The entrance of the Lord to Jerusalem is an ancient feast of all believers, which is celebrated on Sunday a week before Easter . The solemn entry of Jesus into the capital of the kingdom of Israel marked his entry into the path of the cross of suffering. This holiday is called Palm Sunday or Palm Sunday. The name is associated with some historical traditions of those times.
Why is Sunday Palm Sunday?
To understand the reasons for this unusual name, it is necessary to study the history of the holiday Palm Sunday. The Jews had the custom of solemnly greeting kings and victors with joyful exclamations, with palm branches in their hands. According to the Old Testament, Jesus did so in Jerusalem, but his glory was not in winning the war or reigning in the state, but in winning over death and sin. Jews voluntarily glorified Christ before his death, thanks to his free suffering, dedicated to the whole human race.
In Russia this celebration is traditionally called Palm Sunday. The reason for this name is that the palm branches of the Slavs are replaced by willows, since they are the first to blossom in the spring. Willow branches symbolize those branches that the Jews held in their hands, meeting Jesus in the ancient city. In southern countries, instead of willba, branches and flowers of other plants, usually palm trees, are used.
Orthodox Palm Sunday - traditions
On this day the worshipers seem to meet the invisibly walking Jesus and greet him as the victor of death and hell. People read a special prayer for the blessing of the "wai", during which they hold lit candles, flowers and willow twigs. Verba, sprinkled with holy water, is carefully stored throughout the year and decorated with an icon in the apartment. In some families there is an interesting custom to put a willow in a coffin to the deceased in a sign that he is by faith of the Son of the Lord
On the day when the Palm Sunday is celebrated, it is customary to hit relatives and friends with pussy willow. After the morning prayer, which little children are not led to, parents raise the children from the bed with light strokes of willow branches, wishing health "like a willow." It is also believed that if you eat a kidney sprinkled with holy water of willow, then important matters will be solved and cherished desires will be fulfilled.
This holiday is traditionally organized by the pampering bazaars, which sell children's toys, sweets, books and of course bundled bundles of willow.