Verbnaia nedelia

[Ctr for Russian and East European Studies]

To my colleague interested in Verbnaia nedelia:
   A most useful text for anyone working in the Silver Age period is
S.V. Bulgakov's (not that Bulgakov) NASTOL'NAIA KNIGA DLIA
SVIASHCHENNO-TSERKOVNO-SLUZHITELEI, 2nd ed. (Khar'kov, 1900).  In the
first part, on pp. 528-530, in the section "Triod' postnaia" (which
describes the pre-paschal weeks), under "Palm Sunday" ("Vkhod
Gospoden' v Iurusalim, ili Nedelia Vaii"), the author explains that,
based on the custom of using palm fronds (symbolizing "znamenie
pobedy," which greets Him who overcame Hades and Death through His
sacrifice) in the ceremony celebrating Christ's entry into Jerusalem,
this Sunday is called "Palm Sunday" (Nedelia Vaii), and in common
Russian usage is called "Pussy Willow Sunday" (Verbnaia nedelia).
Palm fronds in Russia are replaced by pussy willow branches, since
the latter throws out buds before all other trees.  The author goes
on to discuss the symbolism of the use of the pussy willow in the
Russian context, and adds a bizarre footnote on the behavior of Russian
Orthodox congregations on this holiday and the various clerical
methods suggested for countering it.
   I will gladly xerox the relevant pages and send them snail mail
if your library does not have the necessary text (you should order it;
there is much there to interest you if you work in this period; YMCA
Press has it).  Please forward your address to:  crees at kuhub.cc.
ukans.edu       Maria Carlson