Is it possible to clean the cemetery on Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is always celebrated exactly one week before the main Christian holiday - Easter. This Sunday (this year Palm Sunday falls on April 1, 2018) willows are bought to remember how the Savior entered Jerusalem almost 2,000 years ago. In this regard, they are often interested not only in how to celebrate this holiday. We are concerned about the question of whether it is possible and necessary to clean up the cemetery on Palm Sunday, come to the graves, and what to do if life circumstances force us to do this on a holiday. A detailed answer is discussed below.
The question of whether to go to the cemetery in Palmnoe on Sunday or not is ambiguous. On the one hand, they go to the cemetery in order to clean up the grave, and most importantly, people commemorate their deceased relatives and friends. They begin to work, tidy up, put things in order so that everything looks neat. It is interesting that in our country the tradition is still alive to take consecrated willow branches and put them to a monument or a cross instead of traditional flowers. So relatives pay tribute to their ancestors and, as it were, give a holiday to them.
There is nothing shameful and even more sinful in this tradition. There is no direct prohibition on such actions either in the Bible or in church canons. Moreover, the clergy speak positively about this practice. Therefore, the question of whether it is possible to commemorate the deceased relatives on this day, to come to the cemetery, is positive. It is advised to do this after dinner - first it is better to attend a church service, to bless the willows. And then visit those who are no longer with us.
It is important to understand here that you can go to the cemetery on Palm Sunday, but you are not required to do so. Here it is important to tune in correctly and understand yourself: festive feelings on such a day, of course, overwhelm the heart of every person. Even if we ignore the religious arguments, the mood will still be good. Spring is coming, it is getting warmer, and the days are constantly increasing. The agricultural cycle begins - in a word, nature and people are reborn after a long northern winter.
It turns out that you must realize and hear your inner feelings. Perhaps you have not cleaned the grave for a long time, and the heart, as they say, asks for itself. Then you can go to the cemetery and pay your respects. But it is worth remembering some limitations - they are described in detail below.
Arguments against"
So, people often go to the cemetery on this very day, put willows on the grave. But then what are the objections? Basically, just one.
Palm Sunday is the day we celebrate and rejoice in Christ. After all, 2000 years ago, the crowd of people also rejoiced and glorified him. The Savior rode on a donkey, and people lined palm branches right on the road. Now we buy willows in honor of this holiday.
Therefore, the very energy of the holiday does not agree with grief, even contradicts it. And if the loss of a loved one still causes too strong feelings, the wound in the soul has not yet healed - ask yourself whether it is necessary to go to the cemetery on Palm Sunday. Indeed, at the grave, feelings will inevitably take their toll - and the festive mood will have to give way to mournful thoughts.
Therefore, you should not check yourself and indulge in despondency on such a bright day. In addition, there are special dates for commemoration of the dead - everything has its time.
NOTE
If the question is whether it is possible to visit the cemetery on Palm Sunday and clean up the graves, the answer can be positive, then as for traditional commemorations with a feast, this is not allowed. Do not drink alcohol, overeat, indulge in despondency. Palm Sunday is a celebration of life, a day when we praise and rejoice in Christ. After all, in a week he will be resurrected. Again, everything has its time.
When we make exceptions
We, perhaps, do not make exceptions, but life's plans do not always coincide with ours. But what if it so happened that a person died on Palm Sunday? Or did the memorable 9 or 40 days fall on this day? Of course, the mournful feelings of relatives and friends are more than understandable, since it just so happened that a loss befell on a holiday.
The family will, of course, pay tribute to the deceased. But it will be right if on such a day you do not overdo it with food and alcohol. It will be good if you go to the Church anyway and bless the willows. Yes, grief has befallen, and longing overwhelms you. But still, life goes on: in due time, each of us will leave the earthly haven - and who knows when this will happen?
Therefore, in such situations, when a festive and unfortunate event coincided, we still need to tune in to a life-affirming wave. In addition, participation in the Palm Sunday holiday, attending church and purchasing willows will certainly help change your mood a little.
Parents' days in 2018
Before Easter, believers always observe Great Lent. During this fast, there are special three days dedicated to the remembrance of parents. They are called parental Saturdays. In 2018, these are the dates:
- During the 2nd week of Great Lent - March 3rd.
- During the 3rd week of Great Lent - March 10.
- During the 4th week of Great Lent - March 17th.
These days always fall on a Saturday, which is why they are called Parental Saturdays. Believers come to the temple, where a special funeral service is traditionally held - Panikhida. And before it, the Liturgy is held.
On such days, it will be more than right to visit cemeteries, clean up the graves and commemorate the dead. You can tidy up, take away the trash, put things in order. It is believed that this should be done on parental Saturdays, since the souls of the deceased are waiting for their relatives. If they do not come and honor the memory, they are very upset.
You can honor the memory of the deceased loved ones at home, read prayers and try moderately traditional funeral dishes - kutya and pancakes. Don't overeat or drink too much alcohol. Commemoration is not a holiday, and therefore a magnificent feast would be inappropriate: there are many other bright dates for it.
NOTE
Of course, if the melted snow has not yet melted, and the ground is still too wet and it is dirty around, it is better to postpone the cleaning for Radonitsa, which will fall on April 17 in 2018. And if you are not lucky on this day, there is an opportunity to come on May 26 - on Trinity Saturday.
