What Orthodox Christians celebrate on Holy Monday
Easter is approaching, and Orthodox Christians in Cyprus are attending church services throughout the week in preparation for the holiday, with Holy Monday marking the day Jesus cursed a fig tree, a parable to show the importance of prayer.
As with each day of Holy Week, a different account is told of Jesus’ life leading up to his crucifixion and subsequent resurrection.
The parable for Holy Monday’s service states that on his way to Jerusalem from Bethany, Jesus saw a fig tree, and approached it as he was hungry. Seeing that tree had only leaves and no fruit, Christ cursed it saying no one will eat from it. The next day the tree was withered.
Jesus then explains to his disciples that prayer is efficient, and that any individual, who asks for something in prayer can believe that it will happen.
Another reading on Monday night, tells of the ten women that sought to welcome Christ, who is known as the bridegroom in the parable. Five are described as being wise and having brought oil for their lanterns to welcome him, while five are described as foolish for having only their lamps and no oil. The five foolish women in the parable seek oil from the five wise women, who refuse it to them, saying they will not have enough for their own lamps.
The parable is meant to symbolise the importance of always being prepared to receive blessings from God, and not to hasten in the last moments to receive his blessing.
In churches throughout Holy Week an icon of Jesus is displayed, showing him in a purple robe with a crown of thorns.
