When is the next Parents' Saturday? In Russia there are certain days that are intended to remember the dead

So, the parent's day after Easter is called Radonitsa. Many people think that it is Saturday, but in fact, according to the church calendar, it is always Tuesday. Parental after Easter in 2018, what date, you ask? We answer that this is Parents Tuesday, it falls on April 17 and is called Radunitsa.

When going to the cemetery on the second Tuesday after Easter, you need to take Easter food and other paraphernalia with you. At the beginning of St. Thomas Week, on Red Hill Day (April 15, 2017), you can additionally color eggs and bake Easter cakes, which will be taken with you to the cemetery. The thing is that Radonitsa is Easter and on this day we should celebrate such a bright and significant event with them.

Joy to Radunitsa

For a person living in modern world, the name of this holiday can be jarring. Indeed, no one says “Radunitsa” like that anymore, and what does this word even mean? This may seem strange to you, of course, but the name of the holiday Radunitsa comes from the word “joy”. Since on this day we celebrate Easter with our departed relatives, we should rejoice on this day.

To rejoice, you just need to remember once again the meaning of Easter itself, if you have already forgotten it since the recent Easter Sunday. Jesus Christ was resurrected and with this event he conquered death. Life has defeated death, which means that death simply does not exist, there is only immortal life. This is what all the deceased now live by, so Radunitsa is a holiday, an opportunity to celebrate the victory of life over death with deceased relatives and loved ones.

Interesting! Some sources claim that the name of this holiday also comes from the word “clan”. Because, in parenting days It is the representatives of the human race who are remembered, thanks to whom the believer himself lives in this world. These days you can cook.

Radonitsa on Saint Thomas Week

Parental Day after Easter (in 2018 too) is always celebrated on Tuesday of St. Thomas Week. The Week of Thomas (the same apostle of Jesus Christ who was nicknamed the unbeliever) begins on April 15 on Krasnaya Gorka. This is always the second Sunday after Easter. Then throughout the week until next Sunday holiday week continues.

And it is within the framework of this week that the day of the year is highlighted - - when it is possible and necessary to remember the departed after Easter. Moreover, you need to go to the cemetery with Easter cakes, with colored eggs and even with cottage cheese Easter. If possible, part of the food should be given to the poor and those asking from the church.

Other parenting days after Easter

We already know for sure that Parents Tuesday after Easter in 2018 falls on April 17th. On this day, we, our deceased relatives and friends, celebrate Easter itself and the victory of life over death. But what other days during the year (after Easter) will there be parenting days?

Calendar of parenting days after Easter for 2018:
9th May. This day is dedicated to the remembrance of deceased soldiers and, of course, is directly related to Victory Day.
We should also celebrate May 26th. This Saturday is also called Trinity Saturday, because it falls exactly one day before the great holiday of the Trinity (Pentecost). In the spring-summer period, this day is the main memorial day for Orthodox believers. It is important to go to church and pray for deceased relatives, and then go to the cemetery to visit them.
September 11 will be celebrated as a parent's day associated with the holidays of Intercession. On this day, they remember John the Baptist, who was an ardent fighter against the sins of people. It is important to observe a one-day fast on this day, because believers mourn the violent death of St. John the Baptist.
The last parent's day of the year will be November 3. It is called Dmitrievskaya Saturday. On this day they remember Dmitry Donskoy and the soldiers who died in battles under the leadership of this man.

Parents' Saturdays are of great importance in the life of Orthodox believers. These days are intended to remember the dead and cleanse the soul.

In the Orthodox calendar for 2018 you will find all the main holidays that are celebrated by the Russian Orthodox Church. Orthodox Church. Parental Saturdays marked in it are a way to honor the memory of the forefathers who gave us life, as well as all those who died for the Orthodox faith.

Not every Parent's Saturday falls on the sixth day of the week. Those that “fall” specifically on Saturdays are usually called Ecumenical.

Ecumenical Parents' Saturdays in 2018

Opens a list Meat Saturday which will be celebrated February 10. On this day, all relatives who have completed their earthly journey are remembered. For the living, this holiday is a reminder of mortal life, which must be spent cultivating an immortal soul in purity and good intentions.

Trinity Parents' Saturday will pass before church holiday Holy Trinity and its date - 26 of May. On the fiftieth day after the Resurrection of the Lord, all the dead are remembered without exception, including those who died voluntarily or went missing.

Parental Saturdays of Great Lent

These Saturdays are different in that after the festive church liturgy, believers remain for a memorial service, in which they remember their deceased relatives. The priests are given notes in advance with the names of those whose souls they want to pray for.

First Saturday will take place during the second week of Lent, and its date is March, 3rd.

Second Saturday marked in the 2018 church calendar 10th of March, and its time is the third week of fasting.

Third Saturday will take place March 17. It is final and takes place during the fourth week of fasting.

Private parent days in 2018

Such days exist only in the practice of the Russian Church, and at this time you have the opportunity to pray for the souls of people who have found peace in Heaven.

9th May at the solemn liturgy, the Russian people bow their heads as a sign of respect for the fallen soldiers who gave their lives during the Great Patriotic War. Tears of joy are interspersed with universal grief for the millions of fallen who showed exceptional valor and courage.

April 17 Radonitsa is celebrated, which follows exactly the ninth day after Easter.

11 September They serve a memorial service for Orthodox soldiers who laid down their heads during the battle for the Faith, the Tsar and the Fatherland.

the 3rd of November comes Dimitrievskaya Parents' Saturday. She refers us to the exploits of Dmitry Solunsky, died by death great martyr.

These Orthodox holidays show us the meaning human life. During church services everyone understands that worldly life is short and can end at any moment, but the immortal soul will continue to exist and will be responsible for all our deeds.

Pray To the Higher Powers so that they can help you avoid hardships and problems on life path. Take time every day spiritual development which not only cleanses the soul, but also attracts good things into life. We wish you health and happiness, and do not forget to press the buttons and

04.01.2018 01:07

Orthodox Christians know a lot about the miraculous properties of prayers. By remembering the deceased, they help his soul to purify...

IN Orthodox calendar there are many dates and memorable events that cannot be classified as holidays, but, nevertheless, believers, paying tribute to traditions, strictly observe them.

These dates include parental Saturdays - days when one is supposed to visit the graves of deceased relatives, pray at home or in church and light a candle for the repose of their souls. Moreover, the term “parental” does not always mean that only parents should be respected. These could be any relatives, clan members, and even, alas, children who died untimely.

Almost all parental Saturdays are not tied to any specific date, because all except Dmitrievskaya and Victory Day depend on Easter, and Easter is a moving holiday. Therefore everything memorial days need to check with church calendar, because they are different every year. And only May 9 is the only day of remembrance with a fixed immutable date. Of course, it is not always Saturday, but memorial services are always held in churches on this day in honor of fallen soldiers, officers and civilians.

Dates of Parents' Saturdays and Memorial Days

2018

The dead are commemorated three times during Lent. So in 2018 it was

• February 10 – meat-free parent’s Saturday

Saturdays of Great Lent

• March, 3rd
• 10th of March
• March 17

Other days of remembrance

• May 9 (fixed date)
• April 17 (also not Saturday, but the day of remembrance on Radonitsa)
• May 26 – Trinity Saturday
• November 3 – Dimitreevskaya Saturday

2019

• March 4 (Ecumenical Meat Day)

Saturdays of Lent

• March 23
• 30th of March
• April 6

Other days of remembrance

• May 7 – Radonitsa
• May 9 is a permanent date
• June 15 – Trinity Saturday (Ecumenical Saturday)
• November 2 – Dimitrievskaya Saturday

2020

• February 24 – Ecumenical Meat Saturday

Days of remembrance for Lent

• March 14th
• 21 March
• March 28

Other parent Saturdays

• April 28 – Radonitsa (Ecumenical Saturday)
• May 9 is a traditional day of remembrance with a specific date
• June 6 – Trinity Saturday
• October 31 – Dimitrievskaya Parents' Saturday

Why is it commemorated on Saturdays?

According to the Old Testament, Saturday was a day of festive rest; according to the New Testament, from a day of earthly rest, Saturday began to personify a day of joy in the Kingdom of Heaven. This is the day when sins are forgiven and remitted, and therefore Saturday has become the most suitable for commemorating the dead. Of course, these are not all Saturdays in a row, but only those that are associated with some historical events that took place in the chronicles.

Characteristics of all parental Saturdays

The tradition of “Saturday” commemorations has evolved over centuries. Each of them has a historical basis. Myasopustnaya and Trinity are called Ecumenical, and the rest are days of remembrance. Their difference lies in their historical basis. On Ecumenical Saturdays, not only relatives are remembered, but also all deceased Christians who died in different eras.

Meat Saturday

It dates back to the 1st century Christian era, when persecuted Christians still remembered their brothers who suffered for their faith - tortured, executed and not buried as expected. Meat Saturday falls before Sunday, when Orthodox Christians are reminded of it and falls a week before the start of Lent. According to legend, at the Last Judgment, every Christian will be rewarded for his earthly deeds, both the living and the dead, and the Church on this day patronizes all the deceased and prays for the salvation of their souls.

Trinity Saturday

This is also a fairly ancient custom that arose in the era of very early Christianity - in the apostolic age. All the departed children of God were remembered. Trinity Saturday falls on the eve of the Descent of the Holy Spirit to earth. It is believed that the economy of man, in which the deceased participate, has ended. This is perhaps the most revered Saturday in all Orthodox history. There are many legends and superstitions associated with it, and they all agree on one thing - we pray for the repose of the souls of the departed, and they help us, guide and protect us.

Dimitrievskaya Saturday

This is the last day of remembrance of the year and was established in the mid-16th century. Popular rumor firmly connected this day with the victory in the Battle of Kulikovo, awarding the merit of the memorial day to the noble prince Dmitry Donskoy, as if he had asked Sergius of Radonezh to hold a memorial service for the fallen soldiers.

Whether it is true or not is a moot point, but on this day they commemorate all the soldiers who have ever died on the battlefields, all who died for other reasons. In addition, it was installed on the eve of the day of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki, which became another reason to call the autumn parental Saturday of Demetrius.

Radonitsa

This is not Saturday, but Tuesday and is celebrated after Easter week. It turns out that on the 9th day. Easter is a holiday for the living, and one is not supposed to go to the cemetery, but it was also necessary for the dead to announce the resurrection of the Son of God. Therefore, on the 9th day, people went to the cemetery with good news - hence the name - Radonitsa. There is no funeral service for Radonitsa.

May 9 Victory Day

It's already recent history and the day of remembrance of fallen soldiers became quite recently, in 1994. The only day with a fixed immovable date, regardless of what day of the week it falls on. Funeral litias are always held in churches.

Parental Saturdays of Great Lent

These memorial days are not universal. The usual daily commemorations are not performed, but salvation is given to the dead on the second, third and fourth Saturdays of Great Lent.

This time is not only abstinence from fast food, but also a cleansing of the soul and thoughts, a time when one must pray even more diligently, a time of repentance and charity. Right now, during spiritual feat It is very important to be filled with love not only for those living today, but also for those who have left this world.

Thus, certain days gradually developed on which the dead should be remembered with prayer.

The deep meaning of parenting Saturdays

Worthy of remembering those who have passed on to another world is an expression of love and respect for loved ones. After all, we do not stop loving them even after death, this is the whole essence of Christian teaching - love for one's neighbor - and, first of all, for parents.

Respect for father and mother is formed from an early age, and a mature and mature person comes to understand and realize the fifth commandment - “Honor your father and mother.”

In other words, respect, honor and love your parents, and your children will respect and love you as well. Therefore, first of all, we should remember the deceased parents, and then all relatives and friends who went to the Kingdom of Heaven.

On universal Saturdays, all the dead are remembered - acquaintances, strangers, those who died on the battlefields or as a result of the elements or accidents, killed and even missing.

What to do on Parents' Saturdays

It is believed that first of all you need to visit the cemetery - this is not entirely correct. First of all, you need to visit the church, stand for the service, read a prayer, light a candle.

And for the souls of the deceased, this is much more important than visiting their last earthly refuge. But, of course, you cannot completely exclude visiting the cemetery - you need to tidy up the grave, sweep or weed, clean the fence and remember a loved one with a kind word.

The meal should be very modest, lean, and it is better to avoid alcohol. In churches, it is forbidden to have snacks and, especially, to drink any alcohol. The temple is a place of prayer and reunion with God.

If you can’t visit either a church or a cemetery, then you need to pray at home in front of an icon and a photograph of the deceased, but the main thing here is not the surroundings, but the sincerity of the prayer.

How to attend church on Parents' Saturdays

If you want to remember deceased relatives, then before the service you need to give the priest notes with the names of the deceased. Names are written as those given at baptism, always in full and in the genitive case. If this is your first time coming to such a service, then simply ask how and what to do, and either the parishioners or the ministers will definitely help you.

According to church traditions, the day begins on the evening before, so before parental Saturday a memorial service is held in the evening, and in the morning there is a liturgy for the repose. It is considered correct to bring any Lenten products to the temple - bread, cereals, wine. Of course, they should not be spoiled or broken.

Products are a kind of bloodless sacrifice that should be presented. After the service, the blessed food is distributed to everyone who needs it. When leaving the service, you can give alms to the poor or donate money to the needs of the temple. It is possible and useful to give unnecessary clothes and shoes for the beggars. And this is not only good for them, but also for you, your soul and your well-being.

We have all heard this expression - “parents' Saturday” more than once. Of course, the name itself seems to indicate that it should be somehow connected with parents or the older generation. But is it? And what should you do on this day?

To begin with, the main thing is that there is not just one parent’s Saturday a year, there are several of them. The first one is today February 10. However, first things first.

First, let’s talk about why Saturday was chosen for commemoration. This tradition dates back to biblical times, when this day was considered a day of rest. And peace is the best state for prayer and remembrance of those who are no longer with us.

The first and closest parental Saturday to us is called Meat-free universal Parent's Saturday– it falls two weeks before Lent. This year, we repeat, February 10.

Then, before Trinity, on the 49th day after Easter, it precedes the beginning Apostolic Fast Trinity Ecumenical Parents' Saturday (May 26). Please note that both of these Saturdays, Meat Saturday and Trinity Saturday, are ecumenical. On such days, ecumenical memorial services are served in churches, and during the day they commemorate all deceased Orthodox Christians without exception.

During Great Lent (2nd, 3rd, 4th Saturdays, that is, this year, March 3, March 10 And March 17) these days are specially set for commemoration, since at this time the traditional daily commemorations of the deceased are canceled.

There are also so-called Saturdays of Small Fasts- This last Saturdays before the Nativity (November 28 - January 6), Petrovsky, or Apostolic (June 4 - July 11) and Assumption (August 14 - August 27) fasts. On these days, commemoration of the dead is also carried out traditionally.

In addition, commemoration of the deceased is performed on Dimitrievskaya (November 3), Intercession and Mikhailovskaya Saturdays, although this period is not marked as a funeral period. These are the so-called Private parent days.

The departed are remembered on Radonitsa. In 2018 it falls on April 17. Please note - this is Tuesday. Radonitsa comes nine days after Easter. On Radonitsa it is also supposed to visit the graves of relatives and put them in order.

On the nearest Parents' Saturday, February 10, we traditionally visit churches and cemeteries. Moreover, the first is more important than the second. On this day, with the most sincere, brightest words, they pray for departed loved ones, asking for the peace of their souls in the next world. It is necessary to order special commemorations.

At the end of the service, which must be defended to the end, you need, if possible, to distribute alms to those who are in need, to whom you can help in some way. This is how they remember those who church rules they do not remember – including those who were not baptized and those who died voluntarily. When visiting the grave of deceased relatives, it is necessary to put it in order and pray.

According to tradition, on Ecumenical Parental Saturday, kutya, a dish made from honey and wheat, was placed on the table. Now, for obvious reasons, rice is used instead of wheat, which is cooked with the addition of honey and raisins. It is not difficult to prepare kutya according to the rules:

1. Wash the rice before cooking, cook the cereal until tender without pre-soaking. The grains of rice should be soft but crumbly.

2. Boil syrup from honey and sugar, add to rice (to taste).

3. Steam dried fruits, dry them, cut into small pieces and mix with rice.

4. Place the prepared kutya in a small bowl into a bowl. The top of the kutya can be decorated with nuts or raisins. Sometimes raisins are mixed inside, this is not forbidden. If you decide so, first fry the raisins with honey or sugar in butter in a frying pan.

But extra tears are not welcome on this day. Bright memory, the best memories and good words to the departed - best memory about them.

As for the implementation of other rules, most of which are simply traditional, it is believed that on this day you can do household chores, but not overwork yourself, you should help as much as possible more of people. But it’s not worth organizing a “wake” in the sense of a feast, and even with alcohol. As a last resort, it is permissible to drink a little wine, but strong drinks are prohibited.

TO THE POINT

Another day of remembrance is the seventh Thursday after Easter, the so-called Semik. Remembering those who went to Semik is pure folk tradition. On this day, those who died voluntarily and unbaptized are also remembered. Semik falls on May 24 this year.

, in 2019 coming on March 2 is one of special days, when in all churches there is a service to commemorate departed Christians. The prayerful sighs of the living for the departed are a precious gift for both.

Service for the remembrance of departed Christians

According to one of the poets, there are no non-believers in heaven, souls acquire faith. The task of all living people is to unite in the universal petition sounding in churches at this time for the repose of the departed servants of God. Being in Heaven, deceased souls see our faith from above, even those who were once ardent fighters against religion.

The second name of this day is Meat Saturday, when “farewell” to meat dishes occurs until Easter.

What is the essence of parental universal Saturday

7 days before Lent, a week begins dedicated to thinking about the Last Judgment. In prayer, Orthodox people, in unity of faith, in a common petition, pray to God for mercy for all the departed and forgiveness of the sins of the living.

Why do we always remember the dead on Saturday?

The answer is found in the Bible (Matthew 27:57-66). Jesus was buried in the rock on Friday, but on Saturday the Pharisees and scribes demanded that the entrance to the tomb be sealed so that the disciples would not steal the body to proclaim the resurrection by deception. For Jews, Saturday has always been and remains a day of rest. So the body of Jesus remained in peace until the true Resurrection.

Why is Saturday called parental Saturday?

On this day, the elders of the clan, mother, father and parents are remembered. Also, it is generally accepted that all the deceased go to their ancestors to meet them in heaven.

Respect for parents runs like a thread throughout the Bible. The 10 Commandments say honor your father and mother. This is the fifth commandment. It is not stated here that only the good and the living.

About the commandments of God:

Throughout their lives, children should remember, honor and remember those through whom God gave them life.

Fifth Commandment of God's Law

The days of people on earth are not limited to their with our own lives. Human life is extended through children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Returning to the fifth commandment of God, we can see that every person is responsible to his children and grandchildren for their longevity.

Children must be raised to respect their parents, not for the sake of their father and mother, but for their sake. future life. Failure to fulfill the commandments is a sin; honoring parents is higher than the commandment “thou shalt not kill.”

Are there many Orthodox Christians in the world who live according to God’s commandments? How many people among us truly honor our parents? Sin leads to not only physical death; the Last Judgment awaits every person. Honor your father and mother before and after death, and you, your children and grandchildren will be granted a life of abundance according to the promise of God.

But parents must also remember that they need to raise their children correctly. Honoring your parents does not mean indulging them in any whim. Just as there are ungrateful children who do not value their elderly parents at all, there are also parents whose behavior and attitude towards their children has led to a reluctance to communicate and help. This is always a mutual process, the result of which depends on both parties.

On Christian parenting:

Ecumenical Parents' Saturday is the day of remembrance of all those who have died, because they went to their ancestors. Out of great love for mankind, the apostles left the instruction to carry out universal common prayers about everyone, regardless of who, when and where died.

Why do Orthodox Christians pray for the dead?

According to the Holy Fathers of the Church human soul meets Eternity, but this is not the end, next is the Last Judgment. The soul of the deceased undergoes only a small trial, awaiting the Second Coming of Christ. Living on earth, a person, through fasting and prayer, taming his body, can correct his sins; the dead have only a soul, which is very difficult to correct.

But the Apostle James gave instructions to all Orthodox Christians to pray for each other in order to receive healing. (James 5:16)

Prayer for the dead

Memorial Saturday is a universal prayer for the healing of the souls of the departed, deceased, or in other words, fallen asleep people, liberating them from original sin. The triune principle of a person consists of spirit, soul and body, but the deceased have a soul and spirit, only a physical body is missing. By praying for those who have passed into another world, Orthodox Christians help them receive God's mercy - forgiveness of sins for the salvation of their souls.

The philosopher Plato compares the body to a violin case; a broken string does not mean the death of a musician.

A person dying does not know where his soul is going. The surviving people cannot imagine this either. The child, being inside the mother, cannot imagine life outside the mother’s womb, but the time comes, the baby appears with a cry. Of course, he is uncomfortable and scared; he finds himself in a different, initially seemingly hostile environment. Time passes, the child understands that he is welcome here, they were waiting for him, he gains a feeling of comfort.

So the human soul ends up in another world, it is doomed to immortality. A deceased person cannot repent or change anything in his sinful earthly life. Time doesn't go by reverse side. The remaining grieving relatives, friends and simply acquaintances in prayers for the deceased can ease their fate in Heaven.

One of God’s gifts for making petitions for the dead was given the Ecumenical Parental Saturday before Great Lent.

There is no death, there is a transition from earthly life to heavenly existence, there is a kind of door that always opens in one direction.

On Meatless Saturday, all the dead, starting from Adam, are remembered, which is why this day is called universal.

Basic rules of conduct on Ecumenical Memorial Saturday

Morning Ecumenical Saturday begins with Proskomedia, a funeral liturgy, after which a general memorial service is served. Before the start of Proskomedia, Christians submit notes with the names of the dead who were baptized according to Orthodox traditions. They are prayed for by name during all services.

Relatives can pray for unbaptized people themselves.

Notes cannot be submitted for the deceased:

• suicides;
• unbaptized;
• atheists;
• heretics.

Without naming their names, beggars are asked to remember such deceased people by giving them alms.

Important! During prayer, candles are placed near the Crucifixion, and not near the icons of Saints.

During Meat Eating Day, the dead are remembered during meals. On this day, Psalm 118 is read (kathisma 17)

Psalm 118 Blessed are the blameless on their way to the Ecumenical funeral Saturday

Special All Souls' Day in church

In addition to Meat, the second, third and fourth Saturdays of Great Lent are a time of remembrance and prayer for the deceased. The Fathers of the Church emphasize the great mission of Christians to give love to the world, for God is love! If God has no dead, all souls are alive, then our calling is to love them, forgive and bless them.

The commemoration of the dead begins on Friday evening, when a memorial service or parastas will be performed. The Great Friday requiem or parastas (intercession) is a great petition before God for all those who have died.

“The continuation of the parastas, that is, the great requiem, for our departed fathers and brothers and for all Orthodox Christians who have passed away”

The beginning of the parastas is the same as an ordinary memorial service (which is an abbreviated parastas).

After Alleluia and troparions, “In the depth of wisdom” the immaculate ones are sung.

The blameless are divided into 2 sections.

First article: “Blessed, immaculate, on your way.”

Chorus: “Remember, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant” (or “the soul of Thy servant”, or “the soul of Thy servant”).

After the first article there is a small funeral litany and an exclamation: “God of spirits...”.

Second article: “I am yours, save me.”

Chorus: “Rest, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant” (or “the soul of Thy servant,” or “the soul of Thy servant”).

Immediately after this, troparia for the immaculates are sung:

“Blessed are you, O Lord...

You will find the holy face the source of life...”

After the troparia and in the small funeral litany the rest of the sedal is sung: “Peace, our Savior”, the 50th psalm is read and the canon “The water has passed through” is sung - its capstone: “I sing to the dying faithful” (placed in the Octoechos, tone 8, on Saturday).

Choruses to the canon: “Wonderful is God in His saints, the God of Israel” and “Rest, O Lord, for the souls of Your fallen servants.”

According to the 3rd song, katavasiya - irmos: “Heavenly circle”, and sedalen: “Truly all is vanity.”

According to the 6th song of Katavasia Irmos: “Cleanse me, Savior.”

After the small funeral litany - kontakion and ikos: “Rest with the saints” and “Thou art alone, the Immortal One.”

According to the 8th song, the priest makes an exclamation: “Theotokos and Mother of Light...”.

Chorus: “The spirits and souls of the righteous...” and Irmos: “Be afraid of every hearing.”

After canon the Trisagion according to Our Father is read and the troparia of the lithium are sung: “With the spirits of the righteous who have passed away, the soul (or souls) of Thy servant (Thy servant), O Savior, give rest...” and so on.

During the Saturday Liturgy, words of consolation are heard, giving hope for a future meeting in Heaven.

All those present in the church during the Liturgy are covered by the real grace of God, showing that Christ lives in His worshipers, and we are one body with Him, this is His secret Divine Love.

Divine Liturgy. Ecumenical parental (meat-free) Saturday

At the end of the Liturgy, Orthodox people take communion, receiving the Grace of Holy Communion. According to Saint Seraphim of Sarov, those who did not receive holy communion on this day turned away from the One who gave us Love in the Cup of salvation, which God’s hand extended.

Prayer for the departed

Rest, O Lord, the souls of Your departed servant: my parents, relatives, benefactors (their names) and all Orthodox Christians, and forgive them all sins, voluntary and involuntary, and grant them the Kingdom of Heaven.

When and by whom was the Ecumenical Memorial Saturday established?

The history of commemorating the deceased goes back to the distant past. Confirmation of this ritual can be found in Old Testament Bible (Num. 20:19; Deut. 34:9; Mac. 7:38-46).

The apostles James and Mark performed prayers for the deceased during ancient liturgies. The Apostolic Constitutions clearly indicate on which days those who have passed on to another world are commemorated. The Fathers of the Church, among them Gregory the Great, John Chrysostom, revealed true meaning funeral prayers.

The tradition of praying for your deceased parents and relatives is inherent in every people on earth. The patricians, respected in Rome, differed from the rootless plebeians not only in their wealth, but primarily in that they knew and remembered their ancestors many generations ago.

The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthian church writes that there is no one on earth who could foretell what God has prepared in Heaven for those who love Him.

Christian doctrine says that human improvement occurs only on earth. Divine Liturgy, read by the Great Emptiness, gives hope to all living, emphasizing that Christ, through the prayers of His Mother Mary, grants us salvation, for Christ is a lover of mankind.

The remaining people on earth will never know the secrets about afterlife Saints, they will not find answers why their bodies do not smolder and in what order from dead body incense emanates. Everyone's responsibility Orthodox Christian provide assistance to the deceased. The universal petition has enormous power untie the ties in Heaven. Meat-eating Saturday was established in the fifth century by order of the Monk Sava the Sanctified.

Icon of Sava the Sanctified

Why is Kolivo prepared for Ecumenical Memorial Saturday?

When holding a memorial service or litia, they bring kolivo or kutia to the temple. This is one dish made from wheat (sometimes I replace it with rice) with the addition of honey and raisins. The grain is a prototype of the deceased person. Just as a grain dies to form an ear, so the body of the deceased is buried in the earth so that his soul can be resurrected in paradise, where life will be sweet as honey.

Recipe for funeral kutia

To prepare coliva you will need peeled wheat, which should be soaked overnight in cold water. Add to swollen grains clean water in a ratio of 1:3 and cook until tender. Add raisins soaked in boiling water and salt to taste to the finished porridge. When the porridge with raisins becomes warm, add honey.

Unlike the rich Christmas kutia with many ingredients, poppy seeds, nuts and dried fruits are not added to the hungry kolivo.

Preparing a funeral meal