Great Tuesday of Holy Week has arrived: beautiful pictures and postcards, kind greetings in prose

The second day of Holy Week is called Great Tuesday. At this time, Orthodox believers remember the last sermon of Christ in the Jerusalem temple, and the parables of the ten virgins and the talents are heard at divine services. Izvestia has prepared touching pictures and good wishes in prose for this holiday.

Happy Great Tuesday 2025: beautiful pictures, postcards

On Holy Tuesday, believers continue to prepare for Easter. According to the Gospel, on this day the Savior came to the Jerusalem temple to preach to the people gathered there. Even then, listening to his parables and instructions, the chief priests and elders planned to kill Christ, but they did not dare to attack him openly, because the people revered him as a prophet.

The divine services on Great Tuesday are rich in meanings and plots, but most often there are two parables among them: about the ten virgins and about the talents.

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The content of the first is reflected in the troparion "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh at midnight." During the earthly life of Christ, the Jews had a wedding ritual — the bridesmaids had to wait for the groom's arrival at night in order to go to the feast after signing the marriage contract. Those who were late were not allowed to attend the celebration.

The parable tells of ten virgins, among whom were five wise and five foolish. Some saved up oil for their lamps for the whole night, while others took too little. When the bridegroom came, the foolish virgins had no oil left, and they had to run for a new one. When they returned, they saw that the feast had already begun and the doors were locked. This story teaches believers to always maintain spiritual vigilance and tirelessly increase their reserves of virtue, because it is not known when the time will come to meet God.

The second parable of Great Tuesday gave rise to the famous expression "burying talent in the ground." According to legend, one ruler, when leaving, distributed talents (a measure of weight) of silver to his slaves so that they would increase their wealth by his return. All the slaves put money into circulation, but one of them decided that it was a waste of time. He buried the silver in the ground, and when the owner returned, he gave back the untouched talent. The master ordered this slave to be severely punished for his negligence, and the rest to be rewarded. In this way, believers are encouraged to work for the multiplication of the gifts they have received from God.

The divine services on Great Tuesday also contain a reminder of the Second Coming of Christ and the Last Judgment that will follow it.

Themed postcards will help remind your loved ones about the spiritual meaning of the second day of Holy Week and share with them the joyful anticipation of Easter. They often depict Christ, as well as the ten virgins from the parable, Orthodox churches, church candles and white doves. Such pictures can be downloaded for free on the Internet and sent to loved ones, accompanied by a short greeting.

What to wish for on Holy Tuesday of Holy Week: greetings in prose

Holy Tuesday, like other days of Holy Week, is an important stage in preparation for Easter. Therefore, on this day, you should congratulate your loved ones on the approach of a bright celebration. Here's how it can be done:

"Congratulations on Great Tuesday! May your spirit remain cheerful and your talents multiply on this wonderful holiday. I wish you health, joy, warmth and God's grace!"

"Happy Great Tuesday, my dears! Easter is getting closer and closer, and this makes everything happier and easier on the soul. May there always be a place of faith, kindness, compassion and participation in your heart!"

"Great Tuesday has arrived, the day when we remember the last sermons of Christ. So don't be unreasonable, like virgos who don't stock up on oil, and tirelessly replenish your piggy bank of virtues. Do not be negligent, like a slave who has buried the talent entrusted to him in the ground — work hard and multiply the gifts you have received from the Lord. May your spirit always be awake, and your heart remain free from harmful passions!"

"Happy Great Tuesday, friends! May the proximity of Easter fill your soul with joy and your heart with love. I wish you to celebrate this wonderful day with dignity, to find peace, harmony and grace!"

"Happy Holy Tuesday of Holy Week! On this day, I wish you a clear mind, strong faith, fortitude and peace of mind. May the Lord hear your prayers and grant you grace!"

"Happy Great Tuesday! May your home be filled with love, joy and light on the eve of Easter. Let the sorrows remain in the past, the quarrels will be forgotten and the resentments will melt away. I wish you good health, peace in your family and well-being!"

Earlier, Izvestia shared postcards and congratulations on Holy Monday and the beginning of Holy Week.