What should you never do on Parents' Day and how to properly remember the deceased? Rituals associated with Parents' Day What is done on Parents' Day on Tuesday.

Reservoirs 13.02.2024

Reservoirs

The catechist of the Resurrection Cathedral in Semey, Vitaly Aleksandrovich Yavkin, talks about this and much more.

On Easter, many people visit the cemetery where the graves of their loved ones are located. Unfortunately, in some families there is a blasphemous custom of drinking alcohol on this day. But even those who do not do this often do not know how exactly one can and should correctly remember the dead. And even more so, not many people know why parent’s day is called Radonitsa and is celebrated precisely on the 9th day after Easter.

On Tuesday of the second week of Easter, which is called St. Thomas Week, the Orthodox Church celebrates Radonitsa - the day of special remembrance of the dead, the first after Easter. This is an ancient Christian holiday, which John Chrysostom mentioned at the beginning of the fourth century.

On Radonitsa it was customary, and this continues to this day, for families to go to cemeteries, to the graves of their loved ones and relatives, to mourn them, experiencing their loss once again, to remember them, listing their good deeds that the deceased performed during their earthly life, remember the good distinctive features of their character, as if talking to the deceased, believing that they hear us on this day. Etymologically, the word “Radonitsa” goes back to the words “kind” and “joy”, and Radonitsa has a special place in the annual circle of church holidays - immediately after Bright Easter Week.

Radonitsa, as it were, obliges Christians not to delve into worries about the death of loved ones, but, on the contrary, to rejoice at their birth into another life - eternal life. The victory over death won by the life and resurrection of Christ displaces the sadness of temporary separation from relatives.

As for the 9th day after Easter, this is simply a matter of the Church Charter. Usually, after the Easter holidays, on the first weekday during which we can serve a memorial service, Radonitsa falls. Throughout Bright Week (week) we rejoice at the Resurrection of the Savior, and only on Tuesday of the second week should we remember our dear departed. First of all, come to Church, order memorial services, pray for the salvation of their souls, and only then go decorate the graves of loved ones.

Is it possible to often mourn the dead and often visit their graves? Or is it better to believe that they are already in the Kingdom of God, which means they are better off than we are, and there is no need to bother them and torment ourselves?

And again I will answer that we need not to kill ourselves and cry, but to pray for our dead. You can remember them both in the temple and with good deeds in memory of them. But keep in mind, we do not know where the person dear to us ended up after death: in the Kingdom of God or in hell. This is why we do good deeds, so that the Lord will take him to himself.

As for tears, there is a sin called “self-eating,” when a person grieves more than necessary, thinks how much he did not give to the deceased, how much he could have done for him, but did not have time or did not consider it necessary. A person must be valued, respected and protected during his lifetime, so that after death he does not have to ask for forgiveness at his grave. After death, it is no longer possible to make up for lost time.

What is better and more correct on Parents' Day: to light a candle in the church for the repose of the departed, to remember them in the soul with kind words, or to gather relatives and friends at home and remember those who have passed on to another world with a dinner with alcohol? And in general, how does the Orthodox Church feel about the presence of alcoholic beverages on the table, both on parent’s day and on the day of the funeral itself?

Alcoholic drinks at funeral dinners are strictly prohibited by the Church. By commemorating deceased loved ones with alcohol, we desecrate their memory and do not honor it. They only expect prayers from us, not sumptuous dinners. We must pray for those who are no longer around. This is done because death very often comes suddenly, and a person simply does not have time to prepare for it, reconcile with God, and repent of all his sins. If at the wake we limit ourselves to just arranging the table (as often happens), spend all our energy on this, and forget about the church commemoration, then we will not bring any benefit to the soul of the deceased.

How does the Orthodox Church relate to the custom of eating in a cemetery after people have cleaned up the graveyard? Is it necessary to leave a glass of vodka and a piece of bread at the grave “for the deceased”?

We can remember deceased loved ones in the cemetery, but this must be done according to the rules. Having repaired the grave after winter, we have the right to arrange a memorial dinner in the cemetery. But it must begin with a prayer for the deceased. After the meal, you need to read the prayer again.

Once again I emphasize that alcohol is unacceptable. You should also not leave alcohol or food at the grave. This is a pagan echo, when it was customary to organize not only feasts and dances in cemeteries, but also entire gladiator fights. Food also attracts crowds of drunkards to the graves, who rummage through every wreath in search of alcohol and cigarettes, followed by flocks of stray animals. Both of them trample the graves of people dear to us, and dogs even lie on the tombstones. After all, during our lifetime, none of us would allow a dirty stray dog to lie next to his mother, father or brother. Food also attracts flies and worms to the grave. You cannot stick cigarettes into a grave and light them just because the deceased liked to smoke. I repeat, he only needs our prayers.

But not only people who have drunk themselves go to cemeteries on Parents' Day in search of vodka and food, but also children - in the hope of finding candy, cookies or gingerbread on the grave that their drunken parents will never buy for them. Can't we leave food for them?

These children are sent to the cemetery by degenerate parents. And each such child is looking not only for candy for himself, but also for a scale for mom or dad. They all know that our church has a free refectory where people of any religion can come any day of the week and eat. But neither these children nor their parents come to us, because there is only one rule: you must come to the refectory sober and clean. For the most part, such people are drunk, dirty, and foul-mouthed. They behave unworthily, just like those people who stand collecting alms near the temple gates. Many parishioners, out of ignorance, give them this alms, which is strictly prohibited. After all, they take this money exclusively for alcohol.

Yes, we must give alms, do good deeds, feed and clothe the needy, but we must do this wisely. If we see that a person is really in need, or even better, if we know this person, we are obliged to help him. But if we see a hungry tramp sitting, then we don’t need to give him money, it’s better to buy him food. For he, having drunk away the money you gave him, will turn your good deed into evil.

Where did the custom of decorating the graves of loved ones with flowers and wreaths and marking the burial place by erecting a hill and a cross above it come from?

The Church has a negative attitude towards decorating graves with flowers and wreaths. This custom came to us at the end of the 19th century from Europe, where they began to decorate graves with flowers and wreaths. At that time, merchants bought out entire botanical gardens, and also set up parks on the graves of their ancestors. Even the great Saint John of Kronstadt said that if you have extra money that you want to spend, it is better to distribute it to those in need. Take him to an orphanage, a nursing home, to a place where it is painful, hungry and difficult.

You cannot decorate graves with artificial flowers, this is a deception before God. Even the Church is decorated only with fresh flowers during major holidays. Fake flowers are not a real sacrifice. If you want to decorate the grave, do it with fresh flowers. But provided that these are flowers from your garden. If they are purchased, then you don’t need them either. Better give this money to truly needy people. Your deceased loved one needs good deeds in memory of him, and not a pointless waste of money or a bouquet. We carry these flowers to calm our own souls; the dead only need our prayers. The number of colors (even or odd) does not matter. It's just superstition.

Wreaths are also not needed. This is not our custom. He was condemned by the holy fathers. According to all the rules, an Orthodox grave should be arranged like this: a simple light fence is needed so that the grave is not trampled by animals or people if the mound is erased from the face of the earth. The hill signifies the position of the deceased's body. The cross means that an Orthodox Christian is buried here. During our lifetime, we designate ourselves as Orthodox with a cross on our body. After death - a cross on the grave. 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 cross must be wooden.

But it is not durable. Marble slabs look much more beautiful and richer... Let those around you see that a person from a wealthy family is buried here, for whom no expense was spared even after death, that is, they installed an expensive stone monument, and not a cheap wooden cross.

A cross that has rotted and fallen in due time is buried on the grave, then a new one is placed. Stone slabs and steles are absolutely not needed. From a moral point of view, the Church condemns such “eternal” monuments. Because they survive the relatives of the deceased. The cemetery may remain abandoned. It is destroyed by looters, and then the sidewalks are paved with these gravestones. They walk on them, spit, and put out cigarette butts. As a living example, I can cite the cemetery that used to be located where the Spartak stadium is now located. Before the revolution, it was a burial place for Christians. In the early 60s it was destroyed, and the gravestones were stolen throughout the city. It got to the point that sidewalks were paved with them. Many of these slabs are coated with paint and covered with cement. They were sidewalks, they were trampled underfoot. If you want people to walk around in the name of your mother, father, brother and spit on their names, put up a slab like this. The Church does not prohibit it. But this is wrong and not good...People still dig up these slabs and bring them to us at the Resurrection Cathedral, where we keep them.

People often put dentures, glasses, coins in the coffin with the deceased to buy a place in Heaven, even mobile phones. In other words, they bury with the person everything that he often used during his lifetime. Is it correct?

When burying our loved ones, we should not put anything in the coffin other than what is required. And this is a veil, a pectoral cross, a halo on the forehead. If you don't know what to put, you need to ask the church. There should be no foreign objects in the coffin. All of them are an echo of paganism, when they buried in boats, dumping entire herds of slaughtered cattle there... Regarding glasses, then, if the deceased had eight pairs of glasses throughout his life, what, do you order all eight to be put in? Of course not. It's too much. To meet God you do not need glasses or dentures.

Not long ago, one of our priests was invited to the funeral service for a deceased person who passed away young. And what was the priest’s surprise when he saw that a cigarette had been inserted into the deceased’s teeth, and it was smoking! When the priest asked what was going on, the relatives of the deceased replied that during his lifetime he was very fond of smoking. And this is his last cigarette, because after the funeral service he will be interred. The priest refused the funeral service and explained to the relatives of the deceased that their actions were blasphemy and a mockery of the corpse, which he did not want to join.

What should we do when the deceased come to us in a dream and ask for something (a belt, socks, cigarettes, glasses)? What is more correct in this case: to go to the cemetery and leave this thing on the grave, or to light a candle in the temple for the repose of a loved one and pray for him?

This happens quite often, if people do not remember the deceased, do not light candles in the church, do not order magpie, if they do not even have time to pray for him. It is not the dead person who comes into our dreams. Our deceased relative is either in heaven or hell. And they don’t come from there. A guardian angel sent by the Lord comes into our dreams. And this angel takes the image of our departed mothers, fathers, in a word, those who had authoritative significance for us. If we do not listen to them, we will not listen to anyone, even if the Lord himself comes to us.

Asking for things should not be taken literally. The deceased does not ask for a belt, watch or glasses, but for prayer or good deeds in memory of him. After such dreams, you need to order a magpie in the church and light a funeral candle. After visiting the temple, you can light a candle in front of the icon at home and pray for those who are no longer with us.

If possible, buy the item that the deceased asks for and give it to those in need. You cannot bury anything on the grave. The burial site is not a garbage dump. This place is holy. It's like a temple. You won’t bury anything on the territory of the Church, will you? You cannot do this at the grave of a once dearly loved or respected person.

The deceased's belongings should be distributed to those in need after his funeral. I would also like to remind you that older people who already feel the arrival of their own death need to have time to divide all their property between their heirs while still alive, and need to give them instructions on how to live on. The idea that if a person has given everything away, it means he will soon die is a superstition. It cannot be allowed that after the death of a person, when his body has not yet cooled down, a war arises between the heirs over who will get more and who will get less valuable property of the deceased, the soul of the deceased, looking at this, will grieve. All your material issues need to be resolved here and now, that is, during your lifetime.

- Is it possible to light a funeral candle in a church if you don’t know for sure whether the deceased person was baptized or not?

You can light candles. However, you cannot order memorial services and magpies. You also cannot pray for him with church prayer. You can only pray in your own words: Lord forgive all his sins, voluntary and involuntary, if this is possible.

- How often should the deceased be remembered?

It is very important to remember the deceased on the day of his death, on the 9th and 40th day, at six months and on the anniversary after death, as well as on the day of his earthly birth, on the day of remembrance of the saint whose name he bore, and on parental days . According to church tradition, for forty days after death the soul of the deceased prepares for God's judgment. From the first to the third day she stays in the places of the earthly life of the deceased, from the third to the ninth she is shown the heavenly abodes, from the ninth to the fortieth - the torment of sinners in hell. On the fortieth day, God’s decision is made where the soul of the deceased will be until the Last Judgment - when souls will again unite with transformed bodies, and the endless life of all humanity will begin in a new, transformed world, where everyone will take their place according to the passage of earthly life and largely depending from the Church’s prayers for him after his death. Therefore, the Church established special commemoration of the dead on the third, ninth and fortieth days. And, of course, we need to remember the deceased every time we visit church. You need to go here as often as possible. This is important both for us, the living, and for those who have already died and for whom we pray.

- How does the Orthodox Church relate to cremation?

The method of burial through cremation of the body, quite popular now in big cities, is completely non-Orthodox. It cannot be acceptable to a believer.

Thanks for the informative conversation. Everything you said can only be learned in the Church, which, alas, there is not always time to visit. What are your wishes to the family members?

Remember, the goal of every Christian’s life is the salvation of the soul. That is, inheritance after bodily death and the Second Coming of Christ of eternal blissful sojourn with God. And the more good deeds we do, the more sincere prayers we address to God, the more grace we will receive from him. Love your loved ones during life, here and now. Then, after death, it will be too late. And it is better to speak words of love to living parents today than to cry at their grave tomorrow.

The conversation was conducted by Elena FOMENKO

Deceased relatives and loved ones will never be with us again. However, this is not a reason to forget them. Many believe that the dead in the next world expect living prayers and worry if they do not receive them. There is also a special day on which it is customary to go to the grave of the dead.

This is Parents' Day or Radonitsa, which falls on the 9th day after Easter. Rituals performed on this day could help fulfill desires, bring wealth, and improve health.

History of Radonitsa

This day is usually associated with the church and Christianity, but Radonitsa has pagan roots. Once upon a time in Rus' they celebrated the holiday of the dead. It took place in the spring. According to Slavic beliefs, the keeper of the souls of the dead was called Radonitsa or Radunitsa. Once upon a time, our ancestors went to funeral mounds and made sacrifices. Then the souls of the dead rejoiced, because... felt that they were loved and respected.

When the baptism of Rus' took place, the holiday remained, but was filled with new meaning. Parents' Day also has another name - Easter of the Dead. On this day it was customary to rejoice, because Jesus Christ won victory over death.

Experts believe that the word “Radonitsa” comes from the word “clan”, but some associate it with the word “joy”, because On this day, ancestors are reminded that the Resurrection of Christ recently took place - one of the most joyful events.

Signs for parent's day

There are many signs for Parents' Day. Whether to believe them or not, everyone decides for themselves.

On this day you cannot work in the garden, dig, or sow. Those who violate this prohibition may not count on a good harvest.
We also looked closely at the weather outside the window. If it rained heavily before lunch, and a strong wind blew during the day and evening, this indicated the dissatisfaction of the deceased. They are worried because... relatives do not come to the cemetery. But if there is no wind on this day, but it is raining, this was considered a good omen: there will be happiness in the houses, as well as a good harvest. If the weather was sunny and spring, they believed that the parents breathed warmth from their graves.
Pregnant women are not allowed to visit the cemetery on Mother's Day.
If you go to the cemetery on this day, but do not remember the deceased, then after death you will not be remembered either.

Traditions and customs

Etymologically, the word “radonitsa” goes back to the words “kind” and “joy”, which obliges Christians not to grieve or lament the death of loved ones.

On Parents' Day you can also perform rituals and read conspiracies. But before you ask for help for yourself, for the good of your family, you need to honor traditions and spend this day correctly. What needs to be done on parent's day?

Visit the graves of loved ones with the whole family, remember something good about them, list their virtues. Many believed that on this day the dead hear the living.
You can't worry about the death of loved ones. On this day one should rejoice, believe in eternal life, all of Christ has won victory over death.
Visit church, pray, order a memorial service.
You should not drink alcohol in large quantities.
Clean the grave after a long winter. You can have a dinner right here to remember the departed. But before and after it, we must not forget about prayer. It is not recommended to leave anything on the grave, because... this custom has pagan roots.
Some people like to decorate tombstones with flowers. The Church does not approve of this. Artificial flowers are especially undesirable. You can bring fresh flowers if you have your own garden and you took them from there. But you shouldn't buy flowers. It is better to spend this money on people who need help. Orthodox fathers condemned those who carried wreaths to graves
Give alms. On this day, it was customary to treat the poor or holy fools and give them alms so that they would remember the dead.
Previously, a bathhouse for the dead was prepared in Radonitsa. At night they put soap, clean clothes, and brooms in it. It was impossible to enter such a bathhouse at night, because... otherwise the dead could be disturbed. But in the morning everyone went to the bathhouse together and raked away the ashes. Then it was possible to find out the future by one sign or another or get an answer to an exciting question.
In the old days, food was left on the table or windowsill for the dead. It should have been enough for the whole day, i.e. these were lunch, breakfast and dinner. Eggs for Radonitsa were painted separately. If Easter eggs were red, then these eggs for remembrance are yellow or green.

Conspiracies, rituals, customs for parent's day

Rituals and rituals performed on parent's day can help solve complex problems and make your life happier. As already mentioned, the rain that day was long-awaited, because... brought happiness.

There was a custom of “calling out the rain,” which was usually done by children, but adults could also do it. It was necessary, upon seeing the cloud, to exclaim:

“Water, rain, on woman’s rye, on grandfather’s wheat, on girl’s flax, water with a bucket” or “Rain, rain, let it fall harder, quickly, warm us guys up!”

If it started to rain after that. If a person washed himself with such rainwater, it brought him good luck and happiness.

On this day, girls washed themselves through rings, gold or silver. Then they could remain beautiful and young for a long time.

Conspiracy for family well-being, wealth

This conspiracy will make the spirits help you and increase your income. In addition, all relatives of those deceased whom you asked for help through this conspiracy will have prosperity. If you carry out such rituals these days, your children will definitely get rich.

You need to purchase various goodies in the store: cookies, chocolates, gingerbreads. You need to go to church early in the morning (before the service). All these sweets should be placed in the alms basket. On the eve, candles are usually lit for the repose.

It is necessary to purchase 12 candles and place them on 12 deceased relatives, repeating:

“Rest, O Lord, the soul of Your departed servant (name).”

When all the candles are lit, you need to read the funeral prayer:

“God of spirits and all flesh, having trampled down death and abolished the devil, and given life to Thy world! Himself, Lord, give rest to the souls of your departed servants: your most holy patriarchs, eminence metropolitans, archbishops and bishops, who served you in the priestly ecclesiastical and monastic ranks; the creators of this holy temple, the Orthodox forefathers, fathers, brothers and sisters, lying here and everywhere; leaders and warriors who laid down their lives for the faith and fatherland, the faithful who were killed in internecine warfare, drowned, burned, frozen to death, torn to pieces by beasts, suddenly died without repentance and did not have time to reconcile with the Church and with their enemies; at the awakening of the minds of those who committed suicide, those for whom we were commanded and asked to pray, for whom there is no one to pray and the faithful, the Christian burial of those deprived of (names) in a bright place, in a green place, in a place of peace, from where sickness, sadness and sighing can escape. Every sin committed by them in word or deed or thought, as a good Lover of mankind, God forgives, as if there is no man who will live and not sin. For You are the only one besides sin, Your righteousness is righteousness forever, and Your word is truth. For You are the Resurrection, and the Life and Repose of the departed Thy servant (name), Christ our God, and to You we send glory with Your beginningless Father, and Your Most Holy, and Good, and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen."

Then notes are given with the names of those whom you decide to remember. At a memorial service, it is customary to stand with candles in your hands. You need to buy a huge candle. It should not burn out completely during service. The candle stub must be brought home and placed in front of the icon.

“In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Body to earth, soul to heaven. The body is on the ground, the money is in the bins. Servant of God (name of relative), I prayed to Christ God for you, so that He would rest you in the villages of paradise, and fill you with every good thing, and you pray for me, so that the Lord would give me peace here on earth and fill me with every good thing. nourished All my relatives, I pray to you: All our holy relatives, who have shone forth from the ancient years and labored in the last days, manifested and not manifested, known and unknown! Remember our weakness and humiliation and with your prayers ask Christ our God, so that we too, having sailed comfortably through the abyss of life and preserved the treasure of faith unharmed, may reach the haven of eternal salvation and dwell in the blessed abodes of the mountainous Fatherland, together with you and with all the saints who have pleased Him from the ages. , to the grace and love of mankind of our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom, together with the eternal Father and the Most Holy Spirit, befits unceasing praise and worship from all creatures forever and ever. Amen".

How to get help from deceased relatives

Things don't always go the way we would like. Almost every person has experienced a dark period in life when they especially need help or support. You can count on friends and relatives, or you can hold rituals that will provide support for those who have long been dead.

If before parent’s day you feel that everything is bad, there are too many failures in life, you need to take a landscape sheet and write the words of the conspiracy on it in red ink. Place this note on the table, and next to it - a photograph of the deceased person whose help you are counting on. The next day, on Radonitsa, the paper with the conspiracy written on it must be burned and the photograph put away.

“Servant of God (name of the deceased), I remember you, I don’t forget about you, I wish you peace and a bright life in paradise, your soul has parted with worldly affairs, trouble remains on earth, so this trouble fell on me, She grabbed me with her claws and teeth, she won’t let me go, my soul is dying, help me, (the name of the deceased) say goodbye to trouble, so as not to meet it on earth. Amen".

There is another version of this conspiracy. To get advice and support from the deceased, you need to go to the cemetery on Parents' Day. There you need to find the grave of a person close to you and kneel in front of it. After this, the words of the conspiracy are spoken. When they are pronounced, you need to close your eyes and sit in silence for 5 minutes. A thought should come to mind that will tell you how to cope with a difficult situation.

“My dear (name of the deceased), wake up, get up. Look how I run around in this wide world and suffer. Caress me with a kind word."

How to use a conspiracy to help the soul of the deceased

It’s nice to receive help from your deceased relatives, but even in the next world it’s not always easy for the soul. The living can help her by reading this conspiracy to Radonitsa. For this ritual you also need to visit the church and buy 12 identical candles there. After this, it is advisable to return home, take out a photograph of the deceased and light all the candles.

After looking at the picture, you need to cross yourself and repeat the words of the conspiracy three times:

“Lord, have mercy on the sinful soul of Your servant(s) (name of the deceased), do not leave him/her to be torn apart by demons and damned devils, do not let the flammable cauldron fall into the cauldron, be merciful and forgive her all her sins. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen".

After this, the candles must be extinguished and go to church again (on the same day) and put them there.

If you have somehow offended a person who has already died, on Parents' Day you can ask him for forgiveness. To do this, you need to go to the cemetery, taking the paint. Approaching the grave, you should cross yourself three times and bow to the tombstone. Then place the egg on the grave and ask a relative or friend to forgive for Christ’s sake.

Conspiracy for health

You can improve your health on Radonitsa. To do this, you need to find any thing that was once the property of the deceased. It is better to stop your choice on something valuable - a watch, jewelry, clothes will do. Before you cast a spell, you need to prepare: lay a white tablecloth on the table.

You need to put this thing on this table and say the words of the conspiracy three times. When it becomes dark, it is necessary, whispering a conspiracy, to touch the forehead, navel and knees with the thing. Then this thing needs to be put away where it was before.

“(Name of the deceased) come, find what (name of the deceased) left, impart the healing power and go back. Let the illness go away with your help, let the illness recede and disappear. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen".

Conspiracy for a prophetic dream

On the night of Radonitsa, deceased parents or other relatives may come in a dream to tell you about your future.

To have such a prophetic dream, you need to go to the cemetery, bow and say:

“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".

Radonitsa or Parents' Day after Easter in 2014 comes on April 29. Radonitsa is a memorial day, according to customs and traditions, on Parent’s Day they remember deceased relatives and friends by visiting cemeteries. Let's remember in this article what signs there are on Radonitsa, the customs and traditions of Parents' Day, how to pray and how to remember the departed.

Radonitsa occurs on the 9th day after Easter. According to customs, on this day people usually tried to appease the dead, because the time of nature’s heyday was coming, winter was finally receding, and it was also believed that the time of the dead sleep of the entire earth was receding.

Radonitsa is a holiday on which the Orthodox Church especially commemorates all the departed. “On Radonitsa they plow 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.

In the annual circle of church holidays, Radonitsa or Parents' Day is given a special place. This holiday seems to oblige Christians not to delve into worries about the death of loved ones, but, on the contrary, to rejoice at their birth into another life - eternal life.

On Radonitsa there is a custom of celebrating at the graves of deceased relatives, where they bring colored eggs and other Easter dishes, and part of the prepared treat is given to the poor for the funeral of the soul.

In Christianity, the ritual of remembrance is attending a church service. It is best to remember the departed with prayer; this is the most important thing that the living can do for those who have passed on to another world.

Ideally, commemoration consists of attending a service in a church, a memorial service in a cemetery, for which you can invite a priest.

On Parents' Day after Easter It is important that there is order on the graves of the deceased; special attention is paid to the cross, which must stand straight.

When you come to the Radonitsa cemetery, you must light a candle and pray.

Be sure to bring flowers to the cemetery - real or artificial.

What drinks can you drink in a cemetery?

Previously, villages used to brew funeral drinks - jelly and compote. As for vodka, the tradition was this: it was given to those who dug graves in winter, so that people would not freeze in the cold.

Special days are established to commemorate the dead . This is Dmitrovskaya Saturday, the last Saturday before Maslenitsa, Tuesday in St. Thomas's week (radinitsa, or radonitsa), Saturday before Trinity Day (parent's Saturday), Trinity Day.

Radonitsa 2014: signs and customs

Existing signs for Radonitsa 2014 are largely related to the weather. It is believed that if it rains on Radonitsa before lunch, and the wind blows after lunch, this means that the souls of the dead are worried that they will not be visited or remembered.

Another sign is also related to the weather. According to signs, what the weather was like on Palm Sunday, it was similar on Easter and on Parents' Day.

On Parents' Day (or Radonitsa) you can see a dream from relatives, which can be prophetic. To call him, they came to the cemetery and, bowing, said: “Radunitsa, St. Thomas Week, the day of all the departed, 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".

After Orthodoxy was established as the dominant religion in Rus', many customs and traditions were transferred from paganism. This also applies to the Radonitsa holiday. It does not have a clearly established date, since the holiday is celebrated 9 days after Easter. This day is considered special in remembrance of the dead.

Radunitsa is celebrated on St. Thomas Week on Tuesday. This is a working day unless it falls on a calendar holiday on which it is not customary to work. But, despite this, in churches at the end of the evening service or after the liturgy, a memorial service is held. It happens in a special way. Easter songs are sung that speak of joy and eternal life.

“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.

Is it possible to work on radonite in the garden, plant flowers, seedlings?

It is believed that on Radunitsa there is no need to work in the garden. The same applies to garden flower beds and front gardens. You can’t plant anything, otherwise the harvest will be bad. If you plant seeds on this day, you will have a year of crop failure and drought.

It’s better not to touch the ground until Radunitsa. The deceased feel everything. First of all, you need to clean up the cemetery. If you forget about your buried relatives, they will be sad and send bad weather.

Is it possible to wash and put away the radonite?

There is nothing wrong with doing homework. You can iron, wash, put away. The Church does not prohibit this. Just first of all, light a candle and pray for the departed.

Just imagine, in a house where there are small children, washing and cleaning is an integral part of every day. Therefore, work of this type is allowed on this day.

Is it possible to clean a cemetery using radonite?

On the day of Radonitsa, the living remember the dead and celebrate the victory of life over death, firmly believing that their loved ones have entered the Kingdom of Heaven. Hence the name of the holiday (from the word “joy”).

Before this day, the graves of deceased relatives must be put in order. The monuments were washed, the fences were painted, the ground was cleared of leaves and weeds. You are also allowed to clean up Radonitsa. After cleaning the grave of the deceased, light a candle, pray and remember with an edible treat.

Is it possible to go to the cemetery before radonitsa?

Before Radonitsa they go to the cemetery on Fomino Sunday or, in other words, Krasnaya Gorka. There is no need to go to church on Easter Sunday. Since this tradition came from Soviet times, when it was forbidden to attend church. People flocked to the cemetery to honor the dead.

Church Charter prohibits visiting the cemetery during Holy Week and Bright Week. On other days, you can go to the graves of the deceased as you wish. The Church does not forbid this.

If you didn’t manage to get to the cemetery that day, then you need to set the table at home. It should contain the deceased's favorite treats, as well as three empty plates. They commemorate breakfast, lunch and dinner of this day for the departed.

Is it possible to remember those who committed suicide?

Suicides are not remembered in Radonitsa. There is a special day for this - Trinity Parents' Saturday. During the Memorial Service in the church, words of sorrow for those who committed suicide are read out.

But! There are exceptional cases for which the Bishop gives permission. In the case of unauthorized murder under pressure, in a mental state, as well as in those cases when a person gave his life saving others, when a gun misfired, and other accidents, then it is possible to remember the deceased. And not only in Radonitsa. Moreover, these dead people can be buried in church. They are not to blame for their passing away.

Is it possible to wash, bathe in radonite, or go to the bathhouse?

There is a special tradition, it is especially revered in country households. In Radonitsa it is necessary to light a bathhouse. Leave clean linen and a towel there. But living people are not allowed to wash on this day, so as not to frighten the deceased. It is believed that on this day he should wash away all worldly sins and cleanse himself of dirty thoughts.

Is it possible to cut and dye hair on Radonitsa?

There is nothing written in God’s laws about cutting hair and dyeing Radonitsa. This means that when you need to cut and dye your hair, then do it. But before the procedure on this joyful holiday of God, you need to pray. And closer to lunch or evening, you can take care of yourself.

Some believers are inclined to argue that on this day one should rejoice at the spiritual meeting with the departed and, in relation to them, this will be disrespectful. Whether this is true or not, no one knows. This holiday goes back centuries, when there was no hair coloring, as well as a wide variety of haircuts.

Is it possible to listen to music and celebrate a birthday using Radonitsa?

Radonitsa is a holiday of joy, not sorrow. And, if it so happens that both your birthday and a Christian holiday fall on this day, then remember the departed and celebrate your birthday, listen to music. Just don’t turn this day into drunken revelry and chants. Drunkenness is considered a great sin.

Is it possible to baptize into radonite?

It is believed that a child should be baptized at the moment when you are ready for it. The sooner, the better. And, if the christening falls with Radonitsa, then this is very good.

While in church, do not forget to pray for the souls of the departed.

Is it possible to bury with radonite?

It is believed that a person can be buried any day. Passing into another world during the week of Easter holidays means that a person will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. A memorial service is read at the tombstone, and a funeral litiya can be ordered at the grave for Radunitsa. It can be read to clergy, not only to those who died on this day, but also to those long deceased.

Is it possible to have sex?

The Church does not prohibit carnal pleasures between spouses on any day, except for the time allotted for fasting. For those outside of marriage, any intercourse according to the Bible is considered fornication.

The first letter of the Apostle Paul to the Church in Corinth read: “To avoid fornication, each one have his own wife, and each one have his own husband. The husband show his wife due favor; likewise is a wife to her husband. The wife has no power over her body, but the husband does; Likewise, the husband has no power over his body, but the wife does. Do not deviate from each other, except by agreement, for a while, to practice fasting and prayer, and then be together again, so that Satan does not tempt you with your intemperance.”

What they do for radonite: customs, signs.

The first thing to pay attention to is the weather on Radonitsa. If the wind blows and it rains, the deceased are sad that they are not remembered. To keep your soul at peace, go to church in the morning and light a candle for the repose of the deceased. Next, go to the cemetery. You can remember him there, but the main commemoration should be done at home at a set table
On Parents' Day, as this holiday is also called, the table is usually filled with treats. In addition, devices are placed on the “otherworldly” guest. You can light a candle and read a prayer. Before the meal the words are said: “The Kingdom of Heaven (name of the deceased).” It is also customary in the house to open the windows and place colored eggs, cookies, and candies on the windowsill.
During the feast, you cannot drink alcohol and be sad about the passing of the dead. This holiday marks the imminent meeting of loved ones in the other world. Also on this day you can’t swear. It is believed that swearing and arguing upset the deceased

Also on this day, the channel is considered open not only for spiritual meetings with loved ones, but also for good requests. On this day, after prayer, people ask for health, the birth of children, a good harvest, and things that are not related to material benefits.

In Rus' it was believed that if it rains on this day, then you need to wash yourself under it. If there was no rain, they called for it. With requests to come down for at least a few minutes. For girls, washing in the rain through a gold or silver ring was considered to prolong youth and beauty, and for men, finding happiness.

What should you do for radonite in a cemetery?

According to the traditions of pagan holidays, on Radunitsa, people brought gifts to the deities who guarded the peace of the dead. These gods were called Radovalki and Mogilki. After people gave them food at the cemetery, they went home.

There they set the table, commemorated the dead, and on the street, when meeting beggars, they gave them gifts and treats. Thus, it is believed that once living family members are not forgotten, and their souls are still revered.

The tradition has survived to this day. You must bring boiled eggs with you to the cemetery for the memorial. Break one egg on the cross. Scatter the peelings on the ground and give the insides to the poor.

At the grave, it is allowed to remember the deceased with food, but not to turn it into a large-scale celebration. You can also invite a clergyman to read the funeral prayer. It is better to move the rest of the commemoration to the home table.

If you don’t visit your loved ones in the cemetery, then no one will remember you when your soul goes to another world. Therefore, do not forget traditions and memorable parental days. Just a couple of hours to remember your loved ones will not take up much of your time.

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