Palm Sunday or the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem is the twelve-day festival of the church calendar. Palm Sunday does not have a fixed date - it is celebrated a week before Easter. The history of the holiday in the Christian tradition began in the 4th century, in Russia it is celebrated from the 10th century. According to the Scriptural story on this day, Jesus entered the gates of Jerusalem on a donkey. It was solemnly greeted by the townspeople and thrown under their feet palm branches - a symbol of peace, tranquility. Jesus Christ already knew that this way, sprinkled with palm branches, would surely lead him to Calvary, to suffering, to death. But he also knew that he was dying for life, for the salvation of all mankind.
Palm Sunday means recognizing the existence of Jesus Christ, the victory of faith. The entrance of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem is a symbol of the man's entrance into heaven. Perhaps, therefore, this holiday is very clean, bright and joyful. He anticipates Easter, although the strictest week of Lent still remains for believers.
Traditions and customs
Whichever Palm Berry Sunday is, it's always a spring holiday. The first tree that opens in the spring is Willow. Therefore, in Russia, the palm branch was replaced with willow branches. And although this symbol of the awakening spring came from paganism, he very quickly took root and was entrenched on Christian soil. On this day, you can see people carrying pussy-willow branches in their hands, lighting them in the church, decorating their house, giving them to each other and storing them all year around the icon. In the people there was a custom of gently striking twigs of their relatives and friends. It was believed that this will save you from illness, evil eye. Women who wanted to give birth to children, ate a palm kidney.
What to gift?
Palm Sunday in 2012 was on April 8, and in 2013, the date when the believers will celebrate this holiday, falls on April 28. The best gift for a believer will be a bunch of willows or willows and a "veritable cherub" - an angel bought or made by himself. Long ago in Russia they organized "palm bazaars", very beloved by children, because they could buy sweets, toys, books. Telling the kids about the holiday, do not forget to pamper them delicious. And for domestic, according to the ancient Russian custom, you can bake balls of rye dough with kidneys of pussy-willow. Then everyone will definitely be healthy the whole year.