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On the Sunday before Easter, Orthodox Christians mark the Entry of the Lord Jesus Christ into the City of Jerusalem. This year the holiday, also known as Florii, is on April 28.
Originally a pagan holiday, dedicated to the Roman goddess Flora, during this time it acquired a great Christian significance for all believers and was celebrated in memory of the Savior’s entry into Jerusalem. Over time, numerous popular superstitions related to this day have appeared, which we present to you, according to Unirea.
The willow branches consecrated in the church are preserved from year to year
On Palm Sunday, it is customary for those who go to church to bring willow branches to be sanctified. The custom refers to the moment when the Savior entered Jerusalem, where he was greeted by the people with flowers and palm branches in his hands.
In connection with the choice of this tree as the symbol of the Flowers, there are several legends. One of them tells that the Mother of God wanted to reach Jesus, who had been crucified on the cross, but had to cross a river. Then, a willow bent its branches in such a way that the Virgin Mary crossed the water like a bridge.
Another legend talks about the fact that the willow tree was left with branches after its branches were used by the Romans to whip Jesus.
According to popular belief, willow branches consecrated at the church, then placed at the icons or at the door of the house, protect the family and the home all year round.
The magical role of the willow in popular beliefs
In the country, budded willow branches are tied around the fruit trees, so that they bear fruit in full, and are mixed in the food of the animals, to protect their health.
Another superstition says that it is good for those who have back pain to put branches of holy willow over their middle, to ease their suffering, and whoever swallows three twigs of holy willow on this day will not suffer from neck pain.
The sticks are also used in bad weather to ward off storms and hail. Thus, when the weather is bad, twigs are put on the fire, so that their smoke drives away thunder and lightning.
In order to be successful in selling the animals, before taking them to the fair, it is good for the owners to touch them with the holy willow branches in the church.
The graves are cleaned and flowers are placed
Another tradition requires that on Palm Sunday one goes to the cemetery, where the graves must be cleaned and sprinkled with holy water, and wreaths of willow branches and flowers are placed at the crosses.
On this day, it is customary to give pies and fasting donuts as alms for the souls of the dead.
Popular customs
According to the popular tradition from Banat and Transylvania, young unmarried women must put a mirror and a shirt under a grafted hair in order to attract their bear.
The elders say that on the Day of Flowers it is not good to wash your hair, because you will turn white quickly. If you do choose to do this, only holy water should be used.
If girls want to have beautiful hair, after midnight they must put basil in water and boil it, and the next morning wash their hair with this decoction.
Also, the people say that it is good to air all your clothes on Flower Day. Whoever does not honor this holiday as tradition requires will be covered with freckles.
Fish is eaten
There is no work on Palm Sunday, and the table must be laid all the time. Fish is eaten, this being the second breaking of the Easter fast, after the one on the day of the Annunciation. The Orthodox Church disallows fish, because it is said that on this day Jesus would have asked to eat fish. The people say that the fish eaten on this day has healing powers and whoever eats it will be cured of any disease.
Don’t eat nettles
Instead, nettles are not eaten on this day, because it is believed that they are now beginning to bloom, and the holiday is also called “Wedding of nettles”.
Related to the predictions about what the weather will be like in the coming period, the people say that if you hear the frogs singing until Florii, the coming summer will be beautiful. Also, Romanians believe that they want Easter to be the same as it was for Florii.
