What to do during Holy Week. Holy Week - what not to do and signs by day

There are quite a lot of prohibitions associated with Good Friday, so you can often hear the question: is it possible to work on this day? A detailed answer to it, as well as the clergyman’s comments, are given in the article.

Passionate, or Great, Friday is the day when the trial of Christ took place, after which the Savior was crucified and died on the cross. It is believed that on the same day the body of Jesus was taken down from the cross and buried.

The death of Christ was a very tragic event. The Bible reports that as soon as he died, the stones next to the cross split, and the day became dark as night. The crowd of people shuddered, and many of them sincerely believed that Jesus was truly the Son of God, and not a common fraudster, as his accusers believed.

However, the tragedy of history lies not so much in these shocks, but in the fact that, in fact, many people betrayed the Savior. Less than a week later, crowds enthusiastically greeted his entry into Jerusalem on a donkey (today Palm Sunday is celebrated in honor of this). And on Friday, during the trial before Pontius Pilate, many of them, in a fit of anger, shouted: “Crucify him!”

The story is described in detail in all four Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Here brief description events of that day, which happened about 2000 years ago: the trial of the Lord and his execution.

Is it possible to work and do household chores?

If possible, on such a day you should refrain from work and from any usual activities that take a lot of time. For example, these are all kinds of housework - general cleaning, washing, sewing, ironing, feasts, visiting and receiving guests, etc. It is obvious that each task gradually consumes a person, which makes it very difficult for him to concentrate on spiritual reflection and honoring the memory of Christ.

However, we cannot always afford to devote the whole day to God. And in many cases it is not the person’s fault. If Good Friday is a normal working day (and this usually happens), we simply have to accept this situation and go to work. However, you should definitely visit the temple, say a prayer and read the relevant passages of the Bible.

IS GOOD FRIDAY A CLOSED DAY?

It is interesting that in some countries, in connection with Easter, not one, but 4 days off are established: starting from Friday and until Monday, residents of 15 countries have a rest:

• Germany;
• Italy;
• Lithuania;
• Latvia;
• Slovakia;
• Spain;
• Austria;
• Portugal;
• UK;
• Australia;
• Switzerland;
• Slovenia;
• Croatia;
• Finland;
• Sweden.

Is it possible to work on the Friday before Easter - the priest’s answer

So, there is no strict ban on work on this day. On the other hand, it is clear that in times of sorrow, a believer should concentrate as much as possible on the memory of Christ and his suffering (passion). That's why you should do your best to at least attend church.

The corresponding commentary is given by the rector of the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

PLEASE NOTE

Of course, Good Friday in our country is not a weekend. Therefore, going to work is definitely necessary: ​​it is the responsibility of every person, from which it is impossible to avoid.

And even Christ once said: “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” This means that we cannot escape from earthly affairs, and even less should we resist the social order.

That is why the answer to the question whether it is possible to work in Good Friday, unambiguous: if you have to do it, then so be it.

What to do if you don’t have time to visit the temple

Unfortunately, life very often places demands on us, failure to comply with which is fraught with serious consequences. What should a person do who, for example, works on a strict shift schedule and goes to his regular duty for the whole day? What should you do if on Good Friday you need to sit with a sick child and take him to the doctor?

Of course, each of us can act according to our own conscience and taking into account the actual circumstances. This means that we ourselves are able to determine whether we can go to church today or whether objectively there is no such possibility.

Of course, it is important to make every effort to attend a church service. You can, for example, change in advance or even take time off or vacation. But if you really can’t go to church at all, a believer can read the canons from the service, as well as those parts of the Bible where the story of the crucifixion of Christ is described (below is again the answer of the rector Vsevolod Chaplin).

What to read on Good Friday at home

So, if you did not have the opportunity to visit the temple and attend the service, you can read at home those canons that are read in the temple on Good Friday:

What things should you avoid on Good Friday?

So, there is no specific prohibition on whether you can work on the last Friday before Easter. Of course, it is preferable to devote attention to God and reading the Bible all day. And at the very least, it is important to visit the temple.

However, even if there is absolutely no time, it is useful to know what you should categorically refuse on Good Friday:

1. Obviously, on Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Bright Resurrection itself, there is no need to get irritated or swear, which means there is no need to start a showdown. There are other days for this - why then darken the memory of Christ and the Easter holiday?
2. You should not drink alcohol or host or participate in feasts or parties. If your birthday falls on this day, it is better to postpone it or celebrate it as modestly as possible.
3. Spouses are advised to renounce mutual pleasures. Strictly prohibited intimacy no, but it is intuitively clear that memories of Christ and participation in his suffering do not imply any carnal pleasures.
4. Of course, it is worth excluding any idle talk, gossip, lengthy arguments, or jokes. Good Friday is a day of remembrance and mourning. And any lively communication can simply dispel the atmosphere of sacred veneration of the deceased Savior.

What can you eat on Good Friday?

Finally, those who comply Lent, they know that on Good Friday it is prescribed not to eat any food until the removal of the shroud from the temple (this happens around 15:00, i.e. after lunch). And then you can eat only bread (any bread, but not sweet pastries) and drink water throughout the day. This ban lasts until Sunday night, when after the service the believers joyfully exclaim: “Christ is risen! Truly risen!” Of course, such a strict ban does not apply to people with poor health, children, the elderly, as well as those who work physically and may simply lose strength from starvation.

Thus, there is no strict prohibition on whether you can work on Good Friday, do household chores and other everyday affairs. Of course, life does not end on this day. However, it is worth keeping in mind that Good Friday is a special time. And we must do everything possible to share the suffering of Christ and pay tribute to the Savior.

The last week before Easter is considered Holy - in 2017 it is April 10-15, and all the days in it are great. Therefore, there are not only Holy Saturday, but also Holy Monday and Holy Tuesday. Let's take a closer look at what you can't do and what you can do during Holy Week.

Fast

Throughout Holy Week, when Christ approached his death on the cross, believers observe the strictest fast. You cannot eat meat, fish, eggs, dairy, or vegetable oil. During Holy Week 2017 you cannot sing, dance, you must go to services and cleanse yourself as much as possible for the bright holiday of Easter.

Household affairs

Every day of Holy Week was set aside for some household chores.

So, on Good Monday it was necessary to finish all the work in the home: thoroughly clean the house, wash everything, clean and paint what was needed. You can also decorate the willow. According to popular belief, if you whip your household with this decorated willow tree, you will be healthy all year round!

Maundy Tuesday was dedicated to finishing work with clothes: washing, ironing, darning.

On Great Wednesday, the last garbage was taken out of the house, eggs and everything necessary for preparing painted eggs (pysanka) were prepared.

Maundy Thursday: take a swim...

The fourth day of Holy Week is called Maundy Thursday. There are many traditions and beliefs associated with this holiday. Everything you do on this day will help you to be healthy, happy and financially secure all year!

On Maundy Thursday, according to tradition, you need to swim at dawn. Get up before sunrise and take a swim. Water at this time has healing properties - it washes away damage, illnesses and sins. The Gospel says that on this day Jesus Christ washed the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper, showing an example of brotherly love and humility.

...Get a haircut

Wednesday is the perfect time to change your hairstyle. It is believed that all evil, as well as evil eyes and ailments, go away with the cut strands.

Visit the temple to confess and receive communion. This will help cleanse the soul of sins. On Maundy Thursday, a fire is lit in churches, which must be brought home. It is believed that such a candle protects the house from misfortunes and fires throughout the year. On Thursday it is customary to bake Easter cakes and paint eggs.

... Give away old things

If you clean your house properly, joy will come to it. Don't forget to get rid of clutter. It is not customary to give old things to other people on this day - so that prosperity does not leave your home, put everything in the trash.

... Do not lend

Do not lend money or lend money to neighbors or relatives kitchen utensils. To avoid financial difficulties for a whole year, count all the money you have.

...Knead the dough

Make cottage cheese Easter. Bake Easter cakes and color eggs. To make everything successful, try to maintain a good mood while cooking - think only about the positive. It is believed that before kneading the dough you need to pray, cleanse your soul and space, otherwise Easter cakes will not turn out.

Good Friday: Strict Fast

On Good Friday, the conditions of fasting become even stricter. You can't do anything around the house, sing, dance, listen to music. You cannot eat anything in memory of the suffering of Christ. In the evening, during services in the church, the Shroud is taken out.

Holy Saturday: preparing an Easter feast

Holy Saturday is the most troublesome day for housewives; they need to prepare everything for the Easter feast; on this day they continue to paint eggs. According to signs, if an egg with a painted shell is cracked, it should not be thrown away, but should be lowered into the river.

And now, after fasting, when the soul and body are ready to accept the joy of Salvation, Great Sunday comes - Easter Day, April 16, 2017.

Monday

On this day, a lot of tidying begins. The house is cleared of old, bulky things.

Tuesday

Groceries are being purchased for Easter. Women prepare medicinal infusions. Men should not even touch herbs, tinctures, powders.

Wednesday

This is the day of washing and all sorts of wiping. On Wednesday, it is advisable to thoroughly wash, scrub the floors, and beat out the carpets.

On Wednesday during Holy Week, a special ritual against any bodily illness was remembered. It was necessary to scoop up water with a mug from a well or from a barrel on the street, or draw water from a river. After crossing ourselves three times, we covered the mug with a clean or new towel, and at 2 a.m., after crossing ourselves three times again, we doused ourselves with this water, leaving a little in the mug. Afterwards, clothes were put on the wet body without drying, and the water that remained in the mug was poured onto a bush or flowers for up to 3 hours. They say that a body washed in this way is reborn.

Thursday

Maundy Thursday advised cutting your hair for the first time one year old child(before one year of age, cutting hair was considered a sin), and girls were given the ends of their braids so that they would grow longer and thicker. All livestock were also advised to have their hair clipped for health and well-being.

On this day, Thursday salt is prepared: it is heated in a frying pan, and the salt becomes medicinal properties. It is advisable to consecrate this salt in the Temple.

Maundy Thursday is traditionally called “clean”, and not only because on this day every Orthodox man strives to be spiritually cleansed, to take communion, to accept the sacrament established by Christ.

IN Maundy Thursday was widespread folk custom cleansing with water - swimming in an ice hole, river, lake or dousing in a bathhouse before sunrise. ?There are many traditions associated with this day.

On Maundy Thursday they cleaned the houses, washed and cleaned everything. It was customary to collect and burn juniper branches to fumigate homes and stables. It is believed that healing juniper smoke protects humans and animals from evil spirits and diseases.

There was also a belief that eggs laid on Holy Thursday and eaten on Easter protected against illness, and the shells of eggs buried in the ground in a pasture reliably protected livestock from the evil eye.

Starting from Maundy Thursday we prepared for festive table, painted and painted eggs. By ancient tradition colored eggs were placed on freshly sprouted oats and wheat.

On Thursday morning they began baking Easter cakes, babas, small products made from wheat flour with images of crosses, lambs, doves, larks, as well as honey gingerbread. In the evening they prepared Easter.

Everyone in the family should take a handful of salt and pour it into one bag. This salt is removed and stored, and it is called “Thursday salt”, i.e. Maundy Thursday. You can use it to treat yourself, as well as your family and friends. This salt is used to make amulets for the family, livestock, garden, home, etc.

On Holy Wednesday and Maundy Thursday, it was customary to wash all domestic animals with water melted from snow - from cows to chickens - and burn the salt in the oven, which, according to folk beliefs, gained from this healing properties. In some villages, at midnight on Maundy Thursday, women were also ordered to douse themselves with water to protect themselves from illness.

If you wash your face before dawn on Maundy (Clean) Thursday, you need to say: “I wash away what they put on me, what is toiling my soul and body, everything is removed on Maundy Thursday.”

On Easter morning they wash themselves with water left over from Maundy Thursday. It’s good to put a silver thing or a spoon in it, or maybe a coin. Wash for beauty and wealth. If a girl cannot get married, she needs to give the towel with which she dried herself on Maundy Thursday to people on Easter, to those who ask for alms, along with dyes and Easter cake. After this, they soon get married.

There was also a custom of burning crosses on doors and ceilings with a candle to protect the house from invasion. evil spirits. Passion candles were given into the hands of seriously ill people or those suffering from difficult childbirth; they have healing power. From Maundy Thursday it was forbidden to sweep the floor in the house until Easter.

Friday

Cooking on this day is going well. We continued to bake and prepare for Easter. “Angels help,” say pious people.

On Friday they will sweep the corners with a rag; this rag will help get rid of lower back pain if you tie it around yourself. The same rag is used to wipe your feet in the bathhouse after washing so that your feet don’t hurt. Ash taken on the Friday before Easter will help cure alcoholism, black shaking, the evil eye and mortal melancholy.

Saturday

The last (quiet) tidy. You can also paint eggs. On this day, common holiday dishes are prepared. On Saturday they brought colored eggs, Easter cakes, Easter cakes and other items to church to be blessed. And before Easter night to go to service, they left a treat on the table so that later they could break their fast. True, they ate little by little - only symbolically, after which they went to bed.

Based on materials from the site "Woman's World"

____________________
Found an error or typo in the text above? Highlight the misspelled word or phrase and click Shift + Enter or .

Immediately after Palm Sunday, before Great Easter, the strictest six days of fasting begin, called Holy Week, Holy Week, Holy Week. In 2018, Holy Week begins on April 2. Often even those who did not hold strict fasting all days, these days they join in fasting, in the great sacrament of cleansing the soul, mind and body, in order to unite in a common impulse of gratitude and get closer to the great mystery of Faith.

This week carries with it even greater strength and desire to share the hardships that the Lord endured before his Resurrection. This strict time requires even greater abstinence and even stricter behavior.

First of all, these days we should complete our spiritual cleansing, from everything that torments the heart, that torments the soul, through prayers, communion and confession, we work through, release and prepare for the Bright Day of the Resurrection of Christ.

For believers, all the rules have long become a truism; for people who are a little far from the faith and the church and want to join, let’s talk about this topic.

Holy Week: Do's and Don'ts by Day

During Holy Week, one should especially refrain from unrighteous deeds, bad deeds and thoughts, and avoid envy, callousness and malice. At this time, it is not advisable to organize noisy entertainment, holidays, laugh loudly, rejoice - this is a period of great sorrow. Helping those in need, caring for the sick, time for good deeds.

Continuing to cleanse the soul, this week they prepare their home for the holiday, renewing and transforming it.

We prepare food for the festive table in advance, eggs for dyeing, and carefully think through the details of the festive decoration.
During Lent, foods that contain meat, fish, poultry, and eggs are strictly prohibited. You should not consume dairy products, as well as chocolate, pasta, white bread, pickles, spices and alcohol.

Holy Monday

Holy Week begins on Holy Monday. Previously, on this day they usually put their yard in order, shallowed, cleaned, and repaired the outside. The weather does not always allow this, and there are fewer and fewer yards, so we immediately begin preparing for the holiday right from the home.

On this day, a lot of tidying begins. The house is cleared of old, bulky things.

On Monday you can eat raw vegetables and fruits, as well as bread, honey and nuts. It is recommended to eat once a day - in the evening.

Holy Tuesday

Groceries are being purchased for Easter. Women prepare medicinal infusions. Men should not even touch herbs, tinctures, powders.
Just like the previous day, raw fruits and vegetables, honey, nuts and bread are allowed. It is advisable to eat only in the evening.

Holy Wednesday

This is the day of washing and all sorts of wiping. On Wednesday, it is advisable to thoroughly wash, scrub the floors, and beat out the carpets. On Wednesday of Holy Week, a special ritual against all bodily infirmities was remembered. It was necessary to scoop up water with a mug from a well or from a barrel on the street, or draw water from a river. Having crossed themselves three times, they covered the mug with a clean or new towel, and at 2 a.m., having crossed themselves again three times, they doused themselves with this water, leaving a little in the mug. Afterwards, clothes were put on the wet body without drying, and the water that remained in the mug was poured onto a bush or flowers for up to 3 hours. They say that a body washed in this way is reborn.

You can also eat bread, vegetables and fruits, cold raw food without oil.

Maundy Thursday

The special day of this week is Thursday, called Maundy Thursday.

From early morning it is important for everyone to take a shower and a bath, this morning water has a special gift of cleansing, gives health and brings good luck for the whole year. We put on clean clothes.

We are finishing cleaning our house. After Maundy Thursday we don’t clean the house until next week.

It is also important to remember: starting from Thursday, nothing is given from home, from small things like salt to borrowed money.

It is believed that water on this day has special properties, is capable of healing, makes lotions and can be used in spells and rituals. It can be collected in a container and used throughout the year when you or someone in your household gets sick. For healing, Thursday water can be drunk or applied to the sore spot as a compress.

We prepare Thursday salt, it will be useful for those who perform rituals and spells: all family members throw a pinch of salt into a common bag, mix it and put it away. This salt stores the special energy of this day and the whole family. It is advisable to consecrate this salt in the Temple.

With pure thoughts and a tidy house, the sacred action begins on this day - baking Easter cakes and coloring eggs.

Thursday - on Maundy Thursday it was advised to cut the hair of a one-year-old child for the first time (cutting it before the age of one was considered a sin), and for girls to cut the ends of their braids so that they would grow longer and thicker. All livestock were also advised to have their hair clipped for health and well-being.

There are many traditions associated with this day. On Maundy Thursday they cleaned the houses, washed and cleaned everything. It was customary to collect and burn juniper branches to fumigate homes and stables. It is believed that healing juniper smoke protects humans and animals from evil spirits and diseases.

There was also a belief that eggs laid on Holy Thursday and eaten on Easter protected against illness, and the shells of eggs buried in the ground in a pasture reliably protected livestock from the evil eye.

Starting from Maundy Thursday, they prepared for the festive table, painted and painted eggs. According to ancient tradition, colored eggs were placed on sprouted green oats and wheat.

On Thursday morning they began baking Easter cakes, babas, small products made from wheat flour with images of crosses, lambs, doves, larks, as well as honey gingerbread. In the evening they prepared Easter.

Everyone in the family should take a handful of salt and pour it into one bag. This salt is removed and stored, and it is called “Thursday salt”, i.e. Maundy Thursday. You can use it to treat yourself, as well as your family and friends. This salt is used to make amulets for the family, livestock, garden, home, etc.

On Holy Wednesday and Maundy Thursday, it was customary to wash all domestic animals with water melted from snow - from cows to chickens - and burn the salt in the oven, which, according to popular belief, acquired healing properties from this. In some villages, at midnight on Maundy Thursday, women were also ordered to douse themselves with water to protect themselves from illness.

If you wash your face before dawn on Maundy (Clean) Thursday, you need to say: “I wash away what they put on me, what is toiling my soul and body, everything is removed on Maundy Thursday.”

On Easter morning they wash themselves with water left over from Maundy Thursday. It’s good to put a silver thing or a spoon in it, or maybe a coin. Wash for beauty and wealth. If a girl cannot get married, she needs to give the towel with which she dried herself on Maundy Thursday to people on Easter, to those who ask for alms, along with dyes and Easter cake. After this, they soon get married.

There was also a custom of burning crosses on doors and ceilings with a candle to protect the house from the invasion of evil spirits. Passion candles were given to seriously ill people or those suffering from difficult childbirth; they have healing powers. From Maundy Thursday it was forbidden to sweep the floor in the house until Easter.

On this day you are allowed to eat hot plant foods with vegetable oil twice a day.

Good Friday is a special day of compassion, on this day Jesus Christ was betrayed and crucified on the cross at Mount Golgotha. The Savior of the human race accepted martyrdom, thereby atonement for human sins. This is a day of special sorrow; it is not customary to work; the day should be dedicated to prayer.

There is a sign that any illness that happens on this day will be quickly cured.

Any problem that arises on this day will soon be well resolved.

Cooking on this day is going well. We continued to bake and prepare for Easter. “Angels help,” say pious people. On Friday they will sweep the corners with a rag; this rag will help get rid of lower back pain if you tie it around yourself. The same rag is used to wipe your feet in the bathhouse after washing so that your feet don’t hurt. Ash taken on the Friday before Easter will help cure alcoholism, black shaking, the evil eye and mortal melancholy.

On Good Friday, refrain from eating at all.

Holy Saturday

The last (quiet) tidy. You can also paint eggs. On this day, common holiday dishes are prepared. On Saturday they brought colored eggs, Easter cakes, Easter cakes and other items to church to be blessed. And before going to the service on Easter night, they left a treat on the table so that later they could break their fast. True, they ate little by little - only symbolically, after which they went to bed. But late on Sunday morning the real feast began, which lasted all week.

Of course, everything preparatory work: cooking and painting of eggs must be completed before Easter.

On Saturday you can eat hot vegetable food once a day, but without oil.

Preparations for the Easter holiday end on Saturday. We paint eggs, bake Easter cakes, if this could not be done on Maundy Thursday.

Immediately upon completion Palm Sunday The last week before Easter begins, which is called Passion. Each day of this week is called the Great Day - since it was on these days that events that had special significance in the world took place. Orthodox Christianity: last supper, the betrayal of Judas, the crucifixion of Christ - and then his Resurrection. That’s why every day has its own special and even mystical meaning.

Let's look at what you can and cannot do these days before Easter, and what signs and traditions exist.

Do's and Don'ts during Holy Week

Great Monday. Finished everything renovation work around the house, cleaning construction waste, they took out old, unnecessary things.

Great Tuesday. They finished repairing clothes, sewing, cutting, darning, ironing and the like. The meltwater collected this year was used to wash livestock to protect them from disease.

Great Wednesday. At night, from Tuesday to Wednesday, they took water from a river or well into a large jug or mug, and made the sign of the cross three times. At two o'clock in the morning they poured this water on themselves, leaving a little at the bottom, making the sign of the cross three times. Clean clothes were put on the wet body, and the remaining water was poured under a tree or bush. This meant the birth of a washed body and, according to signs, protected from illness for the whole year.

Maundy Thursday - or Maundy Thursday. Maundy Thursday falls on April 17 in 2014. Maundy Thursday or Maundy Thursday is the fourth day of Holy Week, the strictest week of Lent.

Symbolic meaning There is a swim on Maundy Thursday; on this day you need to wake up before sunrise and have time to swim. It is believed that in this way, as in Epiphany bathing, a person washes away all his sins, and all ailments and diseases will bypass him.

On Maundy Thursday you need to go to church for confession and communion. On this day, according to customs, it is customary to do things at home before Easter. general cleaning. It is after going to church on Maundy Thursday that you need to clean the house.

You need to clean very thoroughly, not superficially - you should wash all objects in the house, including the ceilings. There is a sign that if you clean your house well on Maundy Thursday, then the house will be clean for the entire next year. Again, cleanliness in the house will reflect the inner purity of the soul of a Christian believer.

The custom for Maundy Thursday is the preparation of Thursday salt. Each family member must take clean hands a handful of salt and pour all the salt into a common pot. Every time the house is cleaned, salt should be added to the water for washing floors. It is believed that this custom will help improve the situation in the home.

After the grandiose cleaning carried out on Maundy Thursday, houses are not swept or cleaned according to custom until Easter.

Maundy Thursday 2014: signs

The most famous sign on Maundy Thursday - count the money three times - in the morning before dawn, at lunchtime and at sunset. It is believed that money will not be transferred in this way in the house.

Another one of the signs of Maundy Thursday is related to Easter baking - if the treat turns out to be heavy and doughy, it means that the believer will have to wait the same year.

On Maundy Thursday, children's hair and the ends of women's hair are also cut - it is believed that this will make them grow better and be voluminous. Women who are unhappy in their personal lives are instructed to go waist-deep into the river on the night of April 17, 2014. Previously, it was believed that such a woman would soon meet her betrothed and her personal life would improve.

Maundy Thursday 2014: conspiracies

On Maundy Thursday you can carry out a conspiracy on good income. To do this, you need to throw a handful of coins into the water that you are going to wash the apartment while saying: “Money, spend money - don’t transfer, grow and multiply, don’t get to the enemy!”. On this day, they completed cleaning the house - they washed everything clean.

Washing the floors began at the threshold and ended in the farthest corner of the house; the water was taken out to the bushes or flower garden. It was considered obligatory on this day to wash with silvered water before sunset - this gave strength and beauty. To do this, they put a silver coin or a spoon, or other silver utensils in a mug or bowl of water, let it sit in the sun, and then washed themselves.

After washing the house, walking with church candle in the corners and after reading the “Our Father” three times, they began to prepare the dough for Easter cakes and paint the eggs.

Good Friday- or Good Friday. A day of sorrow and silence. Churches did not ring bells on this day, and homes were not allowed to rejoice, otherwise there would be grief for the rest of the year. It was also not customary to eat or drink before lunch - in honor of the crucified Christ and his torment on the cross.

Holy Saturday. I also planned to spend the day making final preparations to celebrate Easter. You cannot have fun or have fun on this day; you need to spend the day in prayer. Health and wealth awaited those who did not go to bed on the night from Saturday to Sunday.

Signs of Holy Week

People have long been associated with Holy Week, especially with Thursday and Friday. So, on Maundy Thursday they prepared salt in a special way: they took coarse table salt, pounded in a clean rag, then heated over a fire, pounded again and sifted. It was believed that according to signs, such salt cleanses a person’s energy and protects against diseases. They ate colored eggs with Thursday salt at Easter.

On Maundy Thursday, money was attracted to the house. To do this, they carried out the following ritual: they put a handful of coins into the water for washing the floors and said, “Money, keep going - don’t run out, grow, multiply, don’t get it from the enemy!” After which they washed the floors with this water backwards - from the threshold to the far corner. A handful of coins from a bucket were placed in this far corner, and the water was poured under a bush or tree. It was also believed that what more furniture will be moved in the room during cleaning, the richer the house will be.

Will accept on Good Friday - no less.

• A loaf of bread baked on Good Friday cures all illnesses and never goes moldy.
• On Good Friday, under no circumstances should you pierce the ground with iron; whoever does this will be in trouble.
• If washed clothes are hung out to dry on Good Friday, blood stains will appear on them.
• If bees are transported on any day other than Good Friday, they will certainly die.
• If you are thirsty on Good Friday, no drink will harm you for a whole year.
• Rings blessed on Good Friday protect the wearer from all illnesses.
• Easter baked goods saved from one Good Friday to the next prevent whooping cough.
• Only parsley sown on Good Friday gives a double harvest.
• Weaning babies on Good Friday is a sign that the baby will be strong, healthy and will live a happy life.
• If it is cloudy on Good Friday, then the bread will be covered with weeds.
• If it is dawn on Good Friday, then the wheat will be grainy.

And on Good Friday, twelve candles were brought into the house from the church and allowed to burn out completely: it was believed that this would bring prosperity and happiness to the house.