Easter is religious holiday, during which the Lord and the son of God are glorified. The history of the holiday is amazing: in ancient times there lived a pharaoh who hated Jews. God's people wanted to leave the state, but Pharaoh was categorically against it because he was using them as slaves.
With the advent of Moses, the prophet of God, the fate of the Jews changed. He helped bring out the Jewish people, punished the slave owner and gave the Jewish people their homeland called Jerusalem.
That is why this city is called a holy place. Many years later, the son of God, called Jesus Christ, was born on this holy Land. At the age of 33, Jesus was crucified on Mount Golgotha. This happened on Friday. The day before, the son of God organized a last supper, where he gathered parishioners.
After the crucifixion, Jesus' body was placed in a cave. Several days later the body was not found. Jesus appeared before the people alive. It is on this day that the resurrection of the son of God, in other words, Jesus, is celebrated. Easter symbolizes liberation from death, deliverance from sins and grace.
There are many signs and customs associated with the holiday. There are rituals that can and must be performed, and there are those that are strictly prohibited.
What is prohibited to do
On the day of Easter you cannot:
- Think about bad things.
- Wishing evil to people.
- Arguing with relatives.
- Use obscene language in your vocabulary.
- Lie.
- Embroider.
- Sew.
- To knit.
- Clean up the house.
- Vacuuming.
- Sweep.
- Chop.
- Throw away consecrated food.
- Get rid of sacred things.
- Mock people.
- Work in the garden, field.
- Dig.
- Sow.
- Lead an intimate life. Sexual activity is prohibited for the entire week. Deny intimate life two spouses owe. This happens by mutual consent.
- Watch TV.
- Visit entertainment venues.
- Hold noisy feasts.
- Sit at the computer.
- To take revenge.
- Cheating on your spouse.
During Easter week it is prohibited:
- Get married. Traditionally, marriages on this day are not blessed by the Almighty. You can't get married. These families may not have children.
- Order memorial services.
- Mourn.
- Cry.
It is not advisable to wash dishes, but if it is necessary, it’s okay. All people are exposed to household chores. There is no escape from them and no one will fulfill them for us.
During the existence of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, it was believed that visiting the cemetery on this day was prohibited. But the church says otherwise. No one forbids visiting deceased relatives, praying for them and remembering them. But Easter is a holiday of goodness, light and rebirth. Therefore, you can visit the departed on the ninth day after Easter.
Signs
On the bright holiday of Easter, food is blessed in the church. People visit the sacred house, bring gifts to it, take communion and pray.
Food is definitely holy. Eating consecrated food after Lent means cleansing and forgiveness of sins. Blessing food is an ancient sign and tradition.
All food is added to Easter basket. It is customary to illuminate:
- Red wine.
- Eggs.
- Easter cakes.
People come to church, listen to the liturgy, praise God and go home to break their fast. Breaking the fast means eating.
Before Easter, people fast. These days you cannot eat meat, fish, eggs, or dairy products. The strictest fast falls on Good Friday.
On holiday it is allowed:
- Laugh.
- Have fun.
- Pray.
- Visit guests.
- Invite friends and family to your home.
- Do charity work.
- Carry out work caring for small children and sick people.
- Forgive offenses.
On a church holiday, it is allowed to drink alcoholic beverages in moderation. Do not drink to the point of intoxication, preferably red wine - Cahors.
You can work if the situation requires it. But this does not mean work in the garden or field, but at the place of employment. Whether to work or not is up to the individual to decide.
On this day people greet each other in a special way: they kiss three times and exclaim “Christ is risen.” The answer must be “truly risen.”
It is not customary to give gifts on Easter. But this is not prohibited. They give their relatives the necessary gifts, household items, sweets, Easter eggs and decorations.
The symbol of Easter is an egg decorated with pictures. It symbolizes new life. During breaking the fast, people beat and eat eggs.
The holiday is dedicated to rest, prayer, family reunion and spiritual solitude.
In the old days, people believed that when a person dies on Easter, God forgives him all his sins. The deceased is given a place in heaven and immortal life. The soul is cleansed of evil and unkind thoughts, and God accepts the deceased in heaven. Death is a terrible moment, but no one is safe from it.
Don't throw away Easter egg shells.
Ways to get rid of shells:
- It is burned and buried in a place inaccessible to people. They don’t step on this place later.
- The shells are ground to powder in a coffee grinder and placed in a container. Added to food during meals.
- It is ground and lowered into running water.
- Refers to the temple. There is a special place in the church where you can put the shells.
Leftover food is given to animals and birds. Crumbs from Easter cakes should not be thrown away.
What not to do before Easter
Before a church holiday you cannot:
- Eat meat.
- Drink alcohol.
- There are sweets.
- Consume fats and spices.
- On Good Friday you cannot swim or do housework.
- Perform the wedding ceremony.
Only people who follow a diet are allowed to consume prohibited foods. This applies to diabetics and people requiring special nutrition.
How to celebrate the holiday
Easter is celebrated:
- With good intentions and joy.
- In the circle of family and friends. Reunion with family brings people closer and gives positive emotions.
- Clean. The house is cleaned not on the holiday, but before it.
- Receiving guests. The celebration should not be noisy.
Easter is great Orthodox holiday Svetly Christ's Resurrection .
This is the basis, the essence of Christianity, the crown of faith, the first and most basic, great truth. True, few people know that following popular beliefs these days you can attract good luck and prosperity to your home. But first let's talk about the main thing - Easter.This is one of the wonderful spring holidays. The word Easter in Greek means passing, deliverance.
On this wonderful day, we give thanks for the deliverance of Christ the Savior from slavery to the devil, and for giving us earthly life, eternal salvation and bliss. Christ's death on the Cross brought about our redemption, and through His Resurrection eternal life was granted to all humanity. The history of Easter dates back to ancient times. More than five thousand years ago, the Jewish tribes celebrated it in the spring as a festival of calving of livestock, then as the beginning of the harvest, and later as the departure of the Jews from Egypt. Christians have put their own meaning into this day and celebrate Easter as the day of the resurrection of Christ.
In 325 at the first Ecumenical Council Christian churches in Nicaea, it was decided to move the holiday a week later than the Jewish one, to the first Sunday, after the first full moon, after March 21 - the day spring equinox. Therefore, the holiday does not have its own exact day, but falls on different days every year.
The week before Easter is Great, or Holy Week. Particularly important last days: Maundy Thursday is the day of receiving the sacrament, spiritual cleansing. It is traditionally called Maundy Thursday. On this day before sunrise folk custom They cleansed themselves with water - they swam in an ice hole, a lake, a river, or doused themselves in a bathhouse. Orthodox Christians have always prepared for this holiday in advance and carefully, adhering to certain traditions and rituals. Throughout Holy Week cleaning was carried out, houses were whitewashed, etc., Easter cakes and Easter cakes were baked, eggs were painted, painted, and piglets were baked in Ukraine and Belarus. Easter gingerbread cookies had the silhouettes of a lamb, a cockerel, a bunny, a dove, and a lark.
On the eve of the holiday, Easter dishes were necessarily blessed in the church. All Easter entertainment is basically games with colored eggs: rolling eggs on the ground, cue balls - beating with colored eggs, giving eggs to each other. And also everyone tried to ring the bell from the church bell tower. This ringing was magical and cleansing. The holiday lasted a week, the tables remained set. They invited the poor, the sick and the wretched to the table and treated them.
Folk Easter beliefs
What not to do before and on Easter
On Maundy Thursday everything in the house should be clean and tidy. Whoever is dirty will live in rubbish and dirt all year.
From Maundy Thursday until Easter, nothing is given from home, so as not to give away good luck and prosperity.
What is advisable to do before Easter and on Easter
On Maundy Thursday, before sunrise, count all the money three times - there will be money for the whole year.
On the same day, you must stock up on “Thursday” salt to treat yourself and your loved ones, to create amulets for your family, home, and livestock. For this purpose, take regular salt and place it in a small saucepan or any other container. The main thing is that it is closed with a lid. And we pierce it in the oven or oven. We push the burnt salt and sift it. Then each family member takes a handful of salt and throws it into a separate bag. Then it is hidden and stored. This salt has healing properties.
On this day for Easter, prepare water for beauty and wealth by throwing a silver spoon, gold rings, and coins into a liter jar of water. 
All preparatory work: cooking, painting eggs, etc. finish before Easter Sunday.
It is necessary to start the day of Easter with the words “Christ is risen” and answer “Truly is risen” - so that the Lord and luck do not turn away.
A husband and wife under no circumstances “become Christ” in public, so as not to separate.
On Easter, the whole family needs to wash themselves with water, prepared in advance on Thursday, for beauty and wealth.
Easter is one of the most joyful and happy holidays per year. Its celebration is associated with many centuries-old traditions and customs that add special flavor and warmth to Easter. Unfortunately, not all of us are well acquainted with Orthodox Easter traditions. What they do on Easter and what they cannot do on this church holiday, as well as what to do before and after the Holy Resurrection of Christ, will be discussed further.
What to do before Easter: main traditions by day
The celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord is preceded by Holy Week - the last week before the great holiday. In the old days, every day was associated with certain traditions, which were strictly followed by all believers. So, for example, on Monday housewives began to clean perfect order in the house. In addition to general cleaning, on this day they also prepared a special essential oil with herbs, which were used to treat various ailments throughout the next year. On Tuesday they washed and mended linen and clothes. Also on Holy Tuesday they made peace and asked for forgiveness. On Wednesday, as a rule, all housework was finished and eggs were boiled.
On Maundy Thursday, all family members had to swim, preferably before dawn. This ritual of ablution guaranteed good health for the whole year, and also symbolized spiritual cleansing. Also on Thursday they started painting eggs and baking Easter cakes. On Good Friday, as a rule, they did nothing and tried not to eat. Thus, the believers longed for Christ. On the last day before Easter - Saturday, the final preparations were completed. On this day, housewives prepared all the remaining Easter treats, cleaned and washed.
What do they do on Easter?
Easter is celebrated on Sunday - the last day of Holy Week. Traditionally, believers go to church on the night from Saturday to Sunday to celebrate the Easter service and bless Easter cakes and eggs. In addition to traditional Easter cakes and krashankas, you can also bless water, salt, and fruits. Blessed food is believed to bring health. In addition, it is also customary to leave some of the food brought to the church so that everyone in need on this day can share the joy of the holiday.
On a note! On Easter, it is customary to greet each other with special words: “Christ is Risen.” In response to such a greeting, one must say: “Truly He is Risen.” Then kiss three times.
On Sunday morning, traditionally, the whole family gathers at one table to begin celebrating Easter. First, the head of the family cuts the Easter cake into as many pieces as there are people present at the table. From a piece Easter cake and krashanki and the breaking of the fast begins. Then you can try others holiday dishes. Then you need to have fun and rejoice all day.
What can't you do on Easter?
There is also a list of what not to do on Easter. For example, on this day it is strictly forbidden to swear, quarrel, mourn, or go to the cemetery. You should also not work or engage in physical activity. Excessive drinking of strong alcoholic beverages, including their blessing during services, is also not welcomed by the church.
What do they do after Easter?
In the first week after Easter, it is customary to remember the dead. You can go to the cemetery all week and bring Easter treats.
Also, in the period before the Ascension of the Lord (40 days after the Resurrection of Christ), one should adhere to the main Easter rules: be friendly, joyful, do not use foul language, live in peace with others. If possible, you need to work less and avoid hard physical labor. At this time it is worth paying more attention spiritual development and cleansing.
We hope we have answered your main question about what to do on Easter and what not to do. And this year you will put all the knowledge you have gained into practice.
The most frequently asked questions about the dos and don'ts of Easter: How to fast before Easter? When can you break your fast on Easter? How to spend Easter day correctly? Are there things you shouldn't do? What can you eat on Easter and can you drink alcohol on Easter? Is it possible to work on Easter? Is it possible to do homework on Easter? Cleaning, knitting, sewing? How should we greet each other Easter? What to give for Easter?
So, first things first. Let's start with the first question.
How to fast before Easter?
On Good Friday - the strictest fast. According to the Charter, you are not supposed to eat anything at all on this day. If you can bear it for health reasons, try it. On all other days of Holy Week, fasting is also strict; we eat only plant foods, and without oil.
When can you break your fast on Easter?
Breaking the fast (the first fast meal after the end of Lent) on Easter is usually celebrated after the Liturgy and Communion. If you attended the Liturgy at night, then after the night service you can begin the festive meal. If you came to the Liturgy in the morning, then you can break your fast in the same way - after communion. The main thing is that everything needs to be approached with a sense of proportion. Don't overeat.
How to spend Easter day correctly? Are there things you shouldn't do?
On this day you cannot be sad, walk gloomily and quarrel with your neighbors. But just remember that Easter is not 24 hours, but at least a whole week - Bright Week. Liturgically, the Resurrection of Christ is celebrated for seven days. Let this week be an example of how we should always behave in society, among people. How should you spend Easter? Rejoice, treat others, invite them to visit you, visit the suffering. In a word, everything that brings joy to your neighbor, and therefore to you.
What can you eat on Easter and can you drink alcohol on Easter?
On Easter you can eat and drink everything, the main thing is to do it in moderation. If you know how to stop in time, you can help yourself to all the dishes, drink wine or some strong drinks - without getting too drunk, of course. But if you find it difficult to limit yourself, it is better not to touch alcohol. Rejoice in spiritual joy.
Is it possible to work on Easter?
Most often, the question of whether to work or not does not depend on us. If Easter Sunday is your day off, that's of course very good. You can visit the temple, meet your loved ones, and congratulate everyone.
But it often happens that we find ourselves as forced people and, according to our work schedule, are forced to work on Easter. There's nothing wrong with putting in the effort. Maybe you can be sad about this, but no more than five minutes! Obedience is obedience. Do your work on this day conscientiously. If you fulfill your duties in simplicity and truth, the Lord will definitely touch your heart.
Is it possible to do homework on Easter? Cleaning, knitting, sewing?
When we read somewhere that there is a ban on homework on a holiday, we should understand that it is not just a ban, but a blessing for us to spend this time paying attention to the Lord, the holiday and our neighbors. So that we don’t get hung up on the vanity of the world. The ban on work on Easter is not canonical; rather, it is a pious tradition.
Household chores are an integral part of our lives. You can do them on holiday, but only if you approach it wisely. So as not to spend Easter doing spring cleaning until the early hours of the night. Sometimes it is better, for example, to leave unwashed dishes in the sink than to be annoyed by household members who did not wash their dishes.
How should we greet each other Easter?
Easter greeting is angelic. When the Myrrh-Bearing Women came to the Holy Sepulcher to anoint the body of the crucified Christ with incense, they saw an Angel there. He told them: “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?”, that is, he told them that the Savior had risen.
We greet our brothers and sisters in faith on Easter with the words “Christ is Risen!” and answer the greeting: “Truly he is risen!” Thus, we tell the whole world that for us the Resurrection of Christ is the basis of life.
What to give for Easter?
On Easter, you can give your neighbors any pleasant and necessary gifts. And it will be good if for any gift easter egg, painted or red. The egg as a symbol is evidence of new life - the Resurrection of Christ.
Red color easter egg- This is a memory of the legend according to which Mary Magdalene gave an egg to Emperor Tiberius for Easter. The emperor told her that he did not believe that a person could be resurrected, that it was as incredible as if this egg suddenly turned from white to red. And, according to legend, a miracle happened - in front of everyone, the egg turned red, like the blood of Christ. Now painted egg- a symbol of Easter, the Resurrection of the Savior.
Fomin Igor, priest
Holy or Great Saturday before Easter is the last day before the most important Christian holiday of the year. In 2018, it falls on April 7 and coincides with the Annunciation. What can and cannot be done on this day, according to Christian traditions and customs?
What not to do on Holy Saturday before Easter
As on all holidays and memorable days, today there is no need to do sewing, wash clothes and chop wood; hunting and fishing are also prohibited. In general, you need to give up all hard work and activities that can be called it in the modern world.
If a family holiday falls on this day, it should be rescheduled.
It is sinful to swear, swear, or quarrel on Holy Saturday, especially with loved ones. It is not permissible on this day to laugh loudly, have fun, or indulge in idleness. The clergy say that on the last day of Lent everyone is already quite tired, preparing for the great holiday, so you need to be especially attentive to your family and friends so as not to quarrel.
On Holy Saturday there is a ban on carnal pleasures and alcohol.
What you can and should do on the Saturday before Easter
The ceremonial services begin today. If possible, be sure to visit one of them, bless an Easter basket, light candles for the health of your loved ones. Be sure to light a candle near the icon of Jesus and pray with all your heart.
On the Saturday before Easter you can paint eggs. By the way, this day is also called dyeing day, and the first dye consecrated in the church is usually given to the needy and homeless. If you didn’t bake paskas and Easter cakes on Thursday, then you can do this on Saturday too.
Today is a day of fasting, so it is allowed to eat hot foods of plant origin, but without adding oil.
Today, as in Forgiveness Sunday, it’s time to forgive everyone against whom grievances were accumulated during Lent. Think about these people and let them go in peace.
