Information regarding what can not be done on a forgiven Sunday, and what can and even is needed, is useful to people who live according to church rules. Certain traditions are associated with this day, which were formed in ancient times.
What does the holiday of Forgiveness Sunday mean?
Before the start of the most rigorous post, Forgiveness Sunday is celebrated. On this day, according to tradition, people must apologize to each other, for possible offenses, committed acts and words spoken. Describing what it means to Forgiveness Sunday, it is worth pointing out that it is necessary in order to prepare for entry into the strictest fasting and enter into it with a pure soul. The purpose of this holiday is mutual forgiveness. A person must overcome his personal pride, resign himself, and find the strength to ask for forgiveness, and forgive himself.
Forgiven Sunday - why so called?
The tradition began to celebrate this holiday about 2 thousand years ago in Egypt, when they found shelter and protection of Mary and Jesus, hiding from King Herod. Since that time Orthodoxy has spread across the country, monasteries began to open and traditions began to be formed. There is this celebration and another name - the day of Adam's exile. God expelled Adam and Eve for the perfect deed and unwillingness to admit guilt because of his pride and stubbornness. This teaches people not to repeat their mistake.
Finding out why forgiveness is requested on forgiven Sunday, it is worth mentioning such a historical fact that before the fasting the monks spent in seclusion in solitude to pray and prepare for the Passover. They understood that a long stay in the wild is dangerous and there is a risk that not everyone can return home, so when they leave, they forever say goodbye to their brothers and ask each other forgiveness.
What is not allowed on a forgiven Sunday?
People usually celebrate the end of Shrovetide noisily with songs and dances, but the Orthodox Church does not approve of this. There are several rules concerning what can not be done on Forgiveness Sunday, so at this time one should do everything from the heart, so exclude bad thoughts and words. It is not recommended to do physical labor on this day, for example, to wash and clean, but you can prepare food. It is impossible on the last day before Easter to go to bed late.
It will be interesting to find out what is done on Forgiveness Sunday, besides, as asking for forgiveness:
- Traditionally, people begin this day with a trip to the temple to pray for the living and departed people. In churches, the prior to the believers expresses a parting word and people ask for forgiveness from him, referring to the Lord.
- Long since the last day before the fast, people have necessarily washed in the bath , trying to cleanse the body and soul.
- Another interesting tradition is to put babies under a pillow of candy or apples. It was believed that this will save them from hunger throughout the year.
What can not be eaten on a forgiven Sunday?
This day completes the preparation of believers for the Great Lent, during which a person should refuse to eat food of animal origin. On the last day of the pancake week, meat and meat products should be discarded (but this should be done from the first day of Shrovetide). Another rule - the remnants of uneaten food after dinner given to animals or betraying fire.
If you want to know what is eaten on Forgiven Sunday, then it is customary to fry pancakes for breakfast, but at lunch you can eat different dairy products, for example, cottage cheese, cheese, sour cream, and again pancakes. In addition, you can cook dishes from fish, vegetables and eggs. In ancient times, the last dish that people made and ate on Sacred Sunday was the fried eggs. Today this tradition is rarely not observed.
What can not you drink on a forgiven Sunday?
There are prohibitions concerning not only the characteristics of nutrition on this day, but also the use of drinks. Finding out what can not be done on the holiday of Forgiveness Sunday, it is important to note that on this day you should completely eliminate alcohol and this rule is observed throughout the post, except for indulgences at the weekend, when you can drink a little wine. If you are interested in what to drink on a Forgiven Sunday, so, on this day it is customary to use tea, a knot or compote.
What can not be said on a forgiven Sunday?
On this holiday you need to try to shield yourself from all bad and negative. This applies not only to words, but also to thoughts. A sin is entering into conflicts and saying insults towards people. It is worthwhile to understand what they say on a forgiven Sunday to each other, so, on this day you need to apologize, and you should not say everything in detail and you can just say "Forgive me". The main thing is that it should be sincere.
If there is no possibility to repent, looking into the eyes of a person, you can call him or just write a letter with explanations and a request to understand and forgive. Another important point to pay attention to is that you need to answer on a forgiven Sunday, when a person asks for forgiveness, and so, the best answer is "God forgave, and I forgive." In addition, you should ask for forgiveness in return.