Forgiveness of insults that sometimes hurt so badly has a healing effect. And for both sides. Each person has moments that sometimes make him sometimes manifest his negative aspects of character. The reasons for this can be very different. And this does not mean that he is bad, unworthy of love or forgiveness.
Jesus also said that whoever has no sin, let him first throw a stone. No one is safe from such acts in relation to the closest and dearest people, friends, colleagues and so on.
And it’s great that the Orthodox tradition has such a wonderful holiday, which is celebrated on the last day before Lent. And it is called Forgiveness Sunday.
How to ask for forgiveness, traditions, historical data, forgiveness in verses - about everything in our article.
Description
The celebration of Forgiveness Sunday was carried out by the followers of the faith of Christ since the time of early Christianity. Moreover, the custom that represents this holiday, noble and deep, has greatness in the spiritual sense.
Before the longest and most difficult period of the year during the Great Lent, each person has the opportunity to turn inward to find strength and ask for forgiveness: from God, loved ones, acquaintances, ancestors, and so on.
That is, to obtain the most complete spiritual cleansing before fasting and praying during the 40 days of fasting.
And always Christians who fulfill this custom were accompanied by a tireless desire to receive forgiveness from the Almighty - for their sins, as well as their people.
Physical cleansing
In addition to saying sincere words “I apologize” on Forgiveness Sunday, you need to follow some rules. Food should also be modest and lean. After all, this day is the threshold of strict Lent. In ancient times, there were such believing Christians who at the very beginning completely refused food and even water.
Although in fact, in the first three days it is necessary to organize the diet in such a way that it does not have boiled and fried dishes, meat, dairy products. But you can eat mushrooms, sauerkraut, radish, fruits, juices, water. In general, all vegetable that you can eat raw.
Story
There is a tradition that tells of Egyptian Christian monks who met on the last day before fasting and asked each other for forgiveness, and then dispersed through the desert for all 40 days. It was a period of complete detachment from earthly life, a complete focus on the spiritual. And not everyone withstood such a load, some died or fell prey to predatory animals.
And therefore, before a long separation, asking for forgiveness on Forgiveness Sunday meant for them to say goodbye forever, cleansing themselves of the insults, griefs, and evil that had been caused to each other earlier.
This helped the monks to meet their earthly demise in the desert freed from the heavy spiritual burden and to appear before the Almighty purified and enlightened.
Present day
Nowadays, much has changed: in culture, in human thinking, and in life in general. There are no longer such monks who would go to the desert for a long time of fasting. And there is no obvious danger of falling into the clutches of a predatory beast, staying in prayer for all 40 days.
Now everyone is most in need of inner healing. Namely, the establishment of internal relations with oneself, loved ones and the surrounding world.
The problem was to be a separate individual with himself and alone with God. These moments of life become scary, as they reveal all the wounds of the soul and heart, remind of once made mistakes and inflicted insults.
And also difficulties in managing a naughty mind, which strives to scare, undermine the already not very stable state of mind, lead to depression.
Therefore, the day on the eve of Great Lent can become that milestone in the year when internal tranquility and purification comes through mutual forgiveness, including of oneself.
How to ask for forgiveness on Forgiveness Sunday? There is no universal answer to this question. Since each person only based on his individual sensations can form this message:
- To God - during the holiday service and prayer.
- Parents, children, grandchildren and others - close and distant relatives.
- Acquaintances and friends, other people.
The main thing is that the intention is pure, sincere and energetically strong. Then there will come inner silence, and purification, and tranquility, and a complete renewal of relations - with the divine plan (vertical) and with people (horizontal).
And the fullness of goodness, joy, vitality after the mutual words “I apologize!” on Forgiveness Sunday will help to live the next year easier and deeper.
Slavic traditions
Ever since the days of Kievan Rus, people were aware of how to ask for forgiveness on Forgiveness Sunday regarding age and hierarchical differences.
For example, among believers of ordinary people, the one who is older is the first to say the words of forgiveness. And only then he is answered by the youngest person. This applies to both relatives and other people.
As for social status, the main one here also asks for forgiveness from subordinates or those who are lower than him in position.
Even the Russian tsar until 1917 on the day of Forgiveness Sunday spoke with sincere words to his subjects: clergy, generals and soldiers. Everything was made out in the form of a special protocol and was of a serious spiritual nature.
After people forgive each other, they embrace each other and give a warm smile. And then everyone gathers together in the church to listen to the sacred sermon.
Festive service in the temple
Usually on this day in the Christian cloisters the order of forgiveness takes place, ending with the performance of spiritual songs about Forgiveness Sunday, about the approaching of a bright Easter holiday.
The priests in their sermons at this holiday service always try to convey to the parishioners such main points as:
- ask for forgiveness on Forgiveness Sunday first of all with God, and then with people;
- the futility of physical fasting without spiritual purification — through the complete forgiveness of oneself and others;
- a reminder of the torment of Christ, who sacrificed himself for the sins of all people, and the great forgiveness that still lives in his heart.
And so it is important for believing Christians with an open and pure heart to accept these truths, reflecting on them and forming in themselves the real intention to forgive.
Forgiveness in Verses
By tradition, people today say to each other on Forgiveness Sunday: "I apologize!" Someone puts on friendly, sincere embraces and simple words, and others even poems.
There are such lines:
I apologize to everyone -
Forgiveness Sunday!
And may our relationship
Do not overshadow resentment and grief!
Also interesting is the following poem:
The question of how to apologize correctly
Forgiveness Sunday
Doesn’t need to be clarified,
But only sincere words of forgiveness,
Smiles clean, burning hearts!
And a very important aspiration before the Fast -
Spiritual cleansing
Blessings of God
And a life of bright illumination!