The meeting of the Lord: what can and what is forbidden to do on this day

Orthodox and Ukrainian Greek-Catholics celebrate the Meeting of the Lord on February 2, one of the twelve holidays of Christianity.

As in any religious holiday, there are a number of prohibitions and recommendations for the Meeting of the Lord. At the same time, they exist both in church rules and in folk traditions.

What should not be done on Sretenie according to church rules

• Traditionally, as with almost every major holiday connected with the life or death of Christ, on Sretenie it is forbidden to perform heavy work, especially cleaning, washing, sewing and gardening.
• It is forbidden on the day of Bringing to the Temple, this is the second name of Sreteniya, quarreling, swearing and generally cursing with anyone. Including punishing children.
• The church does not recommend washing on Sretenie. However, in our days this prohibition has lost its meaning, and the fact is that our ancestors, in order to wash in the bathhouse, had to work hard - apply water, chop firewood, light the stove, and so on.
• You cannot skip the church service, because on Sreteniye, church candles must be consecrated, which are distributed to parishioners after the service. It is believed that happy candles have a special power, they are kept for a whole year and lit on special occasions.
• On the day of the Meeting of the Lord, February 2, churches do not bless weddings and do not hold weddings.

Source: freepik

What can't be done on Sretenie - folk prohibitions

According to folk traditions, there is no strict prohibition to work on Sreteniye, but our ancestors tried to work less on the day of the meeting of winter and spring. Moreover, on February 2, festivals dedicated to the Sun, called Gromnitsy, have been held for a long time.

• In mid-February, on the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord, which also ends the Christmas holidays, it is not recommended to plan trips, especially long-distance ones.
• You can't move and transport your belongings to a new place, you can't even visit.
• You can't put your wallet and money on the table at Sretenie because money won't be kept in the house.

What can and should be done on Sreteniye

1. First, of course, the whole family should go to church, listen to the festive service and bring home consecrated candles and water.
2. Bring home candles from the church, light one and read a prayer. The rest of the candles, as well as the consecrated water, must be hidden and used only when necessary.
3. In the folk tradition, it is customary to set the table on Sreteniya and make sure to prepare pancakes, symbolizing the Sun God Yarilo. The Church has nothing against this ritual, although it does not consider it mandatory.