Holy Monday in the Eastern Orthodox Tradition Holy Monday is the second day of Holy Week, leading up to Pascha (Easter). It commemorates two significant events from the Gospels: Jesus' cursing of the barren fig tree and His cleansing of the Temple. These acts symbolize spiritual vigilance and the importance of bearing fruit in one's faith.
The fig tree, which bore no fruit despite its lush appearance, serves as a metaphor for spiritual hypocrisy and unfruitfulness. Jesus' actions remind believers to cultivate genuine faith and live in accordance with His teachings. The cleansing of the Temple highlights the sanctity of worship and the need to remove distractions and corruption from one's spiritual life.
Liturgically, Holy Monday includes hymns and readings that emphasize repentance, renewal, and preparation for the solemn days ahead. The services inspire reflection on personal faith and the call to align one's life with Christ's example.