Parents' day what happens on this day. What do you do on parent's day? How does the Orthodox Church view cremation?

In the Christian tradition there are a large number church holidays, large and small fasts, days of remembrance of holy saints. But, in addition to this, Orthodox believers also pay attention to the memory ordinary people who have passed on to another world. memory - parent's day.

But it concerns all close people, friends, relatives, including parents. The days when they are remembered are generally called. Such days and the date on which parental days should be celebrated will be discussed in the article.

Orthodox canons

According to the liturgical charter, the Orthodox Church remembers Jesus Christ, angels and archangels, John the Baptist, and so on on each day of the week. Whereas on Saturdays, services are held dedicated to the memory of saints and all deceased people who adhered to the Orthodox faith during their lifetime.

At the same time, the church has established both individual and general days for remembrance of the departed. The days when special general commemoration is performed are called parental days of remembrance of the dead, or parent's Saturdays. But it should be noted that tribute to memory at this time is paid not only to parents, but also to other deceased Orthodox Christians.

Why are memorial days “parental”?

Teachers of the Orthodox branch of the Christian Church put forward two versions of why memorial days are parental days, and not just memorial days. The first version says that when it comes to the memory of departed people, the first thing that comes to a person’s mind are those closest to him - his parents.

The second says that the name of this day originates from the idea that people, when dying, go to their “parents,” who used to be called everyone who passed on to another world, and are also included in their number. It appears that both versions have a right to exist.

What date is parent's day?

It is difficult to answer this question unambiguously, because, firstly, there is not one, but several such days, and secondly, these can be different dates every year. Among all, one main day stands out, called Radonitsa or Radunitsa, on which the so-called universal commemoration of the dead takes place. It can be traced in written sources starting from the 14th century.

When is Parents' Day called Radonitsa this year? In 2018, as in other years, it is celebrated on the ninth day after Easter, which in 2018 falls on April 8. Consequently, Radonitsa is celebrated on April 17th. An ecumenical memorial service called the Funeral All-Night Vigil is held in the church.

Commemoration on this day is carried out so that the deceased share with the living the great joy of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There is a version that this is where the name comes from. As for other parenting days, some of their dates also change depending on the celebration of Easter. When are the parent days celebrated in addition to Radonitsa this year? Let's take a closer look at them.

Meat Saturday

This is the very first day of remembrance of the year, called Ecumenical Saturday. In 2018 it fell on February 10th. Celebrating Ecumenical Meat Saturday, Orthodox believers remember everyone who left this world, and especially those who died suddenly.

Due to the fact that Saturday meat emptying is held a certain number of days before the start of Maslenitsa, there is folk tradition cook pancakes on this day. According to custom, the first pancake must be taken to the grave of your parents or other relatives and given to a beggar. There may be not one, but several such pancakes; they are also given to the poor, who are asked to remember the dead.

Parents' days celebrated in Lent

In the second, third and fourth weeks included in Lent, on Saturdays, memorial days are also held. In 2018, they occurred in March on the 3rd, 10th and 17th. These three Saturdays, which fall during strict Christian fasting, were designated by the Orthodox Church to honor the memory of those believers who died while complying with the strict restrictions.

On these three Saturdays, Christians can remember the souls of deceased relatives, acquaintances and friends, since during the rest of Lent there are no private commemorations to be made.

Remembering the fallen soldiers

A special memorial day is the Day of Remembrance of Dead Soldiers, which is celebrated every year on May 9. The Orthodox Church dedicates it to the soldiers who laid down their lives for the faith, for the Motherland, for the people. Including those who died in the Great Patriotic War. They also remember John the Baptist, who died for his pure and sincere faith at the hands of King Herod Antipas, on whose orders he was beheaded.

Trinity Saturday

This day in Orthodoxy is celebrated one day before the celebration of the Holy Trinity. What date is the parent's day called Trinity Saturday? It falls on May 26th in 2018. Since the holiday of the unity of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit is celebrated on Sundays, Trinity commemoration falls on Saturday.

It has been known since the times when the disciples of Jesus Christ lived - the holy apostles. Trinity Saturday is intended for prayers for the souls of the departed, so that they will find peace in heaven, joining eternal life next to the Almighty.

Dmitrievskaya Saturday

This Saturday memorial day was established by the Christian Orthodox Church before they honor St. Demetrius of Thessaloniki, also known as Demetrius the Myrrh-bearer. He is revered as a great martyr who suffered during the time of Emperor Diocletian. It was from his name that the name came.

What date is the parent's day called Dmitrievskaya Saturday? In 2018, as in others, it is celebrated on November 3. At first, Dmitrievskaya Saturday was dedicated to those soldiers who died during the Battle of Kulikovo. But after some time, this day became the day of remembrance of all the dead.

What do you do on parent's day?

As a rule, on Parents' Day, Orthodox Christian believers go to the cemetery. But the first thing a Christian believer must do is go to church for worship. It is also customary to bring treats to the church, which after the memorial service are distributed to those in need, and some are donated to orphanages.

Only after visiting the temple can you go to the cemetery. Candles are lit at the grave and they pray for the deceased. Then you need to sit silently, indulging in memories of the deceased.

In Christianity, in addition to church holidays and fasts, there is also such a thing as parent’s day. 2018 will not be an exception and all believers will remember the souls of their deceased parents and close relatives.

What date are parenting days?

The days when the closest relatives are remembered are called parental days in Christianity. They usually take place on Saturdays. IN church calendar There are eight such memorial days throughout the year. Every year they take place on different days, as they are tied to the main Christian holiday of Easter. It is not for nothing that Saturdays were chosen as memorial days. These are the quietest and least busy days of the week. So, in 2018, Orthodox Christians will have the following parenting days:

Why are the days of remembrance of loved ones called parental days?

There are several interpretations of this fact:

• The first explanation for this name suggests itself. After all, when remembering deceased relatives, we first of all think about the people closest to us - our parents;
• Another version is that after a deceased person is buried, he, according to Christians, goes to his closest people, that is, his parents.

Main memorial day

Radonitsa is considered the main memorial day for Orthodox Christians. In different regions of Russia it is celebrated in different times. According to church canons, the main parental memorial day falls on the ninth day after Easter, namely Tuesday. In 2018 it will be 04/17/18. It should be noted that this day is called differently in different regions of Russia. Somewhere it is called Graves, somewhere Easter of the Dead, and somewhere Radovnica. However, the essence of this holiday remains unchanged. This is a special day for remembering deceased parents and closest people. It is believed that the name “Radonitsa” comes from the verb “to rejoice”, since on this day we not only remember our deceased loved ones, but also congratulate them on Easter, believing that the Kingdom of Heaven will come and all the dead will be resurrected.

The main feature of this day is the preparation of a special treat, which is intended both for people living now and for the dead. On Radonitsa, eggs are painted again and kutia is prepared. It should be noted that most eggs are painted red. In some regions of Russia, the tradition of “christening with the dead” has been preserved. To do this, red eggs are buried in the ground. In some villages it is customary to place them in the ground directly in the cemetery, in others it is enough to bury them in a field or behind the house where the deceased lived. In such an area, it is generally believed that “the dead move underground.”

Another constant dish on Radonitsa is kutia. This is what I call porridge made from wheat or rice, mixed with raisins, nuts, poppy seeds and dried fruits. Before you start eating at the funeral table, you must definitely taste kutya.

Some Slavic peoples They also kept the tradition of baking pancakes on this day. Some housewives bake thin, translucent treats, while others prefer lush delicacies. Regardless of this, pancakes are considered to be fully prepared according to the ritual if they are well oiled. It is the amount of oil that indicates how relatives remember the deceased. The first pancakes are traditionally placed in a bundle or basket and taken to the cemetery.

Until now, all relatives come to Radonitsa to visit the graves of the deceased so that they can all remember their loved ones together and taste pancakes. In the old days, this was the end of the meal at the cemetery. People went home and festive table continued to remember the dead.

If a wake at home involved the consumption of alcohol, it was forbidden to clink glasses. The use of knives and forks was also unacceptable. It was forbidden to throw away leftovers from the funeral table. It was customary to feed the “birds of heaven” with them.

It is worth noting that during Soviet power some traditions have undergone changes. If before the October Revolution of 1917 Radonitsa was considered a holiday, and everyone could visit the cemetery without any problems, then during the Soviet period this became problematic. Despite this, people still came to their deceased relatives, but not on Tuesday, but on Sunday.

Another change was that lavish meals with alcohol began to be held next to the graves. Moreover, after them eggs, glasses with vodka, bread and other food were left at the burial sites. The Church considers this unacceptable. When remembering loved ones, it is necessary to pray for their souls and hope that resurrection awaits us all.

Church ministers believe that Easter cakes, eggs, etc., which are left after commemoration, are a sign of pagan traditions - “treating the dead.” If you consider yourself Orthodox person, then you shouldn't do it. It is also unacceptable to pour alcohol on graves.

The most correct behavior at the grave of the deceased in Radonitsa is considered to be the following order of things:

• before the holiday it is necessary to clean the grave and bring it into proper condition;
• when visiting a burial place, you should light a candle and read a prayer;
• after this, together with other relatives, you need to remember the deceased in the best light;
• at the end you can taste pancakes or Easter cakes and congratulate the dead on the Holy Resurrection.

“Radonitsa” means spring commemoration of the dead. Just during this period, when nature begins to blossom, the living appeased the dead, remembering them, and tried to share the joy of resurrection with the dead. Radonitsa calls on believers not to worry or cry over the death of relatives, but, on the contrary, to rejoice at their rebirth for a new eternal life. This holiday is recognized by the church, but it has pagan and folk roots.

Orthodox traditions

On this day, people visit churches and temples, and also listen to funeral services. In addition, it is customary to bring treats to remember the deceased in the home of loved ones, in a work group, or near the grave of the deceased. It is also customary to bring treats (cookies, sweets) to the temple, which after the memorial service are distributed to those in need, and some are donated to orphanages around the church.

Traditionally, on Parents' Day, people visit the cemetery to bring the graves of their deceased relatives into a worthy appearance. Before arriving at the cemetery, you need to perform the following ritual: one of the relatives needs to visit the church at the beginning of the memorial service to pay in the name of the deceased. The deceased will be remembered at the altar. It is also welcome if those who commemorate this day receive communion themselves.

Folk and pagan traditions

There is another tradition on Parents' Day: leaving food at the grave of the deceased. And some even leave a glass of wine next to the grave. But this tradition is not Orthodox, but belongs to. On this day, it is important to pray for the soul of the deceased, and it is recommended to distribute food products to the poor, but not leave them in the cemetery.

Many relatives strive to decorate the graves of their loved ones with artificial flowers. The church strongly does not recommend doing this, since this ritual is a deceptive process. Artificial flowers are a symbol of everything unreal. You should decorate the grave only with fresh flowers, and it is advisable that the flowers be from your own garden. You should also refrain from buying flowers; the best thing to do is to distribute the money to the hungry. Deceased relatives need memory, not your senseless waste.

Having visited the grave, you need to remember his good deeds and name his good deeds. It's important to remember everything positive aspects character and conduct a conversation with the deceased. A family memorial dinner is also a good tradition of parent’s day.

On Tuesday of the second week of Easter, which is called St. Thomas week, Orthodox Church celebrates Radonitsa - the day of special remembrance of the dead, the first after Easter.

The 9th day from Easter is Parents' Day, it is customary to visit the cemetery and remember deceased relatives.

Special All Souls' Day

Initially, Radonitsy (radonitsy, funeral feasts) are the names of deities personifying the veneration of the dead, guardians of the souls of dead people. The Radonians and their wards were offered sacrifices from abundant feasts and libations on funeral mounds, so that the soul of the deceased, who had not yet flown away, could enjoy the spectacle of the respect that the living showed it. Gradually, the word “trizna” began to mean a wake, and “radonitsa” - the spring commemoration of the dead. It was spring, because the living especially tried to appease the dead during the heyday of nature, the final retreat of winter, the time dead sleep all over the earth.

Customs

It is on Radonitsa that there is a custom of celebrating Easter at the graves of the departed, where they bring painted eggs and other Easter dishes, where a funeral meal is served and part of what was prepared is given to the poor brethren for the funeral of the soul. This real, living, everyday communication with the departed reflects the belief that even after death they do not cease to be members of the Church of That God, Who “is not the God of the dead, but of the living” (Matthew 22:32).

There is a wonderful example of how our dead share with us the joy of the Resurrection of the Savior. One day, one pious elder of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra on Easter went with the deacon to burn in the caves where the deceased rested. And as soon as they exclaimed: “Christ is risen, fathers and brethren!”, a loud exclamation was heard in response: “Truly he is risen!”

“Let us 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,” writes St. John Chrysostom.

History of the holiday Radonitsa

According to the testimony of St. John Chrysostom (IV century), the holiday of Radonitsa was celebrated in Christian cemeteries already in ancient times. Its very name was adopted from the pan-Slavic pagan spring holiday in commemoration of the dead, called Navy Day, Graves, Radavanitsy or Triznami. Etymologically, the word “radonitsa” goes back to the words “kind” and “joy”, and the special place of Radonitsa in the annual circle of church holidays - immediately after Easter Week - seems to oblige Christians not to delve into worries about the death of loved ones, but, on the contrary, to rejoice their birth into another life - eternal life. The victory over death, won by the death and resurrection of Christ, displaces the sadness of temporary separation from relatives, and therefore we, in the words of Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh, “with faith, hope and Easter confidence, stand at the tombs of the departed.”

According to tradition, “they plow on Radonitsa in the morning, cry during the day, and jump in the evening,” that is, they begin agricultural work, visit graves and then have fun in the evening. This day has long become a secular Day of Remembrance or Obedience, in contrast to Trinity Parental Saturday.

From deep pre-Christian antiquity there is a custom of marking a burial place by building a hill above it. Having adopted this custom, Christian Church decorates the grave hill with the victorious sign of our salvation - the Holy Life-Giving Cross. The cross on the grave of an Orthodox Christian is a silent preacher of blessed immortality and resurrection. Planted in the ground and rising towards the sky, it signifies the faith of Christians that the body of the deceased is here in the earth, and the soul is in heaven, that under the cross is hidden a seed that grows for eternal life in the Kingdom of God.

The now widespread custom of visiting cemeteries on the very day of Easter contradicts the most ancient institutions of the Church: until the ninth day after Easter, commemoration of the dead is never performed. If a person dies on Easter, then he is buried according to a special Easter rite. Easter is a time of special and exceptional joy, a celebration of victory over death and over all sorrow and sadness.

We cordially congratulate all Christians on the holiday of Radonitsa!

Beliefs on Parents' Day, which occurs nine days after Easter Sunday, are no less important than. From this article you will learn how to properly remember the dead.

In the article:

On the ninth day after Easter, they visit the graves of relatives. This is a bright day on which you should not be sad and remember death. Think better about what will be given to all the dead eternal life. Before going to the cemetery, they usually order a memorial service and pray for the souls of the deceased family members.


The first thing you should do upon arriving at the cemetery is clean up; this is the main sign for Parents' Day. Graves must be kept clean. The burial area is cleared of debris, weeds are removed, and gravestones are wiped free of dust and dirt.

After cleaning is completed, the burial is usually decorated with artificial flowers. There is also a tradition of placing candles on graves, which are placed in special lamps so that they do not go out from the wind. You can buy them in any large store or market, especially on the eve of Christian holidays.

Closer to our time, a tradition has emerged of organizing feasts near graves on Parents' Day. This is not entirely correct. You shouldn’t set a lavish table, but you should take traditional Easter dishes with you. Alcoholic drinks are allowed, but getting drunk, as on Easter Sunday, is not allowed. Our ancestors even drank jelly and compotes during funerals, and gave vodka only to those who dug graves in the cold to protect them from the cold.

At the cemetery you should pray and remember the deceased only with good words. You can be silent for a while, think about him, mentally talk with the deceased.

Signs and customs of Parents' Day allow for the laying of treats and drinks on the grave - Easter, eggs and sweets, sometimes vodka. This controversial issue, many do not agree with such actions.

On Parents' Day they try to treat the poor. They can be seen in the cemetery during church holidays, because they have long been aware of this tradition. Treats include candy, eggs and Easter. You should not take leftover food from the cemetery with you; distribute it or leave it at the grave.

Customs of the feast

In some regions of our country, on Parents' Day they did not go to the cemetery, but held a memorial feast. Some believed that the spirits of the dead came to their homes and visited living family members.

The table was usually set with Easter dishes, but not as richly as on Easter Sunday. Everything that was left after the feast was distributed to the poor and the priests were treated. They put water and a plate of bread crumbs for the spirits on the windowsill, and they also left extra utensils for them. At the table they always remembered the deceased with good words; it was believed that this way one could get a powerful memory.

There was also a tradition not to go to the bathhouse on this day, but to heat it for the dead, leaving water and clean linen. It was forbidden to go there from the very morning of Parents' Day and for the whole night until the beginning of Wednesday.

Under no circumstances should you get drunk during a funeral feast; this will lead to problems for the whole year and can even be compared in effect to. Many contemporaries prefer not only to organize home funeral feasts, but also to visit graves.

Signs for Parents' Day after Easter

There is another weather sign for Parents' Memorial Day. It says that the weather on Easter and Parents' Day will be the same as in Palm Sunday. A good day foreshadowed a happy and successful year.

Previously, everyone visited the graves of relatives. If a person moved to another city, memorial days were another reason to visit our native places. But it is not recommended, just like going to a funeral. If you are expecting a child, remember your deceased loved ones at home.

As mentioned above, before visiting graves they usually stop by the church. Another tradition of this holiday is donations to temples and distribution of alms to the poor. They do this near churches, and at the cemetery they only hand out treats.

In the past, if there was thunder on that day, girls would collect rainwater, put a gold or silver object in it and wash themselves. It was believed that this way one could preserve beauty and youth for a long time. Fortune telling was also common, which was not much different from Christmas.

Agricultural work cannot be done on Parents' Day, otherwise there will be no harvest.

Since the chances are high at this time, you can try to see a prophetic dream from your parents or other deceased people in your family. To do this, before leaving the cemetery they said the following words:

Radunitsa, St. Thomas Week, Day of All Souls, I call you to help. Please give me a prophetic dream. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In general, knowledge of such signs will help you not only make the death of your loved ones easier, but also understand what exactly to expect from life in the future.