the day of the funeral, last year's consecrated willow is placed in his coffin. Others elderly people they themselves accumulate old twigs so that they can be laid in their grave at the funeral.
We also recommend this method if you are wondering what to do with the willow after Palm Sunday: you need to set fire to its branches and go around the house with them. At the same time, read the prayer. This is how they clean the apartment, the house from everything bad.
It's not a bad idea to bring the old twigs to the priest in the church. There they will be slowly burned, while reading prayers at the same time.
In the forest, next to others
And here is also a good kind of solution to the question of what to do with pussy willow branches after Palm Sunday. For those who find it difficult to answer and do not know what to do, you can offer this option - to take the branches into the forest. Lay between the bushes of a growing, new, fresh pussy willow.
If you have a stove in your house, then it is very good to light it up with an old and well-dried branch. And then bake cakes. Last year, with an old willow, many people sweep corners at home. And then the twigs are thrown into the fire, burned, first thanking them for their service.
By the way, the wells were planted with the old willow. For what? So that no evil spirits enter the water.
It is interesting that it was from Belarus that the tradition began when parents often beat their own children with a willow, so that they would grow well and be healthy. For the same purpose, both cattle and adults were whipped everywhere. Bee hives were beaten three times. And then they went to their gardens or fields. There they beat the ground three times with branches. Twigs were also stuck into the ground. Finally, they went to beat and whip the graves of their loved ones.
Wonderful properties
What kind of service did these modest forest beauties carry after they were consecrated by the priest?
Traditionally, the first rite after returning from church is as follows: all relatives and household members are lightly beaten (or patted) with a consecrated willow, for their own health.
They do the same with domestic animals. After all, what to do with the willow after Palm Sunday is a settled question. Nothing. Let him be in the house. Everyone must absorb this wonderful power of renewal. The juices of spring and the rebirth of nature.
Another property - the willow perfectly protects the house from evil, negative spirits, any evil spirits.
A bride or groom has grown up in the house. What are they doing with our willow? It is urgently planted in the garden. As soon as the sprout takes root, it means that the wedding will be soon.
Verboi is still driving the beast to the fields on St. George's Day. It was believed that with such "processing" it will be healthy and will begin to gain weight well, multiply.
And here's another option for what to do with the willow after Palm Sunday. Childless girls and women were advised to season food with pussy willow buds, which were consecrated in the church. It helps. They also said to use them as a prophylaxis against various ailments.
They bathe sick children - they must also throw the willow into the water. Her kidneys were put into cattle loaves and porridge for the whole large rural family.
Against thunder, thunderstorm
People strongly believed: the consecrated willow would stop the thunderstorm, relieve them of hail and thunder. You just have to wave a twig towards the clouds.
In the fires, the willow was thrown into the fire. What for? To reduce its destructive power.
Any coward who dreamed of becoming had to, having come home from church on Palm Sunday, hammer a small stake into the wall - from consecrated willow... Of course, this did not instantly turn the super-cautious person into a hero. But in any case, it takes his natural shyness out of his soul.
People attributed not only the leaves and the entire branch to a powerful healing power but also her earrings. They were eaten at once in nine pieces. For fever - the most sure panacea. And those who caught a cold, fell ill with some kind of ailment, swallowed pussy willow buds. And it relieved them of their evil fever, severe pain in the throat, chronic infertility. The consecrated willow served people so faithfully.
Now about the timing. When exactly to get rid of the old pussy willow? Here, choose what suits you best. You can take out, for example, willow branches into the forest directly on the holiday itself. It is allowed to do this on Palm Sunday. Or right after that great day... Fortunately, we have offered many options for this.
We hope that next Palm Sunday you will know very well what to do with the willow.
Pussy willow- one of the first to greet spring with its flowering. Fluffy and soft pussy willow buds symbolize the flowering and renewal of nature, the awakening of energy. It has long been believed that blossoming willow carries magical properties , thanks to which people can calm down, relieve stress, as a result of which the headache passes.
The maximum concentration of the miraculous power of the palm branches falls on Palm Sunday - Orthodox holiday, which is celebrated a week before the arrival of Easter.
Pussy willow in the house
For a willow, it is best to go to the park or forest yourself, find the tree that you like the most, break off as many branches as there are tenants in the house. After that, be sure to thank the tree for being so luxurious.
Each household should have its own, which will feed its "owner" with energy. Each inhabitant of the house necessarily conducts a ceremony of acquaintance with his branch - he touches it, examines it. You can even make a mark by tying your own colored thread.
After such an acquaintance, all the willow branches are tied with red woolen thread and put in a conspicuous place in a vessel of water.
Container for willow can be any, except metal and plastic. It is believed that these materials prevent the movement of energy from the willow throughout the house.
The willow branches must be consecrated in the church. Then it acquires a more powerful force, with the help of which it protects and protects its residents.
What to do with a pussy willow that has already been in your house for a year?
Last year's twigs should be thanked for their "service" and burned, or lowered into the river. She will take all the negativity from home with her.
The magical properties of willow branches
- It is useful to whip each other on the back with palm branches. This is done lightly, purely symbolically. At the same time they say: "I am not hitting, but the willow beats." This is especially good for daughters. It is believed that such a ceremony helps to alleviate suffering, gives inspiration and hope, strengthens health and preserves beauty.
- To clear the house of "energy waste" and restore peace among family members, you need to cook from willow branches and sweep the floor with them. Garbage must be burned, and with it everything bad is burned.
- If the willow sprouts, it means that the “owner” of this branch will have good luck and prosperity in the future. It is also a symbol good health... Such a twig should be planted, after asking her for something very good. They say that the wish will definitely come true.
- A dried branch suggests that it has taken trouble away from its owner. Let this branch stand until next year.
- Shy and insecure people need to hang a willow branch at the entrance. Each time a person leaves the house, it is necessary to touch the branch. This ritual will give confidence and help to positively resolve all issues.
Grace and happiness to you and your home!
Among all the church holidays Palm Sunday considered not the most significant, but one of the most revered among the people. This is due to the fact that it was on this Sunday that our Lord Jesus entered Jerusalem. If you ask a question, What date is Palm Sunday 2018, then this year it falls on April 1. Meanwhile, if you turn to church canons, then it says that this Holy holiday comes after long winter and six weeks of Great Lent. Well, if we consider it from a purely worldly point of view, then it symbolizes the awakening of nature and its transformation in the face of the coming spring.
An interesting fact is that palm sunday The celebration is different every year, but it has been celebrated by the Orthodox for 11 centuries. Moreover, they begin to celebrate it from Saturday evening, although the main church services, like the consecration of willow branches, are held on Sunday. Of course, at all times, Orthodox Christians celebrate this holiday with joy, coming to church from the very morning in order to defend the service, make a prayer and, of course, consecrate the branches of the willow they brought with them. By the way, palm sunday 2018, number which falls on the first day of April, suggests that upon returning home from church, you need to lightly whip the household with a willow with wishes of health and grace.
Palm Sunday 2018: traditions and customs
Regardless of whether what palm sunday 2018 date falls, the Orthodox are preparing for this holiday in advance. And the most important action here is the preparation of willow branches, of which there should be exactly as many in the bunch as there is a person in the family. Consecrated branches are placed next to the icons, and some weave from them family amulets because they know them for sure great power... In particular, here we are talking about the fact that they are able to protect the home from fire, unkind people, poverty, despondency and disease. The main thing here is to know what date is palm sunday 2018 to visit the church and consecrate the willow twigs. But it is also important to have faith in their power in order to receive protection in their face.
In the old days, it was customary to notice the events taking place in nature on the day of the holiday, what is palm sunday the number would not fall out. As a result, over the centuries, signs were formed, many of which over time developed into customs, ceremonies and rituals. In particular, here we are talking about the fact that on this day you need to lower a willow twig on the river surface of the water and observe in which direction it will float. So, if it floats away from you, then you can expect an increase in prosperity in the family in the near future. And of course, in palm sunday 2018, as in the old days, you need to pat the child with a branch of willow, with each blow slandering wishes for health and protection from the evil eye. And if you burn a bunch of consecrated willow and save the ashes, it will protect the house from lightning and fire. At the same time, branches of the consecrated willow, attached to the roof, will protect the inhabitants of the house from illness and mental anguish.
What not to do on this day
Since bright palm Sunday is considered significant holiday for every Christian, it is not recommended to do any housework on this day. So, since ancient times it has been customary that what date is palm sunday would not fall out, women did not even comb their hair that day. Some housewives did not even prepare food, dealing with this issue in advance. And on this day, it is forbidden to engage in gluttony, especially since it is still going on Great post, which does not imply a plentiful feast. But what is more important is the fact that it is strictly forbidden to use artificial willow branches, especially to bring them to church and sprinkle them with holy water.
On palm sunday 2018 number falls on April 1, so on this day it is worth taking a closer look at how nature will react to the arrival of the holiday. And, if the weather is sunny on this day, then we should expect a warm, windless summer and a rich harvest. If it blows strong wind then it bodes cool weather throughout the summer. But a cold, but clear day gives hope for the yield of spring crops, while the absence of frost will lead to an abundance of fruits. Also on this day, young girls mentally call on a loved one, a meeting with whom will certainly take place. And of course, all the time that this holiday has spread, the church has been opening its doors to everyone who believes in salvation. Palm Sunday- a holiday symbolizing the power of faith and its revival. Willow branches and bouquets bring peace and protection to your home. Following the first sunbeams hope for the best arises in the hearts. And even if this day is fraught with a lot of sadness, it is still a harbinger of the Light One Christ's Sunday and the salvation of all mankind.
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Feast of the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem Christian church introduced in the 4th century, and in Russia it appeared in the 10th century and began to be called Palm Sunday, since the willow had the same meaning as the 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 it was real rite... The willow has always been consecrated in the church with holy water, however, this tradition has survived to our time.
In warm countries, this day is celebrated with palm branches, in our country, at this time of the year, the leaves on the trees are not yet blooming. The branches of evergreen conifers have traditionally been used in burial rites, so they cannot be used.
According to signs and beliefs, it was believed that the consecrated willow possesses healing properties, therefore, they touched people with twigs, wishing them health, put them at the head of the sick, applied them to sore spots, whipped children so that they would not get sick for a 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 kidneys were added to bread and other pastries, and some baked bread in the shape of a willow twig. From the expanding buds, they made willow porridge. But the 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 before a long journey or some serious business eat a few willow buds, then a person on his way and in business will only be successful. The icons were decorated with branches, they were hung in the corners of the rooms, which many do to this day. Also, amulets made of willow buds were worn by women who did not have children. According to the opinion, it was necessary to eat ten kidneys five days after the end of menstruation, this was supposed to help in conceiving a child. And so that the offspring were healthy, the willow twig was placed under the feather bed, and the newlyweds were showered with kidneys.
Our ancestors believed that the pussy willow can impart sexual power not only to humans, but also to livestock. That is why they lashed domestic animals with a consecrated willow branch, hung branches in the barns, and before the first pasture in the field, they fed these branches to animals so that they would not be poisoned by poisonous herbs, would not fall prey to diseases, thieves and predatory animals. Not a single day is complete without weather-related signs. And Palm Sunday is no exception.
If it rains on Palm Sunday, wait good harvest... This sign is based on long-term observations of our ancestors. They noticed that if it rains on a given day, the harvest will be just wonderful. If, on the contrary, the weather is dry, then there is no need to wait for the harvest. And if there are clouds in the sky, it is cloudy, but there is no rain, then the harvest will be good enough, but not as we would like. It was also believed that the willow can protect the house from the elements. A house with a consecrated willow branch will not be hit by lightning. If, during a fire, the willow is thrown into the fire, then it will go out faster, and the flame will not transfer to another structure. And the twigs thrown into the water during the ice drift will help to avoid large floods.
If by the next Palm Sunday there were unused branches in the house, then in no case should they be thrown away. They must be burned and thrown into a stream or river, moreover, the water should not be stagnant. When choosing new branches, they preferred young trees growing near rivers. It was impossible to take branches from trees growing near the cemetery, as well as on which there are nests and hollows.
Many people, believers and not so much, 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
Knock on the body with a twig of willow- will be healthy for a whole year. Perhaps this is the only sign that people know about today. First, a twig of a willow is consecrated in church on this day, and after that a twig is tapped on the body and the sentence is: "Be as strong as the willow, as healthy as its roots and as rich as the earth." This preference is given precisely to the willow, because it is, perhaps, the most tenacious tree that only exists in nature. It is believed that even if a willow stick is stuck into the ground upside down, it will still be accepted and will grow. It is for this reason that the willow can give health to a person, because it itself is very strong.
Eat a pussy willow bud- an important matter will be decided. Consecrated twigs It was customary to store the willows near the icon for a whole year. If you have to go to important negotiations, or you are going to start a very important business for you, and you are not sure of the result, then the willow will help you here too. But only the willow that was consecrated in the church on Palm Sunday will help. Going on an important matter, you need to tear off three buds from a twig and eat them, washed down with holy water, while thinking about your business. True, this property of the twig can be used only as a last resort. Constantly, it is not necessary, it is better not to disturb the willow, it can come out sideways.
Think of your loved one on Palm Sunday, he will come. Superstition? Most likely. But before a young girl, if she liked a guy, and he did not pay any attention to her, she waited for this very day. Starting in the morning, she began to think about who is dear to her heart. Her thoughts were somehow transmitted to this guy in an incomprehensible way. And in the evening he came to her to call her for a walk. In principle, it has long been proven that human thought is material. Everything we think about sooner or later necessarily happens in 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 for Palm Sunday- you will be rich. It used to be believed that if it was on this day to plant indoor flower then it will attract money into your life. In the cities, of course, they kept indoor plants, but in the villages there was no time. But those who knew about this sign and planted indoor plants got to their feet very quickly. But this sign has several features that few people know about. First, if the flower withers within a month, then you 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 fade and grow, you need to know well special rules planting it and caring for it. By the way, it was noticed that in the house where Money Tree grows well, there is always wealth and lack of money.
Poultry is not allowed outside- the witch will spoil. Perhaps, they were sure of this sign before, but not now. It was believed that a week before Great Easter the witches began to rage. After all, starting from Easter and all the holidays, their strength temporarily diminished. So they tried to do something wrong, so to speak, for future use. It was believed that it was on the poultry that the witches took their revenge. But it is not known whether to believe this sign or not. But in the villages to this day, those who keep the bird, on Palm Sunday, try not to let it go out into the street.
There are holidays that we have heard about, we know, but do not know about the signs associated with this day. We are not very worried that we do not know what customs should be observed. But when troubles happen in our life, problems appear, then we begin to think where all this comes from, and why all this is on our heads.
Beliefs on Palm Sunday
On Palm Sunday, headaches begin to speak.
To do this, after combing your hair, remove the hairs from the comb and place them in water.
Pour this water on a willow on Palm Sunday and say:
"Water, go to the ground with a headache."
On Palm Sunday they make a love spell on a pussy willow.
To do this, break a branch and say:
“As long as the willow lies behind the icon,
Until then, my husband will not stop loving me, will not forget. Amen".
Put the verba behind the icon.
Just do not throw away the charmed twig!
Remember to keep the branches from Palm Sunday.
They help in the treatment of many diseases!
It is customary, according to legend, on Palm Sunday to lash a willow on the back of the one to whom you wish good health.
But know, the one who whipped you on the bottom wishes you bad.
Since, whipping with a willow on this great holiday, they may wish you harm, and it will come true.
Holy willow. And then they keep it in the house all year round in a vase or behind icons.
The old willow, which has defended a year, sweeps all corners, windows, thresholds,
thank her for her service and burn her.
We must lash all pets and animals with a new holy willow on the back,
to say aloud: "Willow-whip, beat to tears" - it adds health.
Buds, fluffs from the holy willow
help with female infertility and enuresis.
Today you can bake the fuzzies of the holy willow into bread
and give to sick pets - they will be healed.
Anyone who helps their loved ones with castings
or by another method to remove damage or treat,
this amulet will come in handy against interception: today you need to eat on an empty stomach
3 willow buds and wash down with holy water.
Then say:
“Saint Paul waving with a crest, he drove away other people's diseases from me.
As it is true that Palm Sunday is honored, it is true,
that other people's diseases do not stick to me. Amen".
If you orthodox person, then before that you need to receive the Holy Communion.
Rites. The willow and its strength
To this day, the willow is an important plant in the Russian Orthodox culture. It gave the name "Palm Sunday" to the church twentieth feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, celebrated in last sunday before Easter. According to the Gospel, Jesus Christ went with his disciples from Bethany, where he resurrected 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, who learned about the miracle of the resurrection of Lazarus, enthusiastically greeted the Savior with palm branches, called "wai", and a song of praise. On the road on which Jesus rode, people threw palm branches and spread their clothes. In memory of this event, in Christian churches on the day of the holiday, it is customary to consecrate decorated tree branches. For Russians, the place of the palm branch was taken by the willow, and the week before the holiday they began to call them "Verbnaya", "Verbnitsa".
Ideas about unusual properties the willows, however, are rooted in pre-Christian, pagan times... This plant, like birch, in folk culture contacted the idea rapid growth, health, vitality, fertility. These ideas are based on the fact that the pussy willow opens its buds earlier than other plants. The blossoming tree symbolized the coming spring and, according to mythological consciousness, could convey health, strength and beauty to humans and pets.
The willow was widely used in the calendar rituals of Russian peasants. Although 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 Lazarev Saturday, on the eve of Palm Sunday. The brought twigs were often immediately decorated with paper flowers and ribbons, but sometimes this was done only after their consecration or on the eve of Easter. We went to church to bless the willow on the same day for the evening service or on Sunday morning. Consecrated branches were placed in the front corner on the shrine or laid behind the icons, where they were kept until Yegoriev Day or the whole year. In Siberia, a "teremok" was made of straw for willow, 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 of the household members was hit with it, and most often the children, as it was believed, "for health." At the same time, they said: "The willow is red, beat to tears, be healthy!" In many localities, for the same purpose, they whipped cattle with a willow or gave them a twig or plant buds to eat.
In the Central Russian zone, in order for the sheep to "live", they were fed with a special loaf or bread, in which the willow buds were baked. In some places, the shape of the kidneys was given to a ritual liver, which on Lazarev Saturday was brought to the church for consecration along with the willow biscuit. In the Kostroma province, it was called "lambs", in Moscow - "lambs", "babashki" or "akatushki", in Ryazan - "nuts", "kytka". Cookies were baked according to the number of cattle and poultry, and in some local traditions- and for all household members. In the Ryazan region, feeding the sheep on Palm Sunday with cookies, it was believed that they would bring a pair of lambs each, and the holiday itself was called “lamb's”.
Consecrated branches were placed everywhere among the Russians and are still being placed in the red corner next to the icons. Previously, the willow was kept until Yegoriev Day or the whole year. Throwing it away after whipping cattle was considered a sin. Usually these branches were stuck in a barn under the roof, "so that the cattle would not wander," or thrown into the river, "running on the water"; sometimes they were burnt in a furnace. The Belarusians kept the willow for the whole year for icons until the new Holy Monday. On the same day it was burned and a new consecrated willow was placed near the images. When going to new house part 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 to graze, and after pasture they fed it, believing that these actions would ensure a good offspring and protect from wild animals throughout the grazing season. They acted in a similar way on the day of St. Nicholas Veshny: on this day and especially when the horses were driven out at night, the first of the season, they were lashed with willow branches.
On Ivan Kupala in Volyn and in Podolia, a tree or a pussy willow branch was used as a festive attribute: the girls decorated the plant with flowers and danced around it, and after a while the guys burst into the maiden circle, seized the willow and tore it apart. This rite in its meaning is close to the numerous agricultural rituals of the East Slavic tradition using a stuffed animal 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 above examples, magical functions were attributed to willow in the popular mind. The willow branches, consecrated on Palm Sunday, were endowed with special power. The producing properties of the plant are evident from having magical meaning sentences that were pronounced when the willow whipped children: "Grow like a willow!", "As a willow grows, so do you!" In some areas, barren women ate the buds of the consecrated willow in the hope that it would help them to give birth to a child. Beekeepers stuck willow branches around the apiary so that the bees swarm well, more bee colonies would be born, and they would bring honey and wax in abundance to the owner.
In the Penza province, there was a rite of calling out to young people, in which it is obvious that the willow is ascribed a positive meaning. At midnight on the eve of Palm Sunday, the youth went around the houses where the newlyweds lived, and shouted near the gate:
"Open it, open it, young, beat it with a verbushka, give it more health than before." The young woman unlocked the gate, and the crowd entered with a song: "There would be a harvest of grain, multiplication of cattle." All sleeping in the hut were lightly hit with a willow, saying: "We beat them to be healthy" and also: "Get up early, beat the ram." The youngest was whipped last as she bowed, escorting the singing youth outside the gate.
The productive power of the pussy willow was also used directly in agricultural rituals. So, after the first pasture of cattle, twigs could break and scatter them across the field, and the buds could be crumbled into grain intended for sowing. In the Smolensk region, part of the willow, brought after the pasture of cattle, was stuck into the ground on the grain field - "so that the earth would come to life faster", "so that the rye would be fertile and grow fluffy like a willow"; the other part was hidden behind an icon - "so that the cattle would return home." Here the mistress, with which she drove the cattle, threw it into the barn into the manure; while she jumped as high as possible, "so that flax was born." In some places, willow branches were stuck in the four corners of the field to protect crops. In the Tambov province, for this purpose, the willow was generally planted in the field. In Belarus, with a consecrated willow, they went to the first plowing of a spring field and to plowing virgin lands.
In addition to producing willow, it was endowed healing properties which were used both in preventive purposes, and directly in folk medical practice. In the Yenisei province, the consecrated willow was fed to cows and sheep in Maundy Thursday- Thursday to Holy week and they said: “I don’t give, but the talnik. As the talnik does not dry, so you, my God-given cattle, do not dry. " The verb, not even consecrated, was also widely used to heal people.
In the Kuban willow was used in the treatment of childhood diseases. To do this, early in the morning, before sunrise, they went to the river and there they cut the willow three times, nine branches each. At the same time, they counted three times from nine to one. Arriving home, they dipped in hot water one bunch of nine branches and bathed the child near the window, from which the sunrise was visible. At noon, they put a second bundle of willow in hot water and bathed the child near the window, opposite which the sun stood at that moment. In the evening, when the sun went down, the same actions were performed with the last bunch of branches in front of the window, looking to the west. At the end, all the branches of the willow with water were taken to the river and poured out with prayer so that they float on the water. It was believed that the disease would recede. In the Vitebsk region, sick cattle were fumigated with willow, ground it into powder and covered the wounds with it, made a decoction from it and drank from various diseases, and also used it as a lotion for swelling and bruises.
In popular culture, the verb was attributed to protective qualities. All Eastern Slavs had a widespread belief that a consecrated branch is capable of protecting from thunderstorms, storms, other natural disasters, from evil spirits and diseases. The Russians in the Tambov province believed that a pussy willow thrown against the wind could drive away a storm, and thrown into a fire - pacify it. It was widely believed that the willow stored in the red corner would protect the house and the entire household from thunder and lightning. During the hail, Belarusians put a bunch of consecrated willow on the windowsill in order to pacify the elements and avoid hail in the grain fields.
Along with the fact that the willow is widely used in the ritual sphere and is an attribute of one of the largest Christian holidays, v popular beliefs she belongs to the trees cursed by God. According to legend, the tormentors of Christ made of it pins for fastening the cross. For this, the willow, according to popular beliefs, is subject to turning by worms, and devils sit in a dry willow. In this regard, the well-known Ukrainian proverb: "I fell in love like the devil with a dry willow." According to Belarusians, a devil sits on a willow, especially an old one - dry and hollow, from Epiphany to Palm Sunday. In the spring, devils warm themselves up on a willow, and after they are consecrated on a holiday, they fall into the water, and therefore, from Palm Sunday to Easter, you cannot drink the water gleaned under the willow.
The last Sunday before Easter is Palm. In 2017, it is April 9th. Great holiday symbolizes the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem - the capital of Ancient Judea.
More precisely, it was the entrance. Christ rode into the city on a donkey, which in those days was a sign of the traveler's peaceful intentions. Before that, he worked miracles near Jerusalem: he resurrected Lazarus, healed the sick, restored sight to the blind.
For such incredible miracles, people called the wanderer the Messiah and praised him as their Teacher. The people settled in the hope for a bright future, a joyful expectation of happiness and liberation from the power of the Romans. As early as the tenth century, Christians began to celebrate the day of the glory and recognition of the Savior.
One day the Teacher entered the capital of Judea. It was a triumphant event: simple people rejoiced from the heart, threw palm leaves and their clothes at the feet of the Messiah to cover his path with it. This symbolized the strongest respect and the most devoted love for the miraculous Son of God.
The meaning of the name "Palm Sunday"
Because of the palm branches that children and adults held in their hands and waved them in greeting as a sign of strong respect and love, this day was called Palm Sunday.
God the Father himself, through his son, visited the city on that distant Sunday. People venerated Jesus as a savior who came to bring love and goodness into a cruel world of violence.
In Russia, as you know, palm trees do not grow, therefore, instead of an exotic plant, the willow was chosen as a sign of vitality. Perhaps the choice of the willow for consecration on Palm Sunday is also related to its popularity in the pagan past of the Slavs.
Pagan Verboleash
In pagan times in Russia they celebrated ancient holiday fertilization Verbohlest. On this day, the guys had to catch up with the running girls and whip them on the legs.
Such cheerful energetic actions symbolized fertilization. The willow is the most tenacious tree that can grow in any conditions. In the spring, she is one of the first to bloom.
Early in the morning on the last Sunday before Easter, one can meet Orthodox believers with bundles of willow in their hands on the streets of towns and villages.
The power of the willow twigs. Superstition
Signs:
- Frosts on Palm Sunday foreshadowed a rich harvest.
- A sunny day on a festive Sunday foreshadowed a lot of fruits and vegetables.
What to cook for Palm Sunday?
By Palm Sunday, small buns were baked, and a coin was hidden in one. Our ancestors believed that the lucky one who gets the coin will be healthy, successful and prosperous all year round. Unmarried girl had to marry for love by this sign.
We also prepared small koloboks with pussy willow buds in dough. They were treated to relatives and friends, wishing a long life and happiness. Infertile women having eaten such a bun with a willow, they could successfully get pregnant. Since ancient times, the willow was considered a symbol of fertility and fertility.
The days of Great Lent presuppose the refusal of fast food, but in honor of the great holiday, believers are allowed to drink a little red wine, eat fish and vegetable oil.
That's why holiday menu can be quite varied. You can cook various cereals, bake, fry, stew with vegetables or boil your favorite type of fish.
Recipes for fish pies and fish casseroles are varied. There are also numerous recipes for salads with canned fish and vegetables, seasoned with vegetable oil.