Some folk traditions of this day may not only be superstitions but also sins.
Clean Thursday holds much more meaning than just bathing, cleaning the house, or baking Easter cakes for Easter. The OCU explained the true traditions and significance of this day for every Ukrainian.
This is reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing a publication from the press service of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) on Facebook.
Read also: Not just Holy Week and Easter: which days in April are the most important in the OCU calendar.
What can and should be done today
On Great Thursday, according to the OCU, as on any other festive or spiritually significant day, one can and should:
- do what brings good and benefit to you and others;
- perform worthy and God-pleasing deeds.
What not to do on Clean Thursday
At the same time, the OCU advises against:
- increasing superstitions;
- inventing and attributing any supernatural manifestations to ordinary objects;
- even more so – performing “magical rituals” and the like.
“Because this is a sin,” the OCU explained to Ukrainians.
Some things are better not to do on Clean Thursday (infographic: facebook.com/Orthodox.in.Ukraine)
Is it really necessary to clean today?
The OCU reminded that in folk tradition, Great Thursday is called Clean Thursday, often emphasizing the need for:
- cleaning the premises;
- washing windows;
- washing doors;
- doing laundry, etc.
“But this does not affect the cleansing of one’s own soul, which is extremely important for both the person and the Church,” the OCU emphasized.
Ukrainians were explained: “By quarreling, commanding, and forcing someone to clean thoroughly, you do not acquire spiritual benefits and usefulness.”
“At the same time, if these household chores bring a person peace and comfort – there is certainly no harm in them,” the OCU press service noted.
Is it mandatory to bake Easter cakes on Clean Thursday?
It is reported that the folk tradition of cleaning homes and baking Easter cakes specifically on Great Thursday can be traced back to the Gospel events of the last days of the Savior’s life (which the Church remembers on this day).
Thus, it was on Thursday that the Last Supper took place, during which Jesus Christ established the Sacrament of Holy Communion (Eucharist).
“The disciples also prepared for this supper in a certain way… That is, on that Thursday, the upper room was cleaned, and the Old Testament Passover was prepared,” the OCU explained.
It is noted that the Bible does not contain direct prohibitions against baking Easter cakes and preparing dishes for the Easter table on other days.
“Or even hints that otherwise they ‘will not turn out’ or will be ‘incorrect’,” the OCU clarified.
Is it necessary to wash before sunrise?
The Holy Scriptures also recall how after the Last Supper (establishing the Sacrament of the Eucharist), Jesus Christ washed the feet of the apostles.
The OCU reported that this action is very symbolic.
“And its essence is not in maintaining bodily hygiene, but in demonstrating deep humility and love for people, in the example of not seeking power, but serving one another,” they explained to the people.
Based on this, “for believing Christians, calls to necessarily wash or bathe before sunrise on Great Thursday sound quite strange.”
“Which is a clear superstition,” the OCU stated.
How best to observe Great Thursday
Ukrainians were told that cleaning, cooking, bathing, washing, etc. – all these actions “can be quite useful” if they “do not replace the main thing.”
The focus is on “the desire to meet the holiday with a pure soul, open to God.”
“Put God first in your calendar, do all planned tasks with God in your heart – and then everything will be fine, it will be logical and understandable, at the right and best time for this,” the OCU advised.
Additionally, people were reminded that on Great Thursday – besides the morning liturgy – a special rite of remembrance of the Passion of Christ is performed in the evening.
At that time, 12 passages from the Gospel about the last hours before the Savior’s death are read sequentially:
- about the trial in the Sanhedrin and before Pilate;
- about the mockery of the Messiah;
- about His crucifixion and burial in the tomb.
“This service is unique, so no tasks, even good ones, should become a reason to miss it,” the OCU concluded.
Recall that earlier we discussed whether confession is mandatory “for Easter” (when and how to repent of sins).
Additionally, we explained whether an online broadcast can replace going to church.
Read also whether Ukrainians will have an additional day off for Easter this year.
Source: rbc.ua
