Palm Sunday, April 13: rules and strict prohibitions

Palm Sunday opens Holy Week - the period of preparation for Easter and begins exactly one week before it. Like the Resurrection holiday, it does not have a fixed date. In 2025, Palm Sunday will be celebrated on April 13. UNN will tell about the rules, prohibitions and traditions of the celebration.

Palm Sunday is also called Palm Sunday. When Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem on a donkey, the townspeople met him by laying palm branches on the road. However, in the Slavic tradition, the palm, which is not found in our latitudes, was replaced by willow. It became a symbol of renewal and spiritual purity.

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Traditions of celebration

On Palm Sunday, Ukrainians traditionally consecrate willow in the church. When leaving the church, people lightly hit each other with a vine, saying: "I don't beat, the vine beats, Easter will be in a week." In particular, in the Carpathians, it is believed that by touching their loved ones with consecrated willow branches, they ward off all the troubles that may befall them during the next year.

Consecrated branches are usually kept at home near icons throughout the year as a symbol of protection from all misfortunes and in no case are thrown into the trash. Last year's willow can be burned in a clean place or buried in the ground.

In the folk tradition, there was also a tradition of planting a branch of consecrated willow from the church in the field or garden. If the willow was accepted, it was believed that a rich harvest could be expected. If there is a young girl in the house, the sprouted willow foreshadowed her marriage.

Consecrated willow was credited with magical properties. With it, the owners drove cattle to the spring pasture for the first time, "so that evil spirits would not cling to the animals".

With the consecrated willow, the owner walked around his estate to drive away evil forces. It was believed that the smoke from its burning cleanses the home.

Willow was also of great importance in folk medicine. There is a belief that after the priest consecrates the branches with holy water, you need to swallow a few "cats" from the branch, "so that the throat does not hurt." In some places, a decoction of willow was used, believing that it helps with colds.

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Prohibitions and restrictions on Palm Sunday

During Holy Week, believers prepare for Easter, so they should devote time to prayers and spiritual purification. Therefore, it is forbidden to quarrel, have fun, and organize noisy parties during this period. If you are asked for help on this day, you cannot refuse, because the holiday teaches compassion and love for your neighbor. Christians are also not advised to overeat, as Lent is not over yet.

However, according to church regulations, some easing of fasting is allowed on Lazarus Saturday (the day before Palm Sunday). On this day and on Palm Sunday, you can eat fish, caviar, vegetable oil and allow yourself a little wine. However, strong alcohol remains prohibited.

There is no direct prohibition on working in the house or in the garden on these days, but it is also recommended to refrain from it.

What to do on Palm Sunday

The main ritual of the holiday is associated with willow branches. They are advised to be cut from healthy trees (in no case to break or take from trees in the cemetery, near reservoirs or landfills) a few days in advance and put in water so that the "cats" have time to bloom.

On Palm Sunday, willow is consecrated in temples. This is an important part of the tradition, so it is worth visiting the service.

After consecration, it is better to bring a branch of willow to the house and put it near the icons, this brings blessings to the house.

It is better to spend this day in a narrow circle of relatives and friends, exchange good wishes.

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Folk omens for Palm Sunday

• sun and absence of wind on Palm Sunday mean the arrival of a warm summer;

• if a strong wind blows on this day, the weather will be changeable all summer;

• if frost hits on Palm Sunday, you can safely expect a rich harvest of spring crops;

• cloudy weather on this day promises generous harvests in the summer;

• if it rains on Palm Sunday, then the whole harvest should be good;
• if you plant a plant on this day, it will give wealth to the owners of the house;
• if you lightly whip cattle with consecrated willow, the animals will not get sick all year round;
• a branch of willow burned in the stove protects the house from fire;
• a consecrated branch of willow attached to the roof will preserve the health of the family and give peace.

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