Parents' Day or, as it is also called, Radonitsa (Radunitsa) is a spring Orthodox church holiday special commemoration deceased. According to Radonitsa, it is one of the most important memorial days, when it is customary to visit cemeteries where the graves of relatives and friends are located.
This is a day of bright memory and, oddly enough, joy, because this joy is for the birth of those who died in new life- eternal life. To prepare for this in time Orthodox holiday, need to know, what date is parent's day celebrated in 2017.
When is Parents' Memorial Day celebrated?
Total parenting days in a year, eight and seven of them fall on Saturday and therefore they are called parental Saturdays. But among parental days there is the most important, most important holiday of remembrance of the deceased (Radonitsa), which always falls on Tuesday.
The Radonitsa holiday does not have its own date; it is always celebrated on different time, depending on what date it falls on. In the second week, or, to be more precise, nine days after the Holy Resurrection of Christ, on Tuesday, the day of remembrance of the dead comes - the first parent's day after the holiday of Easter.
Memorial days are extremely important for every Orthodox Christian. They are also called “parental” so that we remember the need to take care of the souls of our ancestors.
It is imperative to know the dates of all memorial days so as not to miss the opportunity to remember and commemorate your deceased loved ones, relatives and friends, go to the cemetery and clean up the grave.
History and customs of the holiday of the main parent's day
According to the testimony of John Chrysostom, this holiday was celebrated by Christians in ancient times. The name itself - Radonitsa - was instilled in us from the common Slavic spring pagan holiday with the obligatory remembrance of the departed, which was called Radavanitsy, Graves, Triznami, Navy Day.
The word “radonitsa” comes from “joy” and “kind”; moreover, this holiday takes pride of place immediately after the celebration of Bright Easter Week and, one might say, obliges Orthodox Christians not to delve too deeply into grief for the dead, but to rejoice over them eternal life together with the Lord God.
The whole Christian world celebrates Christ's Resurrection, His victory over earthly death, and then, nine days later, believers celebrate the revival of their ancestors, relatives and friends to a new life, remembering them on a special day - Radonitsa. The Resurrection of Christ, as a victory over death, displaces the sadness of separation from loved ones and therefore on the ninth day from Easter we, as Metropolitan Anthony of Surzh said:
“...with faith, reliable and Easter confidence we stand at the tombs of the departed.”
What to do on Parents' Day
Quite a large number of people visit relatives and friends at the cemetery on Easter. Many, unfortunately, adhere to the blasphemous custom of accompanying visits to the dead with drunken wild revelry. And those who do not do this very often do not even know when on Easter days they can (and should) remember the dead.
The first commemoration of the deceased after Easter takes place on the second Easter week (week), after St. Thomas Sunday, on Tuesday. And the widespread tradition of going to the cemetery on the Easter holiday itself sharply contradicts the institutions of the Church: before the ninth day from Easter, commemoration of the dead cannot be performed. If a person passes into another world on Easter, then he is buried according to a special Easter rite.
Like many Orthodox clergy, priest Valery Chislov, rector of the Church in honor of the Assumption Holy Mother of God at the Assumption Cemetery in Chelyabinsk, warns against rash actions and other actions committed out of ignorance on the feast of Radonitsa:
“It should be remembered that a cemetery is a place where one should behave with reverence. It is sad to see how some people drink vodka there and sing worldly songs. Someone crumbles bread and eggs onto the grave mound and pours alcohol. Sometimes they get into a real riot. All this is more reminiscent of pagan funeral feasts and is unacceptable for Christians. If we already took food to the cemetery, it is better to distribute it to the poor. Let them pray for our departed, and then the Lord may send some consolation to our relatives.”
When you come to the cemetery on the feast of Radonitsa, you need to light a candle and perform litia (pray intensely). To perform litia during the commemoration of the dead, a priest should be invited. You can also read the Akathist about the repose of the dead. Then you need to clean up the grave, be silent for a while, remembering the deceased.
There is no need to drink or eat in a cemetery, it is unacceptable to pour alcohol on a grave mound - these actions insult the memory of the dead. The tradition of leaving a glass of vodka with bread on a grave is a relic of pagan culture and should not be observed in Christian Orthodox families. It is better to give food to the poor or hungry.
How to remember the deceased
Prayer for deceased relatives and loved ones is the most important and greatest thing we can do for those who have passed on to another world. Deceased neither in a coffin nor in a monument, but by and large, does not need - this is just a pious tribute to tradition.
A simple wooden or metal cross is more appropriate for the grave of a true Orthodox Christian. But the soul of the deceased experiences a great need for our unceasing prayer. Saint John Chrysostom wrote:
“We will try, as much as possible, to help the departed, instead of tears, instead of sobs, instead of magnificent tombs - with our prayers, alms and offerings for them, so that in this way both they and we will receive the promised benefits.”
And special help to the deceased is provided by commemorating them in the Church.
Parents' Day (Radonitsa) 2017: what date. It should be noted that Radonitsa is always celebrated on the 9th day after Easter. That is why in 2017, Parents' Day falls on April 25th. And although this is an important day for Orthodox believers, it is not a public holiday. Therefore, Radonitsa will be a working day in 2017.
According to representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church, an all-Russian day off for Radonitsa could be an important step towards the spiritual revival of the country. But the authorities are not yet discussing this possibility. Although in some regions the day off is moved from Saturday to Radonitsa. But not everyone likes this.
According to tradition, on this day there are commemorations of deceased relatives. On Radonitsa, it is customary to visit the graves of loved ones and arrange a memorial meal in the cemetery. According to tradition, part of the food brought to the cemetery is distributed to the poor.
Despite the fact that on Parents' Day people go to the graves of their deceased relatives and friends, on this day it is customary to remember all the good things that are associated with deceased relatives and rejoice at their stay in the Kingdom of Heaven, and not be sad about their death. According to legend, the name Radonitsa comes from the words “joy”, “kin” and “kinship”, therefore it was believed that on this day one should not grieve or shed tears for the deceased.
Radonitsa is a very ancient holiday, which has been known since pagan times. According to legends, Radonitsa was the name given to pagan deities who were the guardians of the souls of the deceased and personified the veneration of the dead. It was customary to make sacrifices and hold feasts on the mounds in honor of Radonitsa. This is how our ancestors paid tribute to the souls of the departed.
This holiday fits well into the Christian religion and remains in the Orthodox calendar. Before the USSR, this day was a day off. But during the Soviet era, it lost its significance and many traditions of Radonitsa were forgotten. And some of the traditions have become greatly distorted. So, now on Radonitsa people drink alcohol and even pour it on their graves. But the church does not approve of this.
In the Soviet Union, people began going to cemeteries on Easter. This was due to the fact that in the USSR the day off for Radonitsa was canceled. But people still wanted to honor the memory of their relatives and went to the cemetery on Easter, since this holiday always falls on Sunday.
Parents' Day (Radonitsa) 2017. On this holiday, it is necessary to visit the Orthodox church, where the sacred liturgy will be held. In church you must pray for your deceased relatives, light a candle and submit a funeral note. On Parents' Day they come to the cemetery with traditional dishes Easter table. People bring Easter cakes, Easter cakes, colored eggs, etc. to the graves. The meal should be quite modest, it is allowed to sip a little wine, but you should not abuse alcohol. You can't put vodka on a grave. And the remains of the meal, as mentioned above, must be distributed to the poor.
There are many signs and beliefs associated with Radonitsa. So, on Parents' Day you cannot work in the field, because there will be no harvest. It was believed that if the weather on Radonitsa was rainy and windless, the year would pass happily. Dreams on Radonitsa, according to folk legends, were prophetic and indicated what the future would be like.
The canons of the Christian faith prescribe commemoration of deceased relatives and friends in church. Commemorations among Orthodox believers take place on parental Saturdays, which are Orthodox Christianity there are 7, of which 2 are called Ecumenical, when prayers take place for all the dead on earth. The only day of special commemoration that does not occur on Saturday, but on the 9th day after the bright holiday of Easter - on Tuesday, is Radonitsa (Radunitsa). Radonitsa 2019 will be celebrated on the 7th May, and you can look at the remaining dates on which parental Saturdays fall in 2019 in the Orthodox calendar 2019.
History of the holiday and its name
The historical roots of the holiday go back to paganism. There are several assumptions why this parent's day is called Radonitsa. One of them is based on an ancient legend that this name comes from the names pagan gods who were the guardians of dead souls. Memorial days in those days were called Radavanitsa, Triznami or Navii Day.
Before the adoption of Christianity in Rus', it was customary for our ancestors to organize week-long feasts on burial mounds in the spring. There they lit fires, sang, danced and ate. The pagans believed that in this way they honor, treat and please the souls of their ancestors who come from heavenly kingdom to earth these days. After all, if they are met poorly, the eternally deceased may become angry and send hunger and disease to the earth. It was believed that the souls of the departed should be met with joy, so the spring commemoration began to be called “Radonitsa”.
According to another version, the name comes from the words “clan” and “kinship”, since deceased relatives were commemorated on this day. Most researchers are inclined to believe that “Radonitsa” means joy and associate this with the fact that on Sunday following Easter, church scriptures The Savior descended into hell and won victory over death. Therefore, “Radonitsa” carries within itself the joy caused by faith in the resurrection and eternal life.
The Orthodox Christian Church, taking the essence of spring commemoration as a basis, gave it its own content and characteristics. The date of the celebration of “Radonitsa” was established based on the fact that in churches on weekdays following the second Sunday after Easter, the singing of the lithium for the dead, which had not been held since Maundy Thursday itself, was resumed. Therefore, the commemoration of the dead falls on Tuesday or in some populated areas- on Monday.
Traditions and rituals of Radonitsa: history and modernity
Visiting the graves of relatives – main tradition Radonitsy. In the old days, on Radonitsa, as in our days, Easter food and Easter eggs were brought to the graves. If now Easter Egg they simply put it on the grave, then earlier it was customary to bury it under the cross or, breaking it on the cross, cleanse it and beggars for “remembrance of the soul.” This ritual was called “Christening with relatives.” Then it was customary to have large meals with alcohol at the grave, after which some even fell asleep near the graves. Nowadays, the church does not encourage drinking alcoholic beverages at graves.
In some areas it was not customary to go to the cemetery. It was believed that on this day the deceased come to the houses of their relatives. In order to welcome them well, a bathhouse was heated in the morning, in which clean linen was laid for them for the whole day and night. At this time, everyone was forbidden to enter the bathhouse. When morning came, all household members went there and looked for traces indicating the arrival of the deceased. It was possible to wash in the bathhouse only after finishing Radonitsa.
In the traditions of Radonitsa, it was obligatory to place water and pieces of bread on the windowsill. In the evening, a memorial dinner was held, where there were always three extra plates on the table: for breakfast, lunch and dinner for the deceased. It was customary to distribute the food remaining after the festive meal to the poor and homeless. After dinner, young people gathered on the street and had fun festivities.
The oldest tradition of Radonitsa is the ritual of making rain. Now this tradition is forgotten, but earlier our great-great-grandmothers said that on the day of Radonitsa the sky should send at least a few drops of rain to the earth. Therefore, the children were forced to look at the sky and shout at the top of their voices: “Pour rain on the woman’s rye, on the grandfather’s wheat.” Having caused rain, one had to wash oneself with water from heaven for good luck. If thunder was heard in Radonitsa, the girls rushed to wash themselves with rainwater in order to preserve their youth longer. To do this, heavenly water had to be passed through a silver or gold ring.
Children living separately from their parents should visit their father and mother on this day, otherwise Radonitsa will not be joyful for them, but sad, and if the parents get angry, they may unknowingly bring some kind of misfortune upon their careless children.
The church advises starting Radonitsa 2019 with a visit to the temple, where you should pray for relatives who left the earth and order a memorial service. A service is held in the church on this day, and any parishioner can ask the priest for prayer for the deceased a loved one. In Radonitsa, it is customary to make donations for the church, bring Easter dishes and food there, and distribute alms to those in need. It is believed that our good deeds bring joy to deceased relatives. Only after visiting church should you go to the cemetery.
How to behave at the cemetery in Radonitsa
The church does not allow visiting the cemetery on Easter, but this should be done on Radonitsa. It is also not welcomed by Orthodoxy when food is left on a grave. The Church considers this tradition pagan rite. There is no need to place a glass of vodka with bread on the grave, which has become an undeclared tradition these days. Such commemorations are unacceptable for Orthodox Christians and are considered a sin. You can drink alcohol only at a festive lunch or dinner at home, but under no circumstances should you get carried away with it. Family celebration should take place without obvious fun, but also without tears and bitter sadness.
It is recommended that you distribute the food that you were going to leave at the grave to those in need. The Church claims that this way you give the deceased person the opportunity to help people after death, and only a lit light should remain on the grave church candle. According to Orthodox canons, when you come to a cemetery, you need to clean up there and remember your relatives, what they were like during life, remember them kind words and pray for them.
Signs for Radonitsa
- When there is a new moon on Radonitsa, you should expect a rich harvest.
- The more alms and treats you give at the funeral, the more they will give in the next world.
- If a person forgets to remember his parents on Radonitsa, then he will not be remembered after death and will not be treated in the kingdom of heaven.
- The first person who came to the cemetery on the day of Radonitsa will receive special favor from the deceased.
- Pregnant women are not allowed to come to the cemetery in Radonitsa.
- If you disturb the earth on this day: dig, sow or plant - there will be a bad harvest.
- When it rains on Radonitsa before lunch, and a strong wind blows during the day and evening, the deceased relatives worry why they are not coming to the cemetery. If it rains without wind, it means a bountiful harvest.
Fortune telling on Radonitsa
In the old days, on Radonitsa, unmarried friends got together and told fortunes. Special fortune telling unique to Radunitsa is unknown, but fortune telling was used on other Christmastides:
- learning fate from a book. They guessed the page number and the line on which the answer was read, predicting fate;
- fortune telling with a wreath. The girls wove a wreath from birch branches and let it float down the river. Wherever the wreath goes, wait for the groom from there; if the wreath sinks, wait for death;
- fortune telling on a birch branch. To do this, the girl picked a twig from a birch tree and put it under her pillow before going to bed. The man she dreams about this night will become her betrothed;
- prophetic dream. In the old days, they firmly believed that on Radonitsa the souls of the dead visited the earth and tried to resort to their help in order to see a prophetic dream. For this purpose, people went to the cemetery in the evening and asked relatives near their grave to send a prophetic dream at night.
By correctly fulfilling the Orthodox canons of the celebration of Radonitsa, Parents' Day 2017 will become a holiday for you, on which you will feel an invisible spiritual connection with your loved ones who left our land. Let us remind you that Radonitsa is not the only day when memorial days are established in 2017. Give your deceased relatives a few days a year on Parents' Saturdays 2017 to remember them with a kind word, light a candle in church and pray for their souls.
Summary.
Radonitsa in 2019 falls on May 7.
Visiting the graves of loved ones is the main tradition of memorial days.
In Radonitsa it is customary to make donations and give alms.
Dates for parental Saturdays can be found in the Orthodox calendar 2019.
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What does the soul of the deceased do during 9 and 40 days, how should one pray for health and for the repose of the souls of loved ones, what did the holy fathers say about such prayer and how to help those who do not think about their salvation?
In response to the accumulated questions from readers, we provide detailed information about the upcoming days of special remembrance of the dead - parental Saturdays, a selection of relevant quotes from the holy fathers from the nun Livia, and information about how to pray for those who can only conditionally be called Orthodox people.
Sincere prayer can melt even the coldest ice...
Remembrance of the Dead- a special tradition characteristic of Orthodoxy, which distinguishes it from many other religious movements, including Christian ones. For example, while declaring formal adherence to their version of the Bible, they completely reject the commemoration of the dead and all rituals associated with it.
On Saturday March 2 - a week before the start of Lent - before Meat Week (Maslenitsa week), a day of special veneration of the memory of the departed is established for the Orthodox.
For services on Friday under Ecumenical Parental Saturday and on Saturday itself, women wear only dark scarves to church. Of the seven days a year intended for enhanced remembrance of ancestors, two stand out Ecumenical memorial Saturdays : Meat and .
The main meaning of the Ecumenical (common to all Orthodox Church) funeral services - in prayer for the salvation of the souls of all deceased Orthodox Christians, regardless of their personal closeness to us. Remember your parents and ancestors: don’t miss the service and commemoration!
Rogozhsky is always lively during parental Saturdays and prayer services "And we were just like you, and you will be just like us"
This is what the quiet fraternal tombs in the isolated monastic state on Mount Athos tell their visitors. For monks, due to the corresponding way of life, this inextricable connection of the visible and invisible world is especially sensitive, when all internal spiritual aspiration is directed towards the ascension into that future invisible and unknown world, which will inevitably meet each of us and determine its place for endless centuries.
“...On this day we commemorate all people who have died from time immemorial in faith and piety, for the sake of the fact that many suffered a useless death: in the sea, and impassable mountains, rapids and abysses, from hunger and heat, from battle and cold, and suffered death in another way. Therefore, for the sake of humanity, the holy fathers legitimized the creation of this memory from the Catholic Church, the apostolic tradition is acceptable.
On Saturday we create remembrance for souls, because Saturday is a day of repose; the departed come to rest from worldly temptations. The holy fathers commanded that remembrance should be made for the departed, saying that alms and great services bring weakness and benefit to those.
Memorial cross in the village of Slobodishchi, erected by the Rogozh Cossacks The story of Saint Macarius the Great.
Saint Macarius asked, having found on his way the dry skull of the wicked Elin: do they ever have some weakness in hell?
He answered him the same, We also have a lot of weakness when Christians say prayers for their dead. And Gregory, the verbose, delivered King Trajan from hell through prayer. And the godless Theophilus Theodora, the queen of saints, for the sake of the confessor of her husbands, snatched away from torment.
The Great Athanasius says, even if a person dies of a holy life, do not deny alms and candles on the coffin, calling on Christ God, to light, it is pleasing to God and brings much reward. If a person is sinful, his sins are allowed; if he is righteous, he accepts a large bribe.
Memorial prayer, placed by the Rogozh Cossacks on one of their worship crosses The Holy Fathers say that in a bright place they will know each other’s souls, they know everyone, even those whom they have never seen before, as St. teaches about this. John Chrysostom, presenting the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. But they see not physically, but in some other way, and they all have the same age.
The Great Athanasius says about this:
And until the general Resurrection, the saints are granted to know each other and have fun. Sinners are deprived of this. It is known that the souls of the righteous and sinners reside in distinct places. The righteous rejoice in hope, but sinners are tormented and sad by the hope of the wicked. But this is only partially, and not completely, until the general Resurrection.
The cross installed at the Rogozhskoye cemetery according to the design of Ataman Rogozhskaya Cossack village in memory of all Old Believers buried in the cemetery It is also appropriate to know that baptized infants, if they present themselves in this way, will enjoy eternal food, but unbaptized and pagans will not go either to the Kingdom or to Gehenna, but there is a special place for them. As the soul departs from the body, it no longer remembers a single earthly care, but only cares about those there.
Tretiny We do this for the dead, so that on the third day a person’s appearance changes.
Devyatiny because on the ninth day the whole body dissolves, only the heart is preserved.
Fortieth day- when the heart is already dying.
You should not be afraid of death, you need to prepare your life for the Last Judgment At conception, this is what happens to a baby: on the third day, the heart is painted. In the ninth the flesh is formed. IN fortieth– the perfect view is imagined. Glory to our God, now and ever, and forever and ever, Amen.” (Lenten Triodion, synoxarion for Meat-Free Saturday).
Instructing us to spiritual knowledge, the holy fathers remind us that the one final hour of death, when it comes, will determine the entire value of life lived. human life. So that we are ready to meet that hour with a bright mind, faith and hope. A great war then arises, on the border of eternity.
The crafty spirits know that the first judgment about the human soul is now being decided, and with terrible force they attack that soul in order to keep it for themselves. There is no longer time for repentance for the grave unrepentant sinner, but they will clearly reveal, for fear and edification of others, all their internal indecency, from evil thoughts and deeds, which they kept in this life in the secret places of hypocritical hearts.
Memorial cross erected by the Rogozh Cossacks, made according to the author's design of Dimitry Vlasov Many earthly despots and blasphemers died in terrible agony and a frenzy of mind, such as Ulyanov-Lenin, who, according to eyewitnesses, in his last hours no longer recognized anyone and asked forgiveness in his room near the cabinets and chairs for the crimes he had committed.
There is a story about one famous American actress that, when she was dying, she ordered that her most favorite dress be given to her, and so she died, even clutching it with her teeth with an irresistible iron grip.
Rogozhskoe cemetery. Photo by Deacon Alexander Govorov Another, a Jewish banker, in front of his stunned heirs, managed, with incredible dexterity and speed for the last minutes of his life, to extract from a hiding place under his own mattress and swallow a precious clutch of diamonds...
When they realized what was the matter and tried to take countermeasures, the last diamond was already buried in his womb. And so he died.
The Holy Fathers say that this whole life, like a long road, carries what a person collects along it. If sins and passions are in their place, virtues and the desire for perfection are in their place. No matter how many people go and where they go, everyone comes to their own grave mound.
An ancient coffin-domovina, which prudent Old Believers tried to make for themselves during their lifetime We must never forget about this, but, in pious reflection, remember and think about the impermanence of the present age, in which even the wisest person cannot know for himself exactly what this day or night has in store for him, and whether eternity awaits him now . Therefore, teachers also legitimized church memorial Saturday days for us, so that we would look at them with our souls, as at a mirror in which our eternal spiritual essence is reflected, and, remembering this, we would retreat from all sin.
Ural. Worship cross in the city of Rezh on the site of the Old Believer cemetery How to pray correctly for health and peace?
Some time ago, a custom prayer service to St. Paisius the Great took place on Rogozhsky. The service was led by the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, His Eminence Metropolitan Korniliy.
On the eve of the next Parent's Saturday, we decided to give a few important thoughts about the rules and practice of praying in the Russian Orthodox Church for those who are in the Church and outside its fence.
Prayer for everything
The pious tradition of ordering prayer services for one reason or another has been inherent in Orthodox Christians from time immemorial, but in Lately On Rogozhsky, such additional services do not happen as often as before.
Despite the fact that the service adds about an hour and a half to the already long Sunday service, there are always many who want to join and write notes about their health (there are no prayers for the repose).
Bishop Cornelius himself leads the prayer services, and is often their organizer. For example, during fasting, especially Great Lent, he announces prayer services almost every Sunday.
Lenten, organized on the initiative of Metropolitan Cornelius Apart from worldly concerns, the biggest drawback of the current practice in Moscow is the lack of information about such prayer services in advance. The most active parishioners hear about the plans through word of mouth in the morning, and some hear about the plans after the bishop’s sermon. Which saint and for what reason the service will take place - usually immediately becomes surrounded by mutually exclusive versions... As a result, not everyone present at the Liturgy knows that immediately after the service there will be a good opportunity to pray for their relatives, which means there is no need to rush to leave the church.
Sermon by Metropolitan Cornelius after the prayer service with the wish to pray more diligently for peace on Earth Reverend Father Paisius the Great, pray to God for us!
In this case, the reason for delay turned out to be very serious: a prayer service was ordered for the venerable Paisius the Great, who has the grace from God to ease the afterlife of Orthodox Christians who died without repentance. They especially pray to him for those who were baptized in Orthodox faith, but for one reason or another withdraws from attending services and confession.
Big image St. Paisius The Great is decorated with the vault of the northern façade Pray for the admonishment of truants
A quick survey of those present in the church showed that people are well aware of all sorts of prohibitions and restrictions regarding persons whom we have the right to indicate in notes about health and repose, but not everyone remembers their “rights.” We now remind readers of Old Believer Thought: In the Church there is a legal way of praying for those who do not go to church.
Council of the Metropolis of the Russian Orthodox Church, held on February 4-5, 2015, recalled in his resolution about the ancient patristic practice, according to which Old Believers are not forbidden to perform prayers for health, including those of heterodox and excommunicated people. In addition to home prayer, custom prayer services are intended for this purpose.
ABOUT church prayer for the heterodox and excommunicated
8.1. Do not forbid clergy to perform prayers for the health of the heterodox and excommunicated, guided by the instructions of the Apostle Paul: “I ask you to make prayers, petitions, supplications, and thanksgivings for all people, for kings and for all those in authority, so that we may lead a quiet and serene life in all godliness and purity, for this is good and pleasing to God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:1-4); as well as the interpretation of St. John Chrysostom: “Do not be afraid to pray for the pagans; and He (God) wants it. Just be afraid of cursing others. Because He doesn't want that. And if you need to pray for pagans, then obviously for heretics, because you need to pray for all people, and not persecute them” (Works of St. John Chrysostom. Interpretation of the 1st Epistle to Timothy of the Apostle Paul. Discourse 6, volume 11, p. 659).
Material on the topic
IN church calendar Many holidays revered by Orthodox Christians are celebrated. These include parents' Saturdays. Most of them depend on the calendar celebration of Easter, so they change dates from year to year.
- the time during which liturgies are served in all churches and temples, remembering the dead. For such holidays, Orthodox Christians write notes with the names of their deceased relatives so that the priests will mention them during the service. Also on these days, it is customary to visit cemeteries to pay tribute to the memory of your loved ones.
In addition to the usual ones, there are also Ecumenical Parental Saturdays. At this time, all the deceased are commemorated, including those who went missing, those who were not properly buried, as well as saints who died for the Orthodox faith.
Parents' Saturdays in 2017
February 18 - Ecumenical Meat and Eating Parents' Saturday. It is so named because of the ban on eating meat products. The holiday begins 7 days before the start of Lent before Easter. Saturday is popularly called Little Maslenitsa because it takes place a week before Maslenitsa. On this day, all Orthodox believers serve a memorial service for all the departed since the creation of the world. According to tradition, a special dish is prepared - kutya. It is a porridge with nuts, candied fruits or dried fruits, smeared with honey. The special meaning of this dish is that grain, in order to produce bread, must first decay and then be reborn. Likewise, the human body must be buried in order for the immortal soul to continue its path in the Kingdom of Heaven. On this day they attend church, illuminate the Kutya, and a trip to the cemetery is undesirable. In a temple or at home, it is worth praying for all the departed in order to help them ascend to the Lord:
"Jesus Christ! Your servants pray to You for the repose of all those who have now passed away and who live in the Kingdom of Heaven. Rest the souls of the unburied, and grant them eternal peace under Your gaze. From the beginning of the created world to this day. We pray for everyone, for everyone who died on earth and in water, in air and hollow. Amen".
March 25 is parental Saturday of the fourth week (or week) of Lent. During the period of Lent, Orthodox Christians continue to pray for the souls of their deceased relatives, visit the cemetery, where they also ask the Lord to have mercy on all the deceased. During the period of fasting, if parental Saturdays do not fall on significant church holidays, services are short. The Church has established 3 days of prayer, corresponding to each parental Saturday. Orthodox Christians carry notes with the names of everyone they want to remember, and also bring food to the canon. This ancient tradition commemoration of the deceased through the offered refreshments.
April 25 - Radonitsa. The name comes from the word “rejoice”, because the bright holiday of Easter continues. This day falls on Tuesday, and after a memorial service and Easter chants, Orthodox Christians visit the graves of their deceased relatives to commemorate and pray for their souls:
“Our Lord Almighty. We believe in You and trust in the Kingdom of Heaven. Take to yourself the souls of our relatives (names), and guide us on the true path, and deliver us from the evil one, unclean thoughts, anger and inappropriate sorrow. Let us rejoice together, so that the souls of our loved ones may ascend to You. Amen".
On May 9, all deceased soldiers are commemorated. This great day is celebrated throughout the country. Celebrating the main holiday of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, all Orthodox Christians pray for the souls of the defenders who fell in battle. The liturgy also mentions all military personnel who gave their lives for the human race, for its prosperity and well-being.
June 3 - Trinity Parents' Saturday. It, like meat-eating, is celebrated on the eve of Lent. On this day, a memorial service (night vigil) is held, where they pray for the souls of all departed Orthodox Christians since the creation of the world. Mention is made of the great martyrs who accepted death from unbelievers without abandoning their faith in Jesus Christ. This day also precedes the holiday of Trinity, or, as it is also called, Pentecost.
October 28 - Dmitrievskaya Parents' Saturday. The holiday is named in honor of Demetrius of Thessalonica, the holy great martyr. This day was originally set aside to commemorate the deceased soldiers who fought at the Battle of Kulikovo. Now Dmitrievskaya Parental Saturday is a day of remembrance of all deceased Orthodox Christians.
Every Orthodox Christian sacredly honors church holidays and spends time in prayer. They open their souls to the Lord, cleanse their consciousness and help them take the righteous path. Words coming from the heart always find a response in Heaven, so the place for prayer words does not play a huge role. You can pray at home in front of holy images, by candlelight, or simply in a moment of weakness and doubt. We wish you happiness and don't forget to press the buttons and