Forgiveness Sunday. How to ask for forgiveness.

On the last day of Shrovetide, Forgiveness Sunday comes

On this day, it is necessary to ask for forgiveness from your relatives and friends in order to cleanse yourself of possible hidden grievances, and with a pure soul to enter great post.

It is also helpful to know how to properly respond to forgiveness.

On this holy day for all Orthodox people, I would like to wish peace and understanding, forgiveness. Forgiveness Sunday makes us closer and kinder to each other. Go to church, worship the icons, thank the Lord for everything. Let all sorrows and insults be forgotten. Forgive everyone and you will be forgiven.

On Forgiveness Sunday, let us sincerely ask each other for forgiveness and forgive mutual offenses, and then we will begin Great Lent with a good soul and celebrate Easter with a pure heart. May peace and tranquility, love and mutual understanding reign in every family. May every day bring joy, good luck and happiness.

On the holy holiday of Forgiveness, I want to apologize to everyone whom I offended and wish great bright love, happiness and kindness! May all grievances dissolve on this day, and peace and joy fill your hearts! May there always be people around you who can warm you with their warmth and support you in any situation! Happy Forgiveness Sunday!

On the day of Forgiveness Sunday, I sincerely ask you to forgive me for all the insults and sorrows that I, intentionally or unintentionally, could bring you! Let them remain in the past and do not overshadow our friendship! I congratulate you on this holiday and, in turn, forgive you!

I want to congratulate you on this great and bright holiday. This is the day when you need to let go and forget the offenses caused to you, because it is the ability to forgive that distinguishes great people. I wish that unpleasant and unwanted things bypass you and do not dare to overshadow your life. Happy Sunday!

I'm sorry if by chance

I offended with a word

Though angry, but still

I adored you.

I'm sorry I couldn't

Support sometime.

For what I tried

Push for pity.

Sorry for the inattention

In times of oblivion.

Forgiven today

It's Sunday!

I ask everyone's forgiveness

Who have I offended?

Today is Sunday

Forgiveness, friends.

Let's forget all the insults

We are together with you

And we won't remember

Everything is in the past, behind.

I apologize sincerely

For all the words that are noodles on the ears,

For all the actions that carried only sadness.

Wave your hand and shout: "Well, let it be!".

Let others sin, not us -

Both you and I are always full of goodness.

And so that it goes over the edge,

You just give me the word "forgive".

In thoughts pure, warm in the soul

On this bright Sunday.

And today everyone needs it

Forget about insults, doubts,

Smile and don't be sad

Ask for forgiveness from the bottom of my heart

And forgive everyone

On the day of Forgiveness Sunday.

How to ask for forgiveness on Forgiveness Sunday?

The last day of Maslenitsa is the last Sunday before Lent. Therefore, on this day, Forgiveness Sunday is celebrated, which, according to the priests, helps people to cleanse themselves before the test of the spirit. On this day, it is customary to ask for forgiveness and forgive your offenders.

And if you are asked for forgiveness, it is customary to answer: "God will forgive."

According to tradition, on this day you can not swear with anyone. And if there is any conflict, then it must be immediately resolved. And even more so, you can’t fall asleep in a quarrel and with heavy thoughts from this.

By the way, in Russia even the tsar himself asked for forgiveness from his servants and the people!

Asking for forgiveness on Forgiveness Sunday is customary not only for the living, but also for the dead, coming to their graves. After all, sometimes a heavy burden remains on the soul when a person is no longer alive, and there is no longer any opportunity to ask for forgiveness from him.

How to ask for forgiveness on Forgiveness Sunday?

In the old days, on Forgiveness Sunday, people asked for forgiveness from all their friends and strangers, even if a person was greatly offended, on the last day of Shrovetide, the custom demanded that the offender be forgiven with the words "God will forgive." This tradition has come down to our days. How do you feel about this custom? And who needs to forgive here, to yourself or to leave this deed to God?

By the way - what is it all about - Forgiveness Sunday?

The last Sunday before Lent is called "Syropust", because it ends with the eating of cheese, butter and eggs.

At the liturgy, the Gospel is read with a part from the Sermon on the Mount, which speaks of forgiveness of offenses to our neighbors, without which we cannot receive forgiveness of sins from the Heavenly Father, about fasting, and about collecting heavenly treasures. In accordance with this Gospel reading, Christians have a pious custom to ask each other for forgiveness of sins, known and unknown offenses on this day, and to take all measures to reconcile with the warring. This is the first step on the way to Great Lent. Therefore, this Sunday is commonly called "Forgiveness Sunday." In the evening, after Vespers, the priest sets an example and is the first to ask everyone for forgiveness. After that, all the parishioners come up and ask forgiveness from him, as well as from each other. On this day, everyone does their best to reconcile with everyone.

On Sunday evening, the canon is sung: Let's love each other, pray to each other "Brothers" and forgive everyone everything by the Resurrection ... Because not to forgive is to remain in darkness when we strive for the light, not to forgive is to remain a slave of sin when we we are looking for freedom, not to forgive is to keep the seed of death and the sting of death in ourselves by free will, when we seek, wish for the resurrection, pray for it, strive for it ... Let us forgive each other everything, everything that we have annoyed each other, than we have offended each other, humiliated, everything that we have done, done insanely, in the darkening of the mind, in the madness of the heart, in the drunken hesitation of the will, in the revolt of the flesh - we will forgive each other and begin this path. This path is not easy, and therefore let us support each other on it; those who are stronger support the weak, but everyone, everyone, everyone, without a trace, endure each other, carry each other.

In Russia, even non-believers celebrate Maslenitsa, eat pancakes with vodka, have fun in the fresh spring air! Most of those having fun are not going to fast seriously, but almost everyone knows that the last day of Shrovetide, which introduces believers "into the sad days of Great Lent", is called "Forgiveness Sunday". On this day, gluttony and fun ends, a fire is made on the ice slides, trying to melt the ice. This is the day of cleansing before fasting. Everyone goes to each other and asks for forgiveness: "Forgive me if I'm guilty" - "Forgive me too" - "God will forgive." All this is accompanied by bows and kisses.

Many of us from own experience they know very well that it is much more difficult to forgive than to ask for forgiveness yourself. Is it easy to offend another person? Easily. Is it easy to get offended? Easily. Is it easy to forgive? Hard. Uncomfortable. I do not want. But you still need to forgive. Yes, it's a serious step to ask for forgiveness. No wonder the Orthodox say that the most difficult feat is repentance.

Yes ... But almost every one of us in childhood was taught to ask for forgiveness, but not to forgive. And not everyone was lucky with parents who themselves knew how to say "I'm sorry" to the child, admitting they were wrong or excessive vehemence in a hurry.

WAYS TO ASK FOR FORGIVENESS

This is how people are arranged - they offend and are offended, and then they realize that they got excited somewhere, they were wrong and they should ask for forgiveness. But how to do it now?

- Long and tearfully beg for forgiveness, banging your head against the wall.

This theatrical method is good when the quarrel is petty, the person is pouting, but it is clear to both who quarreled that the insults will quickly pass. Such loud repentance simply helps to make the offended laugh. This makes it easier to get back to the old relationship.

- Bribe

No, no, you don't need to transfer money to his account or put an envelope in his pocket. You can simply show your care and attention by buying or doing something necessary or pleasant for the person you offended. Everyone loves gifts, even if you make someone so angry that your present and help are rejected, there is no need to despair. Your step towards reconciliation will still be taken into account. It's better to make an attempt to give something than to sit in the opposite corner pouting for who knows how long. In addition, it is almost certain that your gift will be accepted after reconciliation. A little patience and your efforts will pay off.

- “I am writing to you, what more ...”

You can write a letter or sms. Often in writing it is easier to express thoughts and be more decisive. Your writing may be put aside for the most appropriate moment and mood to read what works for you, and may also be re-read. After a while, it is best to back it all up with an oral explanation. And then, suddenly, you did not sincerely write and you yourself have already forgotten.

- Talk

If the matter is not resolved simply by laughter and smiles, then conversation is the most The right way. In theory, it should be a calm end to your dispute, the resolution of the conflict, because of which you, in fact, offended the person. You must state your arguments, but do not forget to listen to the arguments of the interlocutor. If it is clear to you that truth is not going to be born in a dispute, and you don’t want to be in a quarrel at all, leave everything as it is: you have your own opinion, your “opponent” has his own. Say it straight. And in no case do not agree with the interlocutor "for excuses." This can be noticeable and only give rise to a new quarrel.

- "Sorry"

Just come up and apologize, admit your mistakes, listen to reproaches addressed to you (probably fair), realize the full depth of your mistake and try to correct it if the offended party requires it.

Yes, sometimes it is very difficult to ask for forgiveness. It would seem that such a short word - I'm sorry, but it's so hard given. Remember, if a person is offended by you, then in this situation it does not matter whether you did the right thing or not, as you thought at that time. You need to build on past events. Just like that, resentment does not arise in the soul. And if it was born in a person, then something offended him - a fact. You may not even find out where you are wrong, if something hurt a person, then you did something not according to his rules. For this, ask for forgiveness if there is no way to find out the true reason. Show that you repent, and repentant silence, and sad eyes and deep sighs. This is how anyone does it.

- offend yourself

sly and not The best way. Here a person who has a softer, weaker and more pliable character will give way. And you can be so angry at each other for years. And all these years to remember: "And why didn't we share then?"

- Empty words

You can simply, without hesitation, for an "excuse" say "I'm sorry" as many times as you like, especially without even delving into the essence of a person's offense, i.e. relating to this, and therefore to the person does not give a damn. If this is done with an unfamiliar person, he simply will not get hung up, because of his indifference to you. And if this happens in communication with loved ones, then this will soon be noticed and appreciated not in the best way. Because they will treat you the same way. In this way of forgiveness, there is no small risk of losing good attitude. But if you don't give a damn about it, then you probably shouldn't get involved in such a relationship.

But the most important thing is to really want reconciliation, and then the right words will be chosen by themselves.

Forgive yourself

Is it possible to forgive everyone and for everything? Should we forgive thieves, murderers, traitors? Stick to your reasonable principles and for such cases there is an excellent, non-binding phrase: "God will forgive."

And forgive me, good people, if anything.

Tatyana Zerkal



Start your morning with a kind word
Ask your loved ones for forgiveness
Forgive everyone, because it's not difficult,
We are on Forgiveness Sunday!

wish everyone happiness people,
More strength, health, luck,
On this day, on this bright holiday -
Forgiveness Sunday!

The air smells of spring freshness -
Forgiveness, for Sunday.
And in the soul one rest -
From the divine, from the bright canopy ...

And my forgiveness flies to you,
Well, forgive you too - cleanse your soul!
Today we experienced the resurrection
And just a little bit better.

Why is my heart lighter today?
Why are all the people kinder today?
Forgiveness bound us on Sunday,
Bestowed with grace!

Wish everyone around you good health,
And forgive all insults at once,
May any troubles and slander,
Never hurt you!

Forgive us, please, friends,
From the heart we ask you for forgiveness,
It’s done this way - it’s impossible to do otherwise,
Yes, there is no need for behavior.
It's no longer worth getting upset
And then you have to year to be sad,
This Sunday will set you up in a cheerful mood,
It is like this - everyone will forgive us.
You turn to acquaintances and friends,
Bow down at their feet a few times -
See, everything will turn out, understand.

Part 30 - How to ask for forgiveness on Forgiveness Sunday?

Whom to ask for forgiveness on this day - from everyone in a row or only from those whom you probably offended? And how to forgive from the heart, how to find out if you have forgiven in deeds or only in words? What to do if there is no strength to forgive?

We asked Priest Maxim Pervozvansky to clarify the meaning of Forgiveness Sunday and the essence of forgiveness.

As before death...

– Father Maxim, where did this custom come from – to ask forgiveness from everyone on the last day before Great Lent?

- It's not a product at all. folklore is an ancient church tradition. Christ Himself laid the foundation for it with his own words, sounding in the Gospel of Matthew: “If you forgive people their sins, then your Heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive people their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.”(Matthew 6:14-15). This is the unchanging Gospel reading on the last Sunday before Lent.

Later, the rite of forgiveness appeared in the Church. In Egypt or Palestine, the monks went into the desert one by one during Lent and, of course, were not sure that it would not become their last refuge. Therefore, they reconciled with each other, asking forgiveness for everything, as before death.

– We don’t go to any desert... Why do we continue to observe this tradition and Forgiveness Sunday still falls precisely on the eve of Great Lent?

– Because it is categorically not recommended to enter Great Lent in a non-peaceful state. This is the time of purification, spiritual renewal before Easter; really reconcile with everyone, forgive everyone from the heart.

Forgive instead of sorry

- What does it mean to forgive? What should we invest in this concept?

There are two different words: "sorry" and "sorry." These are almost synonyms in modern Russian, however, initially these words are very different in meaning.

Haven't you noticed that it's often easier to say "sorry" than "sorry"? "I'm sorry" means take me out out of guilt, make me innocent, in other words, let's assume that I'm not guilty before you. So a child who climbed onto the table for sweets and broke a vase can say: "Mom, I broke your favorite vase right here, I'm sorry." Thus, he wants to justify himself: "It's not my fault, it happened."

What is "sorry"? This means: I am guilty, I admit my guilt, but let it go to me, accept me as I am, I will try to improve.

Therefore, we ask God not to forgive, but to forgive, which means to accept. To accept the guilty, the sinful, whatever - but accept.

– It is the same with people: do we ask them to accept us as we are?

– Yes, and in this sense, forgiveness can qualitatively change our relationship. It is no coincidence that the word "forgive" has a certain connection - both phonetic and semantic - with the word "simply". Pay attention when relationships between people start to deteriorate, they say that they become more complicated, i.e. lose their simplicity and clarity: we cannot simply look into each other's eyes simply smile at each other simply talk. And when one of us says the word “sorry”, it means the following: “I am guilty, I will try to correct myself, make amends; let's remove these difficulties, let's make it so that we can again look into each other's eyes.

By asking for forgiveness, we are trying to simplify our relationship with people and with God, admitting our guilt and letting go of the guilt to our neighbor. This is where our cleansing begins, this is where Great Lent begins.

Why ask for forgiveness?

- Father, is it necessary on Forgiveness Sunday to ask for forgiveness from everyone you know even the slightest bit - according to the principle “maybe I offended him in some way, but I don’t remember”? Or only those who definitely hurt?

– Firstly, we ask for forgiveness from those against whom we have sinned, whom we have upset, with whom we have omissions, difficulties and problems in relationships.

Secondly, we must ask for forgiveness from all people in general - as our brothers and sisters - for the fact that we are bad Christians. After all, we are all members of the one body of Christ. Whether one member is sick or the whole body is sick is one of the key thoughts of Scripture. Adam and Eve sinned - all mankind is tormented. I have sinned - my brother is tormented.

In addition, we need to ask for forgiveness from people for the fact that we do not truly love them. We are called to love every person, and instead we “communicate a little” with him, because he is not interesting to us. We are only interested in ourselves and those people who this moment we need. Here is a sin against people - on Forgiveness Sunday it is useful to feel it.

Such a definition does not mean that you need to fall at the feet of everyone. But you need to try this moment - the lack of love in yourself - to feel and sincerely repent.

How to forgive?

– What if a person feels that he is not able to forgive? And Forgiveness Sunday came - it seems that it would be necessary to forgive ...

Anyone can forgive. When people say "I can't forgive," they often mean that they are unable to forget the pain they've been hurt. But forgiveness does not mean forgetting the pain. Forgiveness does not mean its automatic and instantaneous disappearance. It means something else: "I do not hold on to the evil that caused me this pain, I do not wish him retribution, but I accept him as he is." The pain may not become less, but on the other hand, a person will be able to look directly into the eyes of his offender, if he himself is ready to look into his eyes and sincerely ask for forgiveness for the offense caused to him.

- But if the offender does not even think to admit his guilt and go to the world?

- Then, of course, it's hard to put up. But the Lord calls us to forgive even our enemies, and He Himself gives us an example in this. Such forgiveness seems to be something fantastic, impossible, but in God, in Christ it is possible.

When learning to forgive, we must also remember this point: often people who hurt us do so by the permission of the Lord. Not in the sense that they are not to blame, but in the sense that this offense will benefit us.

For example, if we ask God for such a quality as humility, it would be wrong to expect that it will suddenly fall on us from heaven by itself. Rather, we need to wait for God to send a person who will offend us, hurt us, maybe even unfairly. Having endured such an insult, having found the strength to forgive - maybe only on the 3rd, 10th, 20th time - we will slowly learn humility.

So you need to understand that nothing happens by chance and God creates everything for our benefit.

Father Maxim, how can I determine whether I have truly forgiven or not? In words, you can forgive, although this is also not easy, while in reality, resentment may remain ...

The thing is, forgiveness is not a one-time process. It happens that we, it seems, have forgiven and forgotten everything, and after a while, indignation and anger at our offender flares up in us again.

What's the matter here? The thing is, unforgiveness is a passion. And the passion that once settled in us can, over time, take root firmly in the soul and, moreover, is able to hide, for the time being, without showing “signs of life”. This happens especially often when the offense inflicted was really extremely painful and serious.

And who benefits from having this wound bleed again and again? Of course, the evil one! He tirelessly, with all his might, tries to lead a person astray, and if we have some kind of “sore spot” - something that makes us lose balance, get annoyed, angry - he will definitely put pressure on him. There is an insult - this "horn" will remind her, refresh in our memory unpleasant deeds or words spoken to us.

This scar heals for a long time - it takes time, but you also need to make efforts yourself so that it heals.

We must remind ourselves that with God everything is possible. Christ, experiencing torments on the cross that we are afraid to even imagine, forgave his tormentors and will give us the strength to forgive our offenders.

IN explanatory dictionary S.I. Ozhegov, the word “apologise” has two meanings: 1. ask for forgiveness. 2. bring something in your defense ( obsolete).

Interviewed by Valeria Posashko

I'm not accidentally distracting you.

I just want to write:

Sorry. And now I forgive you for everything!

Having happiness, loving life,

I have experienced a lot with you.

I beg your pardon

For everything in our life.

You have so little to do

To save me forever.

You just be by my side

And forgive me for everything.

Can you calm me down?

Remember how you loved me

And during the forgiveness of the day

Write that you have forgiven me.

On Forgiveness Sunday,

Girlfriend, forgive me.

And I will forgive you

Well, who is related to me?

What can save a friend

From the influence of evil Satan?

You just me, ... (name), I'm sorry,

And come to me for pancakes!

This important day has come -

Here is Forgiveness Sunday.

And now I'm not too lazy either

Ask your forgiveness.

Happy Forgiveness Sunday to you!

And may the Lord help you in everything.

For everything in the world you forgive me

And I forgive you for everything too.

Friend, lover, spouse

For what you bravely endured

My absurd whims,

In response to everything, he kept saying “it doesn’t matter”,

Thank you and please forgive me.

Looking for forgiveness in your eyes

I admit that I'm wrong.

Do not betray me into oblivion

I need to know what I need.

We often quarrel with you

Even though I'm angry, I know for sure

I don't need anyone else

Forgive me and I forgive.

For my stupid jealousy,

For a sharp tone and condemnation,

(I don't know what I'm doing)

I beg your pardon.

Can I be awful mean

I can be like an angel

Forgive me for everything, my friend.

I know for sure that you will.

For what I often forgot

You, dear, call

And you waited and did not grumble

Please forgive me now.

When you are at recess

Teased and pulled the braid,

I was in love, I was a child

Now please forgive me.

I hasten to you with greetings and ask me to forgive if I offended you, if I once offended you. I sincerely apologize, because today is Sunday.

Please forgive me, dear, if I offended you in any way. I, in turn, forgive you, for all insults, for everything that happens this year. Hopefully the new one won't.

Crazy times that I can forgive you. And I also apologize to you. If I offended you with something, or I accidentally said something to you. Forgive me, dear!

Native kitten, I'm sorry if I offended you with something. Honestly, not out of malice. And it just happened. Forgive me, sun, because today is forgiven Sunday.

I beg your pardon. After all, today is forgiveness Sunday. If I offended you, I'm sorry. And I will forgive you too. I promise I won't do it again, I hurt you so much.

Sorry if I was wrong. I'm sorry if I didn't think. Forgive me for everything that was and will be wrong. It is human nature to make mistakes. Sorry!

The lion is strong. The tiger is also full of strength. A man is weak, but he has one remarkable feature - unlike a tiger or a lion, he knows how to ask for forgiveness. Sorry!

What if today someone realizes that to forgive according to the Hamburg account means to be forgiven? Forgive me for everything, as I forgive, and without promising anything, try to forgive all the same!

On Forgiveness Sunday, it is supposed to repent not before God, but before People. Forgive me for everything, my dear man! I love you so much!

There will come a day when we have to pay our bills. I would like my account to be as small as possible. Forgive me for everything!

Today is a special, difficult day. The day when you can and should remove the stone from the soul. The day when they ask for forgiveness for misdeeds, for thoughts, for even what they themselves did not know. And I'm sorry.

It is difficult to live in order not to offend anyone at all, sometimes involuntarily, sometimes from incontinence or thoughtlessness. It is even more difficult to live with the consciousness of guilt. And today, on Forgiveness Sunday, I ask you to forgive me.

Today unusual holiday. Unusual because on this day they ask for forgiveness. A holiday because it becomes easy on the soul when you are forgiven, and especially when you forgive yourself. Let's forgive.

For sins, God expelled Adam and Eve from paradise. Darling, in order not to be expelled from your own home, I apologize for all sins. With forgiveness Sunday.

Before the great fast on Forgiveness Sunday, forgive me so that God forgives. For all grievances known and unknown, forgive me and God will forgive!

Forgive me if there was something bad between, but I forgot. Remove the visible and invisible guilt from me before Pure Monday. I didn't hold any grudge against you, and I won't.

It is good that there is Forgiveness Sunday, on which it is easier to ask for forgiveness, and to obey yourself. May forgiveness be easy, and those who forgive be sincere.

Forgive me, good people! Before the beginning of Lent and before the outgoing winter. Let the snow and resentment melt soon and without a trace. Resentment, it's unforgiven, oh, how it pricks inside!

The hardest thing to say is "I'm sorry." I congratulate you on the only day of the year when it is much easier to do this, the flood that everyone around asks for forgiveness.

May Forgiveness Sunday bring spring closer to the heart. Because when resentment leaves and forgiveness comes, the birds begin to sing in the soul.

On this God-blessed day, we hasten to you with good intentions! We want to apologize! Let all misunderstandings forever remain in the past!

On Forgiveness Sunday, we ask your forgiveness! May your souls, which always know how to forgive, be warmed with love and warmth! May God forgive you too!

On Sunday, a blessed day, we hasten to you with a request to forgive us for everything bad that has ever been done! Let be good deeds fill your life!

On Forgiveness Sunday, we turn to you with love and gratitude! Forgive us if we are guilty of anything, and God will forgive you! All the best to you!

With love I turn and ask for forgiveness! May God's love always be with you, and all sorrows and failures go far! May sincerity and spiritual openness never leave you!

On this day, I forgive you all the insults at once. Forgive me if something is wrong! Know that I have always treated you with sincere respect.

Buddy, forgive me for everything that I have ever said or done wrong, on this holiday, let's forget the old strife! Believe me, I want there to be no reason for resentment between us.

Mom, I am often rude to you, and then I myself feel ashamed. Please don't be offended! Forgiveness Sunday, after all, is what you need to put up with. In fact, I love you very much.

This Sunday, take the burden off your soul: ask for forgiveness from everyone you could offend, and forgive those who offended you yourself. Most importantly, don't forget me! I've already forgiven you just in case.

Forgive me for everything, my love! I behaved impossibly stupid. Today is Forgiveness Sunday - a good day to start over. Let's never fight again!

Great Lent is coming and on the eve of it, the Orthodox celebrate Forgiveness Sunday - the last day of the Olive Week.

Many people know about the existence of such a holiday, but not everyone knows the meaning of this holiday, and even more so, how to ask for forgiveness and forgive on Forgiveness Sunday.

Forgiveness Sunday - what is it?

The last day before Lent is called Forgiveness Sunday. This is a holiday that completes the long preparatory period for the very strict post. For the Orthodox, this is the most significant day, because without forgiveness of those who offended and reconciliation with enemies, reconciliation with God is impossible. This is perhaps the best holiday ever. He personifies main value inherent in the Orthodox religion: the ability to leave grievances and not hold grudges against anyone.

Forgiveness Sunday reminds us of the day when Adam and Eve were expelled from paradise. This is an occasion to remind people what disobedience and selfishness lead to.

The tradition of asking for forgiveness Palm Sunday comes from the ancient monks of Egypt. They spent the entire Great Lent in the desert in order to retire there for prayer. And not everyone returned from solitude. Therefore, the monks, before going into seclusion, they asked each other for forgiveness.

Forgiveness Sunday falls on the last day of Shrove Tuesday, which is why it is called "cheesy". This is the last day when you can eat fast food. But on this day they no longer eat meat and meat products.

Forgiveness Sunday is a special day that requires the believer great job above oneself. On this day, you need not only go to confession in the temple, but also ask for forgiveness from those whom you have ever offended. And you need to do this in such a way that the person you offended forgives you wholeheartedly.

IN tsarist Russia gave this holiday great importance. On this day, the emperor himself asked for forgiveness from his subjects. He did it personally: visiting soldiers' barracks and monasteries.

It is very important to find the strength in yourself to sincerely forgive those who ask for your forgiveness. Therefore, it is very important to know how to ask for forgiveness and forgive on Forgiveness Sunday.

After all, the salvation that every Orthodox strives for is possible only when a person has no desire in his heart to take revenge or feelings of guilt for his actions that destroy the soul.

What not to do on Forgiveness Sunday

It is customary for us to celebrate the end of Shrovetide with a grand scale, dances and songs, and in some regions they even arrange fisticuffs. However, the Orthodox Church does not approve of such fun. Burning an effigy and jumping over a fire are customs that we inherited from our pagan ancestors.

On a cheese week or Shrovetide, according to the charter of the Orthodox Church, each believer should gradually tune in to fasting, leaving earthly joys and calming the soul. This is a period of peace and quiet. It's time for forgiveness, so it's important to make peace with everyone you've hurt.

Orthodox Church gives a whole week to prepare for reconciliation. So that a person can heal from spiritual wounds and forgive insults. Forgiveness Sunday is a good occasion to break up hostility. On this day, one should not ignore requests for forgiveness, and even more so postpone reconciliation. One cannot be at peace with God without having peace with people.

How to ask for forgiveness: to whom and how to address

Unfortunately, asking for forgiveness on Forgiveness Sunday has become a kind of tradition for many, such as “swimming in the hole for Epiphany” or “blessing Easter cakes”. Many ask for forgiveness on this day simply because it is necessary, and not because the person is really aware of his guilt. This, of course, is hypocrisy.

Forgiveness Sunday is another opportunity to pay attention to your loved ones. They are the ones we hate the most. Not necessarily a rude word, sometimes just inattention or indifference. Having offended, we think: “we need to ask for forgiveness,” but in the hustle and bustle we forget to do this.

Forgiveness Sunday is the day when you need to stop, look back at the days you have lived and remember who and how we offended. After all good relations with people who are dear to us - this is a great value. Human life short, and you should not waste these precious minutes on quarrels and insults.

In the morning, after prayer rule ask for forgiveness from your loved ones. At the same time, it is better to ask for forgiveness for something specific: rudeness, paid little attention or refused to help. common phrase"I'm sorry for everything" is almost the same as saying in confession "sinful in everything." In either case, there is unlikely to be real repentance. Therefore, if you know what specifically offended a person, ask for forgiveness for that.

But often we can offend a person without even noticing it. Say something rude, brush off a request for help, or even just an unkind look. Therefore, you need to ask for forgiveness from all your friends.

Try to stop and remember those moments when you were wrong before asking for forgiveness. A person should humbly ask for forgiveness by saying: “Forgive me if I offended you intentionally or unintentionally.”

On this day, the elders are the first to ask for forgiveness from the younger ones, and the bosses from the subordinates. It is very important to visit your elderly relatives on this day to ask for their forgiveness. After all, these people at any moment can go into eternal life, having a grudge in their hearts, and this cannot be allowed in any way.

Special attention should be given to those with whom you are in quarrel. After all, it is from them that it is most difficult to ask for forgiveness. It is always easy to offend, but it is very difficult for the first to ask for forgiveness, even if you are wrong. But this is the meaning of the holiday, to measure your pride. Because humility main enemy pride.

Forgiveness is asked not only from the living, but also from the dead. To do this, they visit the graves of those who can no longer be seen. After all, often, just when we lose loved one, we begin to understand how much we have hurt him.

How to forgive on forgiveness Sunday: what to answer to someone who asks for forgiveness

It is customary to answer a request for forgiveness on this holiday: “God will forgive, and I forgive,” thereby you, as it were, testify that the Lord has forgiven for repentance, and you do not hold evil.

When asking for forgiveness, we do not wait for a trial or want to figure out why this happened, but we admit that we have offended and sincerely regret our actions. The answer “God will forgive” means that we are all sinners, and only the Lord can judge us.

So that forgiveness does not become hypocrisy, you need to distinguish between two facets of forgiveness - the wish that God forgive the offender and your personal forgiveness. For example, someone offended you and asks you for forgiveness, but you do not have the strength to forgive (although you understand that this is wrong). But at the same time, you know that if this person repents, God will forgive him, and saying: “God will forgive,” you sincerely wish him this.

If you honestly answer the request for forgiveness of a person whom you cannot yet forgive: “Because of my weakness, I still cannot forgive you, but I ask with all my heart that God forgive you.” Such an answer will bring you closer than a hypocritical "I'm sorry." And of course, you need to work even harder on yourself in order to overcome your pride and forgive a person.

Another important point. When you come up to ask for forgiveness, you should be prepared for the fact that the person will not be able to forgive you right away. The main thing here is not to fall into despair, but to be patient with the feelings of another person. Time will pass and he will surely forgive you. You don’t need to think: “so I went to meet him, and he rejected me so-and-so,” otherwise it will mean that you did not forgive anyone, but were engaged in self-deception.

Is it necessary to forgive forgiveness in the church: from whom and with what words

In the church, the day begins in the evening, so the first service of Great Lent is Vespers of Forgiveness Sunday. Fasting begins with this service, and the services become longer. On this day, the rite of forgiveness is performed, through which a person gets the opportunity to start fasting, having cleansed his soul of insults and omissions, so that during fasting he can calmly focus on his relationship with God.

After the service, the clergyman of the temple addresses the parishioners with a sermon, at the end of which the first one asks for forgiveness from the people. The rector of the temple comes out with a cross, and the believers take turns approaching him, and then to other parishioners with the words "Forgive me." At the same time, answering this: "God will forgive, and I forgive."

And even if you rarely go to the temple, and you don’t know anyone there, you still need to attend this service in order to start your repentance by asking for forgiveness from the priest.

Go to the memorial table, light a candle and mentally ask for forgiveness from your dead friends or loved ones whom you once offended. Attach to the holy icons. It is advisable to confess on this day in order to be completely cleansed and enter into fasting with a pure heart.

We have no right to judge anyone, only the Lord can do this, so let's be merciful and forgive all offenses from a pure heart, for we are all not without sin.