Clean Thursday 2011

Great Thursday is the last Thursday beforeEaster, bright Christ's Resurrection. Since Easter is a passing holiday, which does not have a clearly fixed date, and the date of Clean Thursday depends on the date of Easter, every year Great Thursday falls on different days. So, Clean Thursday 2011 falls on April 21, because Easter 2011 is celebrated on April 24.

Pure Thursday reminds believers of one of the most important events of the Gospel: The Last Supper. The Last Supper - this is the last meal of Jesus Christ with the apostles and disciples before the execution. At the Last Supper the most important rite was established, recognized by all Christian denominations, Eucharist (participle).

Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican Communion is considered sacrament - a rite through which is secretly and invisiblythe grace of the Holy Spirit is transmitted, the manifestation of God's mercy. In the Eucharist, believing Christians eat the Blood and Body of Jesus Christ (wine and bread) and thus unite with God.

In Orthodox churches in Pure Thursday, a special service is performed - Liturgy of Basil the Great. After the Liturgy they make ritual. This rite also reminds us of the Last Supper,when Jesus Christ before the feast washed his feet to the apostles and thereby showed an example of humility and brotherly love. In practice, the ritual of washing feet is performed in the cathedrals and parts of the monasteries by the bishop, who is washing the feet of twelve priests or monks.

In the evening on Great Thursday read 12 Gospels of the Holy Passion about the earthly sufferings of the Savior. In fact, this is the reading of the Good Friday morning, but in practice it is read on Pure Thursday. The believers lighted during this reading bring the candles home, making sure that they do not go out on the way. By the fire of these candles, the sign of the cross is made on the doorframes of the doors, and then, until Easter, they keep it in the lamps.

On Pure Thursday they begin to prepare for Easter - spiritually and physically. Believers come to the temple to perform the sacraments of confession and communion. But before Easter you need to clean not only the soul, but also the body. Therefore, on Great Thursday, many rise todawn, to bathe and thereby symbolically be cleansed from sins. Also on Clean Thursday it is customary to wash with water, in which the silver coin was placed on the eve.

Purification is required not only for man,that surrounds him. Our ancestors believed that the bright holiday of Christ's Resurrection rejoices not only people, but all nature, and even every object. therefore Clean Thursday is the day of harvesting, so it has been a long time. On this day you need to thoroughly clean your home of litter and dust, rinse the dishes and wash clothes.

On Great Thursday they begin to paint eggs and bake Easter cakes. TO preparing an Easter cake it is necessary to take a special seriousness: it symbolizes the Body of Christ, so before baking Easter cake you need to pray and thus purify your thoughts and thoughts.