On April 9, Christians of the Eastern Rite celebrate the feast of the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem or Palm Sunday.. Traditionally, the holiday is celebrated a week before Easter, so its date varies from year to year..
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What to do on Palm Sunday.
According to the Gospel, on this day Christ entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey.. People greeted him with palm branches and cries of \! In Ukraine, palm trees do not grow, so they were replaced by willow twigs.
According to tradition, on Palm Sunday, believers collect willow branches in bouquets and consecrate them in the church..
Our ancestors believed that the consecrated willow branches protect the house from diseases, poverty and fires, floods and other misfortunes.. It is customary to keep them in the house until the next Palm Sunday..
Children were also jokingly beaten with willow twigs, saying “I won’t b’yu, willow b’e. For tyzhden - Great day, not far away is a red egg "
Traditionally, young men and women fought on this day with willow twigs and said, “Be great, like a willow, and healthy, like water, and rich, like earth.”!
Prayer on Palm Sunday.
Lord our God, strong and strong in battle, to help you, unworthy, we call and humbly pray: graciously forgive your hand and cover our country from war, timelessness and suffering.
We do not hope for our bow, and not our weapons will save us, but we implore for Your almighty help: preserve our Fatherland in peace, soften the hearts of hardened enemies with Your mercy, turn away their evil intentions, we pray to You, Great King, listen to us and have mercy.
Look from heaven, Lord, and do not let our enemies raise their sword and pull their bow to strike us - your poor servants, glorifying you in Orthodoxy.
Soon change our sorrow to joy, and trouble to solid peace. Do not allow the suffering of mothers and tears of children, and accept their prayers for us sinners and unnecessary as a fragrant censer before the Throne of Your Majesty, offering Ukraine our peace and tranquility.
We heartily pray to You, Merciful Benefactor, listen to us and have mercy. Amen.