What not to eat on Palm Sunday: the main prohibitions of the day

This Sunday, April 9, Orthodox Christians will celebrate the great feast - the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. It is popularly known as Palm Sunday, which is celebrated exactly one week before Easter.

The editors of FoodOboz will tell you about the history and traditions of Palm Sunday, as well as the main prohibitions of this day.

History of Palm Sunday

According to history, it was on this day that Jesus Christ rode on a donkey into the holy city of Jerusalem. The inhabitants greeted him by shouting "Hosanna" and throwing palm branches in his path. Normally only a king would be greeted so solemnly.

Traditionally, the palm branch is a symbol of Palm Sunday. But since it does not grow in Ukraine, it was replaced by a willow tree, which is one of the first to bloom in spring and is endowed with healing properties.

Traditions of Palm Sunday

Preparations for the celebration begin the day before, on Lazarus Saturday, when hostesses clean the house and prepare food. The next day, a service is held in churches, during which the main symbol of the holiday - sprigs of willow - is blessed. The consecrated willow is brought home and kept, as a rule, by the icons.

It is also customary to lightly tap loved ones on the shoulders with a consecrated willow, saying: "I'm not the one who taps it, the willow taps it, in a week's time it's Easter, the red egg is not far away!" This is the traditional wish of health for the whole year.

The main prohibitions of Palm Sunday

• On this day it is necessary to postpone housework, needlework and any physical work. It is also forbidden to cook even the simplest dishes.
• It is forbidden to consume strong alcohol.
• Foods of animal origin - meat, eggs and dairy products - remain prohibited. The table on Palm Sunday should be modest. However, on the holiday there are some indulgences, so it is allowed to eat fish, cooking oil and a little dry wine.

Previously, OBOZREVATEL told about the history and main symbols of Palm Sunday.

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