Orthodox Christians in South Ossetia are celebrating Palm Sunday
On Sunday, residents of South Ossetia are celebrating one of the 12 main holidays of the Orthodox Church - the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem or Palm Sunday. The holiday has a tradition - to come to churches with willow branches and, after consecration, bring them home. The willow is placed in vases and stored for a year.
Orthodox believers attribute special healing powers to the consecrated willow, believing that it can save from thunderstorms, heal the sick, and protect livestock from pestilence, the evil eye and predators.