A significant church day on April 16 is Great Wednesday: special prohibitions and omens

Holy Week is the culmination of Great Lent, a time of inner concentration and preparation for Easter. Each of her days is filled with a special meaning associated with the last days of the earthly life of Jesus Christ. The third day of the week, Holy Wednesday, in 2025 falls on April 16. What is its meaning, what can and cannot be done by believers, read in the Izvestia article.

April 16 — Great Wednesday

On Great Wednesday, the church remembers two episodes that symbolize the highest manifestation of love and the cruelest betrayal. On this day, Christ was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper. During the meal, the sinner woman, with deep repentance, poured precious myrrh on Jesus' feet (a fragrant oil used in ancient times to anoint kings and the dead before burial), and then wiped them with her hair.

This gesture, which caused confusion among the disciples, Christ called a prophecy of the coming sacrifice, explaining that in this way the sinner prepares him for burial. He also said that the act of a woman will remain for centuries.

On the same day, one of the apostles, Judas Iscariot, came to the Jewish high priests who planned to kill Christ in order to betray the Teacher. For his crime, he received a paltry payment of 30 pieces of silver. That was how much a slave was worth at that time, and that was the price the ungrateful disciple valued the life of the Son of God.

Holy Week in 2025: how to fast and behave

On April 14, Orthodox Christians begin six days of the strictest fasting.

These two events — chrismation and betrayal — form the inner drama of the Great Environment. They remind us of the constant moral choice between love and greed, loyalty and betrayal. In addition, the example of the nameless sinner and Judas shows that salvation is possible even for a fallen person if he sincerely repents, whereas thoughtless pursuit of earthly things can lead to the death of the soul.

On this day, the prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian is read for the last time in Orthodox churches with three great prostrations. After Great Wednesday, bowing in churches is stopped until the feast of the Holy Trinity, which in 2025 will be celebrated on June 8.

The renunciation of prostration during this period symbolizes the completion of the path of redemption — Christ takes upon Himself the sins of mankind. In the liturgical tradition, bowing means acknowledging sinfulness, and therefore its abolition emphasizes the victory over death and the beginning of spiritual rebirth. The only exception is bowing before the shroud as a sign of deep sorrow for the sufferings of the Savior and a manifestation of love and humility before His sacrifice.

What to do on Great Wednesday – 2025

On the evening of Holy Wednesday, a general confession is held in most churches for those who plan to receive communion on Maundy Thursday. Its meaning lies not just in observing church discipline, but in understanding one's spiritual state and trying to find peace and quiet before the Resurrection of Christ.

In the folk tradition, Great Wednesday is the last opportunity for general cleaning in the house before the holiday. On this day, the ancestors changed the curtains and made fresh sheets. The kitchens were put in order.

On Wednesday, the housewives began to collect food, knead the dough — the basis of future cakes. There was a belief that it was on this day that eggs bought for painting were stored longer.

Holy Week in 2025: dates, a biblical description of each day

Holy Week this year will begin on April 14th.

It was also customary among the people to make the so—called "Thursday soap" - a special remedy that was left on the threshold overnight in order to wash with it on Maundy Thursday and thereby "wash away" diseases and the evil eye.

Holy Wednesday of Holy Week: what not to do

Holy Week requires concentration on the spiritual world and prayer. Therefore, the Church warns on Great Wednesday against quarrels, scandals, manifestations of envy or anger. Also, you should not have fun, listen to loud music, arrange feasts, so as not to lose the spiritual meaning of the pre-Easter week.

Lent on Holy Wednesday is especially strict. According to the monastic rule, only dry eating is allowed: raw vegetables, fruits, bread, nuts, water, without adding oil, as an expression of spiritual concentration and moderation. Exceptions are possible only for health reasons and with the blessing of the confessor.

Holy Wednesday: superstitions and folk signs on April 16

A lot of popular superstitions and beliefs are associated with the Great Environment. For example, in the old days it was believed that on this day the brownie sheds its "winter skin" and becomes especially active. Therefore, they tried not to open the windows unless absolutely necessary and not to leave the house without an important reason. If they still had to go to visit, they came with gifts — most often with a white towel or a piece of cloth — a symbol of well-being.

In addition, on this day, the ancestors avoided wearing dark clothes. It was believed that this could attract misfortune.

There were also signs in Russia that could predict whether the summer would be fertile. If the bees and bumblebees have already woken up, the summer will be hot. And if it rains, it's wet, but rich in mushrooms. The east wind foreshadowed an abundance of cereals. Birch leaves, which bloomed earlier than alder leaves, predicted that the summer would be dry.

Earlier, Izvestia was told when to bake cakes, paint eggs, and clean the house during Holy Week.