Is it possible to wash on Easter day. How should we greet each other at Easter? When to consecrate food for the Easter table

Easter is a big Christian holiday celebrated by Catholics and Orthodox. For the Orthodox, the holiday of the Resurrection of the Lord is associated with traditions, signs, and prohibitions.

Centuries later, people carefully preserve the ancient customs of their ancestors. Easter is a special day, filled with extraordinary energy, calling to follow the rules. What can not be done on Easter, but what can be done? What are the signs? What do they do on the eve of Easter? We will talk about this in the article.

What can you do for Easter

Here's what you can do for Easter:

On Easter, one cannot sleep for a long time if a person does not go to work. An old sign says: "Whoever meets the dawn on Easter will attract happiness, joy and good luck."

Advice. A common tradition of bathing with gold promises prosperity. Unmarried girls wash themselves with water in which the krashanka lay. This will help you look more beautiful and find your betrothed.

Can you clean up your house or not? You can get away, but at a minimum. They clean up after the guests, cooking in the kitchen. But they refuse to do a general cleaning, because the day is dedicated to the celebration of the Miraculous Resurrection of Christ.

Easter bans

Premature breaking is prohibited. Many believers cheat by eating fast food before the Paschal morning liturgy ends. You can't do it. On the night of Easter, they are kept from carnal pleasures, drinking alcohol, swearing, and loud laughter. Time is spent to cleanse the soul and worship God in the church. People who violate the ban will live in debt, misfortune and sorrow.

Easter cannot be met in sadness, a wonderful time for reconciliation. In order not to face difficulties, receive guests, help the suffering.

Important! It is strictly forbidden to swear, show greed and aggression towards relatives and strangers.

There is a ban on visiting cemeteries. Tradition says that on Easter day, the souls of the departed meet with God at the same table. Relatives who came to the cemetery disturb the dead and call to them, after which the souls will not return to heaven. With a commemoration, it is worthwhile to wait until Bright Week, preferably until the weekend.

Food consecrated in the temple is eaten on a holiday, the leftovers are not thrown away. Distribute or feed the birds. And the shells of eggs are burned in the yard, and then buried in a secluded place.

Easter is an Old Testament institution. The Jews wanted to leave Egypt in order to return to their homeland. But the pharaoh, from whom they were in captivity, wanting to enrich himself with free labor, did not let them out.

During the years of this captivity, the Lord repeatedly sent signs to Pharaoh through his servant Moses, so that Pharaoh would let the people go to the Promised Land. The last thing God commanded the Egyptian people while the Jews were in their captivity was to slaughter an angtz (that is, a lamb) and anoint the doorposts with its blood. This had to be done because a destroying angel was to come in the night and kill all the firstborn of the land of Egypt. But if the blood of the lamb is on the door, the destroying angel will pass by the house.

Such a lamb, but already in the New Testament, was Jesus Christ. "Easter" is just translated as "the procession past", the procession past death. On the feast of the Resurrection of Christ, partaking of the Body and Blood of the Angel of God, as Christ calls himself, we become anointed with His blood. And death passes us by. Easter is life eternal, it is liberation from death. Christians have found the recipe that makes a person immortal.

Why bless food at Easter?

Archpriest Igor Fomin answers

The consecration of not only food, but also other material things that surround a Christian is an ancient tradition. Consecrating something, we dedicate it to God, ask God's blessing for it.

On Easter we bring food to the temple. In the villages at the beginning of the 20th century, in general, everything that was put on the table for Easter was brought to the temple, blessed, and the tithe (tenth) was left for the needy. And only after that people broke their fast - they reverently ate the consecrated festive food.

I think it's a very good tradition to ask God's blessing for everything.

How to fast before Easter?

Archpriest Igor Fomin answers

Good Friday is the strictest fast. According to the Charter, nothing is supposed to be eaten on this day. If you can bear it for your health, try it. On all other days of Holy Week, fasting is also strict, we eat only plant foods, and without oil.

When can I break the fast at Easter?

Archpriest Igor Fomin answers

Breaking the fast (the first fast meal after the end of the fast) on Easter is usually performed after the Liturgy and Communion. If you were at the Liturgy at night, then after the night service you can start the festive meal. If you came to the Liturgy in the morning, then in the same way - after Communion - you can break the fast. The main thing is to approach everything with a sense of proportion. Don't overeat.

If for some reason you cannot celebrate Easter in the temple, you can start breaking the fast at about the time when the festive Liturgy ends in the temples. How good is the Church in this respect? We fast together and break the fast together. That is, we do everything together. This is what the modern world lacks so much - commonality.

How to spend Easter day? Are there things that cannot be done?

Archpriest Igor Fomin answers

On this day, you can not be sad, walk gloomy and swear with your neighbors. But just remember that Easter is not 24 hours, but at least a whole week - Bright Week. In the liturgical plan, the Resurrection of Christ is celebrated for seven days.

Let this week be an example of how we should always behave in society, among people.

How should you spend Easter? Rejoice, treat others, invite them to visit you, visit the suffering. In a word, everything that brings joy to your neighbor, and therefore to you.

What can you eat on Easter and can you drink alcohol on Easter?

Archpriest Igor Fomin answers

On Easter you can eat and drink everything, the main thing is to do it in moderation. If you know how to stop in time, you can treat yourself to all the dishes, drink wine or some strong drinks - not to the point of being very intoxicated, of course. But if you find it difficult to limit yourself, it is better not to touch alcohol. Rejoice in spiritual joy.

Can I work on Easter?

Archpriest Igor Fomin answers

Most often, the question of whether to work or not does not depend on us. If you have a day off on Easter Sunday, this is, of course, very good. You can visit the temple, and meet with loved ones, and congratulate everyone.

But it often happens that we turn out to be forced people and, according to the work schedule, are forced to work on Easter. There is nothing wrong if you work hard. Maybe you can be sad about this, but no more than five minutes! Obedience is obedience. Do your work on this day in good faith. If you fulfill your duties in simplicity and truth, the Lord will surely touch your heart.

Is it possible to do homework on Easter? Cleaning, knitting, sewing.

Archpriest Igor Fomin answers

When we read somewhere that there is a ban on homework on a holiday, we should understand that it is not just a ban, but a blessing that we spend this time in attention to the Lord, the holiday and our neighbors. So that we do not get hung up on worldly fuss. The ban on working on Easter is not canonical, but rather a pious tradition.

Household chores are an integral part of our lives. You can do them on a holiday, but only by approaching this wisely. In order not to spend Easter doing general cleaning until the very night. Sometimes it is better, for example, to leave unwashed dishes in the sink than to be annoyed at household members who have not washed their dishes.

What does it mean if a person dies on Easter? Is this a sign of God's special mercy or a punishment?

Archpriest Igor Fomin answers

If a believer dies on Pascha or Bright Week, for us this is indeed a sign of God's mercy towards this person. Folk tradition even says that the one who died on Easter enters the Kingdom of Heaven without ordeals, that is, bypassing the Last Judgment. But this is “folk theology”, dogmatically, after all, every person will be judged and will answer for his sins before the face of God.

If an unbeliever dies these days, then, I think, it means absolutely nothing. After all, even during his lifetime, the Resurrection of Christ was not for him a sign of deliverance from death...

Can I go to the cemetery on Easter?

Archpriest Igor Fomin answers

There has never been such a tradition in the Church. She was born among people during the Soviet Union, when a person was deprived of spiritual fellowship and removed from the Church. Where else could one meet with the afterlife, about which the Church speaks and with the belief in the existence of which the authorities fought so cruelly? Only in the cemetery. No one could forbid visiting relatives at the graves.

Since then, it has been customary to go to the cemetery on Easter. But now, when the churches are open and we can go to the Easter service, it is better to go to the cemetery to visit relatives on other days. For example, on Radonitsa - on the day when, according to tradition, the Church commemorates the dead. Arrive there early, put the graves in order, sit quietly nearby and pray. Read more about visiting the cemetery.

How should we greet each other at Easter?

Archpriest Igor Fomin answers

Easter greeting - angelic. When the Myrrh-Bearing Women came to the Holy Sepulcher to anoint the body of the crucified Christ with spices, they saw an Angel there. He announced to them: “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” That is, he told that the Savior had risen.

We greet our brothers and sisters in faith at Easter with the words "Christ is Risen!" and we answer the greeting: “Truly He is risen!”. Thus, we tell the whole world that for us the Resurrection of Christ is the basis of life.

What is customary to give for Easter?

Archpriest Igor Fomin answers

On Easter, you can give your neighbor any pleasant and necessary gifts. And it will be good if you add an Easter egg, painted or red, to any gift. The testicle as a symbol of evidence of new life - the Resurrection of Christ.

The red color of the Easter egg is a memory of the tradition according to which Mary Magdalene gave the emperor Tiberius an egg for Easter. The emperor told her that he did not believe that a person could be resurrected, that it was as incredible as if this white egg suddenly turned red. And, according to legend, a miracle happened - in front of everyone, the egg turned red, like the blood of Christ. Now the painted egg is a symbol of Easter, the Resurrection of the Savior.

What to do with the shells of consecrated eggs and stale Easter cake?

Archpriest Igor Fomin answers

A pious tradition tells us not to throw away with the garbage what is consecrated in the temple. All this can be burned, for example, in a personal plot, and buried where people and animals will not trample it underfoot.

Why can't you dye eggs under a year old?

How is it impossible? Who said that? It is possible and even necessary to involve children in this. They and you will enjoy it.

We must be very careful if in the water phrase some recommendation follows “but I heard that ... but they told me ...”. This is an analogy of a damaged phone. Such advice will not lead to good.

The Soviet era, of course, also brought something of its own, for example, everyone began to go to the cemetery in a crowd on Easter, and the holiday, which just denies death, faded into the background. We are already living in the victory of Christ. That's all, unfortunately, forgotten. Some buses, trips, glasses begin.

But this does not mean that you need to stop going to the cemetery, no.

Here we are talking about the fact that Easter is a great joy, so this is not the time to be sad, you need to leave all worldly chores, worries and devote this day to God, the remembrance of His Resurrection, the victory of life over death. At the same time, we can pray for our relatives and share this joy with them with all our hearts. God has no dead, he gave us the prospect of eternal life, and we hope for his mercy.

When you can not clean the house before Easter?

Father Alexander Abramov answers

There is spiritual hygiene, it consists in the fact that we really should try to protect ourselves from all kinds of entertainment, routine affairs, and everyday bustle during Holy Week. We need to go to church more. And it is clear that it is desirable to put things in order in advance so as not to miss important events, Holy Week services.

But this is not an absolute prohibition, because there is life and there is common sense. The problem is that when people come to church, they have not yet acquired spiritual common sense, and everyday common sense has already been turned off, and this creates such an excellent space to fill their heads with all sorts of nonsense.

Can you get married on Easter?

Answered by Archpriest Alexander Abramov

The question is very clear and the answer will be unequivocal. If you come to church during Bright Week, they will tell you that you cannot get married.

There are days established by the Church on which the wedding is performed - these are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

There are days of the week, regardless of the season, when the wedding is not performed, for example, on fast days or on Saturday.

For example, why don't they get married on Tuesday? Because in this case, the first wedding day will fall on fasting. Well, what kind of beginning of family life is this, if the first day is already associated with restrictions.

They don’t get married on Saturday, on the eve of Sunday, because Sunday is a small Easter and, in a good way, a person on this day should lead a religious life, and not a personal one.

It is clear that many people are inclined to neglect all these traditions of church life, but in order that the neglect does not take on such a wild character, they simply do not get married these days.

Bright Week is like one day of Easter. Great celebration of the Holy Resurrection of Christ. And of course, all attention is focused on this.

Therefore, the wedding on Bright Week is also not performed. Such is the liturgical structure.

This is not because the church abhors weddings or people who want to arrange their family life. And simply because we completely devote this time to the celebration of Easter - this is a time of universal joy.

Is it possible to remember at Easter?

Answered by Archpriest Alexander Abramov

If we talk about the church order, then the first memorial service is performed on Radonitsa (the day of special commemoration of the dead) - this is Tuesday of the second week after Easter. In many temples there was such a pious tradition - requiem tables, the place where candles are placed is covered with a cloth, thereby showing that God does not have the dead. And this is especially clear during the Easter week. Easter is the most joyful Christian holiday, it drives out all sorrow and sorrow from the hearts of believers.

As the scripture says: « God is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living» (Mark 12:27). You can naturally remember, that is, say “God rest ...” and pronounce the name of the person for whom you are praying. How can we not do this if we love our relatives and friends and of course there is a desire to convey this to God.

Funeral services in the temple (requiem services) on Bright Week are completely abolished, since this is the time of our joy in the Risen Christ, and not sorrow. But this does not mean that the priest does not mention the repose of people at the liturgy.

Is it possible to bury at Easter?

Answered by Archpriest Alexander Abramov

If the death takes place on Bright Week, then a special funeral service is performed, Easter. It is especially touching with regard to babies, because their sinlessness and belonging to Easter are immediately affirmed.

Is it possible to baptize before Easter?

Answered by Archpriest Alexander Abramov

A small digression into history.

Interestingly, in ancient times, the church did not baptize individually at all. This is what we have now. We transfer consumer habits to the church.

For example, we came to the clinic and it seems completely wild to us that we will be admitted at the same time with four other people. And we think the same way about christenings. And earlier they were baptized in a completely different way.

Firstly, they were baptized not in the temple, but, as a rule, in open water, and two or three days a year were chosen for this. People were prepared, talked with them, they underwent teachings in the faith, if we are talking about adults, and then either on Christmas Eve, Epiphany (Baptism of the Lord), or on Great Saturday, they were all baptized together.

There are days when it would be inappropriate to talk about Baptism, say, on Good Friday, when we are entirely focused on the Passion, the sufferings of Christ. Although I, just for reasons of some kind of piety and reverence for God, would not baptize during Holy Week.

But speaking in general, you can accept the sacrament of Baptism at any time and during Bright Week too.

Why can't you paint eggs for Easter?

In general, it is customary for us to illuminate Easter cakes and eggs on Great Saturday, that is, immediately before Easter.

Therefore, we are preparing for this day in advance. But since situations in life are different, you can consecrate your holiday gifts on the very day of Great Easter, this will not be considered something unnatural. Previously, even before the revolution, Easter cakes and eggs were consecrated just after the nightly Easter service before breaking the fast.

As for preparing for the holiday, it is advisable to do everything in advance so that you have time for the most important thing. In order to meet the Bright Resurrection of Christ, you could with joy, with a light heart, could come to meet God, leaving behind all the troubles and worries.

A great event has taken place and it is necessary to remember this, it must become the center of everything.

Why can't you eat eggs before Easter?

Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers

Bright Easter days are preceded by Great Lent, when we tried to refrain, if possible, from heavy writing (of animal origin), that is, to keep ourselves in a certain focus, one might even say tone, pushing ourselves to inner work. That is, we do not eat not only eggs, but in principle all products of animal origin, as we observe fasting. There are no other superstitious reasons not to eat eggs.

On Great Saturday, we come to the temple to consecrate eggs, Easter cakes, Easter, which will decorate our festive table.

And already after the Easter service in the family circle, we break the fast, that is, now we can afford to taste the festive dishes without a twinge of conscience, but it is also important to observe the measure, not to eat right away, as this is a very big burden for our body.

We rejoice, the holiday has come and now is the time to feast.

What can not be done on the Saturday before Easter?

Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers

There are no clear prohibitions. Each person has their own unique life. It is shrouded in so many circumstances and nuances that it is difficult to say anything in advance. Just as it is impossible for this reason to condemn anyone.

But, of course, it is worth remembering that Great Saturday is the day of secret fading. It is also called "Sabbath of Rest".

We still mourn the death of Christ. We remember His removal from the cross and His position in the tomb. In one of the key chants of this day there are the words "Let all human flesh be silent".

But we are all already on the threshold of the Great day and holiday.

We are waiting for the hour when it will be possible to exclaim "Christ is Risen!".

But right now we have to freeze. There is a lull in anticipation of something very significant.

And of course, on this day we should not talk about any fun festivities or excessive worries and worries.

We need to postpone everything, if possible. Be at Liturgy in the morning. And to keep silence and peace in the soul until the start of the Easter service.

Why can't you celebrate your birthday on Easter?

Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers

Easter is the greatest day of the year. Celebration of life. We glorify our Savior Jesus Christ, for His boundless love and kindness, for giving us eternal life. And of course, this event in the life of every person should become central.

Therefore, the celebration of a birthday cannot be more important than Easter.

On the other hand, there are no prohibitions on this either.

You just need to remember that this is a bright day.

And I would not want to overshadow it with excessive drunkenness, for example, or other obscene things.

Because for many, unfortunately, a birthday is associated precisely with the fact that they would go on a spree in full. And Easter is not the right time for this. Even based on respect for the traditions of the church and the veneration of God.

Can you hunt on Easter?

Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers

If you hunt for fun, then definitely not on any day. It is, after all, the killing of living beings.

Sometimes people hunt in order not to die of hunger, then this is acceptable, there is already a question of survival.

Or, for example, when it is a matter of earning money, which also allows you to survive. The main thing is that it does not become mercantile entertainment.

As for Easter days, any believing Orthodox person will try to postpone the hunt for this period, if he is not in emergency conditions, when it is necessary to act according to the situation.

Is it possible to receive communion at Easter?

Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers

It is possible and even necessary. It is only worth preparing for the Sacrament of Communion in advance. And the point here is not only in fasting, but, most importantly, in cleansing the heart and mind.

You need to go to Confession. You can do this on Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday of Holy Week. But a more detailed schedule should be clarified in the temple where you go to come.

In any case, you need to look at the circumstances. If suddenly, for some reason, you did not have time to prepare in advance, then you should ask the priest for a blessing on Communion, explaining your situation.

Recently, an official permission has appeared to allow people to take Communion on Easter without confession. But this right still remains at the discretion of the priest. Because people are all different.

The main thing - do not be silent, do not listen to someone else's advice, if you have a question, then go directly to the one who will help resolve it, in this case - to the priest.

Is it possible to go to the Cemetery on Easter?

Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers

Everything in the life of the Church is very wisely arranged. Each tradition or rite has its own meaning. And there is a place for everything in it.

We can remember our relatives and friends of the deceased in our own prayers, this is our right and, moreover, it is very important for us and for those whose memory we honor.

Can pregnant women go to the cemetery on Easter?

Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers

Pregnant women can go to the cemetery, like everyone else. But, according to Orthodox tradition, on Easter do not visit cemeteries.

Since Easter is not the time to commemorate the dead. This is universal joy, universal rejoicing and glorification of our Savior Jesus Christ. The first commemoration of the dead after Pascha takes place on Radonitsa.

When can I confess before Easter?

Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers

Of course, it is better to come to confession in advance, not to postpone until the last moment.

It will be possible to confess on Great Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday of Holy Week.

But you will need to clarify more accurate information about the time in the temple where you are going to come. Because every church has its own way.

What to wear to church for Easter?

Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers

You can choose any outfit to your liking, but it is important to remember where you are going. And try to look neat and not too defiant.

Is it possible for pregnant women to cook Easter cakes and Easter?

Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers

Of course you can, but be careful. In the sense that expectant mothers are very vulnerable and they need to be more careful about their health. To not get too tired.

And preparation for the meeting of the Great Holiday is always a pleasant and joyful business.

Can I work the week after Easter?

Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers

Work is a very personal matter. Someone has the opportunity to take time off, take a short vacation during the Easter week and completely devote this period to God. Get to know the traditions of the life of the Church. But some people just don't have that option. So it is difficult to take any categorical position here. Ideally, of course, it would be nice to visit the Easter Liturgy on the first days of Bright Week once again, in many churches religious processions are performed throughout Bright Week. This is the Joy, which it is a pity to deprive yourself of.

What can you do on Easter?

Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers

In principle, there are no specific restrictions here.

Great Lent ended as a period of deprivation and strictness towards oneself.

The turn of Great joy has come, now is not the time to be discouraged and sad.

Do what brings you joy. Communicate with relatives and friends, share with them the joy of the Risen Christ.

Just do not forget about the most important thing that we have been moving towards through all these weeks of Great Lent. Try to visit at least once more at the Easter Liturgy (in many churches, processions of the Cross are also performed throughout Bright Week) - do not deprive yourself of this joy.

Is it possible to guess before Easter?

Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers

You can never guess. Yes friends, it is.

What is so bad about divination, you ask.

First, it is disrespect for the Will of God. Secondly, it is a neglect of the freedom that the Lord has endowed each of us from birth.

When we use even comic, as it seems to us, fortune-telling, getting an answer, we program ourselves for certain actions.

And the most interesting thing is that this happens already unconsciously.

In social psychology, there is such a thing as a "self-fulfilling prophecy." In childhood, parents can impose some kind of attitude on a child, for example, “you are clumsy.” And this attitude will hinder him greatly in life. Unconsciously, he will act in such a way as to confirm it in every possible way, dooming himself to failure in advance.

It would be many years before he tried to figure out what was what.

And here the scheme is very similar. We learn some prediction about ourselves and at this moment we lose the freedom of choice, the freedom of action, since everything will now work for this setting.

If you identify with the world of the church, you will have to make a choice.

What and who do you believe in? If you are with God, then you must trust Him, otherwise nothing.

Easter is one of the most joyful and bright holidays of the year. Its celebration is associated with many age-old traditions and customs that add special color and soulfulness to Easter. Unfortunately, not all of us are well acquainted with Orthodox Easter traditions. About what they do on Easter and what cannot be done on this church holiday, as well as what to do before and after the Bright Resurrection of Christ, and will be discussed further.

What they do before Easter: the main traditions by day

The celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord is preceded by Holy Week - the last week before the great holiday. In the old days, her every day was associated with certain traditions, which were strictly followed by all believers. So, for example, on Monday, the housewives began to put things in perfect order in the house. In addition to general cleaning, a special essential oil with herbs was also prepared on this day, which was used to treat various ailments throughout the next year. On Tuesday they washed and darned linen and clothes. Also on Good Tuesday, they put up and asked for forgiveness. On Wednesday, as a rule, they finished all the housework and boiled eggs.

On Maundy Thursday, all family members must bathe, preferably before dawn. Such a ritual of washing guaranteed good health for the whole year, and also symbolized spiritual purification. Also on Thursday, they started painting eggs and baking Easter cakes. On Good Friday, as a rule, they did nothing and tried not to eat. Thus, the believers mourned for Christ. On the last day before Easter, Saturday, the final preparations were completed. On this day, the housewives prepared all the remaining Easter treats, cleaned and washed.

What do they do on Easter?

Easter is celebrated on Sunday, the last day of Holy Week. Traditionally, believers go to church on the night from Saturday to Sunday to defend the Easter service and bless Easter cakes and eggs. In addition to traditional Easter cakes and krashanka, you can also sanctify water, salt, and fruits. Consecrated food is believed to bring health. In addition, it is also customary to leave some of the food brought in the church so that everyone in need on this day can share the joy of the holiday.

On a note! At Easter, it is customary to greet each other with special words: "Christ is Risen." In response to such a greeting, you need to say: "Truly Risen." Then kiss three times.

On Sunday morning, traditionally, the whole family gathers at the same table to start celebrating Easter. First, the head of the family cuts the Easter cake into as many pieces as there are people at the table. With a piece of Easter cake and krashanka, the breaking of the fast begins. After that, you can try other festive dishes. Then the whole day you need to have fun and rejoice.

What can not be done on Easter?

There is also a list of what not to do on Easter. For example, on this day it is strictly forbidden to swear, quarrel, mourn and go to the cemetery. Also, you can not work and engage in physical activity. The church does not welcome the excessive drinking of strong alcoholic beverages, including their consecration during the service.

What do they do after Easter?

In the first week after Easter, it is customary to commemorate the dead. All week you can go to the cemetery and bring Easter treats.

Also, in the period before the Ascension of the Lord (40 days after the Resurrection of Christ), one should adhere to the main Easter rules: be friendly, joyful, not swear, live in peace with others. If possible, you need to work less and avoid hard physical labor. At this time, it is worth paying more attention to spiritual development and purification.

We hope that we have answered your main question about what to do on Easter and what not to do. And this year you will put into practice all the knowledge gained.

The Bright Resurrection of Christ is the greatest Christian holiday, which stands one step higher than even Christmas. This is a time of joy and love, as well as a tribute to the memory of Jesus himself, who gave his life for us.

Easter bans

April 16, 2017 at midnight or April 15 with the first stars ends the longest and most difficult period in the life of Christians around the world - Lent. Jesus Christ was crucified for our sins and ascended into heaven, after which he returned to his disciples in the flesh.

The end of the time of abstinence and prayers does not mean that there will be no prohibitions on Easter April 16th. Moreover, Easter lasts all week, so the prohibitions are valid for the entire period of the festival.

First ban

You can't be greedy. Since ancient times, it has been customary to share food with the poor and the needy on Easter. That is why it is forbidden to be greedy and stingy on Easter. This applies not only to money or food - give your smile to everyone around you, give forgiveness to everyone who asks you for it. In short, give everything you can.

Second ban

You can not swear, be sad and indulge in despondency. All seven days you need to be as kind as possible so as not to be a black spot on the white background of the greatest holiday of all Christians.

Third ban

You can not get drunk and indulge in excesses. Everything should be in moderation - food, alcohol. This is typical for any day of the year, but such actions are doubly worse on Easter.

Fourth ban

You can not work to the detriment of the holiday. If you have working hours on a schedule, then there is nothing to worry about, but in the case when a person begins to work unnecessarily at such a great time as the Resurrection of the Lord, then this will not lead to anything good.

Fifth ban

You can't clean up. Here, too, there are some explanations. You should not clean in the full sense of the word, devoting half a day to mopping and dusting. On the other hand, if that doesn't stop you from being in a festive mood, then everything is in order. In any case, this is rather not a ban, but moral advice.

Prohibition six

You can't go to the cemetery. This tradition has developed back in the days of the Soviet Union, when Christians were persecuted, however, according to the rules of the faith itself, deceased relatives cannot be visited on Easter. According to legend, the dead are always with us during the bright week of Christ's Resurrection, so it's better to visit cemeteries on Radonitsa.

Every day from April 16 until April 23, it is better to avoid evil thoughts and be close to your loved ones. These are perhaps the two most important rules that must be observed at Easter. In addition, the clergy recommend visiting the church at least once and taking communion. The time for fervent prayer and grief has passed, but this does not mean that you can not pray at all. Read thanksgiving prayers to the saints and do good. For helping others, you will be rewarded in Heaven and in life on Earth.

We wish you a happy Easter and a successful week. May all your troubles go away and never return. May goodness and the light of God take the place of malice. Read prayers, love yourself, your life and your loved ones.

And omens.

The ringing of bells on the day of Christ's resurrection is endowed with truly magical powers - by striking the bell, believers ask for good his harvest, peace and harmony in the family, and the girls of a handsome and rich groom.

If a person says his request from a pure heart, then it will certainly come true.

The one who first sees the sunrise on Easter will not know troubles all year.

As soon as the bells began to ring on Easter Sunday, people crossed themselves and said three times: “Christ is risen, and my family will be healthy, my house of wealth, my field will be harvested. Amen".

It's good to ride on a swing for Easter. This is the ritual of fanning. They say it blows away all sins.

If on Easter night you scoop up water from a spring or river, then, according to popular belief, it will have special power.

People aged all Easter week, combing their hair, said the following words: "Send me, Lord, as many grandchildren as there are hairs on a comb."

If you are experiencing constant difficulties with money, be sure to give a beggar a coin on Easter - you will not know the need for the whole year.

If your child is whiny and whiny, on Easter, parents should definitely go to church to atone for their sins.

Girls, in order to get married, had to say to themselves during the church service on Easter: “The Resurrection of Christ! Send me a single fiancé!"

If a child was born on Easter Sunday, then he will become a famous, famous person.
The one who was born in the Easter week will have good health. Great people who can even change the course of history are born not just on Easter Sunday, but also at noon and wearing a shirt.

After the morning service, you need to get home as soon as possible and start a festive meal: the sooner you do this, the more successfully things will go.

Willow, brought in the palm week, fanned the children's room, thereby driving out misfortunes and ailments.

If your little one is slow to develop, walk him barefoot on a hardwood floor at Easter.
And the teeth will erupt faster, and the legs will soon walk on their own, and will speak earlier.

Mothers protected their children in the following way - starting from Easter and throughout the Easter week, the kids on an empty stomach were first given a piece of consecrated Easter cake, and then they were only fed with the rest of the food.

Candles bought for Easter were kept in the church for the whole year - they blessed the young with them, placed them near the seriously ill, and used them to drive out evil spirits from their homes.

And in order for the baby to grow up strong and strong, on Easter Sunday morning, you need to put your legs on an ax and say: As steel is strong, so be strong and healthy. Amen.

It is a good sign for Easter to hear the cuckoo - this portends an addition to the family, and for young girls - a quick marriage.

Our great-grandfathers necessarily crumbled a piece of the consecrated Easter cake to the birds, thus calling for good luck and wealth.

It is considered a bad omen if a candle goes out during the Easter service in the church, but if it burns out before the end of the service and the person put it out himself, then this is good.

The girls on this day brought beauty - the consecrated red Easter egg was placed in water, and then they washed themselves with this water.

Couples in love were in awe of Easter kisses.
It was considered a bad omen to kiss on the threshold - it promised separation.
Also, if during the kiss you hear the croaking of a raven, then the lovers could soon disperse.
But if the kiss took place under a tree, then this promised a joyful life.

And in order for the family to have peace, harmony and no one quarreled among themselves, the Easter meal must be started by the whole family and everyone must first of all eat a piece of Easter cake and eggs that were consecrated in the church.

A woman who can’t get pregnant in any way should put an extra plate next to her on Easter, put a piece of Easter there with the words: Easter cake for kids!
After the meal, this piece was crumbled to the birds.

On Easter, as well as on the Annunciation, as a sign of spring freedom, birds were released into the wild. When releasing, they made a wish - it was believed that the bird is a heavenly creature, and it will pass it on to the Almighty.

Read also: Holy Week of Great Lent: traditions and rituals

The remains of wax from Easter candles were kept until the next Easter - according to popular beliefs, this served as a talisman to the house from fire, and to the family from curses.

Husband and wife must hit each other with colored eggs at breakfast on Easter Sunday, whoever does not break a testicle will be the “head” of the family all year.

So that the crop would not suffer from hail, drought or rainstorms, the peasants on Easter buried Easter egg shells in the ground in the field.

It was considered a bad omen to oversleep the morning service on Easter - this prophesied failure.

In the old days, every year on the day of this great holiday, jugs with honey, which were called kanunchiks, were placed near the icons in every house.
The owners lit candles in them and commemorated relatives and friends who had left this world, so that they too could rejoice that Christ had risen.
After the holiday, on Easter week, these jugs were taken to the cemetery and left on the graves of the dead.

They also took three red Easter eggs with them to the cemetery and, having said “Christ is Risen” on the grave, they crumbled eggs for birds.

If on Easter week you saw a deceased relative in a dream, this means that next year no one in the family will become seriously ill or die;

Death on Easter is a special sign. The person who died on this day is marked by God.
His soul will immediately rush to heaven, to the saints.
The deceased is buried with a red testicle in his right hand.

If someone is near death in the house, then in the church on Easter Sunday it was necessary to try to take the Easter egg from the hands of the priest.
Leaving the church, you need to go to the icon of the Mother of God and call her with you: “Mother Mother of God, come with me to my house.
Spend the night with us, heal the slave (name of the patient).
At home, it was necessary to feed at least part of the brought egg to the patient.
Then, according to popular belief, he will not die this year.

What can not, and what can be done on Easter?

If from secular holidays among Russians the New Year holds the palm, then for Orthodox people the most favorite holiday is Easter.

The tradition of painting eggs and baking Easter cakes is supported not only by believing Christians, but also by many people who are far from religion. Therefore, opinions about the celebration of Easter often contradict each other, often causing discussions about what can and cannot be done on Easter Day.

Easter is a church holiday during which the Lord and the Son of God are glorified. The history of the origin of the holiday is amazing: in ancient times there lived a pharaoh who hated the Jews. God's people wanted to leave the state, but Pharaoh was categorically against it, because he used them as slaves.

With the advent of Moses, the prophet of God, the fate of the Jews changed. He helped bring the Jewish people out, punished the slave owner and gave the Jewish people his homeland, called Jerusalem.

That is why this city is called a holy place. Many years later, a son of God, called Jesus Christ, was born on this holy land. At 33, Jesus was crucified on Mount Golgotha. This happened on Friday. The day before, the son of God organized the Last Supper, where he gathered the parishioners.

After the crucifixion, the body of Jesus was placed in a cave. A few days later, the body was not found. Jesus appeared before the people alive. It is on this day that they celebrate the resurrection of the son of God, in other words, Jesus. Easter symbolizes liberation from death, deliverance from sins and grace.

There are many signs and customs associated with the holiday. There are rituals that can and must be performed, and there are those that are strictly prohibited.

One of the most controversial issues is related to visiting the cemetery at Easter. Often on this day, many people visit the graves of their relatives, which is absolutely not true.

Easter is the resurrection of Christ, the victory of life over death, people rejoice, rejoice. In temples at this time there are no memorial services and requiems.

They commemorate the dead, visit the graves, mourn for the deceased relatives on Parental Saturdays, which come on the second, third, fourth week of Great Lent.

What is causing this confusion? In ancient Russia, cemetery churches always stood on graveyards, where, at the request of a person, a priest served lithium near the grave.

And now Orthodox people, praying for health, also pray for the repose of the soul of the deceased.

After the October Revolution, a wave of persecution of the Church began, churches were destroyed, believers were persecuted, church holidays were not allowed to be celebrated, and a generation of atheists was brought up. Centuries-old connection between Orthodox people and the Church
was destroyed.

Read also: Secrets of baking and recipes for delicious cakes

In Soviet times, on Easter, people went to the cemetery, because there was nowhere to perform festive services. Over time, this turned into a new, Easter tradition. And if a believing person who visits the temple is familiar with the Church Charter and acts properly, then a secular person, due to ignorance, continues this custom.

Also, another Soviet Easter heritage is still preserved - the offering of Easter cakes and painted eggs to the graves.

In some villages, the custom has survived to this day to arrange feasts at the cemetery and commemorate departed relatives right here.

It is not right. In addition, painted eggs and Easter cakes attract flocks of crows and dogs, which then host on the graves of loved ones. Therefore, it is absolutely useless to carry food to the grave. The deceased are commemorated primarily with prayer, and the place of remembrance should be the house where relatives and friends of the deceased come.

Many people are interested in the question of how to properly cook Easter cake. There is an opinion that it is prepared according to some special recipe, which should be followed.

Easter cake- This is a rich yeast holiday bread, it is baked only once a year. There is no universal recipe for it, everyone chooses a recipe for himself based on his own preferences. They break the fast with Easter cake after Lent.

Often, preparing for Easter, many are puzzled by the question of whether it is necessary to wear red. Especially now, when paints of all colors of the rainbow are sold. There is an ancient legend here.

Coloring eggs red is associated with the legend of Mary Magdalene.

According to legend, Mary Magdalene, having come to Rome, presented the first Easter egg to Emperor Tiberius with the exclamation "Christ is Risen!". The emperor did not believe her, saying that it was impossible, as well as the fact that a chicken egg could turn red. At his last words, it turned bright red, thus confirming the good news.

Today, the Church does not forbid different colors, there are no strict canons here. It is recommended that the red color prevail, it is a symbol of triumph on the one hand, and on the other hand, a reminder to believers of the shed blood of the Savior.

What is forbidden to do on Easter

On the day of the celebration of Easter, you cannot:

• Think bad.
• Wish people evil.
• Fight with relatives.
• Use obscene language in the lexicon.
• Lie.
• Embroider.
• Sew.
• To knit.
• Bring order to the house.
• Vacuum.
• Sweep.
• Hack.
• Throw away consecrated food.
• Get rid of sacred things.
• Sneer at people.
• Work in the garden, field.
• Dig.
• Sow.
• Lead an intimate life. It is forbidden to live sexually all week. Two spouses must renounce intimate life. This happens by mutual agreement.
• Watch TV.
• Visit entertainment venues.
• Have noisy parties.
• Sit at the computer.
• Revenge.
• Change spouse.

During the Easter week it is forbidden:

• Get married. According to tradition, marriages on this day are not blessed by the Almighty. You can't get married. These families may not have children.
• Order funeral services.
• Mourn.
• Cry.

It is undesirable to wash the dishes, but if it is necessary, it's okay. All people are subject to household chores. There is no escape from them and no one will fulfill them for us.

Separately, there is the question of various stickers for decorating eggs, which have recently become very popular.

Here you have to be more careful. If the stickers show flowers, the letters "ХВ", patterns, then please use it to your health.

If the faces of the Savior, saints, the Virgin are depicted on the stickers, then such stickers cannot be used categorically. Indeed, in order to eat an egg, it must be cleaned, not only will the faces of the saints be torn apart, but then they will also go to the trash along with the shell as waste.

This also applies to throwing the remains of Easter food into the garbage can. Drops of holy water could fall on the products that were on the table along with consecrated Easter cakes, eggs, cottage cheese Easter, so it is better to refrain from throwing them into the urn. The best option would be to bury the leftover food in the ground.