Why is it not good to ask yourself in the Passion Week: Superstitions that will change your perception on Easter

The Great Week (April 14-19), also known as the Passover Week, represents the culminating period of Easter 2025 and the last preparation stage before the Resurrection of the Lord. Each day has a deep significance, and the traditions and customs that accompany it are meant to deepen the spiritual experiences of the believers.

The traditions of the Great Week of Easter are transmitted from generation to generation collage

Here is what each day symbolizes this week, along with some folk recommendations and superstitions.

Monday: The first day of the big week

The Monday of Passover Week does not have a major biblical significance, but it is considered a day of spiritual training. The believers are urged to reflect on how they can live, during the week, according to the teachings of Christ.

Recommendation: It is a good day to start the general cleaning in the house and to prepare for the days of fasting and prayer – a custom that symbolizes purification before the resurrection. In some regions, it is believed that those who work on this day will have luck in the coming year.

Tuesday: The parable of the 10 virgins

Tuesday of the Great Week is marked by reading “The parable of the ten virgins”which transmits a lesson on continuous spiritual training, vigilance and responsibility for one's own salvation. This day emphasizes the importance of living a virtuous life, in prayer and reflection.

In the popular tradition, the Great Tuesday is dedicated to the general cleanliness, viewed not only as a physical training for Easter, but also as a ritual of purifying the house and the soul. Housewives fulfill various habits meant to chase the evil and attract the increase, and in some areas it is believed to be the day when “The fruits of work are gathered” from the Passover of the Passover 2025.

Recommendation: Take advantage of this day for introspection, prayer and reconnection with spiritual values. The cleanliness of the house can also become a symbol of interior cleaning – a gesture by which you prepare, body and soul, for the light of Easter.

Wednesday: Gounded with Mir of Jesus

The Wednesday of the Passover Week reminds the anointing of Jesus's feet with a sinful woman – a gesture of deep repentance and humility. Also on this day, Jesus announces the betrayal of Judah and announces, at the same time, that through his sacrifice he will bring the salvation of the whole world.

Tradition says it is a favorable moment for prayers of forgiveness and introspection. In many areas of the country, the housewives are already starting the preparations for the Easter meal, dealing with baking cozonacs or painting the red eggs.

Recommendation: Wednesday is considered a day suitable for confession and soul cleansing. Many believers choose to share and reconcile with God on this day.

Great Thurs

Thursday is one of the most important days of the Great Week, marked by the celebration of the Last Supper and the establishment of the Holy Eucharist. Also, on this day, Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, a gesture of humility and love for his neighbor. At the same time, the service of Saint Maslu is officiated.

In the traditions in Romania, Joia Mare is closely related to the paint of red eggs, a symbol of the blood of Christ on the cross, but also to other popular habits.

In many corners of the country, the housewives deal with the latest Easter preparations. Also, in some areas, there is the tradition of washing the facades of the houses and taking care of the gardens. In some villages, the elders “Try luck” throwing grass tips (fresh grass) into the fire, a symbolic ritual that signifies purification, protection and removal of evil. At the same time, young girls put wishes for the future.

Recommendation: It is a day dedicated to continuing cleanliness and preparation for Easter. Many choose to complete the general cleaning in the house, to meet the holiday in a clean and tidy environment.

Great Friday: Passions of Christ

The Great Friday is undoubtedly the most sober and loaded day of the day of the great week, marked by the reminder of the passions of Christ, when Jesus was crucified on the cross, bringing salvation through His sacrifice. It is a day of severe post, of silence and deep reflection.

In the Romanian traditions, there is a habit of making wax icons, and churches are often full of believers who participate in the special services of Good Friday. It is said that you do not have to work anything that implies intense physical effort. In some regions there is also the belief that if you take a red egg from “Coșul” Sanished from the church, you will be lucky throughout the year.

Recommendation: It is a day of spiritual withdrawal. It is recommended to avoid any hard work and to dedicate time for prayer and meditation.

Great Saturday: Waiting for Resurrection

Sâmbăta Mare represents the last day of training before Easter, a day of peace and hope. It is the day when Christians are waiting for the Resurrection of the Lord, and through the service of the Church, the resurrection of Jesus is announced with joy at midnight.

In Romania, this is a day dedicated to the preparation of Easter meals, and the baskets with food for the Resurrection service are taken to the church to be sanctified. Painting eggs and preparing cozonacs are key elements of this day. In a previous article I explained the difference between Easter and Christmas cozonacs and mentioned three irresistible recipes.

Tradition says that it is good to bring to the church cheese, red eggs, cozonacs, Easter, lamb and wine, all to be sanctified, as a symbol of abundance and gratitude. These gifts are carefully placed in adorned baskets, a sign of respect for the holiday. In many villages, the moment of the work at midnight is expected with emotion, and people share their joy and hope with others, through a greeting, a hug or a good word.

After the Resurrection service, in many areas of Romania, the habit of dividing is preserved “Pomana” – that is, sanctified food from the baskets brought to the church. This gesture symbolizes mercy, communion and joy of the resurrection shared with others. It is an act of generosity and gratitude, by which the believers show their love for their neighbor.

Recommendation: It is a day of physical and spiritual training for the beginning of the Easter holiday. It is important to refresh your soul and prepare yourself to meet the resurrection with joy.

Superstitions and habits of Passover Week

In addition to the religious significance of each day of the Great Week, there are also a series of popular superstitions respected by many believers, especially from the rural area. These beliefs and customs vary according to the region and are transmitted from generation to generation, reflecting the cultural richness of Romanian traditions and superstitions. They are not strict commandments or rules, but old advice that reflects man's connection with nature, faith and spirituality of this sacred time.

• In Bucovina, there is the belief that those who hold a black post starting with the Great Thursday and until the Resurrection night will receive from God to know the hour of death three days before they die, to have time to reconcile with everyone and to prepare their soul.
• In several regions of the country it is said that those who die in the Passover Week arrive directly in Heaven, because it is a holy period when the gates of heaven are open.
• In Romanian traditions, red painted eggs symbolize spiritual resurrection and protection. It is believed that if they are kept in the house, they bring health and prosperity.
• Great Thursday is considered a day “Lucky”being the day when the housewives deal with the general cleaning, in the hope of attracting plenty in the house.
• In some parts of Transylvania and Oltenia, on the night of Thursday, fires are lit in the courts or on the edge of the village, in memory of the fires lit by the women of Mironosites at the tomb of Jesus. It is believed that the fire holds the evil spirits at a distance and illuminates the soul of those passed beyond.
• In the south and southwest of the country, especially in Muntenia and Oltenia, is mentioned about Joimariță, a frightening mythological being who “Come” In the houses where the housewives did not finish their cleaning tasks until Thursday. She would “Burn hemp” Or they would bring them bad luck. Therefore, the completion of the cleanliness is encouraged until then – but, of course, not as an obligation, but as an advice from the elderly.
• It is said that whoever warms in cold water on Friday morning will be healthy all year. In some villages, young people are used to going to the river or to the well to respect this habit.
• On the Great Friday, it does not wash and not sewed, and who works on this day risks being “hit by trouble ”. Many believe that they do not put their hand on the needle and thread, because “The evil is sting in the house.” It is believed that those who work or do the hard things on this day will attract the misfortune. Hence the recommendation, from tradition, to refrain from intense physical work on this day.
• The day the eggs are painted differs depending on the area. In cities, where people are often caught up with service and other responsibilities, many housewives leave everything on the last hundred meters or prefer to ask for the help of relatives or to resort to specialized catering and cleaning services.
• Animals should be carefully cared for, and in some villages, they are given clean dishes “To go well” all year.
• It is said that it is not good to ask or hate in the big week, because the whole year will be full of disorder.

Great Week: Between spiritual reflection and popular wisdom

In conclusion, the Passover Week is a period of deep reflection and spiritual training for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Each day has a special significance, and the traditions and superstitions that accompany it are only old suggestions and tips meant to help us live this sacred period in a more intense and authentic way. Through every gesture and prayer, we approach the resurrection, preparing us both souls and physically, for the Passover.