You found something similar to a magical lining on the grave of a deceased relative: coins, candles, packages, bags, a bottle, a scarf on a fence, or something else. What does this mean and how should you react?
A grave lining is a fairly common thing. They constantly write me alarming letters about certain finds discovered on the graves of deceased relatives. Here standard example: “Hello, Vladimir Petrovich! We were at the cemetery, and on a birch tree next to the grave of our father-in-law we found a white cotton scarf tied in a knot (grandmothers like to wear these). Please tell me, is this a cause for concern?”
There is no reason for the letter writer to worry. If the appearance of this scarf on the grave was of witchcraft origin (and, for sure, it is), a grave was simply selected that was suitable for a number of characteristics (gender, name, age of the deceased, etc.). For example, in some magical ritual it could be said that after certain manipulations, a knotted scarf should be left on the grave of a man with a name that coincides with the name of the object of witchcraft. Your father-in-law's grave met these criteria, that's all.
The vast majority of strange finds on graves have precisely this origin. With the help of cemetery magic, they cast and remove damage, make love spells and lapels, provoke or treat illnesses, solve the problem of alcoholism, etc. But, in any case, such things usually have nothing to do with the relatives of the deceased on whose grave a magical lining was discovered. A grave was simply chosen that was suitable for certain conditions of the ritual. For example, sometimes you need to do something on a grave located on the edge; on the grave where a man of such and such age is buried; at the grave where a woman with such and such a name is buried, etc. and so on. In order for my readers to better understand the essence of such phenomena, I will give specific examples.
One of the methods of causing damage to epilepsy is as follows: the attacker takes a certain number of chicken eggs to the grave where a person is buried who had the same name as the victim of the damage. A special spell is pronounced, then the eggs remain on the grave for a certain time. In compliance with special rules, the eggs are taken from the grave and later given as food to the person destined for spoilage. Soon the unfortunate man suffers his first epileptic seizure. When the disease enters the chronic phase, the attacks intensify precisely on the day of the month when the described cemetery manipulations were carried out. In this case, the attacker, of course, is not at all interested in the relatives of the person buried in that very grave.
One of the love spell rituals is performed in a somewhat similar way. The photograph of a beloved person belongs to a grave where a person of a similar age who had the same name is buried. A series of manipulations are performed, special spells are pronounced, and the victim of the love spell begins to experience mortal melancholy without the object of his passion. If the relatives of the deceased “at the wrong time” visit his grave, they, of course, will find an unrelated photograph, remove it from the grave and, thus, this time thwarting the attacker’s plan, but they themselves will not suffer.
It should be noted that rituals of various directions are performed in cemeteries, black magic knowledgeable people are not limited. Graves can be used in the treatment of various diseases (including epilepsy), to rid a person of alcohol addiction, to relieve love languor, etc. If, after visiting the grave of a relative, you suddenly find a bottle of vodka on it, this may mean that someone is being spoiled for alcoholism, or, conversely, they are trying to save someone from drunkenness.
Thus, if you find some foreign objects (coins, chicken eggs, photographs, etc.) on the grave where your relative was buried, you should not panic. Most likely, this witchcraft has nothing to do with you. Why do I write: “most likely”? The fact is that sometimes some witchcraft linings on graves are still addressed specifically to the relatives of the deceased. Such deposits are usually discovered not at any arbitrary time, but the day before memorial day, celebrated a week after Easter (the so-called “Red Hill”). Or on some anniversary of death. That is, exactly when it is reasonable to expect relatives to visit the cemetery for cleaning or memorial services. For example, you can find chicken eggs, coins or anything else that quantitatively matches the number of members of your family.
What should be done with such finds? Without touching the thing with bare hands(use gloves, a bag, paper), you just need to remove it from the grave. But remember that direct contact with these things is highly undesirable, so do not pick them up or step on them. If, nevertheless, you have the feeling that you “caught something”, or you reasonably assume that the lining was addressed specifically to you and your family members, click on the button below and write me a letter.
If you need to contact me personally for any clarification, consultation, or in connection with the need to solve certain problems, click on the button and write me a letter:
Easter is one of the most beloved holidays for Russians, second in popularity only to New Year. On Bright Sunday, almost everyone breaks their fast, makes Christ and eats Easter cakes - no matter how strictly the person observed everything Orthodox canons, preceding this day, and whether he observed them at all. According to Secretary of the Kursk Diocesan Administration Father Oleg Chebanov, the reason for such popular love lies in the fact that “there are things that we understand with our minds, and there are those that we reach with our hearts.” “It is no coincidence that Easter is called the Feast of Feasts and the Celebration of Celebrations. In spirit we always strive upward - towards God, therefore in the soul any person feels that Easter is the most main holiday, evidence of the victory of life over death,” the priest noted.
True, opinions on how to properly celebrate this holiday differ greatly. Some, for example, argue that you should never go to the cemetery on this day, while others, despite all these conversations, go there every year. Some people believe that only those who have fasted can break their fast on Easter morning. Others, without fasting, nevertheless organize real feasts. So what can and cannot be done on Easter? Father Oleg Chebanov spoke about this.
Is it necessary to visit a cemetery on Easter?
Here it is necessary to turn to history. For almost a millennium, our country has lived in complete harmony between Church and state, and the Church has always had special meaning for an Orthodox person. After the October Revolution, these ties, unfortunately, were destroyed. They tried to cover the church with asphalt; at Christmas and Easter, entire police cordons were set up to prevent people from getting into the church. But the fact is that anyone Orthodox Christian, praying for health, also prays for the repose of the dead. Since ancient times, there has been a tradition in Rus': when coming to a cemetery, where there was always a cemetery church, a person turned to the priest, who came to the grave and served a litiya.
But in Soviet years people went to the cemetery on Bright Sunday, knowing full well that if they were forbidden to go to church and perform divine services there, then no one could forbid them to go to the cemetery. Therefore, a huge number of people went to the cemetery on this day. This tradition is wrong, although it is not worth condemning the people who follow it. You just need to remember that the Easter holiday represents the triumph of life over death, so throughout Easter week you need to rejoice and not mourn. In churches these days there are no funeral services or memorial services at all. This period, in its emotional mood, corresponds to life and joy about life, rather than sadness about the death of a loved one.
Moreover, Saturdays of the second, third and fourth weeks of fasting are the so-called parental Saturdays, when the dead are remembered. If a person lives according to church rules, he knows all these things, and therefore does everything correctly - in parent's Saturday remembers the dead, and on Easter - rejoices in life.
Is it necessary to bring food to the cemetery - eggs, Easter cake, etc.?
This is completely unnecessary. We still remember the deceased with prayer, and the place of remembrance should not be a cemetery, but a home where relatives and friends of the deceased gather. Going to the cemetery and holding various riotous funeral feasts there is a pagan tradition and it has been preserved mainly in villages; in the city there is practically no such thing anymore. Moreover, after an egg or Easter cake is crumbled on the grave, it becomes a haven for flocks of ravens, often dogs. This is completely useless.
Should everyone break their fast on Easter?
After all, the one who broke his fast must break his fast. In a spiritual sense, what is fasting? This is the preparation of the soul to experience the passion of Christ and preparation for the meeting of the risen Christ. How do we prepare to welcome some precious guest? We try to put things in order in the house, prepare a magnificent, festive meal, put ourselves in order, but it turns out that if I didn’t make a fast and didn’t keep a fast, then a great, precious guest comes to me, and I have a dirty rag under the threshold, the remains of food where - in the kitchen, the bed is not made. And then what is the point of meeting this guest and how to break the fast if we did not observe this fast. How family tradition- breaking the fast of those who do not observe fasting takes place, but in the spiritual sense it is pure profanation. Without fasting, there is no point in breaking your fast.
How and at what time should you break your fast?
You can break your fast on Sunday only after the end of the festive service. It usually ends at 3 - 4 am. But Easter is an unusual day, so getting up at 7 o’clock in the morning is not at all necessary. When all family members wake up and put themselves in order, you can sit down to dinner. festive table. And it’s not scary if this happens, for example, at 11 o’clock in the morning.
As for how this should be done, the Church does not prescribe a clear sequence of actions.
What foods can be blessed in church on Easter?
In general, whatever we started during Lent, we should break our fast. Therefore, in the church you can illuminate “thickened milk”, that is, cottage cheese, cheese, meat products, lard, eggs. Sometimes parishioners bring salt for lighting - but the Bible says nothing about this. And of course, the obligatory product is Easter cake.
Should Easter cake be prepared according to some special recipe?
Kulich is a festive Easter bread; it should be more solemn, magnificent, and expensive compared to the bread that we usually eat. However, the recipe can be very different - as they say, it’s not for everyone. At the same time, you should not get too hung up on the recipe: food should not distract from the most important thing - prayer.
Does an Easter egg have to be red?
The tradition of red Easter eggs is associated with the legend of Mary Magdalene. According to legend, when Mary came to Emperor Tiberius and announced the Resurrection of Christ, the emperor said that this was as impossible as that egg was red. And after these words, the chicken egg he was holding turned red.
Of course, red should predominate to a greater extent, because on the one hand, it is the color of celebration (even the priests’ vestments during the Easter service are red), and on the other, it is the color of the martyrdom of Christ. However, today people have a huge choice - you can paint an egg almost any color you want. The Church does not forbid this.
Another issue is the various stickers that are now also offered as decorations for Easter eggs. If they depict, for example, a chicken, flowers, even the letters “ХВ”, this is allowed, but if the face of Christ, the Virgin Mary, or other saints is depicted, this is no longer acceptable. After all, after we peel the egg, these stickers with faces, along with the shell, will go into the trash bin.
Should you not throw away the leftovers of blessed Easter food?
It’s better, of course, not to do this - after all, drops of holy water get on the food. You can, for example, collect leftover food - shells, sausage skins, etc. - and bury them somewhere at the end of the week.
On Easter, everyone must greet each other with the phrase “Christ is Risen!” and exchange eggs?
Christening is a ritual in the church Easter service and congratulations of believers to each other on the Easter holiday, in which one says “Christ is Risen” and the other answers “Truly He is Risen.” According to church tradition, the custom of such a greeting dates back to the apostles, who, when meeting, told each other the good news.
Congratulations on Easter were by no means limited to the birth of Christ in church. The words “Christ is Risen!” and answering them with kisses and mutual gifts of colored eggs was the usual greeting to every guest during the entire Easter week. However, you should only kiss people of the same sex.
There is a tradition of smashing Easter eggs against each other. Isn't this blasphemy?
No. In order to eat an egg, it must be broken in any case. So break, eat and rejoice in the resurrection of the Savior! The Church does not forbid this.
Central Federal District, Kursk (Kursk region)
In magical rituals, such an object as an egg in a grave is very often found. It should be noted that an egg buried in a grave is used quite often in a wide variety of rituals and can mean opposite things.
The egg can be lightly buried at the head of the grave, or simply lie next to the grave. In order to properly bury an egg in a cemetery, you need to know and observe many subtleties, since being in a graveyard is in itself a ritual, and if an egg is buried there, then such an action must be doubly careful and careful.
We must remember that the cemetery is a very special place and respect the peace of the dead, especially the graves chosen for burying the egg.
There are several rituals associated with the need to bury eggs on graves.
Removing damage. Most often, the egg is used precisely for this ritual. First, this damage is “removed” from the person who is supposedly damaged - they are rolled out with the help of an egg. After the ritual, this egg should be buried on the grave of the namesake or peer of the person from whom the damage was removed, so that the evil does not return and remains in the cemetery.
If such an egg is suddenly discovered by another person, it is strictly not recommended to touch it - part of the evil eye may pass to the person who finds the egg. You should just leave the egg where it was.
Damaging a person. An egg on a grave can also mean the diametrically opposite - it can be used to cause damage to a certain person. To do this, hair and a twisted photograph of the victim are put into the egg, and then they are taken to the cemetery and this egg is buried on the grave of a person with the same name and age as the one who is being damaged. It is also categorically not recommended to touch such an egg, so as not to take on unnecessary negativity.
Getting rid of failures. A ritual with an egg on the grave to get rid of failures in life is also very common. To do this, boil an egg from a black chicken, read a certain conspiracy and take it to the cemetery to bury it at the grave of a person whose name coincides with the name of the person carrying out the conspiracy.
There is also another version of this ritual - according to it, three eggs must be taken to three different unmarked graves. It is also clear here that you should not touch such an egg, so as not to attract other people’s failures into your life.
Also, an egg is often buried on graves so that it lies there for three days and “acquires” the knowledge of the dead, and after that the egg is used to treat madness with the help of certain magical rituals.
So, if we take into account all of the above and the fact that magic has been going back thousands of years and one cannot completely deny its real existence, we can say that if an egg is suddenly found buried in a grave, then it is strongly recommended not to touch it, pick it up, carry it, throwing away. This egg may contain other people's illnesses and misfortunes; there is a possibility that some of these troubles will be transferred to the person who found the egg.
The egg on the grave, after various ceremonies and rituals, performs a kind of “lightning rod” function - it turns out that all the negativity is concentrated in it and remains in the cemetery, where it can no longer harm anyone.
In the case of casting a spell on a person, the egg, as it were, takes away illness and death from the graves in the graveyard and transfers it to the person whom they wanted to jinx.
Another egg may lie on the grave directly in order to absorb the certain energy necessary for a practicing magician, which is subsequently required to treat a person.
Easter is an Old Testament institution. The Jews wanted to leave Egypt to return to their homeland. But the pharaoh, who had them captive, wishing to enrich himself with free labor, did not release them.
During the years of this captivity, the Lord more than once sent signs to Pharaoh through his servant Moses, so that Pharaoh would release the people to the Promised Land. The last thing God commanded the Egyptian people while the Jews were in their captivity was to slaughter an ang (that is, a lamb) and anoint the doorposts with his blood. This had to be done because the destroying angel was supposed to come that night and kill all the firstborn of the land of Egypt. But if the blood of a lamb is on the door, the destroying angel will pass by the house.
Jesus Christ became such a lamb, but already in the New Testament. “Easter” is precisely translated as “procession by,” procession past death. On the feast of the Resurrection of Christ, we commune with the Body and Blood of the Angle of God, as Christ calls himself, and become anointed with His blood. And death passes us by. Easter is eternal life, liberation from death. Christians have found the recipe that makes a person immortal.
Why bless food for Easter?
Archpriest Igor Fomin answers
The consecration of not only food, but also other material things surrounding a Christian is ancient tradition. When we sanctify something, we dedicate it to God and ask for God’s blessing on it.
On Easter we bring food to the temple. In villages at the beginning of the 20th century, in general, everything that was put on the table for Easter was brought to the temple, blessed, and the tithe (tenth) was left for those in need. And only after this did people break their fast - they reverently ate the consecrated holiday food.
I think it's very good tradition- ask God for blessings for everything.
How to fast before Easter?
Archpriest Igor Fomin answers
IN Good Friday- the strictest post. 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 only eat plant foods, and without oil.
When can you break your fast on Easter?
Archpriest Igor Fomin answers
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.
If for some reason you cannot celebrate Easter in church, you can begin to break your fast around the time when the festive Liturgy ends in churches. What is good about the Church in this regard? We fast together and break our fast together. That is, we do everything together. This is what is sorely missing modern world, - generality.
How to spend Easter correctly? Are there things you shouldn't do?
Archpriest Igor Fomin answers
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?
Archpriest Igor Fomin answers
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- not to the point of extreme intoxication, of course. But if it is difficult for you to limit yourself, it is better not to touch alcohol. Rejoice in spiritual joy.
Is it possible to work on Easter?
Archpriest Igor Fomin answers
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.
Archpriest Igor Fomin answers
When we read somewhere that on a holiday there is a ban on homework, 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, it is rather 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. To avoid spending Easter studying spring cleaning until 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.
What does it mean if a person dies on Easter? Is this a sign of God's special mercy or a punishment?
Archpriest Igor Fomin answers
If a believer dies on Easter or Bright Week, for us this is truly a sign of God’s mercy towards this person. Folk tradition even says that the one who died on Easter enters the Kingdom of Heaven without ordeal, that is, bypassing Last Judgment. But this is “folk theology”; dogmatically, every person will be judged and will give an answer for their sins before the face of God.
If a non-believer dies these days, then, I think, this means absolutely nothing. After all, even during his life, the Resurrection of Christ was not for him a sign of deliverance from death...
Is it possible to go to the cemetery on Easter?
Archpriest Igor Fomin answers
There has never been such a tradition in the Church. She was born among people in times Soviet Union, when a person was deprived of spiritual communication and removed from the Church. Where else was it possible to meet with the afterlife, about which the Church speaks and with the belief in the existence of which the authorities so cruelly fought? Only at the cemetery. No one could forbid going to relatives’ graves.
Since then, it has become a custom to go to the cemetery on Easter. But now that churches are open and we can go to Easter services, it is better to go to the cemetery to visit loved ones on other days. For example, on Radonitsa - on the day when, according to tradition, the Church commemorates the dead. Arrive there early, put the graves in order, sit quietly next to them and pray. Read more about visiting the cemetery.
How should we greet each other on Easter?
Archpriest Igor Fomin answers
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 is customary to give for Easter?
Archpriest Igor Fomin answers
On Easter, you can give your neighbors any pleasant and necessary gifts. And it will be good if you add an Easter egg, decorated or red, to any gift. The egg as a symbol is evidence of new life - the Resurrection of Christ.
The red color of the Easter egg 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.
What to do with shells from blessed eggs and stale Easter cake?
Archpriest Igor Fomin answers
Pious tradition tells us not to throw away with the trash what is consecrated in the temple. All this can be burned, for example, on personal plot, and bury it where people and animals will not trample it underfoot.
Why can't you dye eggs until they're a year old?
How can this not be done? Who said that? It is possible and even necessary to involve children in this. They and you will be happy about it.
You need to be very careful if the watery phrase of some recommendation follows “but I heard that... and they told me...”. This analogy turns out to be a broken phone. Such advice will not lead to any good.
The Soviet era, of course, also brought something of its own, for example, everyone began to go to the cemetery en masse on Easter, and the holiday, which denies death, faded into the background. We already live in the victory of Christ. This is all, unfortunately, forgotten. Some buses, trips, drinks begin.
But this does not mean that you need to stop going to the cemetery, no.
Here we are talking about the fact that Easter is a great joy, so it is not a time to be sad, you need to leave all worldly troubles and worries and devote this day to God, the memory of His resurrection, the victory of life over death. At the same time, we can pray for our loved ones and share this joy with them with all our hearts. God has no dead, he gave us the prospect of eternal life, and we hope for his mercy.
When should you not clean your house before Easter?
Father Alexander Abramov answers
There is spiritual hygiene, it consists in the fact that during Holy Week we should really try to protect ourselves from all sorts of entertainment, routine affairs, and everyday vanity. We need to go to church more. And it is clear that it is advisable to put things in order in advance so as not to miss important events, services of Holy Week.
But this is not an absolute prohibition, because life exists and common sense. The problem is that when people come to church, they have not yet acquired spiritual common sense, but their everyday common sense has already been turned off, and this creates such an excellent space for filling their heads with all sorts of nonsense.
Is it possible to get married on Easter?
Archpriest Alexander Abramov answers
The question is very clear and the answer will be clear. If you come to church on Bright Week, they will tell you that you cannot get married.
There are days established by the Church on which weddings take place - these are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
There are days of the week, regardless of the time of year, when weddings do not take place, for example, on fast days or on Saturday.
For example, why don't they get married on Tuesday? Because in this case, the first wedding day will fall on a fast day. Well, what kind of beginning of family life is this if the very first day is already fraught with restrictions.
They don’t get married on Saturday, the day before Sunday, because Sunday is Little Easter and, in a good way, a person on this day should lead a religious life, not a personal one.
It is clear that many people tend to neglect all these traditions church life, but so that neglect does not acquire such a wild character, these days they simply do not get married.
Bright Week is just like one day of Easter. Great celebration of the Holy Resurrection of Christ. And all attention, of course, is focused on this.
Therefore, weddings do not take place during Bright Week either. This is the liturgical system.
This is not because the church abhors weddings or people who want to have their own family life. And simply because we completely devote this time to celebrating Easter - this is a time of universal joy.
Is it possible to remember on Easter?
Archpriest Alexander Abramov answers
If speak about church order, then the first memorial service is celebrated on Radonitsa (day special commemoration departed) is Tuesday of the second week after Easter. In many churches there was such a pious tradition - funeral tables, the place where candles are placed, are covered with cloth, thereby showing that God has no dead. And this is especially clear during Easter week. Easter is the most joyful Christian holiday; it displaces all sorrow and sadness from the hearts of believers.
As the scripture says: « God is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living» (Mark 12:27) Naturally, you can remember, that is, say “God rest…” and say the name of the person for whom you are praying. How can we not do this if we love our family and friends and of course there is a desire to convey this to God.
Funeral services in the church (requiem services) on Bright Week are completely abolished, since this is a time of our joy in the Risen Christ, and not sorrow. But this does not mean that the priest does not mention the repose of people during the liturgy.
Is it possible to bury on Easter?
Archpriest Alexander Abramov answers
If the death takes place on Bright Week, then the funeral service is performed with a special rite, Easter. It is especially touching regarding infants, because their sinlessness and belonging to Easter are immediately affirmed.
Is it possible to baptize before Easter?
Archpriest Alexander Abramov answers
A short excursion into history.
It is interesting that in ancient times the church did not baptize individually at all. This is what we have now. We are transferring consumer habits to the church.
For example, we came to the clinic and it seemed completely crazy to us that we would be seen at the same time with four other people. And we think the same way about christenings. But before they were baptized completely differently.
Firstly, people were baptized not in a church, but, as a rule, in open reservoirs, and two or three days a year were chosen for this. People were prepared, talked to, they were taught in the faith, if we are talking about adults, and then either on Christmas Eve, Epiphany (Epiphany), or on Holy Saturday everyone was baptized together.
There are days when it would be inappropriate to talk about Baptism, say on Good Friday, when we are entirely focused on the Passion, the suffering of Christ. Although I, simply even for reasons of some kind of piety and reverence for God, would not baptize during Holy Week.
But generally speaking, you can receive the sacrament of Baptism at any time, including during Bright Week.
Why can't you dye eggs for Easter?
In general, it is customary for us to illuminate Easter cakes and eggs on Holy Saturday, that is, immediately before Easter.
Therefore, we are preparing for this day in advance. But since situations in life are different, you can consecrate your holiday gifts on the day of Great Easter itself, this will not be considered something unnatural. Previously, even before the revolution, Easter cakes and eggs were blessed just after the night Easter service before breaking the fast.
As for preparing for the holiday, it is advisable to do everything in advance so that you have time for the most important thing. To meet the Light Christ's Resurrection you could joyfully, with a light heart, you could come to meet God, leaving behind all your troubles and worries.
A Great Event took place and it is necessary to remember it, it must become the center of everything.
Why can't you eat eggs before Easter?
Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers
The bright days of Easter are preceded by Lent when we tried to abstain as much as possible from heavy food (of animal origin), that is, to keep ourselves in a certain focus, one might even say in tone, pushing ourselves to internal work. That is, we do not eat not only eggs, but, in principle, all products of animal origin, as we observe fasting. There are no other superstitious reasons not to eat eggs.
On Holy Saturday we come to the temple to bless eggs, Easter cakes, and Easter cakes, which will decorate our holiday table.
And after the Easter service with our family, we break our fast, that is, now we can allow ourselves to taste the festive dishes without a twinge of conscience, but it is also important to observe the measure, not to eat too much right away, since this is a very big burden for our body.
We rejoice, the holiday has come and now it’s time to feast.
What should you not do on the Saturday before Easter?
Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers
There are no clear prohibitions. Each person has his own, unique life. It is shrouded in so many circumstances and nuances that it is difficult to say anything in advance. Just as it is impossible to condemn anyone for this reason.
But, of course, it is worth remembering that Holy Saturday is a day of sacred extinction. It is also called “Sabbath of Rest.”
We still grieve over the death of Christ. We remember His removal from the cross and His placing in the tomb. One of the key chants of this day contains the words “Let all human flesh be silent.”
But we are all already standing on the threshold of the Great Day and Holiday.
We are waiting for the hour when we can exclaim “Christ is Risen!”
But now we have to kind of freeze. There is a lull on the eve of something very significant.
And of course, on this day we should not talk about any fun festivities or excessive troubles and worries.
Everything needs to be postponed if possible. Be at Liturgy in the morning. And maintain silence and peace in your soul until the start of the Easter service.
Why can't you celebrate a birthday on Easter?
Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers
Easter is the greatest day of the year. A celebration of life. We glorify our Savior Jesus Christ for His boundless love and kindness, for giving us eternal life. And of course this event in the life of every person should become central.
Therefore, celebrating a birthday cannot be more important than Easter.
On the other hand, there are no prohibitions on this either.
You just need to remember that this is a Bright Day.
And I wouldn’t want to overshadow it with excessive drunkenness, for example, or other indecent things.
Because many people, unfortunately, associate their birthday with having a blast. And Easter is not the best time for this the right time. Even based on respect for the traditions of the church and reverence for God.
Is it possible to hunt on Easter?
Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers
If you hunt for fun, then definitely not on any day. After all, this is the killing of living beings.
Sometimes people hunt in order to simply not die of hunger, then this is acceptable, there is already a question of survival.
Or, for example, when it is a matter of earning money, which also allows you to survive. The main thing is that this does not become mercantile entertainment.
As for exactly Easter days, then any believer Orthodox man, will try to postpone the hunt for this period, unless he is in emergency conditions, when he needs to act according to the situation.
Is it possible to receive communion on Easter?
Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers
It is possible and even necessary. It’s just worth preparing for the Sacrament of Communion in advance. And the point here is not only in fasting, but, most importantly, in cleansing the heart and mind.
It is necessary to go to Confession. You can do this on Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday of Holy Week. But a more detailed schedule should be checked with the temple where you are going to come.
In any case, you need to look at the circumstances. If suddenly, for some reason, you did not have time to prepare in advance, then you should ask the priest for a blessing for Communion, explaining your situation.
Recently, official permission has appeared to allow people to receive Communion on Easter without confession. But this right still remains at the discretion of the priest. Because people are all different.
The main thing is not to be silent, do not listen to someone else’s advice, if you have a question, then go directly to the one who will help resolve it, in this case - to the priest.
Is it possible to go to the Cemetery on Easter?
Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers
In the life of the Church, everything is arranged very wisely. Each tradition or ritual has its own meaning. And everything has its place in it.
We can remember our relatives and friends who have died in our own prayers, this is our right and, moreover, it is very important both for us and for those whose memory we honor.
Can pregnant women go to the cemetery on Easter?
Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers
Pregnant women can go to the cemetery, like everyone else. But, according to Orthodox tradition, for Easter don't visit cemeteries.
Since Easter is not the time to remember the dead. This is general joy, general rejoicing and glorification of our Savior Jesus Christ. The first commemoration of the dead after Easter takes place on Radonitsa.
When can you go to confession before Easter?
Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers
Of course, it’s better to come to confession early and not put it off until the last minute.
Confession will be possible on Holy Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday of Holy Week.
But you will need to check more accurate information about the time in the temple where you are going to come. Since each temple has its own way of life.
What to wear to church for Easter?
Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers
You can choose any outfit to suit your taste, but it is important to remember where you are going. And try to look neat and not too provocative.
Is it possible for pregnant women to cook Easter cakes and Easter cakes?
Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers
Of course you can, but only carefully. In the sense that expectant mothers are very vulnerable and they need to be more careful about their health. So as not to get too tired.
And preparing for the Great Holiday is always a pleasant and joyful thing.
Is it possible to work the week after Easter?
Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers
Work is a very individual matter. Someone has the opportunity to take time off, take a short vacation during Easter week and completely devote this period to God. Get to know the traditions of the life of the Church better. But some people simply don’t have this opportunity. So it is difficult to take any categorical position here. Ideally, of course, it would be nice to attend the Easter liturgy again in the first days of Bright Week; in many churches religious processions are held throughout Bright Week. This is the Joy that it is a pity to deprive yourself of.
What can you do on Easter?
Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers
In principle, there are no specific restrictions here.
Lent has ended as a period of deprivation and severity towards oneself.
The time has come for Great joy; now is not the time to be despondent and sad.
Do what brings you joy. Communicate with your loved ones and friends, share with them the joy of the Risen Christ.
Just don’t forget about the most important thing that we have been achieving through all these weeks of Lent. Try to attend the Easter Liturgy at least once more (many churches also celebrate Processions of the Cross throughout Bright Week) - do not deprive yourself of this joy.
Is it possible to guess before Easter?
Archpriest Andrey Efanov answers
You can never guess. Yes friends, that's true.
What's so bad about fortune telling, you ask.
Firstly, this is disrespect for the Will of God. Secondly, this is a disregard for the freedom that the Lord has endowed each of us from birth.
When we use even a comic, as it seems to us, fortune-telling, when we receive an answer, we program ourselves for certain actions.
And the most interesting thing is that this happens unconsciously.
IN social psychology There is such a thing as a “self-fulfilling prophecy.” In childhood, parents can impose some kind of attitude on a child, for example, “you are incompetent.” And this attitude will greatly interfere with his life. Unconsciously, he will act in such a way as to confirm it in every possible way, dooming himself to failure in advance.
Many years will pass before he tries to figure out what's what.
And here the scheme is very similar. We learn some prediction about ourselves and at this moment we are deprived of freedom of choice, freedom of action, since everything will now work for this installation.
If you identify with the world of the church, you will have to make a choice.
What and who do you believe in? If you are with God, then you must trust Him, otherwise there is no other way.
