Holy Week or Passion Week, the one before Easter, is extremely important, and every day of the week has a special meaning. During this week, believers observe several customs, some of them known from ancient times, writes realitatea.md
Why Holy Week is so important
Holy Week is also called Passion Week, and in these days, the torments endured by the Savior Jesus Christ before the Resurrection are remembered. Here is the meaning of each day of Holy Week, meaning, traditions and customs. Each day of Passion Week has a special meaning, so several traditions and superstitions are observed.
During the Great Week of the Easter Lent, a strict fast is observed, Orthodox Christians go to confession and pray for the forgiveness of sins
Holy Week meaning, traditions and customs
Great Monday
On the first day of the week, housewives must do general cleaning in the house and household. It is the day when the whole house is aired. Also, the yard is swept, the windows and laundry are washed, so that the whole household is ready for the celebration.
Maundy Tuesday is called the Parable of the 10 Virgins
It is said that in order to have good health, believers should “ritually” wash themselves, a custom that is believed to keep all diseases at bay.
Holy Wednesday
It’s the last day to clean the house. Tradition says that the housewives must finish the work quickly, because Maundy Thursday is coming, the day when the culinary preparations begin.
Just like on any other day of Holy Week, believers must be kinder, more forgiving, they are not allowed to say bad words or argue.
Big Thursday
On Maundy Thursday the eggs are painted. This day is one of the most important, because on Maundy Thursday the Last Supper took place, the last time Jesus Christ ate with his disciples.
Tradition says that pasca, cakes, and other goodies that must be prepared in the oven are cooked on Maundy Thursday. Eggs are also painted on Maundy Thursday. On Maundy Thursday, different foods are given as alms for the souls of the sleeping ones.
Big Friday
Fasting and prayer are held on Good Friday. There are many people who observe black fasting on this day to be safe from evil and serious diseases. The bells are no longer rung in churches, and if a person is buried on Good Friday, this happens only with the ringing of bells. They don’t wash clothes, they don’t iron, they don’t sew, and it is said that those who do these things will have only bad luck.
Good Friday is the day Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross and is considered the saddest day in the history of Christianity.
On Good Friday, no cakes or pascha are baked. Tradition says that those who do so run the risk of falling ill. People say that those who bake on Good Friday burn the hands of the Mother of God.
On Good Friday there is the custom of “passing under the table”. Specifically, this symbolizes the descent into the grave with Jesus and the resurrection with Him.
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