What can not be done on church holidays (signs)?

All Orthodox festivals are ceremonies common to the church in the Orthodox faith. They are usually dedicated to historical sacred events or veneration of saints. For a long time the opinion was firmly established among the people that on the days of church holidays all activities should cease. And if you ask someone what can not be done on church holidays, then in the answer you will surely hear - nothing. Is it really? And are there any differences between holidays for doing household and other things? In this article, let's try to figure out where these customs came from and what it is for church holidays, when you can not do anything.

What are church holidays?

The classification of church holidays depends, first of all, on the significance of the sacred events, to which these holidays were dedicated. According to this significance, great, small and medium holidays are celebrated. Among the great ones is Easter, as well as all those who call the Twelve. There are also divisions according to the time and place of celebration. According to the time, there are two large groups: fixed, that is, those fixed for a certain date, and passing. Still it is possible to allocate three large groups according to the one who is honored on this day. Thus, there are the Lord's feasts, the celebrations dedicated to the Theotokos, as well as the days of veneration of the saints.

Church holiday today. What can not be done?

Most of the recommendations regarding prohibitions on the holidays of a particular activity are based on the result of centuries of observations and coincidences. Although, of course, there is no evidence to explain this. People often wonder what a church holiday is today. What can not be done? This is because traditions and customs are very tightly integrated into the life of the population. And although practically no one knows the reason for these customs, everyone observes them simply automatically. Just because it's so necessary. So, what can not be done on church holidays. The most common prohibition is the prohibition of sewing and other types of needlework for Christmas. It is also forbidden to hunt on such days, for it is a sin to select the life of an animal on the day of birth or resurrection. The best option is to spend the days of church celebrations in your own house. And especially not to move anywhere. On the day of veneration of Elijah the saint is forbidden to swim in the reservoirs. This sign is due to the fact that, according to observations, most accidents in the water occurred on this day. And to celebrate the Annunciation, women are forbidden to create hairstyles. Especially braid braids. Or here. On a holiday dedicated to the decapitation of St. John the Baptist, a ban on the use of any cutting objects is imposed. On this day, do not use knives. Food is not cut, but broken into pieces. This is especially true of bread, which has a round shape.

Prohibited work does not mean idleness

Many regard church bans very seriously. It does not matter what a church holiday is today. What can not be done, everyone knows, and in any other way. But is it really serious? What is the position of the Church? From where, in the end, did all these signs go and why one should not do anything on church holidays? There is an official position of the church regarding everything that has already been mentioned. This position suggests that all these people's signs are more of a myth than a reality. Nobody forbids washing and combing during church celebrations. And even engage in easy cleaning of your home. Refrain the clergy recommend only from full-fledged hard work and devote this time to their loved ones and relatives. Moreover, according to church scriptures, during church holidays, in addition to Bible study, it is necessary to help the poor and needy, visit sick people in hospitals or prisoners in prisons. Or do other charitable deeds. So it's not about idleness at all.

Christmas on the threshold, or What can not be done on church holidays in the winter

At all times, people attached special importance to Christmas signs. It was believed that the whole next year directly depends on how they spent Christmas. There are a number of things that are not recommended at this time. You can not hunt. And the hunt is imposed a ban beginning from Christmas and ending with Epiphany. It is believed that at this time nature takes special care of animals. So killing them is a big sin. You can not guess. For this there is a special time. Also, a ban on needlework and any other work on the household is imposed. But there are also more insane signs. For example, you can not drink water at Christmas. You can have any liquids, but water can not.

Epiphany signs

The Feast of Baptism absorbed a huge number of folk traditions, most of which are associated with sacred water, which on this day has a key role. It is considered a sin to recruit baptismal water in large quantities, because it is a spiritual medicine. Picking holy water, you can not quarrel or swear, you can not think badly of someone. Before the holiday it is forbidden to lend money and even things, and after a holiday it is forbidden to guess, and also to rinse in the rivers linen. Although to date, these prohibitions are unlikely to be relevant.

Easter week. Rites and Traditions

The celebration of Easter is not limited to one day. It's a whole week, during which everyone should have fun. But unlike Maslenitsa, these days are not welcome any excesses and even more so fights. You can not be angry and sad, you can not go to the cemetery. You can not drink alcohol on all days except Sunday. As for the economic work and needlework, there are no special restrictions. The work is permissible in moderation, although handicrafts are still recommended to abstain.

What is Krasnaya Gorka?

There is one more, no less important, falling out this year on April 19, a church holiday. What can not be done on the Red Hill? First of all, it is impossible for young girls who have not yet found a husband to sit at home that day. So they miss the fate. This is the time of matchmaking and weddings. It is believed that marriage, concluded on this day, is doomed to become a rich, healthy and prosperous union. It is impossible to be sad and swear in this holiday. As for the work, there are no prohibitions. Even there is such a custom to attract wealth - washing icons. This should be done by the oldest member of the family, and the whole rite should in no case be public.

Palm Sunday

One of the brightest church holidays is Palm Sunday. On this day, it is necessary to attend church services and enrich themselves in every possible way in the spiritual sense. The main attribute is the consecrated willow branches. Store these branches then throughout the year, placing them in the house behind the icons, or attached in different places. According to the legends of our ancestors, they save the house from lightning and evil spirit. It is recommended that you refrain from any kind of work on this day. Mass media are also forbidden.

So, we managed to find out what can not be done on church holidays. From all of the above, it becomes clear that such signs are not at all a call to idleness. But rather a change of activities. And whatever you do, the main thing is that it should be with a soul and with a pure heart.