Today is Holy Tuesday: what is strictly prohibited
15 April 00:15
Holy Week is underway in Ukraine, marking the approach of Easter – today, April 15, believers celebrate the second day, which is Holy Tuesday. On this day, there are special traditions and prohibitions that believers must observe, Komersant ukrainskyi reports
What is Holy Week?
Holy Week is a time when Christians remember the last days of Jesus Christ’s life on earth, his suffering, crucifixion and death on the cross, and his resurrection. This week is a period of deep repentance, prayer, and spiritual purification, as the most important events of the Christian faith took place during these days. During this period, believers devote time to prayer, repentance, abstinence from entertainment and festive meals, and try to observe strict fasts to purify their souls and bodies before the feast of the Resurrection of Christ.
The Great Tuesday before Easter symbolizes the time when Jesus Christ taught his disciples in the temple on the mountain.
This day is also called Clean (Holy) Tuesday. According to the Bible, on this day Jesus Christ denounced the Pharisees and scribes, and told the apostles the parables of the ten virgins, the talents, the tribute to Caesar, the resurrection of the dead, the Last Judgment, and death.
Holy Tuesday: what to do
Tuesday is especially associated with mercy and forgiveness. On this day, believers try to reconcile with those with whom they have conflicts, and pay special attention to those in need. It is a time for inner purification and repentance for mistakes.
On Tuesday, believers recall the life of Jesus Christ, pray diligently and follow the rules of Lent.
On this day, any repair work should be completed. It is customary to put clothes in order in the house, to start washing and ironing, because in the days before Easter it is no longer possible to do this.
On Shrove Tuesday, one should do good deeds, and one should not refuse those who ask for help.
Also on Tuesday, people started painting Easter eggs. This activity was considered sacred, so at such moments people tried to be alone with their thoughts so that other people’s energy did not affect their work.
Particular attention should be paid to the outfit that a person has chosen to celebrate Easter – it should be finalized and put aside until the holiday.
This day should be spent in strict abstinence, both in food and behavior.
Holy Tuesday: what is forbidden to do
On Holy Tuesday, it is forbidden to organize festivities such as singing and dancing. You should spend this day quietly and at work.
In the morning, you should finish all your work, and in the evening, you should not pick up sharp objects such as nightsticks, needles, etc.
As the fast continues, one should be strict in food and drink on this day. On this day, the Church allows dry food. You can eat raw vegetable products without the addition of oil, bread, and honey.
Signs of Holy Tuesday:
- wet weather – there will be a good harvest of mushrooms;
- water spills – good hay and herbs;
- if the bees have flown out of the hives and are circling them in a friendly swarm, it will be early spring;
- thunder – to a clear and warm summer;
- if lightning flashes, but no thunder is visible, the summer will not be rainy;
- if there are blue clouds in the sky, you should expect warm but humid weather.
