On the eve of the onset of Lent, Forgiveness Sunday comes to us.
This day is revered by the Orthodox. The holiday is annual, but does not have a specific date. After all, Lent falls on different days in April, February or March. Forgiveness Sunday in 2021 for the Orthodox will be on March 14, and on this day congratulations and requests for forgiveness will be heard, and it is also allowed to give postcards with pictures. At a church service, the priest reads a passage from the Gospel of Matthew, which says that if you forgive people, then God will forgive, but if there is no forgiveness, then there is no point in asking for forgiveness. Moreover, a sustained Fast also loses all meaning. Therefore, you need to realize that everything is interconnected and must be sincere.
Believers, thanks to Fasting, cleanse their souls by asking for forgiveness. At confession, they get rid of their sins and celebrate Easter with a pure heart. Forgiveness must be asked for, no matter whether the offense is intentional or accidental. Only then does the holiday take on meaning for a person.
Traditions and rituals
On Forgiveness Sunday, services are held in churches. After evening prayer, the priest and parishioners ask each other for forgiveness. After the end of the service, it is customary to give alms to those in need.
On this day, people ask their family, friends, and deceased relatives for forgiveness and let go of grievances.
Forgiveness Sunday ends Maslenitsa. On this day, the solemn farewell to winter and preparation for Lent ends. As throughout Maslenitsa week, housewives bake pancakes. Young girls tell fortunes about their betrothed, wish fulfillment.
People honor the memory of deceased relatives and visit their graves in the cemetery.
There is a tradition of going to the bathhouse to wash away all sins.
Short congratulations in prose on Forgiveness Sunday in your own words
Unforgettable congratulations and wishes must be heard on such an important day. After all, sometimes, in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we accidentally upset the people closest to us. But we don’t always notice this and apologize in time. On such an important day, grievances must go away so that there is lightness and joy in the heart and soul. Therefore, congratulations in your own words are the most appropriate apology and congratulations.
To my beloved guy
On this holy day, I want to apologize to you for all the grief I caused through negligence. After all, I didn’t do anything on purpose, because I love you very much and value our relationship. I can’t be apart from you for a long time, because without you I simply don’t have enough air. Forgive me for everything and be with me always!
Darling, you are my best and most beloved. Therefore, on this bright holiday, I ask you for forgiveness for everything. Forgive my whims and quarrels, I didn’t want to offend you. I’m just very emotional with you and I love you very much.
To my beloved girl
Such an important day has come for all people on Earth and I hasten to quickly ask you for forgiveness for everything. If suddenly I accidentally upset you, forgive me, I didn’t mean it out of malice. I truly love you. Anything happens in life, sometimes we shout, argue, without controlling our emotions, but I promise that this will not happen again in the future, because I have no one more dear to you.
Darling, forgive me for everything, for spoiling your nerves, for quarrels and arguments. I won't do it anymore. Let your heart not feel sad. You are my best, most beautiful and most desirable. Happy holiday!
To mom
I want to congratulate you mom on your holiday and ask for forgiveness for everything. You are my best, so I never want to hurt you, much less offend you. But if suddenly it happened by accident, don’t hold a grudge, it’s not out of malice. I love you very much and I can’t live without you. You are the best in the world! My beloved mother!
Dear mom, on this day we honor, I really want to ask you for forgiveness for everything. For quarrels, omissions and disappointments. You are the best in the world! I really want your heart to always be light, and happiness to surround you on all sides. Happy holiday!
To dad
My beloved daddy, on this special day it is necessary to sincerely ask for forgiveness from each other, and I hasten to ask you for it as soon as possible. You are the most important person in my life. If it suddenly turns out that I accidentally brought resentment into your heart, forgive me. May your soul have only joy and grace from me!
Dear daddy, forgive me for all the insults. Let anger and sadness leave your heart forever. Today allows me to ask you for forgiveness. I really want you to forgive me and always be joyful and cheerful!
To my husband
My dear and most beloved man on Earth! On this important day, I hasten with all my heart to ask for your forgiveness. After all, sometimes in the bustle of everyday life, we do not notice how we offend each other. Forgive me for everything. I'm not out of malice. May quarrels and scandals leave our lives forever, and may luck, joy and warmth always be with us!
Darling, forgive me for everything. For my obnoxious character and my scandals. I promise I won’t upset you in the future. Forget all your sorrows and anxieties and let's start everything with a clean slate, without offense, quarrels and disappointments.
Wife
My beloved, today I want to sincerely ask you for forgiveness if I have offended or upset you in some way. I did not want. You are the most important thing I have in life. Let our disagreements and grievances become a thing of the past, and in the present there will be only love, mutual understanding and happiness.
My dear and beloved wife, I know that I have an intolerable character, but I ask on this bright holiday that you forgive me for everything. I won't upset you anymore. Don't be offended by me and forgive me for all my bad deeds.
Mother-in-law
On the day of Forgiveness Sunday, I want to ask you for forgiveness for all the sorrows and insults. May God protect you and give you only joy, and may there always be peace in your heart. Let anxiety and disappointment never occur. Happy holiday!
My dear mother-in-law, you mean so much to me. You helped and supported me so much in difficult times. So on this wonderful day I want to ask you for forgiveness for everything. I'm sorry if I offended you in any way. Don't hide sadness in your heart. I’m not out of malice, but in the future I’ll try to be more attentive and never offend you.
Father-in-law
I ask you to forgive me all the grievances and disappointments inflicted on me, voluntarily and unwittingly. Don't hold a grudge. After all, there are no people in this life who do not make mistakes. This clean and bright day allows us to sincerely turn to each other and ask for forgiveness. May only peace, happiness and love await us in the future.
May it be a bright Sunday, and I ask for forgiveness for everything. After all, there is no such thing in our life without grief and resentment. God allows us to apologize and forgive ourselves on this day. Forgive me if I unwittingly offended you in some way and may joy always reign in your heart.
mother-in-law
My dear and most beloved mother-in-law, on this wonderful day, I ask you to forgive me for all the disappointments, quarrels and omissions. May grievances and disappointments leave your heart forever, and may there be peace and joy in your soul. Happy holiday!
Dear mother-in-law, I know that it is difficult to live in our lives without offense and disappointment. So on this bright day I want to ask you for forgiveness for all the offenses I have caused. Let them go from your heart and let's start living from scratch.
Brother
My dear brother! On this revered day, I want to ask you for forgiveness for everything. I love you very much and I don’t want you to hold a grudge against me. It never happens that people don’t argue or quarrel. So forgive me for everything and don’t hold a grudge.
My dear brother, on this divine holiday I hasten to ask you for forgiveness for all my bad deeds. Please don't hold a grudge. After all, I love and respect you very much. You are my best!
To my sister
My dear and beloved sister, on this bright holiday I want to ask you for forgiveness. Let go of all grudges. After all, I have no one more precious than you. And I feel bad myself if I accidentally upset you with something. Live in peace and love, and let all the bad things go away. Happy holiday!
Sister, forgive me all the insults. Today is a magical day that allows you to forgive each other. And I want to wish you that the burden of disappointment will never remain on your heart, but that peace and kindness will always reign. Be happy!
There are many holidays on which people give their congratulations. Forgiveness Sunday is a special day in Orthodoxy when apologies and congratulations sound pleasant. Truce and forgiveness from the heart is the most important moment in the heart of each of us!
How to spend a holiday
- Ask for forgiveness from loved ones and acquaintances, forgive grievances
- Do a good deed - give up your seat on public transport, feed a homeless animal, carry an old woman across the road, etc.
- Give alms to those in need
- Go to church for a service and pray
- Spend the day with your family
Is it possible to perform on Forgiveness Sunday?
Baptism
The Church does not prohibit baptizing a child on this day.
Wedding
You can sign on this holiday. However, it is better to refuse lush festivities. After all, this is the last day before Lent.
Wedding
You cannot get married on this day. The sacrament of weddings is not performed during Cheese Week - Maslenitsa.
Traditions of the Orthodox holiday
On this day, in Orthodox churches, services are held dedicated to the Savior’s Sermon on the Mount, in which he called for forgiveness not only of loved ones, but also of his enemies, thus demonstrating the humility of his pride and the cleansing of the inner “I” from evil forces embodied in egoism. You also need to ask others for forgiveness for voluntary and involuntary sins and not hold grudges in your heart.
You can ask for forgiveness not only from living, but also from deceased relatives, by praying for the repose of their souls. Before the beginning of Lent, it was customary to take communion and repent of sins before the priest. It was believed that entering a 40-day fast before Easter would help strengthen the spirit and allow one to avoid worldly temptations during strict asceticism.
People also believed that it was necessary to go to the bathhouse and church on this day, wash off all the dirt and receive forgiveness of all sins.
In Rus', the Orthodox traditions of Easter are closely intertwined with pagan customs. Thus, the Eastern Slavs, who revered their ancestors as gods, began to pray on Forgiveness Sunday after the adoption of Christianity in Rus' to their deceased parents, asking them for forgiveness for their sins. On this day, it is customary to visit the graves of relatives and put them in order after the winter.
The last Sunday of Meat Week helped to smoothly transition to abstinence in food. On this day they no longer ate meat dishes. Pancakes, dishes made from eggs and milk were served on the table. Forgiveness Sunday ended the week of Maslenitsa festivities, setting people in a peaceful and good mood. On this day it was impossible to swear, quarrel, fight or refuse forgiveness to another person.
In Rus', there was a tradition that first the younger ones repent to the elders in the family, and then the head of the family asks for forgiveness from all family members before the start of the festive meal.
Data!
This tradition was of a nationwide nature. On Forgiveness Sunday, the Russian Tsar asked his subjects for forgiveness, visiting monasteries and troops.
How to ask for forgiveness and forgive
You need to ask for forgiveness first of all from those whom you really offended. It is better to do this in person. If this is not possible, by phone or in writing. Ask for forgiveness sincerely and from the bottom of your heart. Remove your arrogance and pride. It is not necessary to formulate a specific guilt. You can simply say, “Forgive me.” The interlocutor will understand everything anyway. Keep your mistakes in mind and promise yourself not to repeat them again.
Forgive openly and consciously. Kiss your interlocutor on the cheek and say: “God will forgive, and I forgive!”
The ritual of forgiveness is necessary in order to improve relationships with others, admit your guilt and let go of grievances.
Congratulations in pictures with inscriptions for Forgiveness Sunday (can be downloaded for free)
Congratulations are always nice. Especially on such a revered day, people kindly approach each other with prayers to be forgiven. How to congratulate your loved ones so that it is sincere, choose the right words and apologies, and bright pictures and photos with the right words will help us with this.
This is the time when everyone realizes their mistakes and forgives others. After all, involuntary grievances are sometimes very painful to bear. Using such a day, you must definitely say “Forgive me!” from the bottom of your heart to everyone.
What can you eat on Forgiveness Sunday?
Forgiveness Sunday precedes Lent. This is the last day when you can eat eggs, milk, cheese, butter, sour cream. Meat products are prohibited.
On this day, housewives bake pancakes with cheese fillings and serve them with sour cream or sour cream. Traditional holiday dishes: dumplings, pies with cottage cheese, cheesecakes.
The family should sit down to the table seven times, corresponding to the number of weeks of Lent. Drinking alcoholic beverages during a holiday meal is not recommended. In the evening, all leftover food should be thrown away or given to pets, and then the dishes should be washed thoroughly.
What is another name for the holiday and why?
Cheese week
– comes from the phrase “I let go of the cheese.” On this day, dairy products and eggs are allowed for the last time before Lent.
Remembering Adam's Exile
- on this day we remember the expulsion of Adam from paradise for committing a sin.
When will Forgiveness Sunday be in 2021 - date and date
Every year this is a different date. It is easy to understand the pattern of what date the Orthodox will have a holiday if you subtract 7 weeks from the date of Easter. In 2021, the main day for believers comes on May 2. Subtract 56 days and you will find out when Forgiveness Sunday will be - March 14, the first day of spring. Only the day of the week remains unchanged, hence the name of the event.
At the end of the holiday, Great Lent begins, which will last until Easter.
Fortune telling on Forgiveness Sunday
On this holiday, girls make fortunes about love, their betrothed, and the near future. The most popular is fortune telling using pancakes. Tell fortunes while baking pancakes. Pay attention to how the first pancake turned out:
- with smooth edges - to a quick and happy marriage, uneven - to possible problems in family life;
- fried in the middle - the husband will be faithful, on the sides - walking;
- a ruddy pancake means health, a pale pancake means illness;
- a thin pancake portends an easy year, a thick one - difficulties and a lot of work.
Folk signs and beliefs
Christian traditions were intertwined with the pagan beliefs of the Eastern Slavs, which were based on the cult of ancestors, who were revered as gods and asked for their protection. It was believed that swearing on this day was a bad omen, which promised troubles and misfortunes. It is believed that those who find the strength to forgive others are themselves worthy of forgiveness even for serious sins.
It was customary to sit down to the table 7 times, and leftover food was left until the next day. In this way it is customary to feed the souls of one’s ancestors. 7 approaches symbolized 7 weeks of strict abstinence, which had to be experienced before Easter. According to popular wisdom, cleaning the table on Monday will ensure prosperity in the family.
All baked pancakes on Forgiveness Sunday had to be eaten, as it was believed that this would help the family unite and avoid quarrels and insults.
Send this prayer to your loved ones
Pagan customs
There are many rituals associated with Forgiveness Sunday, many of which belong to pagan times.
The ancient Slavs celebrated Maslenitsa - the Day of Farewell to Winter; its date coincided with the Orthodox Cheese Week. After the Baptism of Rus', this day was transformed into Forgiveness Sunday, and the joyful customs of these holidays were woven together.
In ancient times, the Slavs very widely, violently and wildly celebrated the farewell to winter, which, according to them, brought the long-awaited beginning of spring closer. On this day, people staged noisy games, dances, rode sleighs, swings and carousels, ate pancakes and burned the Maslyanitsa effigy.
Pancakes were considered a symbol of the holiday; they looked like the warm summer sun. After all, even the origin of the celebration was directly related to their baking. Pancakes were prepared throughout Cheese Week, because at this time you can no longer eat meat. According to custom, the first pancakes baked were to remember deceased relatives at a large family table, and after a home meal, the pancakes were taken to the graveyard to the graves or distributed to the poor on the street for remembrance.
Maslenitsa - Day of farewell to winter
Maslenitsa carried elements of the cult of fertility. The earth came to life, was saturated with the last winter snow, and filled with strength. Maslyanitsa rituals were intended to consecrate the land so that it would give a generous harvest, which was considered the main value for the peasants of that time.
The culmination of the festive festivities was the burning of the effigy. It was built on the Monday of Maslenitsa week from straw and old rags, seated on a sleigh and left on a hill, where on Sunday evening high bonfires were lit for the residents of neighboring villages to see.
If the scarecrow was taken outside the village, then this procession looked like a real carnival: ahead of the procession walked a guy dressed in matting and depicting a priest, waving a bast shoe like a church censer. Following the “clown” ran all the villagers, young and old, with noise, uproar and antics.
Lighting fires was intended to quickly awaken spring, and jumping over them was considered a kind of cleansing rite for the pagans.
After burning the effigy, people returned home and went to bed. In the morning, the villagers collected the ashes left from the fire and scattered them in the field. It was believed that by doing so they attracted a rich harvest.
The Orthodox Church has always had a negative attitude towards the pagan traditions of celebrating Maslenitsa.
In the Orthodox tradition, Maslenitsa is a preparatory week before the long Lent. These days, Orthodox Christians no longer eat meat, but still eat dairy products and eggs. Therefore, the tradition of baking pancakes is very suitable for this week. But do not forget that pancakes are just food, and not a symbol of the Sun.
Orthodox Christians should not participate in burning effigy and other pagan religious rituals. All of them are built on superstitions that have nothing to do with Christianity.
More about superstitions:
- About everyday superstitions
- Superstitions in the Church
- About fortune telling at Christmas
What is forbidden to do on the last day of Maslenitsa
On this day you cannot eat after sunset. Leftover food must either be distributed or simply thrown away because Lent begins the next day. You cannot start it with food left over from Cheese Week. On this day you should not abuse alcohol in order to start fasting the next day.
The Spiritual Meaning of Forgiveness
The main goal of this day is mutual forgiveness. It is necessary to realize your sinful nature, which brings pain and suffering. It is necessary to understand that only God is a judge, only He can punish and have mercy.
It is important to go through personal pride, humble your pride, find the strength to ask for forgiveness and forgive the offender. If you do not have the strength to forgive, then you can turn to the Lord, honestly admitting your weakness, and ask Him for forgiveness for this person.
When is Forgiveness Resurrection celebrated 2021:
The date of celebration is easy to calculate. The reporting point is Easter. Easter in 2020 falls on the 19th, subtract the number 49 and it turns out that Forgiveness Resurrection will be celebrated on March 1st.
A little-known factor is that the wonderful tradition of asking for forgiveness came to our country from Egypt. The country about 2 thousand years ago witnessed the outrages of King Herod, as well as the appearance of the holy family of Jesus and his mother Mary. On that day, the monks went into the desert for 40 days to pray to the Lord alone and become spiritually pure.
In this way, prepare yourself to meet people, but it is quite difficult for a person to spend 40 days alone in the desert. going there, the monks knew that they might not return. and never again see the people with whom they had said goodbye before, so they went around asking everyone for forgiveness for everything, even for the thoughts that they could comprehend in their heads. Gradually this custom spread and took hold.
What we ask for forgiveness for on Forgiveness Sunday
First of all, we ask forgiveness from our relatives, acquaintances, friends, just neighbors, for the offenses that we have caused or could have caused or caused to them. We ask for forgiveness for our grievances, misunderstandings, omissions, as well as unkind thoughts towards these people, even if the thoughts themselves were never expressed. Every person has something to ask other people’s forgiveness for, because we are all not sinless.
We also ask for forgiveness from any person for not loving our neighbors enough. After all, each person is a representative of all humanity, and all humanity is our loved ones.
And finally, we ask forgiveness from our brothers in faith for the insufficiency of our faith, for the fact that we are not ideal Christians. After all, because one of us is a bad Christian, all Christians suffer.
The Story of the Publican and the Pharisee
Many unchurched people are perplexed and do not understand why they should ask for forgiveness: they live correctly, do not kill anyone, do not take someone else’s property, and do not do anything bad. This is where we remember the story.
Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee
The Pharisee lived righteously, prayed, and fasted on Wednesdays and Fridays, so he considered himself more correct and smarter than others. The publican served the invaders, collecting taxes from the people, for which they hated him fiercely. He understood his vile situation, so he constantly prayed to God for forgiveness.
As a result, the Almighty heeded the prayer of the Publican and rejected the request of the proud Pharisee, who was trying to exalt himself above others.
About sins:
- About anger
- About slander
- What is laziness and how to deal with it
