Holy Week (Holy Week)

During the Holy Week, believers remember the Last Supper, the arrest of Christ, judgment, scourging and execution. The climax of the Passion of Christ is the crucifixion. Every day of Holy Week has the epithet "Great" or "Passionate". On Holy Week, worship is given special importance, and fasting during this period is especially strict.

Every day of Holy Week is dedicated to remembering certain events in the life of Christ. The first three days recall the conversations of Jesus Christ with his disciples and people. Thus, in Great Monday remember the gospel parable about the withering of the barren fig tree by the Lord. It symbolizes a person dying in repentance, whose soul has not brought faith, prayer and good deeds.

AT Great Tuesday remember the parables uttered by Jesus Christin the Temple of Jerusalem. Among them - the parable of the resurrection of the dead, the tribute to Caesar, the Last Judgment, talents and ten virgins. In addition, on the second day of Holy Week, it is customary to recall the rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees by Christ.

AT Great Wednesday with sorrow remember the betrayal of JesusChrist Judas Iscariot for 30 pieces of silver, as well as a sinner who, unknowingly, prepared Christ for burial, washing His feet with tears and sending a precious globe on His head. On this day, it is common to compare two life paths - the traitor of Judas and the repentant harlot Mary Magdalene. Mary Magdalene accepted salvation, Judas chose spiritual ruin.

Maundy Thursday (Clean Thursday) reminds us of the Last Supper - the lastthe feast of Christ with the disciples before his execution. Liturgy on Holy Thursday symbolizes the participation of believers in the Last Supper. During the service on this day of Holy Week, the four events of the Gospel are remembered, which occurred on Thursday: the washing of Jesus Christ's feet to his disciples, the betrayal of Judas, the Last Supper and the establishment of the Sacrament of the Eucharist (communion), and finally the prayer of Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The most mournful day of Holy Week - Great (Holy) Friday. It was on this day that Jesus Christ was crucified,so on Friday before Easter, believers remember the trial, the crucifixion and the death of Christ on Calvary. On this day, the Divine Liturgy is not served, because on that day the Lord himself sacrificed himself. At Vespers on Great Friday, they take out the shroud.

AT Great Saturday remember the stay of Jesus Christ in the tomb. In Jerusalem, this day comes the Holy Fire (Holy Light), symbolizing the way out of the Holy Sepulcher of the True Light (the resurrection of Jesus Christ). On Holy Saturday in the churches they perform the Liturgy of Basil the Great. During this liturgy, biblical prophecies are read before the shroud, which was carried out the day before.

Holy Week is also a period preparation for the celebration of the Bright Resurrection. During this week they do cleaning in the house, bake cakes, prepare Easter and paint Easter eggs, which are consecrated on Great Saturday.

And on the last day of Holy Week, on Sunday, Easter is celebrated - the day of the Bright Christ's Resurrection. On this day it is customary to congratulate each other, greeting passers-by with words "Christ is risen!". This greeting should be answered "Truly Risen!".

On Easter Day the Great Lent is coming to an end, so on this day it is customary to cover abundantand a delicious Easter table. The meal begins with the fact that everyone breaks down the cake, consecrated in the church, which the head of the family shares equally among all household members.