Forgiveness Sunday is the last day of Shrovetide week. It concludes seven days of fun and festivities. After him comes a long, for many not the easiest time of Great Lent. The date of Forgiveness Sunday is not stable, changeable. When is Forgiveness Sunday 2019? And what signs, traditions, superstitions are associated with this day?
Forgiveness Sunday has such a name for a reason. On this day, before entering the Fast, it is customary to ask for forgiveness from friends, relatives, comrades, family members. It is important to remember that you need to say exactly "I'm sorry", and not "I'm sorry", since these words have a slightly different true meaning.
Forgiveness Sunday is connected very closely with Shrovetide, therefore the traditions of this holiday are to some extent extended to it. So, for example, on Forgiveness Sunday, you can and should bake pancakes with various fillings, while a number of signs are associated with this treat. However, a festive day implies a gradual calming down, refusal of fun, expanse and festivities, a smooth entry into a state of humility, peace. Purity of soul and body is what should accompany a person before Great Lent.
Forgiveness Sunday: date in 2019 and main traditions
In 2019, the final day of the Maslenitsa celebrations and, as a result, Forgiveness Sunday falls on March 10.
A number of basic traditions must be observed throughout the day:
- in the morning and afternoon hours, it is necessary to visit the cemetery, visit deceased relatives, leave them gifts, offerings, light candles;
- to ask for forgiveness, to repent on Forgiveness Sunday is possible only from the moment of sunset until the end of the day;
- you can and even need to wash on this day in order to enter Great Lent with a clean body;
- it is important on Forgiveness Sunday to ask for forgiveness sincerely, consciously, and informally; at the same time, one should get rid of any negativity, thoughts poisoning the consciousness, feel how liberation occurs even from unconscious guilt;
- there must be an evening hearty meal, during which you must continue to ask for forgiveness; you need to be humble, patient, attentive to the people around you and to the whole world;
- you cannot get rid of the remnants of food, otherwise, according to legends, the next twelve months will be hungry, difficult, full of trials and anxieties;
- it is imperative to bake bread on Forgiveness Sunday using rye flour and dried fruits (raisins, prunes), such a dish is called ukruh;
- on the table, in addition to pancakes, which are very difficult for many to refuse on this day, there should be dishes made from animal products; however, starting the evening meal, you need to remember that you should never gorge yourself until you feel sick, you should not abuse alcohol;
- traditionally, you need to sit at the table on Forgiveness Sunday 7 times.
Signs for a holiday
If the weather is pleasant and sunny on Forgiveness Sunday 2019, then hot months are ahead and drought is possible. But if on this day, especially in the early morning hours, wet snow or rain falls, then the harvest in autumn will be excellent.
When preparing pancakes for the last day of Shrovetide, you need to see how they turn out. If the pancakes come out fragrant, lush and tasty, then luck lies ahead, there will be prosperity in life. Burnt, unsuccessful pancakes are a sign on Forgiveness Sunday that unpleasant events may happen in the family in the near future.
If a woman is the first to enter the house among the guests on this day, she will bring tears with her. And if a man crosses the threshold of the apartment, then you can prepare for significant financial receipts.
There is an interesting sign associated with Forgiveness Sunday, which will be useful for people with sleep problems. According to legends, it follows that if it turns out to fall asleep soundly before twelve o'clock in the morning, then all subsequent months of the year the dream will be sweet.
