Why not wash on Sunday: is the ban justified?
Throughout the entire working week, the pile in the laundry basket grew and grew ... And on Sunday you decided that it was time to do something about it. But somewhere you heard that you can’t wash at the end of the week. Why? Is there an objective justification for this prohibition? Now let’s explain.
Why not wash on Sunday
The habit of abandoning household chores (including washing) on Sunday went from the Orthodox Church. Parishioners traditionally dedicate Sunday to serving God, caring for family and loved ones. It is believed that Sunday should be spent in prayers, helping the disadvantaged, and fellowship with family. However, contrary to the deterrence of some particularly zealous Christians, washing at the end of the week is not a sin and is completely allowed.
You can always wash. There is such an Orthodox tradition: on Sunday and major church holidays, try not to do homework, hard physical labor. These days it is better to pray, go to the temple, and help those in need. But no more than that. For example, cleaning your house on Sunday is not very correct - you can find another time. But if you have a sick neighbor who needs help around the house, then you even need to help an elderly person.
Priests assure that it is possible to do household chores on Sunday, but we must not forget about the main purpose of this day - to do good deeds and to draw closer to God.
Cleaning on Sunday is not a sin if you have not forgotten about the soul
It is noteworthy that in the Bible itself such a day off from work is Saturday, not Sunday. And to one of the zealots of the holidays, who stubbornly refused to help people on Saturday, Jesus said: “Hypocrite! “Does each of you untie his ox or donkey from the manger on Saturday, and doesn’t it lead you to drink?” (Luke 13: 15). So even in the Bible there is a direct indication that the necessary things can still (and should) be performed on any day, regardless of whether it is a holiday or not.
Are there any other reasons for the ban
There are no non-religion reasons to refuse washing on Sunday. For many people, this is one of the few free days, and therefore it is quite suitable for household chores that accumulated throughout the previous week. So if you are not a Christian, you can safely go to the laundry room or load a washing machine - nothing bad will happen.
As you can see, washing on Sunday is not a sin, so you can do it any day. But people employed and working in general may not have another opportunity to restore order in the house. Do not walk in the dirty!
