Signs on Forgiveness Sunday

Forgiveness Sunday in Orthodoxy is the last Sunday before the 40-day fast. This day is considered a certain preparation for a serious test, both for the body and for the soul. On this day, people must be cleansed of the existing negative and apologize for all the words spoken and the deeds done. In the church on this Sunday they remember how they kicked Adam and Eve out of paradise.

The essence of the Forgiveness Sunday

On this day, in the Orthodox churches, the rank of forgiveness takes place. By the way, this tradition is associated with Egyptian monks who, for cleaning their souls, left for 40 days in the desert. Each of them understood that such a "reference" could end in death (someone was dying of hunger or thirst, and others were killed by wild animals) and so they parted, saying goodbye to each other to come to God purified.

Signs on Forgiveness Sunday:

1. Since antiquity, people have eaten a lot on this day to prepare themselves for fasting and for food restrictions. It was necessary to sit down at the table seven times - it was associated with the number of weeks in Lent . The menu of the last meal should necessarily include products of animal origin, so as not to miss them in the post.
2. The famous superstition of Forgiveness Sunday means that after dinner on this day it is not customary to get out of the table. He was covered with a clean sheet, and on top of a sheep's skin. She was put so that the fur was out. This is important in order that throughout the year the family was all calm and happy.
3. On this day the ancestors predicted the weather for the next autumn, in order to know what the harvest will be.
4. Since antiquity in Forgiveness Sunday it is customary to go to the graves of deceased relatives. There, people leave some food and gifts for loved ones who have passed away, and ask them for help.
5. On this day you can not drink a lot of alcoholic beverages, because a person should prepare for the first day of fasting.
6. According to the tradition of Forgiveness Sunday in the evening, one must apologize to each other. First you should go to confession in the temple, and then go to relatives to get their forgiveness. At the same time, each person must certainly forgive his abusers in the soul. This must be done in order to start a post with a pure soul. If you decide to apologize, then say these words: "I forgive all sinners, forgive me, a sinner." Do not do this "for a tick", because there will be no result. If there is no way to ask people for forgiveness in person, then you can send a text message, an e-mail or call, the main thing is for a person to feel that you are doing it sincerely. If someone asks for forgiveness from you, you need to say these words: "God will forgive, and I forgive", it is important to accept an apology and not to keep an offense.

Traditions and customs of Forgiveness Sunday

On this day you can make love spell , To reconcile the lovers who quarreled. For a long time people believed that this day there is a certain energy that is ideal for such rituals. To return your loved one, you need to take a non-washed handkerchief, a glass of water, two red candles, a new white sheet, 12 church candles in yellow and the same number of pancakes that you need to cook with your own hands. Sign the red candles with your names. To conduct the ritual is necessary at dawn. Spread the sheet on the floor and stand on it on your knees. Around yourself lay out the pancakes, and on them put the candles and turn on the light, saying at the same time any of the existing love conspiracies. After that, wash with water, which is poured into a glass, wipe your face with a handkerchief, and afterwards tie red candles to them and hide them in a secret place. Pancakes feed the birds.