From this article you will find out what date Orthodox parental Saturdays will be in 2019. You will also learn about the meaning of this Ecumenical worship.
Parental Saturdays in 2019
Often these special days of commemoration of the dead are called "universal parental Saturdays." This is not true. There are two ecumenical commemorative Saturdays: Meat-Feast (on the Saturday preceding the Week of the Last Judgment) and Trinity (on the Saturday preceding the feast of Pentecost, or also called the feast of the Most Holy Trinity - the birthday of the Church of Christ).
The main meaning of these “ecumenical” (common for the entire Orthodox Church) funeral services is in prayer for all the Orthodox who have died, regardless of their personal closeness to us. This is a matter of love, not dividing the world into friends and foes. The main focus these days is on all those who are united with us by the highest kinship - kinship in Christ, and especially those who have no one to remember.
Parental Saturdays in 2019 fall on the following dates:
- – March 2, 2019.
- Saturday of the 2nd week of Great Lent - March 23, 2019.
- Saturday of the 3rd week of Great Lent - March 30, 2019.
- On Saturday of the 4th week of Great Lent - April 6, 2019 - the pre-feast of the Annunciation, therefore, the funeral service is not performed.
- Commemoration of the dead warriors– May 9, 2019.
- Radonitsa– May 7, 2019.
- – June 15, 2019.
- – November 2, 2019.
Parental Saturdays in 2020 fall on the following dates:
- Universal parental Saturday (meatless)– February 22, 2020.
- Saturday of the 2nd week of Great Lent - March 14, 2020.
- Saturday of the 3rd week of Great Lent - March 21, 2020.
- Saturday of the 4th week of Great Lent - March 28, 2020.
- Commemoration of the dead warriors– May 9, 2020.
- Radonitsa– April 28, 2020.
- – June 6, 2020.
- – October 31, 2020.
Parental Saturdays in 2021 fall on the following dates:
- Universal parental Saturday (meatless)– March 8, 2021.
- Saturday of the 2nd week of Great Lent - March 27, 2021.
- Saturday of the 3rd week of Great Lent - April 3, 2021.
- Saturday of the 4th week of Great Lent - April 10, 2021.
- Commemoration of the dead warriors– May 9, 2021.
- Radonitsa– May 11, 2021.
- – June 19, 2021.
- – November 6, 2021.
For the primary commemoration of people dear to us personally, there are other parental Saturdays. First of all, these are the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Saturdays of Great Lent, and besides them, the parental Saturday established in the Russian Orthodox Church, which was originally intended to commemorate the soldiers who fell in the Battle of Kulikovo, but gradually became a common memorial day .
This memorial service falls on the Saturday preceding the memory of St. vmch. Demetrius of Thessalonica - patron saint of Prince. Dmitry Donskoy, at whose suggestion, after the Battle of Kulikovo, an annual commemoration of the soldiers was established. But over time, the memory of the soldiers-liberators was supplanted in the public mind, which is very regrettable, and Dimitri's memorial Saturday turned into one of the "parents' days."
Why "parental"? After all, we commemorate not only our parents, but also other people, often not connected with us by any family ties? For different reasons. First of all, not even because parents, as a rule, leave this world ahead of their children (and therefore, too, but this is not the main thing), but because in general our primary prayer duty is for our parents: of all people whose temporary earthly life is over, we first of all owe those through whom we received this gift of life - our parents and grandparents.
The teaching of the Orthodox Church about the soul says that death is not the end of earthly life, but only a transition to another world. With God, everyone is alive - that is why the Church constantly prays not only for its living members, but also for all the deceased. To show how important the role of memorial prayers is, we list the main points of their presence in worship:
1) prayers for repose are performed in the Church daily(at the liturgy, during memorial services);
2) according to the church charter, each of the seven days of the week is dedicated to a specific event and has its own characteristics of worship. Saturday is dedicated to the memory of the saints and all deceased Christians;
3) private commemoration of the dead is performed on the 3rd, 9th and 40th days after death, as well as on the anniversary. Every year memorial services for relatives are ordered for a name day or on the birthday of the deceased;
4) the days of general church commemoration are called parent Saturdays. Two of the six parent Saturdays (Myasopustnaya and Trinity) are called ecumenical, as they are completely devoted to prayer for the deceased at all times and have an exceptional liturgical order.
During the year, the number of funeral prayers varies from the smallest on pre-holiday and feast days to the largest on ecumenical parental Saturdays, which almost entirely consist of prayers for the dead.
What are Parents' Saturdays?
The days of special commemoration in the Orthodox Church are called Parental Saturdays. This name is explained by the fact that on these days Christians pray for the repose of their parents (this word should be understood more broadly - grandfathers, great-grandfathers and all ancestors of their kind (grandparents)), as well as all the deceased Orthodox Christians. People these days visit cemeteries, take care of graves, order requiem services in temples, or perform divine services over graves on their own - in a secular rite (reading lithium).
Universal Parent Saturdays
The Saturdays before Maslenitsa and the Spiritual Day (Pentecost) are the days when all Orthodox Christians are called to intense prayer for the departed members of the Church—familiar and unfamiliar, far and near.
Meatless Saturday precedes the Week (Sunday), in which the Church remembers the Last Judgment and prays purely for all the dead. This commemoration of all the dead Orthodox people in general speaks of the unity of the Church, whose body consists of the souls of not only the living, but also the dead, united in Christ.
Trinity Saturday is associated with the descent of the Holy Spirit on the fiftieth day after the Resurrection of Christ. This event is one of the key to understanding the doctrine of salvation. The Holy Spirit that descended on the apostles is for all mankind a testimony of the presence of God next to people, a promise of salvation. It is believed that the Apostolic Church was formed on the day of Pentecost.
The rite of worship of the two ecumenical Saturdays is composed in a special, exceptional way: some prayers said on this day are not present in any other services. If the memory of the saints falls on this day, then it is transferred to the next day. If a patronal or twelfth feast falls, the funeral service is performed in a separate part of the church - the tomb, or passes to the previous Saturday or Thursday.
It should be noted that, first of all, during the ecumenical Saturdays, all Orthodox Christians who have died from the century are commemorated, and already in the second place, directly our relatives. However, in order to enable people to pray more personally and zealously for their relatives, in addition to commemoration at Matins and Vespers, a great memorial service is also performed. What is the difference between these memorials? If Matins and Vespers are performed according to an exceptional order specially drawn up for these two days and is comprehensive, then during the memorial service, prayers are said that are more general in content and are also used in other circumstances (for example, the canon from ordinary Sabbath funeral services). Another important difference is that in the morning the commemoration is performed without specifying specific names, but for all "forefathers, father and brothers ...", and at the memorial service it takes place according to church synodics and personal commemoration books.
Saturdays of Great Lent
Deliberate (special) commemoration of the dead is also performed on Saturdays of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th weeks of Great Lent. These Sabbaths are a kind of replenishment of the fact that there is practically no liturgical commemoration during Lent. The listed Saturdays are also called parent Saturdays, but their rites are not as special as in the case of Trinity and Meat-Feast Saturdays, therefore the parental Saturdays of Great Lent are not called ecumenical.
Another difference is that on ecumenical Saturdays, the commemoration of all the dead in all the ages of human existence comes to the fore, and on Lenten Saturdays, the main role is still given to prayers for deceased relatives (performed during Matins and Vespers). A separate ecumenical memorial service is not served on this day. Parental Saturdays of Great Lent are also distinguished from ecumenical ones by the fact that the glorification of the saints is not canceled on these days, and if Saturday coincides with the Annunciation, a patronal feast or a polyeleos, then the funeral service is not transferred to another day, but simply omitted.
Private parenting days
Some days of commemoration are found only in the practice of the Russian Orthodox Church. These include Demetrius Saturday, Radonitsa, May 9 (the memory of those who died in the Great Patriotic War) and September 11 (the day of memory of Orthodox soldiers, established by decree of Empress Catherine II, takes place irregularly).
Dimitrievskaya Saturday
According to legend, this day was approved by the Right-Believing Prince Dimitry Donskoy on Saturday before the day of memory of his patron saint, the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica (October 26) - in the year of the Battle of Kulikovo (1380). Then the prince ordered for the first time to serve a funeral service in the monastery of St. Sergius of Radonezh in memory of the soldiers who fell on the Kulikovo field.
Over time, the connection of this day with its historical origin has weakened, and today Dimitrievskaya Saturday is a memorial parental Saturday, without a particular correlation with the events of 700 years ago.
Radonitsa
Radonitsa is perhaps the most famous (even in non-church circles) day of commemoration of the dead. On this day, a state holiday is always declared so that all people (both believers and secular) have the opportunity to visit their native graves.
The date of the Radonitsa is a rolling one - depending on the date of Easter. Most often, it is scheduled for Tuesday (if it does not coincide with important holidays) of St. Thomas Week (the second week after Easter).
The establishment of such a special day of remembrance is associated with Great Lent. The fact is that during Lenten weeks very often a deliberate commemoration of the dead (which is always performed on the 3rd, 9th and 40th days) cannot be performed due to the peculiarities of the Lenten liturgical charter. Therefore, by the end of Lent, a lot of unserved requiems accumulate, which are transferred to the first day, when you can perform a full liturgy and memorial service. Such a day is Radonitsa.
Since Radonitsa always coincides with the afterfeast, there are no special prayers for the dead on this day either at the liturgy, or at matins and vespers. Memorial prayers are present only at Midnight Office, and a great memorial service is also served after Vespers.
Superstitions related to death and commemoration
Surprisingly, it is a fact: in the world of victorious science, where people often question all world religions, the so-called folk signs, or superstitions, are still incredibly strong.
The etymology of the word "superstition" speaks for itself: vain faith, faith in something empty, non-existent.
Since death for any person is a topic surrounded by many secrets and questions, the same number of various superstitions are attracted to it, like a magnet. Thus, numerous prejudices associated with the organization of commemorations are very common. Often a real feast is arranged for the deceased with a large number of various dishes and alcohol. However, church people should understand that the commemoration is organized mainly in order to show mercy to the people who were present at the funeral service. The living need food, but the soul of the deceased needs prayers.
Absolutely meaningless and all the signs associated directly with the funeral meal. Some especially superstitious people believe that wake food should not be taken home because it "possesses negative energy." This statement is an unfounded superstition. The food was prepared in order to feed people, and if it remains, it can and should be distributed.
A lot of superstitions are associated with the preparation for the funeral. Often one has to observe how mirrors are hung in the house (so as not to accidentally see the dead person in them), the chairs on which the coffin stood are turned over (so that the living do not sit on them) and many similar things. As believing Christians, we must in every possible way eradicate such pagan prejudices in the surrounding society, explain to people the complete senselessness of such actions.
Absurd and at the same time ineradicable is the tradition of bringing food or sweets to the cemetery, as well as leaving a glass of vodka “for the dead”. Is it worth talking about all the absurdity of such customs? The soul, which no longer has a material shell, does not need anything material, including food. To honor the memory of our loved ones, we can take care of their graves, keeping them clean and tidy. We can bring flowers and wreaths to the cemetery. But the most important thing we can do is to minister over the grave of a lithium, to ask the Lord to remember the deceased.
There is no place for magic in Christianity. The purpose of the Christian life is to purify one's own soul. The purpose of his death is to unite with God in the Kingdom of Heaven. Unlike everyday superstitions and prejudices, every religious action has a lofty purpose. We must firmly remember this and distinguish one from the other.
Dates of Parental Saturdays and Days of Remembrance for the Dead in 2019
Visiting the cemetery is associated with some traditions and superstitions. It is believed that this land belongs to the dead, and they have their own laws that should be observed by the living. How to behave in a cemetery? What can be done and what is strictly prohibited?
Visiting the graves
Visiting the graves of relatives, friends, acquaintances is a tradition that exists in every religion. But the rules for visiting the deceased may vary. According to Orthodox belief, the cemetery is a sacred place. The cross on the grave of the deceased is located at the feet, and the image of the crucifix on it is turned to the face of the deceased.
Draws the attention of Christians to the fact that living relatives should watch the graves of their deceased loved ones. The fence and the cross must be painted in time. The well-groomed grave, fresh flowers on it symbolize the memory of the deceased.
How to behave in a cemetery? Is it possible to leave cookies, sweets on the grave of the deceased? Orthodox traditions of visiting the cemetery have strict restrictions on this.
Orthodox customs of visiting the cemetery
Prayers are read at will. However, there are special prayers for the departed:
- About a dead Christian.
- Widow's prayer.
- Widow's Prayer.
- About dead children.
- Prayer for deceased parents.
- Akathist about the one who died.
- Akathist for the Repose of the Dead.
Priests warn that it is forbidden to drink alcohol on the graves of Orthodox Christians. Visiting a cemetery is not a fun holiday.
In no case should you pour alcohol or sprinkle crumbs on it. Such actions offend the deceased. It is better to tidy up the grave, be silent, remembering the deceased. It is forbidden to bring artificial flowers. But you can plant fresh flowers or other plants - they are a symbol of eternal life.
parent days
Parental days - so called Ecumenical. These days it is customary to come to the cemetery, to visit the graves of deceased relatives. There are no specific days of the month that Parental Saturdays fall on. This is due to the fact that the Lent-Easter cycle is a transitional one.
- Parental Saturdays. These are Saturdays on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th week of Great Lent.
- Trinity parental Saturday. This is the day before the holiday
- Meat Saturday. Her time is 8 days before Lent.
- This is the Saturday before November 8th. On this day, the dead soldiers are commemorated.
In addition to Parental Saturdays, there are other days of remembrance:
- Radonitsa. It is Tuesday of the 2nd week after Easter.
- warriors - May 9th.
How to behave in a cemetery?
When visiting a cemetery, one should behave respectfully towards the deceased. Emotional excesses will not lead to good. It is forbidden to speak loudly, sing, shout, have fun, sob. You can not walk on the grave hills - for this there are special paths, paths.
On the territory of the cemetery there are columns, wells or taps with water. It is intended only for cleaning on the graves. It is forbidden to use the cemetery water for drinking. Drinking water must be brought from home or bought on the way.
How to behave in a cemetery? Is it possible to leave the things of the deceased on the grave? The deceased's favorite cup, watch, or other items that he liked can be left on the grave.
Do not take foreign objects home from the cemetery or grave. They are saturated with "dead" energy. If any thing is taken from the grave, it should be replaced with another one. For example, a flower vase broke - you need to put a new one.
To wipe a monument or fence from dirt, dust should only be with unnecessary rags. After use, it is thrown into special garbage containers in the cemetery. In no case should you use the things of the living to put the grave in order.
Restrictions on visiting the cemetery
How to behave at the cemetery on parental day? Who can come to the grave? Since ancient times, cemeteries have been used by dark sorcerers to perform rituals or collect the necessary ingredients. Priests assure that a truly believing person cannot be affected by magical power.
- pregnant women;
- nursing mothers;
- women with a small (or infant) child.
Pregnant women or women who have recently given birth, children under 7 years old are sensitive to negative energy. Therefore, it is better for them to avoid the territory of the cemetery. According to legend, the magician can exchange the life of a seriously ill person with the help of a special ritual for the life of a small child or an unborn baby.
How to behave at a funeral?
The funeral of an Orthodox begins with a funeral service in his home or church. For this ceremony, women traditionally cover their heads with a scarf. Wear a dress (skirt) to the knees or below. T-shirts, shorts, any frivolous clothes are prohibited. For men - a formal suit or trousers with a shirt (sweater).
How to behave at a funeral in a cemetery? During the funeral, some relatives stay at home to prepare the memorial dinner. Attendance at a funeral is voluntary. If there is no desire or if you feel unwell, you can not go to the cemetery.
During the funeral, strong emotions should also be avoided - loud crying, inappropriate actions leave a painful impression. During the funeral, relatives walk behind the coffin. Blood relatives do not wash the floor in the house of the deceased - it is better to do this to good friends, colleagues.
At the cemetery, after parting, they kiss the crown on the forehead and the hand of the deceased. The icon and fresh flowers should be taken from the coffin. Then the face of the deceased is covered with a shroud, the coffin is closed. The towels on which the coffin was lowered into the ground remain in the grave. The men who carried the deceased are given new towels as a keepsake. Women are given new handkerchiefs. After the cemetery, relatives invite everyone to a memorial dinner.
You can invite a priest to an Orthodox funeral. Burying with music is not Christian.
The holy fathers warn that on parental day you should not cry and kill yourself. Prayers, almsgiving, ordering a memorial service - this is how the Orthodox commemorate the dead. Arriving at the cemetery on Parental Saturdays should be in the morning.
How to behave at the cemetery on parental day? The Orthodox Church allows a funeral dinner at the cemetery. Before and after the meal, a prayer should be read. As already mentioned, it is forbidden to drink alcohol in the cemetery.
If there is food left from the funeral dinner, you can’t leave it on the grave of the “dead”. It is better to give it to the poor, with a request to remember the deceased in prayers.
The words "kind", "joy" became the basis for the name "radonitsa" How to behave in the cemetery on Radonitsa? Since ancient times, it has been customary to come to the cemetery on this day with the whole family. Go around the graves of your deceased relatives, remember their good deeds and deeds.
Appearance
Having figured out how to behave in a cemetery, it is worth thinking about the right clothes for visiting it. Usually the color scheme is selected dark, soft. No cheerful flowers and frivolous peas. Strict, comfortable clothing for the weather without shorts and mini. Legs and arms should be covered as much as possible.
The same principle should be followed in shoes. Closed shoes in muted tones are ideal for visiting a cemetery. High heels or flip-flops are not allowed on the churchyard.
cemetery signs
You should only come to the cemetery with a covered head. Otherwise, the fallen hair (or other biomaterial of a living person) can be used in black rituals.
All disposable items (cups, napkins, plates) after visiting the grave are thrown into a garbage container on the territory of the cemetery. Or at home they are washed with running water.
Things of the living cannot be left in the cemetery. Or take something home from the grave.
If during a visit to the cemetery a thing fell to the ground, it is better to leave it there, it already belongs to the dead. If it is a necessary thing (for example, keys) - rinse it with running water.
Leave the cemetery in the same way that you came. Even if the purpose of the visit was several graves and there is an opportunity to get out from the other side of the cemetery, you should not do this.
In the church calendar there is a special memorial day - Radonitsa, on which traditionally believers visit the cemetery - to commemorate the untimely departed and pray for the departed.
- What date is Radonitsa in 2018 - April 17
- Radonitsa in 2018 is a day off or not
- Radonitsa - the essence and history of the holiday
- How the holiday is celebrated in Russia
- What can and cannot be done on Radonitsa
- How to commemorate on Radonitsa
Radonitsa or Parents' Day in 2018 falls on April 17, the ninth day after Easter.
The date of Radonitsa and the customs of this day are common to all Slavic peoples, however, depending on the area, the date of the celebration of Radonitsa could change slightly. In various regions, Radinotsu in 2018 may celebrate:
- Sunday, April 15, 2018, one week after Easter.
- April 16, 2018, Monday 8 days after Easter.
In eight regions of Russia, as well as in many cities, Radonitsa has been declared a non-working day as an additional day off (this possibility is recorded in clause 7, article 4 of the federal law “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations”).
Thus, the official day off for Radonitsa 2018 is declared in the following regions:
- Krasnodar Territory;
- Stavropol region;
- Saratov region;
- Bryansk;
- Kemerovo;
- Volgograd;
- Orenburg region;
- Karachay-Cherkessia;
- Adygea;
- Sochi city.
Local authorities provide residents of these regions of Russia with the opportunity to remember their dead relatives, visit their graves and bring them into proper condition.
Also, residents of Belarus and Moldova get a day off on Radonitsa - in these countries, Parents' Day is declared a non-working day.
The celebration of Radonitsa is rooted in the depths of centuries, in those distant times, when Russia had not yet adopted Christianity. Unlike most other pagan holidays, Radonitsa organically fit into the calendar of Christian holidays and was warmly approved by the Russian Orthodox Church.
There are several versions of the origin of the name of this memorial day.
- According to the first version, which the Orthodox Church adheres to, the name Radonitsa comes from the word joy. It was believed that on this day it was strictly forbidden to shed tears for the dead. On the contrary, we should rejoice and believe that on the day of Holy Pascha all our relatives and friends who left this world were with us.
- The second version says that Radonitsa is the name of one of the pagan gods. Among the people, the holiday has several other names. Some people call him Graves, others Navi Day, and still others, in general, Trizna. According to legend, these Vedic beings were the guardians of the dead souls. Our ancestors tried to appease them in every possible way and inspire respect, therefore they carried various treats and other sacrificial gifts to the burial mounds.
Before the revolution of 1917, Radonitsa was a day off in our country. For Orthodox Christians, it is obligatory to visit the temple and the graves of relatives. According to the traditions, on this day it is necessary:
- listen to the sacred liturgy;
- pray for the souls of deceased loved ones;
- write a memorial note;
- put candles for all deceased relatives;
- visit burial places;
- put flowers and light candles on the tombstones.
On a holiday, a modest meal is allowed at the cemetery. Among the dishes are Easter cakes and consecrated eggs. A small amount of red wine is allowed. Leftover food should be donated to people in need. At the graves of ancestors, as a rule, they remember the good deeds of deceased relatives.
In Soviet times, Radonitsa ceased to be a day off. Some people began to come to cemeteries on Bright Sunday, where they held a noisy commemoration of the dead with alcohol. Although, according to Christian traditions, visiting the cemetery is allowed after nine days from Easter. Some people leave food and a glass of vodka on the graves. Church officials are against such traditions. She believes that it is necessary to remember relatives in a different way than to arrange booze on the graves.
The best example of honoring relatives is donations on their behalf to those in need.
Upon returning home, you should not have fun noisily, swear and abuse alcohol.
In different regions, Radonitsa is celebrated with some differences:
There are places where it is customary to put a glass of water with a slice of bread on the windowsill for the whole night, on the eve of Radonitsa.
The tradition of putting dishes on the table for the dead is also alive. By this, all the living show that their relatives continue to live in their souls.
In some areas, the custom of "buttering pancakes" has been preserved. That is, they put excess oil on baked pancakes to show all the dead that they are remembered.
There are villages where they continue to "christen" with the dead. To do this, one of the consecrated eggs is buried near the grave.
- It is allowed to work if necessary, but try to find time to at least go to the temple on this day.
- You can put the grave in order without doing a general cleaning.
- On this day, you can hold a wedding, this week the menu for the Orthodox is ordinary, not Lenten.
- On Radonitsa you can celebrate your birthday, the only wish, before you sit down at the festive table, remember the deceased relatives.
- It will not work to get married on this day, since this ceremony is not performed in the church on Tuesdays.
- It is impossible to order a prayer for a person who voluntarily committed suicide, alas, but in his own way to die, he renounced the Lord.
- You can’t leave the remnants of food and piles of alcohol scattered on the grave; on a holiday there should be order everywhere.
- Women who are expecting a baby are forbidden to go to the cemetery that day, this has been done since ancient times.
Arriving at the cemetery, light a candle, make a prayer, if desired, read an akathist about the repose of the dead. After that, you can put in order, clean up the grave, silently remember the deceased.
In general, before going to the cemetery, relatives are advised to attend a service in the temple, submit a note with the name of the deceased for remembrance. Related article Yuri Belanovsky: Easter gift of Christ What should be avoided?
The Church recalls that the custom of accompanying visits to graves with drunkenness, as well as leaving a glass of vodka and a piece of bread “for the deceased” on the grave, is an unacceptable blasphemy and a custom that has nothing to do with Orthodoxy. By the way, priests recommend remembering another pious custom - to give food to the poor and needy, instead of leaving food on the grave.
Some do not know how to properly ask another to remember a relative. It's simple: give a treat to the poor with the words: "Remember the servant of God ..." and say his name. The one who commemorates your loved one, while eating food, must pronounce the following words: "Kingdom of Heaven ..." and name the name of the person being commemorated.
If you came to the cemetery with a child, it is allowed to give him candy or cookies. But keep the children from walking between the graves and collecting sweets from strangers: visiting the cemetery on Radonitsa is not “entertainment”.
