Holy Monday (beginning of Holy Week) for Orthodox Christians

Lent before Easter is divided into two parts: the first is the Holy Lent, and the second is Holy Week (week). These last 7 days are dedicated to certain events related to the life of God's Son. Liturgies in honor of saints are not held there, prayers for the dead are not read. The first day of Holy Week begins on Monday, 6 days before the Resurrection of the Lord. Among Orthodox Christians, this Monday is usually called Great Monday. In churches, in order to penetrate the life of Christ and endure the torment of the crucifixion with him, they remember stories similar to the life of Jesus. This is how the case of Joseph the Beautiful, the interpreter of dreams, is mentioned, who predicted 7 years of food abundance for the pharaoh and the next 7 years of famine. But first, Joseph was betrayed by his own brothers, sold into slavery for a pittance, and his parents were told that his brother had been torn to pieces by a beast in the field. The betrayal of his brothers is compared to the betrayal of Judas. There is also a story about Christ’s expulsion from the church of sellers who make money from sacrifice. But one of the telling stories is the story of a fig tree that has no fruit. According to legend, Jesus and his followers on the way met a fig tree with a crown, but without fruit, and cursed it. At that hour the tree lost its life and became dry. This story symbolizes the meaninglessness of the soul without faith in the Lord, prayer and confession. On Maundy Monday, Christians visit churches, where services are held at the beginning of the day and in the evening. At intervals throughout the day, the altar server reads chapters from the Bible. From this day onwards, believers organize a thorough cleaning of their homes, so that for the celebration of Easter Resurrection, cleanliness will shine everywhere.