Forgiveness Sunday (06/03)

Forgiveness Sunday — is the last Sunday before Lent. On this day, in churches at the liturgy, the Gospel is read with a part from the Sermon on the Mount, which talks about forgiving grievances to neighbors, without which we cannot receive forgiveness of sins from the Heavenly Father, fasting and collecting heavenly treasures.

In accordance with this Gospel reading, Christians have the pious custom of asking each other for forgiveness of sins, known and unknown grievances on this day and taking all measures to reconcile with the warring. And they do it sincerely with all their hearts.

Therefore, this Sunday is usually called Forgiveness Sunday. This is the first step towards Lent.

The last Sunday before the start of Lent is called the Church of the Cheese Week, since it is today that the consumption of dairy products ends. The Church reminds us of the expulsion of Adam and Eve from paradise for disobedience and intemperance. On this day, after the evening service, a special rite of forgiveness is performed in churches, when clergy and parishioners mutually ask each other for forgiveness in order to enter Lent with a pure soul, having reconciled with all their neighbors.

The expulsion of our forefathers from paradise for disobedience and intemperance, their loss of an innocent blissful state is worthy of tears and repentance. The disaster into which humanity has cast down the passion of selfishness and carnal knowledge inspires: how important fasting and other acts of self-denial are in the work of piety and salvation, and how dangerous are sensual sinful pleasures.

Fasting, according to the words of the Gospel spoken by the Church, is the most convenient time for acquiring spiritual treasures, just as there is sometimes a particularly convenient time for collecting and increasing temporary benefits — is the true day for doing good deeds.

In accordance with the words of the Gospel, read on the last day before Lent, inspiring forgiveness of sins to neighbors and reconciliation with everyone, in ancient times the Hermits of Egypt gathered on the last day of Cheese Week for collective prayer and, asking each other for forgiveness and blessing, dispersed, at the end of Vespers, through the wilds and deserts for solitary feats in continuation of the Pentecost: the gates of the monastery were concluded until the week of Bahia, to which the desert ascetics usually returned to the monastery.

And now the pious sons of the Orthodox Church, in the last days of Cheese Week, according to ancient pious custom, as a sign of mutual reconciliation and forgiveness, pray for the dead and visit each other during Cheese Week. And on the Sunday of this week, after the general forgiveness was performed in the temple at the evening service, as a sign of reconciliation and consecration, the Church decided for believers to kiss the sacred images of God and saints.

In addition to church customs, there are also folk customs of this day. Since Forgiveness Sunday – is the last day of Maslenitsa, it is believed that it should be carried out properly. Families traditionally gather at the festive table with pancakes and dishes; fairs, festivities and concerts are held on the streets. And at the end of the holiday, an effigy of Maslenitsa is burned. After all, after this, not only fast food, but also various entertainment is prohibited for a whole seven weeks.



• Story «Be able to forgive»

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