For our ancestors, hair was a center of accumulated energy, and it is not surprising at all, because thoughts accumulate and materialize in the head area, sending certain signals into space.
That is why such a huge number of folk signs and superstitions have survived to this day. Today I want to understand with you the everyday procedure - hair washing.
We live in a crazy pace of life and many of us don’t think “I’ll wash my hair today, because I can’t do it tomorrow!” Agree that few people are puzzled by this question, because as long as we have time for ourselves, we immediately begin bathing procedures.
And all because no one knows about folk signs, maybe you have developed your own prejudices, but I will “introduce” you to the habits of our ancestors.
You can't wash your hair on Monday
As people say, starting business on Monday is a bad thing! And washing your hair is no exception. According to popular wisdom, washing your hair on the first day of the work week will bring bad luck to all other working days. I decided to test this “prohibition”, or rather warning, for myself.
I’ll tell you, dear readers, that this didn’t affect my luck in any way, but an employee, having not yet read my blog, admitted that it’s better for her not to wash her hair on Mondays - the whole week then goes awry, and at work there are only “misses”.
Happy Tuesday
Things are better with this day of the week - European nations have always started great things on Tuesday. As you may have guessed, this day is favorable for “spa treatments.”
I wonder if Tuesday, with its magical powers, will help you create a stunning hairstyle?
clear environment
Wednesday is the equator of the work week. It seems that the energy has already been spent, but there is still a charge of energy to complete everyday work. Our ancestors were confident that on this day a person has a clear head and thoughts, which means he is ready to reboot and accumulate new strength.
This day is one of the most favorable for washing your hair.
Regarding Thursday, then there are no special “concerns”. But still, it is better to wash your hair before sunrise - this way you will be enriched with energy and accumulate positive thoughts. For this day, the saying goes: “He who gets up early, God gives him!”
Special Friday
This day of the week, like Monday, is difficult and it is better not to start new things.
Again, everything is interconnected with Christianity, because it was on Friday that Jesus Christ was crucified and subjected to terrible torture. Therefore, in the first half of the day you cannot have fun, do household chores and make a mess.
According to the ancestors, after washing your hair on such a day, expect a lot of hair loss. It sounds terrifying, but I didn’t tempt fate and refrain from such procedures on Friday.
Of course, there are exceptions when you can’t do without washing your hair on Friday.
"Bath" Saturday
The first day off after a hard day is a great time to not only clean the house, but also get your body in order. Saturday is an excellent day according to all religious canons for bathing procedures; of course, on this day you can not only wash your hair, but also need to!
After all, already on Sunday there will be no such opportunity. Even in the distant past, people put aside their affairs and devoted the day to rest, prayer and family leisure. You shouldn’t worry about your appearance and body on this day; resurrection, according to religion, is given to us for spiritual enrichment.
And finally, I will share with you one more sign, it is no longer tied to the days of the week.
If you are prone to superstitions, it is better not to wash your hair before the exam, they say water washes away all knowledge! This is how you studied the tickets all evening, and then decided to take a bath or shower and “washed away” the necessary information. Also, before important negotiations or interviews, you should not wash your hair, in this case you can “lose” your luck.
Of course, it’s inconvenient to go to a meeting with people with a dirty head, but it’s better not to risk it. However, the right to choose always remains yours.
To believe or not to believe, that is the question...
Are all signs equally true?
Sometimes, listening to people of the older generation, we learn such signs and prescriptions that we did not even know about. For example, regulation of behavior on holidays church days It’s quite harsh: you can’t work, you can’t do needlework, you can’t slander, you can’t wash yourself. Everything is clear about the first three positions, but the last one surprises many: what sinful thing can washing contain? Is it so bad that it is prohibited by the church?
Moreover, popular wisdom commands: if you swim on a church holiday, you will drink water in the next world (I wonder what: in the next world they don’t drink water at all?). In general, we agree that you should not work on major holidays, just as you should not do handicrafts. Although one can argue about the latter, because in the past this handicraft was perceived as one of the varieties of hard work, but now it is mostly a hobby. And one cannot but agree that it is forbidden to use foul language, not only on holidays, but always. Swearing is definitely not included in the list of virtues of an Orthodox Christian.
But the question of washing still requires a separate discussion.
So: why you can’t wash on church holidays?
Actually, who said it’s impossible? Is that really what the priests say? So, they just don’t say anything like that. More precisely, they say that in the midst of vain worldly affairs one should not forget that every church holiday is an occasion to think about one’s soul.
Therefore, it is much better to get yourself in order in advance, and on the day of the holiday just come to church and pray. But this is a recommendation, not a ban at all. So there is no need to listen to superstitions and - even more so - to follow them.
I wonder where this order came from?
After all, someone came up with this and was the first to say: why you can’t wash on Orthodox holidays?
I think the explanation here is quite simple. To wash in the old days, you had to prepare: chop and haul wood, heat the bathhouse, and only then begin the washing procedure. What happened? It turned out to be hard physical work. That is, instead of going to church, the person was engaged in physical labor. And this, of course, did not in any way correspond to church rules.
Today we don’t need to chop wood or light the stove to wash. It is enough for us to open two taps and draw a bath of water. Or even take a shower. That is why the old rule does not work in our time.
And there is no sin in purity
In general, in Rus', unlike many European countries, they liked to wash a lot and often. What sin is there in cleanliness? None.
By the way, it was Catholic priests in the Middle Ages who said that washing means nothing more than fun for the body, and to pleasure the body is to fall into sin. So people walked around dirty and in unwashed clothes. Some even came into contact with water three times in their lives: at baptism, before the wedding, and after death, during ablution.
What happened in the end? Epidemics of plague, cholera and other terrible diseases. The most interesting thing is that medieval healers sincerely believed that when bathing a person opens his body to germs. Even if they are doctors, then what can we even talk about?
As a result, the conclusion suggests itself: it is better to wash yourself on a church holiday than not to do it at all.
For a long time in Rus', in order to swim, they used a special structure - a bathhouse. It was usually built on the banks of reservoirs, so it was easier to get water for washing, and it gave the opportunity to plunge a steamed body into the cold water. A visit to the bathhouse, in addition to cleanliness, improved the health of the visitor. There are many beliefs and legends associated with the bathhouse. Popular rumor said that this building has its own owner - a bannik. And those who came to the bathhouse had to follow special rules of conduct so as not to anger him. If a person didn't like it, the bannik could cause some kind of mischief or harm his health. The time of visiting and the days suitable for this were also strictly prescribed.
The ban on visiting the bathhouse on this day originated a long time ago. Even before the baptism of Rus', Sunday was a day of rest. On this day, festivities and public meetings were held. After Russia adopted Orthodoxy, the state strictly monitored compliance with religious rules, so the baths were closed on Sundays. Those who violated this prohibition faced severe punishment. During the formation of this religion, people became so accustomed to following this rule that they still adhere to it.
Another "forbidden" day
In addition to Sunday, the ban on using the bathhouse on which can be explained by religious reasons, there was another forbidden day in Rus' - Monday. This day belonged to the owner of the bathhouse Bannik. He could cripple anyone who disturbed his peace that day: by setting up a fracture or scalding him, or even take his life by strangling him.
They didn’t go to the bathhouse even after midnight, for fear of finding the bathhouse’s guests there: evil spirits. Drunk visitors were not allowed in the bathhouse. A drunk person loses concentration and reaction speed, so he can get burned or scald with boiling water. Drinking also dilates blood vessels, and bath steam can cause your blood pressure to rise sharply.
Bath and health
Bath procedures have a healing and rejuvenating effect on the human body. While in the steam room, a person’s skin is steamed, opening and cleaning the pores, eliminating dirt and bodily illness. Bath brooms exfoliate dead skin particles, saturate it with vitamins, giving it a feeling of vigor and renewal. There are many ways to treat various diseases with its help. In the old days, a woman in labor was placed in a bathhouse, where she lived for several days after giving birth. It was believed that it was in this room that the birth of a child would be most painless and without consequences for the mother and the child.
Bath signs and traditions
- When building a bathhouse, a black chicken was buried under the threshold.
- When heating the bathhouse for the first time, a freshly baked loaf was taken into it, which, after washing, was left as a gift to Bannik.
- If Bannik shows up, expect big trouble.
- Stomping and incomprehensible sounds heard in the bathhouse promise future troubles.
- Men visit the bathhouse first, and then women go there.
- Under no circumstances should you spit in the bathhouse. This is a cruel insult to her owner. His revenge will not be long in coming and you are unlikely to like it.
- Do not use other people's bath accessories; you will take away all the misfortunes of their owner.
- It is not recommended to go to the bathhouse alone.
- Remnants cannot be thrown away. It is best to bury them in a secluded place.
- It is mandatory for a person to visit the bathhouse on the following days: after the celebration of Maslenitsa, on Maundy Thursday, before the night of Ivan Kupala (July 7).
- It was forbidden to swear, make trouble, or commit adultery in the bathhouse.
- The bathhouse is considered a kind of meeting place between the world of people and the world of spirits, therefore it often served magical rites and fortune telling.
Perhaps a superstitious tradition prohibits working in God's Day, has a different origin, but now it has been distorted to such an extent that in some families even a flower pot knocked over by a cat on Easter Sunday or another twelfth holiday lies untouched until a weekday. For if you touch a broom and dustpan on this day, “God will punish you.” Let's figure out what you can and cannot do in church holidays.
Many churchgoers consider any work on Sunday or on church holidays to be almost a sin. This, apparently, dates back to those times when, on Sunday or a holiday, peasants went to work with their whole family in the morning, and preferred to rest for the rest of the day, because there were so few days when they didn’t have to work for the master.
Sometimes, listening to people of the older generation, we learn such signs and prescriptions that we did not even know about. For example, the regulation of behavior on church holidays is quite strict: you can’t work, do handicrafts, slander, you can’t wash. Everything is clear about the first three positions, but the last one surprises many: what sinful thing can washing contain? Is it so bad that it is prohibited by the church?
Moreover, folk wisdom commands: if you swim on a church holiday, you will drink water in the next world (I wonder, do they not drink water at all in the next world?). In general, we agree that you should not work on major holidays, just as you should not do handicrafts. Although one can argue about the latter, because in the past this handicraft was perceived as one of the varieties of hard work, but now it is mostly a hobby. And one cannot but agree that it is forbidden to use foul language, and not only on holidays.
Religious holidays are those days that a person should devote to God and his fellowship with the church. This view of these days is characteristic of all world religions. It is best to start this day with prayer, visit a temple, confess or take communion, or perform any other religious rituals related to a specific day. This is the most correct thing to do during a church holiday.
After you have attended the service, you can wash yourself, clean the house, and do your other chores. The meaning of the ban is not to not wash at all or not to clean anything at home on holiday, but to not replace communication with God with anything else on these days. First of all, religious matters, and secondly – personal, worldly matters.
Nevertheless, holidays and Sundays are special, because it is not for nothing that it is believed that you need to work for six days and give the seventh to God. Therefore, it is better to devote them entirely to mercy and care for others.
Is it possible to go to the bathhouse on church holidays?
Deeply religious people are very zealous about observing all the canons and throughout the year, unlike most of us, they strictly adhere to them. For them, all services are equally important, but they still attach special importance to church holidays. Many of us consider ourselves Orthodox people, but, to be honest, we don’t go to church very often. Deep down in our hearts, we understand that this is not right and that we should go to services more often, but every time far-fetched reasons and real problems prevent us from doing so. And in order to somehow make up for this, we try not to miss celebrations that are especially important for the church and take part in them.
For many of us, visiting a bathhouse is an opportunity to relax well, relax in the company of friends, have a great time and, ultimately, improve your health. But at the same time, some people think not only about their own relaxation and enjoyment, but also about how the church views the issue of visiting the bathhouse. This applies, first of all, to deeply religious people; to some extent, the church’s attitude towards visiting the bathhouse is also important for those who do not want to violate the canons and commit sins, despite the fact that they do not consider themselves too deeply a religious person.
The attitude of the church towards visiting the bathhouse
Since ancient times, the bathhouse was a place for receiving hygienic procedures - akin to a modern shower, so the possibility of visiting it is not rejected by the church as such, because a person must take care of himself and be neat, but the bathhouse has always been the only village building that was not illuminated.
Visiting Bannik
For a long time, the bathhouse in Rus' was surrounded by an aura of special mystery. Yes, this is not surprising. The bathhouse was considered both the cleanest and the most unclean place. Clean because here, in the bathhouse, the body and soul were cleansed, everything new was born - it was not without reason that before the start of any important business or event, be it a long journey, christening, wedding, big holiday, it was customary to take a good steam in the bathhouse.
Unclean - because the bathhouse was a transitional, borderline place, a boundary between the world of the living and the world of the dead. Icons were never placed in the bathhouse. They entered it without prayer, and upon entering, they removed the pectoral cross. In general, visiting a bathhouse was considered a dangerous activity. They believed that at night all kinds of forest evil spirits came to visit the house bathhouse - Bannik (or Baennik). But even during the day in the bathhouse one had to be careful. Don't shout, don't make noise, don't swear - Bannik especially doesn't like this.
Frequently asked questions
Hello, father! Tell me, please, is it possible to clean (wash the floor) and wash your hair on holidays? I am especially interested in the possibility of washing clothes, since the family is large. Thank you very much in advance for your answer!
The meaning of a holiday or Sunday is for a person to remember God and devote his time to Him. The fourth commandment of God's Law does not prohibit washing on Sundays and holidays which must be carried out according to the commandment as follows. Firstly, you should not work or do worldly and everyday things on these days; secondly, you need to keep them holy, that is, perform holy and spiritual deeds on these days, for the glory of God. It is forbidden to work on holidays in order to freely perform holy and godly deeds. On holidays you should: 1) come to church for public worship and teaching in the word of God; 2) also practice prayer and reading or soul-saving conversations at home; 3) dedicate a part of your property to God and use it for the needs of the Church, serving it and for the benefit of the poor; visit the sick and prisoners in prison and do other acts of Christian love.
Since childhood, my parents raised me in such a way that washing, cleaning and all housework must be done on Saturday, and Sunday is a day of prayer and rest. Now many people believe that you can’t clean on Saturday, but you can wash and do laundry on Sunday, as it is supposedly written in the Bible. Am I right?
Dear Lyudmila, Sunday should begin with a visit to the temple service, and, if possible, free this day from excessive immersion in everyday everyday worries. Of course, this does not mean that you cannot wash on Sunday, or if the skirt you have to go to work in tomorrow is torn, you should wait until 12 o’clock on Monday and only then sew it up. This doesn't mean you can't come and help your neighbors or download washing machine. You don't have to leave a mountain of dirty dishes in the sink until Monday. But we must remember that the main thing for us on Sunday should be visiting church.
Number of entries: 20
Hello! Is it true that if a priest spills wine on the throne of the Lord during the Divine Service, he will be defrocked? And what does this mean?
Elena
No, that's not true. Punishment may follow, including being banned from serving for some time (this depends on the bishop), because the chalice contains not just wine, but wine that has been transformed into the Blood of Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist - but they will not be deprived of their rank.
Priest Konstantin Kravtsov
Hello, father! Tell me, please, is it possible to clean (wash the floor) and wash your hair on holidays? I am especially interested in the possibility of washing clothes, since the family is large. Thank you very much in advance for your answer!
Arina
The meaning of a holiday or Sunday is for a person to remember God and devote his time to Him. The Jews have everything regulated about what can and cannot be done on the Sabbath. This is not the case in Christianity, so decide for yourself.
Priest Konstantin Kravtsov
Hello! Which feasts correspond to the Day of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Tabernacles, and the Feast of Weeks now, or have they lost their meaning?
Tatiana
The Feast of Unleavened Bread is Easter, but in Christianity Easter is the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ. The Transfiguration of the Lord took place on the Feast of Tabernacles; the connection can still be traced in the tradition of consecrating fruits on this day. Jewish holidays are considered prototypes of what Christ accomplished, but church Christian holidays are associated not with the Old, but with the New Testament.
Priest Konstantin Kravtsov
Hello. I am interested in the following question: can a person who marries a divorced woman with a child be ordained? God bless you.
Alexander
Lately I have been trying to observe Sunday: I complete all household chores the day before. But something like: washing your hair, getting your hair done, and such hygiene procedures as manicure, pedicure, as well as cooking dinner - is this considered a violation? After all, the Bible says not to even light a fire in the house?
Tatiana
Tatyana, all this was in effect during the Old Testament. In Christianity, such petty regulations do not exist. Read the Gospel.
Priest Konstantin Kravtsov
Good day! My message is addressed to Deacon Ilya Kokin. Thank you very much for your answers. Accordingly, I have a number of new questions: 1) How does Christianity differ from paganism in terms of monotheism/polytheism, if in Christianity a believer worships both God and saints, while some saints are revered much more than others (depending on individual characteristics man), and in paganism they worship a pantheon of gods? 2) Regarding heavy compositions of Christian themes. Most of these compositions are very leisurely and use heaviness only as a means of expression in certain moments. I suggest you familiarize yourself with the song “White Voice” by the group “Legion” and “The Light of Day has dried up” by the group “Kipelov”.
Artemy
Hello, Artemy. 1) The difference is huge! First, in Christianity saints are never given the same honor as God. They are only our helpers in the matter of salvation. They empathize with us and help us do good. Although, sometimes the veneration of saints can take on some unhealthy forms (especially when I begin to venerate saints only in connection with their help in some mercantile matters), but these are only examples of the distortion of tradition, and not the tradition itself. Secondly, in a pagan monistic universe (where the gods are made of the same “dough” as the world), remember how difficult it is for a hero (even if he is half god) to be granted immortality. But in Christianity, which claims that there is always an “ontological gap” between God and the world, on the contrary - everyone can become a saint and even “a god by grace”! 2) I listened, read... yes, Kipelov made me happy, although... forgive my inquisitorial tricks, the last word in this song still belongs to the devil. Besides, what's left of hard rock? I have great love, for example, for the “slow” Scorpions and the electric guitar in in capable hands may sound very lyrical. So I also like the “metalheads” when they remember that they also have a soul and feelings, and not just rivets. But all the same, no matter what I write here, this is a question from the “like it or not like it” area. Personally, ethno and jazz are closer to me - this is natural, natural music, and rock is urban, artificial.
Deacon Ilia Kokin
Good afternoon, I ask you, help us, my wife and I are married, we are trying to live an Orthodox marriage. And recently they replaced me, scandals and quarrels began, and a passion for someone else appeared. Moreover, without my spiritual desire. When I tried to talk to someone else, she told me that she had read some spells so that I would love her, and my wife, as a rival, was sick and she was gone. We go to church, confess and receive communion. We make trips to monasteries, fall before the holy relics, and ask the Lord for protection. But my wife gets better for a few days, and she continues to get sick and dry. Help with advice, please.
Alexey
Dear Alexey, I think that the reason for what happened to your wife is due to excessive suspiciousness. But such issues cannot be resolved in absentia. Therefore, I advise you to contact your confessor, or if he does not exist, to the priest of your parish, who knows you well personally.
Archpriest Andrey Efanov
Hello. My aunt (she is Russian) is married to a Pashtun and they have two children. Her husband baptized the children according to his custom, at home, but she wants to baptize them according to ours, in the Russian Orthodox Church. Tell me, is it possible to do this?
Alina
Dear Alina, if your aunt wishes to raise her children in Orthodoxy, then she can baptize her children. But after baptism, she will have to teach the children the basics of Orthodoxy, regularly take them to church and protect them from all kinds of false teachings (Pashtuns, as far as we know, traditionally profess Islam).
Archpriest Andrey Efanov
Hello, father! This was more than 10 years ago. I was friends with one wonderful girl Oksana, she is a very bright person. She brought me her silver earrings and ring, which she loved, and asked me to sell them to someone for 300 rubles. And Oksana herself went to serve in a monastery. I couldn’t sell them (in general, I have no sales experience), they themselves lived very hard back then. Time has passed. I forgot about the headset. Then I saw it, my soul felt warm - I put it on myself. And when I was wearing it, our apartment was robbed (I accidentally didn’t come to dinner then, otherwise I would have found them in the apartment). I went to church, brought a set, but they didn’t take it from me - I donated 1000 rubles for the restoration of the temple in the name of this debt. And my husband tells me that Oksana left me this set as a memory. Maybe find her (we have moved far away now, but I would make an effort), but why would I embarrass her in the ministry? I ask for your advice on what I should do. Thank you, father.
Svetlana (Photinia)
Dear Svetlana, your concern should be, first of all, about your soul, about salvation. Keep your jewelry as a memory of Oksana, and try to become a good Christian while living in a family. God bless you!
Archpriest Andrey Efanov
Hello. I am dating a young man who cannot get rid of his alcohol addiction. He's trying, but it's not working yet. I’m suffering, I understand that I can ruin my life, but I can’t leave it. I beg you, tell me what is the best thing to do in such a situation? Maybe we should overcome our feelings and break up?
Tatiana
Dear Tatyana, you and only you can make this or that decision. It may turn out that you save a person’s soul, or you may ruin your entire future life. Pray fervently, read the akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos for 40 days in front of her icon “The Inexhaustible Chalice”, confess, take communion and receive final decision. God bless you!
Archpriest Andrey Efanov
Hello! One thing really bothers me. If I let my ex young man something more than just kissing (but not intimacy), then how can I say this in confession? When I remember this, my soul is very unpleasant, but I don’t know how to tell the priest about it, after all, I don’t want to tell the details in detail, and the priest doesn’t need it. Help please!
Marina
Dear Marina, say in confession that you sinned by fornication, without justifying yourself, but without specifying anything, unless the priest asks. It is impossible to hide carnal sins during confession, but you are right, there is no need to go into details if this is not required for spiritual guidance (for example, a confessor should be aware of the details in order to know how to heal this or that passion).
Archpriest Andrey Efanov
Hello, father. Please tell me how you feel about vaccinations, and have you vaccinated your children? I have three children, I got all the vaccinations for the older two, but the youngest was also going to get it, until our church gave me a book and a CD about the dangers of vaccinations. Now I have completely refused them, although we write the vaccinations on the card, we don’t do them. And recently I wrote out a book about holy healers who recommend vaccinations, so I don’t know whether I did the right thing, whether I will harm the child’s health, and now it’s impossible to do them, because they are considered to have been done.
Natasha
Dear Natalya, the issue of vaccinations is not spiritual, but medical, and it is hardly correct to distribute such books in the church. I am not familiar with the “holy healers” during whose times vaccination existed, except for St. Luke of Crimea, who himself vaccinated. There is, as far as I know, a problem with the quality of vaccinations and their inhibitory effect on the immune system, but this is not a question for a priest, but for an honest doctor.
Archpriest Andrey Efanov
Why are the clergy in our Russian Orthodox Church always obese, driving the latest model foreign cars, the latest cell phones, apartments in new buildings, cottages, etc., etc., where do they get the money for all this? Where do they earn them, grandma's pensions? When I see THEM, my hand involuntarily reaches out to the cross to tear it off my neck, no, I have had and will always have faith, Orthodoxy. I am an officer, I dedicated my life to the defense of the Fatherland, I am ready to give my life for the protection of the people, why don’t clergy go to the people, don’t carry the faith, lead a sedentary lifestyle, how do they show their faith by wearing a uniform? No, of course, there are people from God, but why do the majority disgrace Orthodoxy? People, seeing all this, begin to turn away - not from God, from belonging to the Russian Orthodox Church!
Valery Valerievich
Dear Valery Valerievich, you are an officer who is ready to give his life in defense of the people, why do the people live so poorly and poorly, why is there such talk about the army that conscripts have to be searched for by the police, why does hazing flourish? I am writing this because it is not always possible to see from the outside what really is. Most of the priests I know do not have not only foreign cars, but cars in general, their phones are far from expensive, and their obesity is due to irregular nutrition. If you do not eat anything before lunch (the priest is obliged to perform the Liturgy on an empty stomach, in the morning before it, do not eat or drink water), subsist on dry food until the evening, and eat for lunch and dinner in the evening - completeness is guaranteed. Which “people” should a priest go to? Does a priest refuse to go to a sick person’s house, or to participate in a lecture? Even in prisons and the army, priests preach and serve. Is this not enough?
You say that the bulk of the clergy disgrace Orthodoxy. But are you familiar with this “mass”? Of the hundreds of priests I personally know, there are not a dozen of whom we can say that they are unworthy to be priests. Although, I agree, “a black sheep spoils the whole flock.” But the Lord Himself governs His Church; most of the truly unworthy priests are either defrocked or banned.
Archpriest Andrey Efanov
With very severe pain (ulcers on my legs), I blaspheme, Mother of God, and angels, and saints, help... What should I do, sometimes I have no strength to endure. I urgently need advice, I pray in the morning and read Psalm 90, I don’t drink or smoke.
Valery
Dear Valery, you pray, it means you believe in God and strive for him. Why destroy with your words what is created by prayer? Try to endure pain with fortitude, because it is in godly patience that the salvation of our soul is created. The soul is purified by suffering. Try to find the opportunity to go to church or, if health reasons do not allow you, invite a priest to your home for joint prayer and participation in the sacraments: confession, unction, communion. You are on the spiritual path, so don’t destroy yourself!
Archpriest Andrey Efanov
Hello. Fathers, we are all sinful, insignificant people. So, we should hate ourselves, despise ourselves? Thank you.
Artem
Dear Artem, despite our shortcomings, the Lord loves us. We should not despise and hate ourselves at all, but, treating our shortcomings this way, we should respect the temple of the Holy Spirit, by which we were originally created.
Archpriest Andrey Efanov
Hello! 2 years ago I got married, we got married. There is a child, 1 year old. We are not cheating on each other, but I can’t live with my husband now. I constantly argue with him because I feel lonely without his support. He believes that it is not his fault, and therefore he does not care what happens to me. I am raising my child practically alone. And when I ask for help with a child, he gets angry that I am distracting him (for example, from the TV or computer), and with this anger he still fulfills the request. At most, he can sit with the child (even on weekends) for only an hour, no more. I'm tired of his attitude towards me and the child. More than once I thought about divorce, but wouldn’t that be a sin? What do you advise me in such a situation? Do I need to tolerate this attitude?
Olga
Dear Olga, what is happening, of course, is unpleasant, but in no way is it a reason for divorce. Try to stop quarreling and accept your husband for who he is. Believe me, if he himself does not want to change, you will not force him, but divorce will bring you even more difficulties than now. Bear your cross patiently, regularly attend church, pray daily at home, read the Gospel and spiritual literature not occasionally, but devote at least half an hour to this every day, and the Lord will strengthen you.
Archpriest Andrey Efanov
Please tell me what to do if, during prayer, your thoughts become confused in idle things, distracted by worries and problems, memories. I try to read prayers for bedtime and for the morning every day and evening. But natural laziness constantly weighs on me. I literally force myself to pray, I split myself in two, realizing that this prayer is necessary. But doubts that such prayer is displeasing to God torment me. And I can’t help but pray. And it’s impossible to read more carefully. What to do?
Hello! I visit your site every day. Thank you for it, there is a lot to learn and understand here. A significant part of the questions concerns superstitions. You read and wonder why people attach such importance to all sorts of absurdities. And I always look in the mirror myself, if I come back, I start to “wind up” myself, when I see a bad dream, and some other little things. After all, thought is material. So, we saw a poor black cat, and we begin to convince ourselves that this is unfortunate, something bad is bound to happen, and it happens. And we blame this poor cat for everything. How to eradicate superstition in yourself?
Julia
Hello, Yulia.
Superstition speaks for itself - it is faith in vain, in vain, in vain.
If you want to fight superstition, first be able to surrender yourself to the will of God.
Just ask the Lord for mercy, even in small things, for example: “God bless you to get there safely,” and when you get there, thank God in prayer.
When the Lord blesses, no cats will interfere.
The main thing is to learn to give thanks.
And when you remember that behind everything good there is God’s blessing, there will be no place in your soul for vain beliefs or superstitions.
God help you.
Priest Sergius Osipov
Father, hello! I am an unbaptized person. But I want to be baptized, from what does baptism free me, from what original sins? I go to Church often, well, I just light candles and pray! I’ve never been to the holy sacraments before! But I try not to sin, I understand my sins, when I sin I try to correct myself, I pray for forgiveness! Do you think this is right? Will God forgive? Or is it necessary to receive communion and confession? Please explain. Thank you in advance!
Andronik
Dear Andronik, Baptism, in your case, will free you from all the sins of which you repent and which weigh on your soul. But, more importantly, after being baptized, you can begin to completely new life, life in Christ. You are doing the right thing, trying to live righteously and prayerfully, and baptism will help you complete this spiritual path not in solitude, but in spiritual unity with the entire Church. Watch the plot of our video course dedicated to the sacrament of Baptism: and a lot will become clear to you. God bless you!
Archpriest Andrey Efanov
