Palm Sunday 2011

Palm Sunday is celebrated on the last Sunday before Easter. Since Easter in 2011 is celebrated on April 24, then Palm Sunday 2011 is celebrated on April 17. The origin of the name "Palm Sunday" is associated with one of the symbols of this holiday - the willow.

According to the Gospels on this day, the day of the PalmResurrection, Jesus Christ made a solemn entrance to Jerusalem. According to the ancient custom that existed, the victor, entering the city on an ass, showed his good intentions and the desire for peace. Residents welcomed Christ with palm branches (branches of the date palm), which are a symbol of peace. So the palm branches gave one more name to the Feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem - Waiy Week (vayi - branches of the date palm) or Flower-bearing Week.

At the pussy will sooner than other treesbuds are blossoming. Therefore, with the advent of Christianity in Russia in the 10th century, the willow branches were replaced by palm branches and the willow took on the same symbolic significance as the date palm.

On Palm Sunday it is customary to consecrate the vertebral twigs in the church, which parishioners prepare in advance. Harvesting of vertex branches has long beenaccompanied by special rituals. In the old days, the branchy branches were broken from trees growing along the river banks. Were procured vertex twigs and rich nobles, and simple peasants.

On Palm Sunday, there was a tradition that solemn processions were held in towns and villages, imitating the entrance of Jesus to Jerusalem. According to the rituals of that time on a donkey or a horse, donned by an ass, a priest sat on horseback, and the bride was led by the mayor, the voevoda or even the tsar himself. Under Peter I the tradition ceased to exist.

But some traditions of Palm Sunday have survived to this day. Sanctified in the church, the willow is credited with healing properties and those wishing to be healed of their ailments and ailments should eat 9 fluffy kidneys on Palm Sunday.

With palm kidneys it is also customary to bake special tortillas, which you need to eat yourself and give the livestock, so that it does not hurt.

Undoubtedly, one of the most famous traditions of the Palm Sunday is the tradition of gently whipping each other with willow branches, saying: "I do not hit, the willow beats". It is believed that the one who was "whipped" willow will be less sick.

Palm Sunday is celebrated during Lent, so those who keep fasting continue to refrain from eating forbidden dishes. But on Palm Sunday it is allowed to eat fish - this can be done only twice for the Great Lent.