Forgiveness Sunday marks the end of the Maslenitsa week, after which the Lent preceding Easter begins. Following the Orthodox canons, on this day you should visit the church for confession, as well as ask for forgiveness from your relatives, relatives, friends, neighbors and colleagues for voluntarily or involuntarily caused offense. In ancient times, when traditions were sacredly revered among the people, every believer knew how to behave correctly on Forgiveness Sunday, how to respond to “sorry”. Today, in an attempt to return to the spiritual roots, we have to rediscover the lost knowledge.
How did the tradition of mutual repentance begin?
According to religious scriptures, in the old days there was a custom, in obedience to which, with the beginning of Lent, the monks went one by one to the desert for a long forty days. At this time, they not only observed food restrictions, but also indulged in prayers, preparing for the Day of the Resurrection of Christ. Not everyone was destined to return to their monastery - someone died from cold and hunger, someone became a victim of wild animals. Realizing this, the holy fathers, before going on a journey, asked forgiveness from each other for possible sins.
Their words were quiet and sincere, exactly as if this were the last dying confession. Over time, a tradition arose in Christianity to celebrate Forgiveness Sunday in a special way. How to answer "I'm sorry", everyone can decide for themselves. The main thing is that the words come from the depths of the soul, are spoken from a pure heart. The usual answer, spelled out in church charters, is: “God will forgive, and you forgive me.”
Shrovetide festivities - a tribute to pagan customs
When the pagan Maslenitsa and the Christian Cheesefare Week merged, it is not known for certain. But the church disapproves of wide festivities with songs and dances, burning of effigies, jumping over lit bonfires. Often on the last day of Maslenitsa, oral and poetic wishes for he alth, prosperity, and a satisfying life are heard. How to respond to congratulations? Forgiveness Sunday, although it coincides with the culminating day of the pagan Maslenitsa, has nothing to do with it. Therefore, you can politely wish the person who congratulated you all the best and ask for his forgiveness.
It doesn't matter how close you know him, what kind of relationship you have. Repentin front of relatives and friends, it is easy, as Christian covenants say, to bow your head before the enemy - an act of humility, pleasing to God.
As the church celebrates Forgiveness Sunday
Throughout the Cheesefare Week, Christians should prepare for Great Lent, gradually renouncing worldly joys and entertainment. During this period, it is recommended to behave with dignity, asking for forgiveness and releasing insults to your neighbors. Only having cleansed the soul of passions, thirst for revenge, anger towards other people, one can proceed to the sacraments of Great Lent.
On the last day of Cheesefare Week, special liturgies are performed in churches, and then the clergyman descends from the dais to ask for forgiveness from his parishioners. People who came to the service bring repentance to the priest and to each other, with faith in the grace of God, with the hope of eradicating all enmity. When you are asked to forgive insults, how to respond correctly? On Forgiveness Sunday, it is permissible to pronounce any phrases prompted by the heart. The main thing here is sincerity, openness and friendliness.
How the rite of reconciliation was performed in the old days
Obviously, this custom is based on the church-prescribed need for spiritual cleansing on the eve of Lent. You can often hear the question: on Forgiveness Sunday, how to respond to forgiveness? To give a comprehensive answer, let's turn to ancient sources.
In the literature of the 18th–19th centuries, one canmeet the description of this good Christian tradition. Until the evening dawn faded in the Russian villages, people went from house to house, asking for forgiveness from their enemies or those whom they offended especially often. Entering the chamber, the guest humbly bowed at the feet of the hosts and, with humility in his soul, uttered the words of repentance in a quiet voice.
This action took place in the evening on Forgiveness Sunday. How to respond to the request, the owner decided himself, but usually the words were uttered: "God will forgive, and you forgive me." After that, the reconciled enemies kissed each other on the lips, bowed and crossed themselves as a sign of mutual absolution.
How to spend the last day before Lent?
The Church does not recommend arranging wide feasts on Forgiveness Sunday, and even more so drinking alcohol. Guests on this day are greeted with pies or pancakes with cottage cheese, honey, jam, sour cream. Meat dishes are already banned, as in the whole Shrovetide week. With the sunset, all fast food is removed from the table, the so-called spell begins.
Believing people usually go to church, where during the evening service the chapters of the Gospel are read and the traditional rite of reconciliation and repentance is performed. Getting angry, scandalizing, acting rude and pompous - these actions, of course, are unacceptable on any day, and even more so on Forgiveness Sunday. How to respond to "sorry", we already know. You can also say the words: "God forgives and I forgive."
Cleansing the soul and body
According to folkAccording to the customs, on the last Maslenitsa day, it was customary to go to the bathhouse in order to cleanse oneself of moral sins and wash away bodily dirt from oneself. Drive away negative thoughts, bad memories from yourself, do not enter into conflicts, forgive all the insults and insults that disturb your soul. These are the basic rules of conduct on Forgiveness Sunday. How to answer "I'm sorry" - a good heart and a bright mind will tell. The Gospel of Matthew says: “… if you do not forgive people their sins, then our Heavenly Father will not forgive you your sins.”
