krotoffa What you should absolutely not do on Easter day. In case it suits someone...

Original taken from karina_great What you should absolutely not do on Easter Day

Our ancestors firmly believed that the events that take place on Easter are full of special divine meaning.

Among the people there were many signs and beliefs for Easter, the veracity of which was not even questioned.


1. You cannot do housework on Easter - cleaning, sewing, knitting. Give your full attention to God and your family.

2. On Easter Day and during Easter week you should not be sad or cry.

3. It is forbidden to have sex - throughout the week you need to forget about worldly affairs and think about spiritual things.

4. You cannot go to the cemetery on Easter; this is what Memorial Week is for.


EASTER SIGNS

The celebration of Easter in our country is associated with many folk traditions and signs.

✔ To ensure harmony in your home and success in business, get a talisman or talisman.

✔ A husband and wife must hit colored eggs against each other at breakfast on Easter Sunday; the one whose egg does not break will be the “head” of the family all year.

✔ Whichever neighbor is the first to return from the Easter service will be the luckiest.

✔ If you want to be beautiful, on Easter morning, after breaking the fast, pour water into a basin, dip the blessed dye into it, roll it around the bowl, and then wash your face with this water and roll the dye over your face - this will bring beauty and get rid of skin diseases.

✔ And if you want wealth for yourself, dip gold and silver jewelry and coins into the water with the egg.

✔ They roll an egg over children's faces - it is believed that this will protect them from the evil eye.

✔ If unmarried girl really wants to get married, during the festive matins she needs to quietly whisper: “The Resurrection of Christ! Send me a single groom!”

✔ It has long been customary to leave the house with an egg on Easter and, meeting friends, fight with paints. Whose remains intact after the blow will be healthy and happy all year.

✔ You can’t do any homework on Easter, otherwise happiness will go away with troubles. The exception is teaching children and caring for animals.

✔ And the main belief: on Easter God hears all our prayers and helps us fulfill our desires! Let us wish ourselves and our loved ones peace, health and love!

✔ There was a belief that water collected from a spring on Easter night or during Matins has special power, comparable to the power of holy water. I just had to bring it home without saying a word on the way. To achieve happiness and prosperity, they sprinkled houses and barns with this “silent” water.

✔ A husband and wife should not celebrate Christ on Easter, so as not to be separated, as a popular sign for Easter says.

✔ There are also signs for Easter for girls related to Easter. If your lips itch during Easter week, a kiss is inevitable; I hurt my elbow - my dear remembered; a fly fell into the cabbage soup - there will be a date; eyebrows itch - to meet your loved one.

✔ There is a sign for Easter to get pregnant. Go to church early in the morning and dedicate eggs and Easter cakes. And then ask God to fulfill your desire.

✔ If you are constantly experiencing difficulties with money, be sure to give a coin to a beggar on Easter - you will not know the need for the whole year.

✔ And in order for there to be peace, harmony in the family and no one quarreling among themselves, the Easter meal must begin with the whole family and everyone must first of all eat a piece of Easter cake and eggs that were consecrated in the church.

✔ First Easter Egg It is customary to divide into several parts according to the number of family members. Such joint eating of one egg, according to legend, strengthens the family, maintains friendly relations and love for each other.

✔ In many places it was believed that if on Easter night or during matins you go to a spring, draw water there and silently bring it home, without uttering a single word along the way, then the water would acquire special power, almost equal to the power of holy water. Such “silent” water was sprinkled on houses and barns for happiness and well-being, washed with it for health, etc.

HAPPY HOLIDAY TO YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES!

The long-awaited and beloved one is approaching Easter holiday, which in 2018 falls on April 8th.

Light Christ's Resurrection- this is the greatest day for any Christian, one step above even Christmas. This is a time of joy and love, and also a tribute to Jesus himself, who gave his life for us.

There are many opinions about how to celebrate Easter correctly. Some people throw big feasts and do not deny themselves anything on this day, while others go to church first.

Folk superstitions, preserved from pagan times, are closely intertwined with true traditions Orthodox Church, so it can be very difficult to determine what is right and what is wrong. So how to celebrate this holiday correctly, what can you do on Easter and what can’t?

What not to do on Easter

On the Bright Resurrection of Christ, the most important thing to remember is that this is a time to rejoice, remembering the Resurrection of Christ. All other restrictions and prohibitions follow from this.

The celebration lasts all week ( Bright Week), therefore the prohibitions are valid for the entire period of the festival.

Prohibitions for Easter

  1. You can’t quarrel with someone or be offended by someone. If you still have old grievances, try to let them go and forgive.

  2. On this day you cannot be greedy and stingy. Since ancient times, on Easter it has been customary to share food with the poor and needy. And this applies not only to money or food - give your smile to everyone around you, give forgiveness to everyone who asks you for it. In short, try to give everything you can.

  3. You can’t swear, be sad or give in to despondency. During all seven days you need to be as kind as possible so as not to overshadow others. Holy holiday.

  4. You can't get drunk and indulge in excesses. Everything should be in moderation - food, alcohol. The priests say that it is better to drink only wine during this period of alcohol, leaving vodka for other periods.

  5. You can't work at the expense of the holiday. However, if you work time according to the schedule, then there is nothing to worry about. But if not great need, it is better to devote this time to communicating with friends and family. The church does not prohibit working on this day, but clergy recommend postponing household chores until another day.

  6. Cleaning is not allowed. But there are also nuances: you should not clean in the full sense of the word, devoting half a day to washing the floors and wiping off dust. Of course, this does not apply to small everyday issues. Although, if this does not prevent you from being in a festive mood, everything is fine. In any case, this is rather not a prohibition, but rather moral advice.

  7. You can't go to the cemetery. The church prohibits holding funeral services and mourning the dead this week. Since grief contradicts the spirit of the holiday - joy on the occasion of the Resurrection of Christ from the dead.

  8. You are also not allowed to have an intimate life. Sexual activity is prohibited for the entire week. Refuse intimate life two spouses owe. This happens by mutual consent.

  9. It is also worth mentioning that it is forbidden to sanctify in church. You can only sacred those foods that were excluded from the diet in Lent. But alcohol is a complete taboo. Once upon a time it was customary to bless only rich bread (Kulich), eggs, meat, cheese and milk, but now they put everything in the basket.

    What should not be put in the Easter basket: alcohol, because there is no place for drunk people in church; money and other material assets; blood sausage, it is not generally recognized by Orthodox ministers as fit for consumption. Salt and pepper should not be blessed, since these products were not prohibited during Lent.

    Put these products in your Easter basket soon folk tradition than church. You should also not bring fruits and vegetables to church.

  10. Don't throw away leftover Easter food. As a rule, after festive feast There are leftovers of food - Easter cakes, Easter eggs, eggs. Don't throw away everything you haven't eaten!

    Don't even throw eggshells in the trash! It is customary to give all leftover food to birds or animals.

Easter is one of the most joyful and bright holidays of the year. Its celebration is associated with many centuries-old traditions and customs that add special flavor and warmth to Easter. Unfortunately, not all of us are well acquainted with Orthodox Easter traditions. What they do on Easter and what they cannot do on this church holiday, as well as what to do before and after the Holy Resurrection of Christ, will be discussed further.

What to do before Easter: main traditions by day

The celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord is preceded by Holy Week - the last week before the great holiday. In the old days, every day was associated with certain traditions, which were strictly followed by all believers. So, for example, on Monday housewives began to put the house in perfect order. In addition to general cleaning, on this day they also prepared a special essential oil with herbs, which were used to treat various ailments throughout the next year. On Tuesday they washed and mended linen and clothes. Also on Holy Tuesday they made peace and asked for forgiveness. On Wednesday, as a rule, all housework was finished and eggs were boiled.

On Maundy Thursday, all family members had to swim, preferably before dawn. This ritual of ablution guaranteed good health for the whole year, and also symbolized spiritual cleansing. Also on Thursday they started painting eggs and baking Easter cakes. IN Good Friday As a rule, they did nothing and tried not to eat. Thus, the believers longed for Christ. On the last day before Easter - Saturday, the final preparations were completed. On this day, housewives prepared all the remaining Easter treats, cleaned and washed.

What do they do on Easter?

Easter is celebrated on Sunday - the last day Holy Week. Traditionally, believers go to church on the night from Saturday to Sunday to celebrate the Easter service and bless Easter cakes and eggs. In addition to traditional Easter cakes and krashankas, you can also bless water, salt, and fruits. Blessed food is believed to bring health. In addition, it is also customary to leave some of the food brought to the church so that everyone in need on this day can share the joy of the holiday.

On a note! On Easter, it is customary to greet each other with special words: “Christ is Risen.” In response to such a greeting, one must say: “Truly He is Risen.” Then kiss three times.

On Sunday morning, traditionally, the whole family gathers at one table to begin celebrating Easter. First, the head of the family cuts the Easter cake into as many pieces as there are people present at the table. Breaking the fast begins with a piece of Easter cake and krashanka. Then you can try others holiday dishes. Then you need to have fun and rejoice all day.

What can't you do on Easter?

There is also a list of what not to do on Easter. For example, on this day it is strictly forbidden to swear, quarrel, mourn, or go to the cemetery. You can't work or study either. physical activity. Excessive drinking of strong alcoholic beverages, including their blessing during services, is also not welcomed by the church.

What do they do after Easter?

In the first week after Easter, it is customary to remember the dead. You can go to the cemetery all week and bring Easter treats.

Also, in the period before the Ascension of the Lord (40 days after the Resurrection of Christ), one should adhere to the main Easter rules: be friendly, joyful, do not use foul language, live in peace with others. If possible, you need to work less and avoid hard physical labor. At this time, it is worth paying more attention to spiritual development and purification.

We hope we have answered your main question about what to do on Easter and what not to do. And this year you will put all the knowledge you have gained into practice.

And all because in the air you really feel the spirit of something bright and magical.

People prepare for Easter long before it arrives. However, do we know everything about this amazing day? Yes, perhaps most of us have repeatedly heard the history of the holiday, and also that there should be delicious Easter cakes, Easter cakes and decorated eggs on the festive table.

What else do you need to know in order to properly meet and celebrate the bright day of Christ’s Resurrection?

Let's clarify what can and cannot be done on Easter, as well as on the eve of this great holiday?

Palm Sunday


Let's start with Palm Sunday.

Surely, all believers know that Palm Sunday is considered the moment of Jesus Christ’s entry into the city of Jerusalem.

This day is celebrated exactly a week before Easter. Therefore, as for Easter, the date of Palm Sunday will be different every year. In 2018 Palm Sunday falls on April 1st.

On this day, it is customary for believers to bring into the house the symbol of this holiday - willow branches. They became the main attribute of Palm Sunday.

While attending a church service, willow branches are blessed, after which they are taken into the house and also given to relatives and friends. Blessed willow branches replace the palm branches with which the crowd greeted Christ's entry into Jerusalem on the eve of his crucifixion.

If you believe biblical history, Jesus rode into the city on a donkey, where he was met by people who were holding palm branches (in those days they were associated with healing).


It should be noted that this day is very important for Catholics.

They have such a holiday called Palm Sunday. As mentioned above, in Orthodox religion the palm was replaced by the willow. However, that same ancient symbolism has been preserved. Indeed, in our culture, it is this willow that is credited with healing properties and magical powers.

Believers know that the consecrated willow has special magic: it protects the home from various natural Disasters, for example, fires and floods, and protects all family members from illnesses and various troubles.

However, of course, the branch itself will not work. It is also important to remember a number of rules that must be followed.

What not to do on Palm Sunday


So, remember that you cannot break prohibitions on Palm Sunday. To spend this day decently and correctly, as well as to celebrate Easter with dignity, you need to adhere to some recommendations. Here are the most important of them:

On Palm Sunday you need to forget about any kind of work. It is forbidden to work physically: postpone cleaning, cooking, sewing, knitting until later. This is a holiday like many others Religious holidays. Therefore, it is not recommended to work on this day.


Also avoid visiting entertainment venues, such as bars and nightclubs. This day should be celebrated peacefully and quietly with family.

On Palm Sunday you also need to adhere to the menu prescribed for Lent.

About the menu for festive table It's worth taking care of in advance. As mentioned earlier, on this day it is recommended to give up physical work, including kitchen chores. First of all, this concerns the preparation of hot dishes.


Alcohol consumption is strictly prohibited. Still, you need to remember that this is a church holiday, you shouldn’t turn it into a lush feast, as well as another reason to get drunk.

On this day you cannot swear, or refuse to help someone. If you are asked for something, try to do a good deed.

In addition, there is another strange one for modern people Recommendation: You should not comb your hair on Palm Sunday.

What to do on Palm Sunday


But in order to forget about headaches forever, there is a wonderful remedy that our grandmothers and great-grandmothers resorted to: you need to comb your hair, then immerse 2-3 hairs or the comb itself in water.

On a holiday, the willow should be watered with this water. At the same time, do not forget to say the following magic words: “Water, pour on the ground along with the headache.”

So, as already mentioned, the main event on Palm Sunday is the blessing of willow branches.

Then, after the morning church service, the branches are brought into the house so that they protect your home, as well as all household members, from various potential troubles and possible dangers.


There is another very interesting tradition: with blessed branches you need to lightly hit each other and at the same time pronounce the phrase out loud: “It’s not me who hits, it’s the willow that hits! The willow whips - it hits you to tears!”

It is believed that if a twig touches you, it will certainly protect you from damage and the evil eye.

Even the buds of consecrated willow have a special healing effect. Since ancient times, kidneys have found excellent use in folk medicine.

According to traditional healers, willow buds help increase male potency. They also treat female infertility and also promote rapid pregnancy.

A child was also bathed in the decoction if he showed signs of illness, and sick pets were treated with the same decoction.

This is a remedy that is widely used in modern medicine.


As for the dishes on the festive table, you need to remember that now is the time of Lent, and, based on this, it is worth considering the menu.

But on Palm Sunday, you can still make an exception to the rules and introduce fish dishes, and also allow yourself to drink a little red wine.


In addition, on this day it is possible and even recommended to replant home flowers. If you believe folk signs, then transplanted on Palm Sunday indoor plant will grow and bloom, and household members will soon experience financial well-being.

But if the plant dries out and its leaves fall off, financial difficulties are most likely just around the corner.

Holy Week

The last week before Easter is considered Holy. This week is also called Holy Week.


However, it is worth remembering that Holy Week has different times there were many others names - Red, Red, Great, Holy Week.

It is Holy Week that is considered the time preceding the crucifixion of Christ. This is a week of active preparation for the holiday of Holy Easter. Housewives are beginning to decorate their houses with original decor, getting the most interesting recipes dishes and, of course, actively baking Easter cakes.

Each of the seven days of the week before Easter is of particular importance for believers. On each of these days, certain traditions were observed in Rus'.

First of all, it is worth noting that you must continue to fast throughout Holy Week. This means not eating meat, fish or dairy products. Eggs and butter are also included in the food ban.

Besides, in Holy Week Any kind of entertainment activity is prohibited. This week you should not sing, dance, it is best to attend church services. This way you cleanse your soul as much as possible before the onset of Easter.


Remember that the last week before the holiday is the most important period.

To celebrate Easter with dignity, you need to avoid committing bad deeds and prevent negative thoughts and desires. Try to control yourself so as not to even think about something bad. Envy, indifference, anger and vanity - all these feelings can corrode our soul, thereby bringing us great harm.

As mentioned above, it is advisable to avoid noisy entertainment events. Avoid parties and holidays, as well as laughing too loudly. It should be remembered that Holy Week is a period of great tribulation.

What not to do and what to do during Holy Week


Try to help those who need your help. Take care of the sick, the poor and the needy. Holy Week is a period of repentance, as well as doing good deeds.

Believers simultaneously cleanse their souls and also pay attention to transforming their home: they try to put it in order, paint something here and there, whitewash it, update it, and add new decorations.

In addition, the products that will be present on the festive table are prepared in advance. First of all, these are Easter cakes and colored eggs.

Holy Monday


The first day of Holy Week is Maundy Monday.

In Rus', on this day it was customary to restore order and do general cleaning. As a rule, housewives took up the cleaning, swept out all the garbage, and cleaned the inside of the room. The men were repairing the outside of the house.

Holy Tuesday


On Maundy Tuesday, all believers remember how Christ exposed the Pharisees and scribes.

On this day it is also customary to pay tribute to the memory of Patriarch Thomas of Constantinople. In the old days in Rus', on Holy Tuesday it was customary to prepare potions for various diseases. It was believed that it was Saint Thomas who drove away fevers and other diseases.

Nowadays, modern housewives on this day buy the products necessary to celebrate Easter.

Those who believe in the power of healing infusions today, just like their ancestors, prepare various healing potions.

As on Good Monday, it is allowed to eat raw vegetables, fruits, as well as honey and nuts. Do not forget that Lent continues. In addition, it is recommended to eat only in the evening.

Holy Wednesday


Cleaning of the premises continues on Wednesday. On this day, housewives clean the rooms, wash the floors until they shine, beat out rugs and rugs. It is recommended to complete the cleaning that has started.

On Holy Wednesday in Rus', a special ritual was performed to ward off all kinds of ailments and illnesses.

Believers scooped up a jug of water from a well, some took it from a river or barrels stored in cellars. Then, according to the Orthodox tradition, they were baptized three times, after which they covered the container with water with a clean or new towel.

At exactly 2 o'clock in the morning, the believers were baptized again three times, then poured this water over themselves, leaving some water at the bottom. Then clean clothes were put on the wet body (it was not dried with a towel), and the remaining water had to be watered with house plants or bushes in the garden until 3 a.m.


It was believed that a body washed in this way was renewed, and after such a ritual a person felt as if reborn.

Holy Wednesday is associated with the repentance of the sinner. Surely, every believer knows the story of when a sinner washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and then anointed them with precious ointment.

In Rus' they sincerely believed that it was in this environment devilry especially furious. Therefore, women tried to ensure that their behavior was particularly strict and decency. On Holy Wednesday it was forbidden to do handicrafts.

In addition, dry eating continues on this day.

Maundy Thursday


Well, and, of course, Thursday was considered a special day this week, which was popularly called Maundy Thursday.

Maundy Thursday is, first of all, associated with the Last Supper, which Christ attended and where he established the sacrament of the Eucharist. It's about about Holy Communion. Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, thereby showing an example of the greatest humility and great love for them.

People also remember the story of the betrayal of the son of God by the apostle Judas Iscariot. He committed his famous betrayal for only 30 pieces of silver.

For modern people, Maundy Thursday is, first of all, a day of purity. On this day, it is customary to wake up before sunrise, wash your face, take a bath, finish cleaning your home, and also start preparing Easter treats. Housewives begin to paint eggs, bake Easter cakes, and prepare other traditional dishes.


However, we should not forget that, despite the fact that dishes for the festive table are beginning to be prepared, Lent is still ongoing. Therefore, believers can eat the same raw vegetables and fruits, bread, and also drink water.

As already mentioned, the morning should begin with water procedures: it is recommended to take a shower or bath in the morning, since it is at this time of day that water is endowed with special healing powers. It will get rid of diseases, bring health and good luck to the person who decides to undergo morning procedures.

After taking a bath on Maundy Thursday, you must wear new or clean clothes.

It's also important to remember that this Thursday is the last day of your big home cleaning. After Maundy Thursday It is no longer recommended to clean until next week.

And still very important point, which also needs to be taken into account: from Thursday nothing can be taken out of the house. It is not recommended to give anything away, from minor things to borrowed money.

Good Friday


Good Friday is another special day. This is a day of mourning for the Son of God. According to biblical tradition, it was on this day that Christ was betrayed and crucified on Golgotha.

Through martyrdom The Savior of all mankind has atoned for our sins. On this day you need to give up work; it is recommended to spend it in prayer and reading biblical stories.

There is a belief that if any illness happens on this day, it will go away very quickly and the person will definitely be cured. And any even the most serious problem It will soon be easy to decide. After all, this day is special.


According to believers, on this day people are “helped by angels.” On Friday in Rus' it was believed that ash taken on Friday before Easter has magical power and can cure many serious illnesses, such as alcoholism, epilepsy, the effect of the evil eye, as well as depression.

However, those who find it difficult to completely give up food can eat some bread with water. This is allowed, since not everyone can withstand one day without food.

From time immemorial, it was strictly forbidden to work on Good Friday. There was a popular phrase among people: “a bird does not build a nest.”

Holy Saturday


Holy Saturday is the eve of Holy Easter. On this day, believers remember the time when the body of Christ was in the tomb.

On Saturday you are allowed to finish all the tasks that you did not manage to finish during the week. This is the day when you can still paint eggs, as well as cook other dishes that will later end up on the festive table.

On this day, believers bring colored eggs to church to be blessed, as well as ready-made Easter cakes and Easter cakes.

Of course, any kind of work must be completed by the onset of Sunday.

Temples and churches hold services where Easter cakes and eggs are blessed. And in the homeland of Christ in Jerusalem, thousands of believers watch the ceremony of the descent of the Holy Fire.

What to do on Easter


How to spend this day with dignity? After all, Holy Easter is a special day not only for believers, but also for those who are quite far from religion.

All we can do on this day is to rejoice, treat our family and friends, invite them to visit us, and also pay visits to those who are much worse off than you these days in order to try to help them.

On Easter you can eat any food and drink wine. However, this should be done in moderation. Moderation is the main rule of any feast, and not just Easter.

If you have a normal relationship with alcohol, then you can afford to drink it in small quantities. However, if you know you won't be able to stop, it's better to give it up altogether. After all, on the holiday of Holy Easter, being drunk is a great sin.

Remember that fun should be more spiritual than physical.

What not to do on Easter


So, what should you not do on Easter? On this day you should not be sad, indulge in sad and sad thoughts. You cannot walk around angry, gloomy, or quarrel with others. It's especially bad to swear.

But these prohibitions do not apply exclusively to Sunday. All these rules should be followed throughout Holy Week.

This week should become an example of how a person should always behave. Regardless of whether it is a holiday or not, a person must behave decently, honestly and decently. We should always help those who need it, be kinder, use less foul language, and drive away bad thoughts.

What else can't you do on Easter?


The first thing that comes to mind when it comes to restrictions for Easter is the ban on work. If you have Easter Sunday off, you're lucky. But, unfortunately, the question of whether to work or not on Easter does not always depend on us. If the boss confronts us with the fact that we need to go to work, we unquestioningly follow the order and go to work.

Don't worry if your schedule means you have to work on Easter. There is nothing criminal or sinful if you work against your will.

After all, we are also talking about obedience here. You are simply required to conscientiously perform your normal work. It is believed that if you fulfill your duties honestly and truthfully, the Lord will definitely understand and forgive you.


Regarding prohibitions on doing homework, it should be understood that this is not some kind of strict ban, violation of which will be punished from above. The point is that on this day you should give up work in order to devote time to your family and friends.

Devote yourself to pious thoughts about God, celebrate, be with your loved ones.

The ban on working on Easter days is not canonical; it is most likely just a pious custom.

We all know that household chores and daily chores are integral parts of every person’s life. And giving up these troubles is not always easy. If you don’t have the opportunity to completely abandon these chores, you can devote some time to them on holidays.

However, try to do this wisely. So as not to spend a holiday bogged down in washing floors or dishes. And even more so, you shouldn’t start general cleaning or painting window frames on Easter. Well, you see, these matters can be postponed until later.

What should be in an Easter basket


So, the bright holiday of Great Easter is coming.

Many of us follow the pleasant tradition of gathering on Easter night with our closest and dearest people, usually members of our family.

We fill our baskets with food that we have prepared in advance and go to church service.

But what can you not find in an Easter basket: Easter cakes, eggs, meat products, fish dishes, salt, horseradish, water, wine. Each family has its own list of products that they consider necessary to place in the basket.

However, many of us fill it incorrectly. So, what should you put in your Easter basket, and what should you leave out?

You need to remember the basic rule that the basket should contain only 4 main elements; you should not overload it with everything.

KULICH


Kulich is the main attribute of Holy Easter. It symbolizes the body of Christ and is also a symbol of the kingdom of heaven.

Most of us are accustomed to pyramid-shaped paskhas; it is this shape that resembles Golgotha, the place where Christ was crucified.

EGGS


Easter eggs are a symbol of new life.

The custom of painting eggs goes back to ancient times. Tradition says that Mary Magdalene turned to the ruler Tiberius. As a gift, she brought an ordinary chicken egg, and also told him the news of the resurrection of Christ.

However, Tiberius did not believe what the woman said. Moreover, according to him, "people cannot rise from the dead like white egg cannot suddenly turn red." Legend has it that it was after this phrase that the egg suddenly turned bright red.

DAIRY


White color is a symbol of purity and pure love. Dairy products symbolize God's love for people.

MEAT PRODUCTS



Regarding the presence of meat products in the basket, Christ is identified with the sacrificial lamb. He was also sacrificed for the sake of humanity and for the salvation of the human soul.

In addition, horseradish root and salt are also added to the Easter basket. Horseradish is associated with the homeland, and salt with financial wealth in the family.

Don't forget about the candle. It should also be present in the Easter basket. If the housewife wants to show her imagination, she can decorate the basket with flowers, ribbons, blessed willow branches, or use other decorative elements.

And the last thing: you cannot take it to a church service. alcoholic drinks. After all, religion does not approve of drinking alcohol.


Various alcoholic drinks have nothing to do with the great church holidays. You shouldn't even put Cahors in the basket. Also make sure that there is no knife or other sharp objects in it.

It is also worth remembering that products that were consecrated in the church should under no circumstances be thrown away and placed in a bucket. What to do then with leftover food? It is recommended to distribute food to those who need it. And the Easter cake crumbs should be placed in a bird feeder.

Easter is a wonderful holiday, full of light and joy, one of the oldest Christian holidays and the most important in church service. This is a celebration of the triumph of life over death, the Resurrection of Christ, dedicated to the most significant and amazing event of the early Christian era. Easter symbols express light (Easter fire), renewal (Easter streams) and life (Easter cakes and eggs).

What can and cannot be done on Easter day? We turned to church ministers for clarification (Thomas magazine).

How to spend Easter correctly? Are there things you shouldn't do?

On this day you cannot be sad, walk gloomily and quarrel with your neighbors. But just remember that Easter is not 24 hours, but at least a whole week - Bright Week. Liturgically, the Resurrection of Christ is celebrated for seven days.

What can you eat on Easter and can you drink alcohol on Easter?

Archpriest Igor Fomin answers

On Easter you can eat and drink everything, the main thing is to do it in moderation. If you know how to stop in time, you can help yourself to all the dishes, drink wine or some strong drinks - without getting too drunk, of course. But if you find it difficult to limit yourself, it is better not to touch alcohol. Rejoice in spiritual joy.

Is it possible to work on Easter?

Archpriest Igor Fomin answers

Most often, the question of whether to work or not does not depend on us. If Easter Sunday is your day off, that's of course very good. You can visit the temple, meet your loved ones, and congratulate everyone.
But it often happens that we find ourselves as forced people and, according to our work schedule, are forced to work on Easter. There's nothing wrong with putting in the effort. Obedience is obedience. Do your work on this day conscientiously. If you fulfill your duties in simplicity and truth, the Lord will definitely touch your heart.

Is it possible to do homework on Easter? Cleaning, knitting, sewing.

Archpriest Igor Fomin answers

When we read somewhere that on a holiday there is a ban on homework, we should understand that it is not just a ban, but a blessing for us to spend this time paying attention to the Lord, the holiday and our neighbors. So that we don’t get hung up on the vanity of the world. The ban on work on Easter is not canonical, it is rather a pious tradition.
Household chores are an integral part of our lives. You can do them on holiday, but only if you approach it wisely. To avoid spending Easter studying spring cleaning until the night. Sometimes it is better, for example, to leave unwashed dishes in the sink than to be annoyed by household members who did not wash their dishes.

Is it possible to go to the cemetery on Easter?

Archpriest Igor Fomin answers

There has never been such a tradition in the Church. She was born among people in times Soviet Union, when a person was deprived of spiritual communication and removed from the Church. Where else was there to meet the afterlife, about which the Church speaks and with the belief in whose existence the authorities fought so hard? Only at the cemetery. No one could forbid going to relatives’ graves.
Since then, it has become a custom to go to the cemetery on Easter. But now that churches are open and we can go to Easter services, it is better to go to the cemetery to visit loved ones on other days. For example, on Radonitsa - on the day when, according to tradition, the Church commemorates the dead. Arrive there early, put the graves in order, sit quietly next to them and pray.

What to do with shells from blessed eggs and stale Easter cake?

Archpriest Igor Fomin answers

Pious tradition tells us not to throw away with the trash what is consecrated in the temple. All this can be burned, for example, on personal plot, and bury it where people and animals will not trample it underfoot.

Is it possible to get married on Easter?

The question is very clear and the answer will be clear. If you come to church on Bright Week, you will be told that you cannot get married.
There are days established by the Church on which weddings take place - these are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
There are days of the week, regardless of the time of year, when weddings do not take place, for example, on fast days or on Saturday.
For example, why don't they get married on Tuesday? Because in this case, the first wedding day will fall on a fast day. Well what a start this is family life, if the very first day is already associated with restrictions.
They don’t get married on Saturday, the day before Sunday, because Sunday is Little Easter and, in a good way, a person on this day should lead a religious life, not a personal one.
It is clear that many people are inclined to neglect all these traditions of church life, but in order to prevent the neglect from becoming so wild, they simply do not have weddings these days.
Bright Week is just like one day of Easter. Great celebration of the Holy Resurrection of Christ. And all attention, of course, is focused on this. Therefore, weddings do not take place during Bright Week either. This is the liturgical system.

Is it possible to bury on Easter?

Archpriest Alexander Abramov answers

If the death takes place on Bright Week, then the funeral service is performed with a special rite, Easter. It is especially touching regarding infants, because their sinlessness and belonging to Easter are immediately affirmed.

Is it possible to baptize before Easter?

Archpriest Alexander Abramov answers

There are days when it would be inappropriate to talk about Baptism, say on Good Friday, when we are entirely focused on the Passion, the suffering of Christ. Although I, simply even for reasons of some kind of piety and reverence for God, would not baptize during Holy Week.
But generally speaking, you can receive the sacrament of Baptism at any time, including during Bright Week.

Why can't you dye eggs for Easter?

In general, it is customary for us to bless Easter cakes and eggs on Holy Saturday, that is, immediately before Easter. Therefore, we are preparing for this day in advance.
But since situations in life are different, you can consecrate your holiday gifts on the day of Great Easter itself, this will not be considered something unnatural. Previously, even before the revolution, Easter cakes and eggs were blessed just after the night Easter service before breaking your fast.
As for preparing for the holiday, it is advisable to do everything in advance so that you have time for the most important thing. To meet the Bright Resurrection of Christ, you could come to meet God with joy, a light heart, leaving all your troubles and worries behind. A great event took place, and it is necessary to remember it. It should become the center of everything.

Why can't you celebrate a birthday on Easter?

Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers

Easter is the greatest day of the year. A celebration of life. We glorify our Savior Jesus Christ for His boundless love and kindness, for giving us eternal life. And of course this event in the life of every person should become central.
Therefore, celebrating a birthday cannot be more important than Easter. On the other hand, there are no prohibitions on this either. You just need to remember that this is a Bright Day. And I wouldn’t want to overshadow it with excessive drunkenness, for example, or other indecent things.

Is it possible to hunt or fish on Easter?

Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers

If you hunt for fun, then definitely not on any day. After all, this is the killing of living beings. Sometimes people hunt in order to simply not die of hunger, then this is acceptable, there is already a question of survival.
Or, for example, when it is a matter of earning money, which also allows you to survive. The main thing is that this does not become mercantile entertainment.
As for Easter days specifically, any believer Orthodox man, will try to postpone the hunt for this period, unless he is in emergency conditions, when he needs to act according to the situation.

Can pregnant women go to the cemetery on Easter?

Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers

Pregnant women can go to the cemetery, like everyone else. But, according to Orthodox tradition, they don’t visit cemeteries on Easter. Since Easter is not the time to remember the dead. This is general joy, general rejoicing and glorification of our Savior Jesus Christ. The first commemoration of the dead after Easter takes place on Radonitsa.

When can you go to confession before Easter?

Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers

Of course, it’s better to come to confession early and not put it off until the last minute. Confession will be possible on Holy Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday of Holy Week.
But you will need to check more accurate information about the time in the temple where you are going to come. Since each temple has its own way of life.

Is it possible to guess before Easter?

Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers

You can never guess. Yes friends, that's true. What's so bad about fortune telling, you ask.
Firstly, this is disrespect for the Will of God. Secondly, this is a disregard for the freedom that the Lord has endowed each of us from birth.
When we use even a comic, as it seems to us, fortune-telling, when we receive an answer, we program ourselves for certain actions. And the most interesting thing is that this happens unconsciously.
We learn some prediction about ourselves and at this moment we are deprived of freedom of choice, freedom of action, since everything will now work for this installation. If you identify with the world of the church, you will have to make a choice. What and who do you believe in? If you are with God, then you must trust Him, otherwise there is no other way.

Do you always act on Easter Day as the Church advises?