What can not be done on church holidays (signs)?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

All Orthodox festivities are church-wide celebrations in the Orthodox faith. They are usually dedicated to historical sacred events or the veneration of saints. The people have long and firmly established the opinion that on the days of church holidays, all activity should stop.

And if you ask someone what you can not do on church holidays, then you will probably hear in response - nothing. Is it really? And are there any differences between holidays for doing household chores and other things? In this article, we will try to figure out where these customs came from and what kind of church holidays they are when you can’t do anything.

What are church holidays

The classification of church holidays depends, first of all, on the significance of the sacred events to which these holidays were dedicated. According to this significance, holidays are distinguished as great, small and medium. Easter is among the great ones, as well as allthose who are called the twelfth. There are also divisions according to the time and place of the celebration.

According to time, there are two large groups: fixed, that is, those that are fixed for a certain date, and passing. You can still distinguish three large groups according to who is revered on this day. Thus, there are Lord's feasts, celebrations dedicated to the Mother of God, as well as days of veneration of saints.

Church holiday today. What not to do?

Most of the recommendations regarding bans on holidays of a particular activity are based on the result of centuries of observation and coincidence. Although, of course, there is no evidence base to explain this. People are often interested in what church holiday is today. What can't be done? This is because traditions and customs are very tightly integrated into the life of the population. And although almost no one knows the reason for these customs, everyone observes them simply automatically. Just because it's necessary.

So, what can not be done on church holidays. The most common prohibition is the prohibition of sewing and other types of needlework at Christmas. It is also forbidden to hunt on such days, since it is a sin to take the life of an animal on a day dedicated to the birth or resurrection. The best option is to spend the days of church celebrations in your own home. And even more so, do not move anywhere. On the day of veneration of Saint ElijahSwimming in the waters is prohibited. This sign is connected with the fact that, according to observations, most often accidents in the water occurred on this day. And on the celebration of the Annunciation, women are forbidden to create hairstyles. Especially braiding braids. Or here's another. On the holiday dedicated to the beheading of St. John the Baptist, a ban is imposed on the use of any cutting objects. On this day no knives are used. Food is not cut, but broken into pieces by hand. This is especially true for bread that has a round shape.

Forbidden work does not mean idleness

Many people take church prohibitions very seriously. It doesn't matter what church holiday it is today. What can not be done, everyone knows, and there is no other way. But is it really that serious? What is the position of the Church? Where, in the end, did all these signs come from, and why can’t you do anything on church holidays? There is an official position of the church regarding everything that has already been mentioned. This position suggests that all these folk signs are more a myth than a reality. No one forbids washing and combing your hair during church celebrations. And even do light cleaning of your home. Priests recommend abstaining only from full-fledged hard work and devote this time to your loved ones and relatives. Moreover, according to church writings, during church holidays, in addition to studying the Bible, one should help the poor and the needy, visit the sick in hospitals or prisoners in prisons. Or engage in other charitable deeds. So we are not talking about idleness at all.

Christmas is on the doorstep, or what not to do on church holidays in winter

At all times, people attached special importance to Christmas signs. It was believed that the whole next year directly depends on how Christmas was spent. There are a number of things that are not recommended at this time. You can't hunt. Moreover, a ban is imposed on hunting from Christmas to Epiphany. It is believed that at this time, nature takes special care of animals.

So killing them is a big sin. You can't guess. There is a special time for this. There is also a ban on needlework and any other household work. But there are more crazy signs. For example, you can't drink water at Christmas. Any liquids are allowed, but water is not allowed.

Epiphany signs

The Epiphany has absorbed a huge number of folk traditions, most of which are associated with sacred water, which plays a key role on this day. It is considered a sin to collect baptismal water in large quantities, since it is a medicine of a spiritual nature.

When collecting holy water, one should not quarrel or swear, one should not think badly about someone. Before the holiday, it is forbidden to lend money and even things, and after the holiday it is forbidden to guess, as well as to rinse clothes in the rivers. Although today these bans are unlikely to be relevant.

Easter week. Rituals and Traditions

Celebration of Easter in one dayis not limited. This is a whole week during which everyone should have fun. But unlike Maslenitsa, any excesses and even more so fights are not welcome these days.

You can't be angry and sad, you can't go to the cemetery. You can not drink alcohol on all days except Sunday. As for household work and needlework, there are no special restrictions. Work is allowed in moderation, although it is still recommended to refrain from needlework.

What is Red Hill?

There is another, no less important, falling this year on April 19, a church holiday. What can not be done on Red Hill? First of all, it is impossible for young girls who have not yet found a husband for themselves to sit at home on this day. Thus they miss fate. This is the time of matchmaking and weddings. It is believed that a marriage concluded on this day is doomed to become a rich, he althy and prosperous union. It is impossible to be sad and swear on this holiday. As for work, there are no prohibitions. There is even such a custom to attract we alth - washing icons. This should be done by the oldest member of the family, and the whole rite should in no case be made public.

Palm Sunday

One of the brightest church holidays is Palm Sunday. On this day, it is necessary to attend a church service and enrich yourself in every possible way in a spiritual sense. The main attribute is consecrated willow branches. Then they store these branches throughout the year, placing them in the house behind the icons, or attachin different places. According to the legends of our ancestors, they save the house from lightning and evil spirits. It is recommended to refrain from any kind of work on this day. The media are also banned.

So, we managed to figure out what not to do on church holidays. From all of the above, it becomes clear that such signs are not at all a call to idleness. But rather a change of activity. And whatever you do, the main thing is that it be with a soul and from a pure heart.