Today is Good Friday: What should be done for well-being in the home, and what is strictly forbidden

The Church today commemorates the events that immediately preceded the Crucifixion: beginning with the bringing of Jesus Christ before Pontius Pilate, the failed attempt to accuse Him, and the loud cries of the Jewish people, “Crucify Him!”; His carrying of the cross through the city on the way to Golgotha; the crucifixion and His forgiveness of the executioners with the words, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”; His death, being taken down from the cross, anointing with myrrh, wrapping of the Body in cloth, and its placement in the tomb; and the posting of guards to watch over the tomb so that no one might steal the Lord’s Body.

On this day, a strict fast is observed, and what is especially forbidden is drinking wine, as it represents the Blood of the Lord.

It is customary on this day to dye Easter eggs, most often red, which symbolizes Christ’s blood.

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On Good Friday, there is no singing or rejoicing

In some parts of Serbia, it is believed that girls who steal flowers from the churchyard on this day and place them under their pillow will, on the night before Holy Saturday, dream of their future husband.

It is also believed that anyone who washes their hair today will not have a headache throughout the coming year, and that it is good to sweep the house a little with a broom and then throw that broom away, along with all the evil from the home and household.

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