Siren Zagovezni is: a day for forgiveness
Orthodox Christians celebrate Sirni Zagovezni today – the holiday of universal forgiveness, also called Farewell Sunday.
On this day, the church calls on believers to purify their souls, to fill their hearts with peace and love, in order to meet the resurrected Christ. During the worship, the words of the Savior are read:
If you forgive their sins, and you will forgive your heavenly Father; If you do not forgive the people their sins, and your Father will not forgive your sins
Tradition requires everyone to ask for forgiveness from the people around them – relatives and acquaintances, for the bitterness and insults that has caused them freely or involuntarily, as well as to seek the strength to forgive those who have hurt him.
During the day, the younger ones go around their older relatives and friends, kiss their hand and want forgiveness for what has been done over the past year.
| According to the custom, the prayer turns with the words « forgive », and the answer reads: « Just be, the Lord forgives. » |
Festive fires and hams for health
The folk ritual of the holiday is subordinated to the preparation for the great fasting and brings the idea of »last bore ». In the evening of the holiday, parents gather the families of their sons, daughters, grandchildren to use dairy foods. Prepare a pie with cheese, fish, boiled eggs, boiled wheat, white halva with nuts.
At the table is done and the custom of hats: a red thread is attached and lowered from the ceiling a piece of white halva or boiled egg.
| The oldest man turns the thread in a circle and everyone strives to catch the egg (halva) with his mouth. Whoever succeeds will be alive and well throughout the year. |
Characteristic of the holiday is the custom of orators associated with the ignition of festive fires. Tradition commands the high flames to be skipped, which, according to folk beliefs, brings health. Then people are played around the fire.
