April 22: International Mother Earth Day, Passover begins for Jews

Today, on April 22, all the inhabitants of our planet can join various events on the occasion of the International Mother Earth Day, UNN reports.

The event was launched in the United States in 1971, when  Senator Gaylord Nelson proposed the idea of celebrating an annual Earth Week. In the 90s, the event began to gain popularity in other countries.

And in 2010, at the initiative of the United Nations, the International Mother Earth Day was celebrated for the first time. Today, events to mark this event are held in almost all countries of the world.

The very expression "Mother Earth" was coined for a reason. It is used in different languages and demonstrates the relationship between the Earth and its inhabitants.

On this day, conferences, symposiums and events are held around the world to highlight the problems associated with the environmental situation of our planet.

One of the symbols of this day is the Peace Bell. The sounds of the bell call on every inhabitant of the planet to unite in the defense of peace and the preservation of the amazing wealth of our world. At the same time, the bell symbolizes tranquility, peace, friendship, and brotherhood of different nations regardless of race, culture, or social background.

Tonight, Jews begin to celebrate one of their most important holidays, Passover.

Passover begins at sunset on the eve of the 15th day of the month of Nisan. The holiday lasts for seven days in Israel and eight days abroad in countries where the Jewish diaspora lives.

Pesach is celebrated annually to commemorate the Jewish exodus from Egypt.

According to the Bible, the Jews who settled in Egypt eventually became slaves of the Egyptians. The prophet Moses repeatedly asked Pharaoh to free the Jews from slavery, but he always refused. Then, wanting to save the Jews, the Lord brought terrible plagues on the Egyptians - the plagues of Egypt.

But despite them, Pharaoh did not want to free the slaves. The tenth plague was the most terrible - all the Egyptian firstborn died overnight. The day before, every Jewish family, at the command of the prophet Moses and G-d, marked the front door with the blood of a lamb so that the plague would pass them by. Pesach means "to pass by" in Hebrew, which means that God seems to have passed by.

After that, Moses was able to lead the Jews out of Egypt, and they became free, but were forced to wander the desert for 40 years in search of the Promised Land. Exodus and liberation from slavery are the main keywords of this holiday. After all, it was from this day that the concept of the Jewish people began.

On the first and second days of Passover, Jews have a ritual dinner called a seder, read prayers, and talk about life.

Traditionally, during a festive dinner, unleavened matzo bread is served, as well as haroset - apple and date puree with nuts beitza - boiled egg, groa - fried lamb, maror - bitter herbs, as a symbol of the bitterness of Egyptian slavery.

These dishes are also followed by regular holiday food, such as stuffed fish.

It is prohibited during Passover:

- Consume and keep at home products produced as a result of fermentation or made with sourdough and yeast;

- Use ordinary dishes, as they absorb prohibited foods throughout the year;

- Work on the first and last day of the holiday.

According to the Orthodox Church calendar, today is the Day of Remembrance of St. Theodore Sikeotos, who lived in Byzantium in the 6th century.

His parents wanted their son to become a military officer, but at the age of 14, Theodore decided to devote his life to serving the Lord and entered a monastery. He was a preacher, a theologian, and often retired to the desert to pray.

For his faith, he received the gift of healing and miracles from the Lord.

On April 22, Fedir, Vitalii, and Luka celebrate their name days.