There is a parent's Saturday. Parents' Saturdays and days of special remembrance of the dead

Parents' Saturdays in 2019 - days of special remembrance of the departed. At this time in Orthodox churches They perform a special commemoration of Christians who have passed away, and believers visit the graves of their relatives who have left this world in cemeteries. Parents' Saturdays church calendar throughout the year seven.

Special days of remembrance of the dead began to be called parental Saturdays because, first of all, they remembered their deceased parents, and then other deceased relatives and other close people. According to another version, the name was formed because it was once customary to call the deceased parents, that is, “those who went to their fathers.”

Ecumenical Parents' Saturdays

If we are talking about universal parental Saturday, it is understood that all baptized Christians are commemorated. Seven days before the start of Lent, Meat Ecumenical Saturday is celebrated. Meat Saturday is called Meat Saturday because it falls on the week of the same name, which is also called Little Maslenitsa. This is the first parents' Saturday in March.

On the eve of Pentecost, Trinity Ecumenical Saturday is celebrated. On Trinity Saturday, all baptized Christians are also remembered in prayers. On these days, special universal memorial services are held. They serve a memorial service “In memory of all Orthodox Christians who have departed from time immemorial, our fathers and brothers.”

Five other parenting Saturdays

Radonitsa or Radunitsa falls on the Tuesday after St. Thomas Week, that is, the second week after the Holy Resurrection of Christ. The main theme of this day is the victory of the risen Christ over death. On this day, according to tradition, believers visit the cemetery and glorify the risen Son of God at the graves of deceased relatives.

On May 9, the day of victory in the Great Patriotic War, a memorial service is held in churches for the many soldiers who gave their lives for the salvation of their Motherland. Many families have lost someone close to them in this terrible and long war. Therefore, on this day we remember everyone dead soldiers, thanks to whose feat it took place a great victory, and their loved ones who died during the war.

Dimitrievskaya parental Saturday is also associated with military actions that only took place several centuries earlier. It's about about the Battle of Kulikovo in 1380. Initially, on this day they commemorated soldiers who died during a large-scale battle.

Later, this day was transformed into the day of remembrance of all the dead, which is indicated in the Novgorod chronicle of the 15th century. It is known that in 1903, Emperor Nicholas II issued a decree ordering a memorial service to be held in memory of the soldiers who died for the Motherland “For the faith, the Tsar and the Fatherland, who laid down their lives on the battlefield.”

In 2019, Orthodox parental Saturdays are celebrated in the following order:

• March 16 - Meat Saturday
• March 23 - Saturday of the 2nd week of Lent
• March 30 - Saturday of the 3rd week of Lent
• April 6 - Saturday of the 4th week of Lent
• May 7, Tuesday - Radonitsa, church-wide commemoration of the dead
• May 9 - Commemoration of deceased soldiers
• May 26 - Trinity Saturday
• November 3 - Saturday Dimitrievskaya

Features of parenting Saturdays

On the days of universal parental Saturdays, memorial services and funeral services are held, during which believers read prayers for their deceased relatives and ask God for forgiveness of their sins. According to the charter, during the parental Saturdays of the second, third and fourth during Lent, funeral commemorations are not performed, that is: funeral litanies, litias, memorial services, commemorations of the 3rd, 9th and 40th days after death, magpies. These days are specially set aside for believers to pay tribute to loved ones.

On Friday evening, on the eve of parental Saturday, a great requiem service (parastas) is served in churches. You can send notes with the names of your deceased relatives to the funeral Divine Liturgy. On this day, according to ancient tradition, it is customary to bring Lenten foods and Cahors to the temple for the liturgy. Wine and Lenten products brought to the temple on Friday are called brought “on the eve.”

In former times it was customary for believing parishioners to bring Lenten dishes for a common table in the temple, where it was possible to remember dead relatives dear to the heart. This tradition has been preserved, only on a smaller scale.

Lenten products and Cahors are left on a special table in the temple. This food is used for the needs of the temple and for distribution to poor people who are under the care of one or another parish.

Often believers are faced with a choice - to visit the grave of a relative on Parental Saturday or come to church for a service. The clergy are more inclined to believe that sincere prayer, which can be performed during a special service, is much more important for the souls of your loved ones. Therefore, it is recommended to give preference to visiting the temple.

You can read a prayer for the departed: “Rest, O Lord, the souls of your departed servants: 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.”

How to spend All Souls' Day

Before going to the temple, write down on a piece of paper the names of all deceased relatives and other close people whom you would like to mention while reading the prayer. Previously, Christian families had a very important tradition - from generation to generation, recording the names of all deceased relatives. This is how family memorials were formed, which were used during the reading of funeral prayers.

On days of special remembrance of the dead, it is very important to think about what death is, perhaps to rethink your own life and relationships with loved ones, and try to come to terms with all controversial issues.

Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh speaks very accurately and succinctly about the issue of the relationship between life and death. For fifteen years he worked as a military doctor, and after forty-six years he was a priest. Here is one of his quotes: “Russians believe in life, go into life. And this is one of the things that every priest and every person must repeat to himself and others: we must not prepare for death, we must prepare for eternal life».

Children's prayer for deceased parents

Lord Jesus Christ our God! You are the keeper of the orphans, the refuge of the grieving and the comforter of the weeping. I come running to you, an orphan, groaning and crying, and I pray to you: hear my prayer and do not turn your face away from the sighs of my heart and from the tears of my eyes. I pray to You, merciful Lord, satisfy my grief over separation from my parent (my mother), (name) (or: with my parents who gave birth and raised me, their names) - his soul ( or: her, or: them), as having gone (or: gone) to You with true faith in You and with firm hope in Your love for mankind and mercy, accept into Your Kingdom of Heaven. I bow before Your holy will, which was taken away (or: taken away, or: taken away) from me, and I ask You not to take away from him (or: from her, or: from them) Your mercy and mercy. We know, Lord, that You are the Judge of this world, you punish the sins and wickedness of the fathers in children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, even to the third and fourth generation: but you also have mercy on the fathers for the prayers and virtues of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. With contrition and tenderness of heart, I pray to Thee, merciful Judge, do not punish with eternal punishment the unforgettable deceased (unforgettable deceased) for me Thy servant (Thy servant), my parent (my mother) (name), but forgive him (her) all his sins ( her) voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, knowledge and ignorance, created by him (her) in his (her) life here on earth, and according to Your mercy and love for mankind, prayers for the sake of the Most Pure Mother of God and all the saints, have mercy on him (her) and eternal save me from torment. You, merciful Father of fathers and children! Grant me, all the days of my life, until my last breath, not to cease to remember my deceased parent (my deceased mother) in my prayers, and to beg Thee, the righteous Judge, to order him in a place of light, in a place of coolness and in a place of peace, with all the saints, from nowhere all sickness, sorrow and sighing have fled. Merciful Lord! Accept this day for Thy servant (Your) (name) my warm prayer and give him (her) Your reward for the labors and cares of my upbringing in faith and Christian piety, as He taught (taught) me first of all to lead You, my Lord, in reverently pray to You, trust in You alone in troubles, sorrows and illnesses and keep Your commandments; for his (her) concern for my spiritual progress, for the warmth of his (her) prayer for me before You and for all the gifts he (she) asked me from You, reward him (her) with Your mercy. Your heavenly blessings and joys in Your eternal Kingdom. For You are the God of mercies and generosity and love for mankind, You are the peace and joy of Your faithful servants, and we send glory to You with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

P.S. Death is an inevitability that each of us will face at one time or another. And from correct attitude This question depends on the position of a person both in earthly life and after death. Metropolitan Anthony reminds us that it is very important not to commit such a common sin as an indifferent or insincere attitude towards a dying relative with ostentatious care.

On the days of remembrance of the dead, you will mentally replay these moments again and again: when you could have spent a few more minutes with your loved one, and not referred to being busy and important daily matters, you could have given him more warmth, but did not.

These days are important both for the deceased, whom living relatives can help with their sincere prayers, and for the living themselves, who, preserving the memory of the family, can grow spiritually and care not only about earthly, but also about eternal life.

During Lent, there are Saturday days of special prayerful commemoration of the dead - parental Saturdays of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th weeks of the Holy Pentecost.

Christian love prompts us to pray for the dead, by which we are all mutually united in Jesus Christ and constitute spiritual wealth. The deceased are our neighbors whom the Lord commands to love as ourselves. God does not say: love your neighbors while they live.

Parents' Saturdays in 2019

On Holy Pentecost - the days of Great Lent, the feat of spirituality, the feat of repentance and charity to others - the Church calls on believers to be in the closest union of Christian love and peace not only with the living, but also with the dead, to perform prayerful commemorations of those who have passed away on designated days. real life. In addition, the Saturdays of these weeks are designated by the Church for the remembrance of the dead for another reason that on the weekdays of Great Lent no funeral commemorations are performed (this includes funeral litanies, litias, memorial services, commemorations of the 3rd, 9th and 40th days by death, sorokousty), since there is no full liturgy every day, the celebration of which is associated with the commemoration of the dead. In order not to deprive the dead of the saving intercession of the Church on the days of the Holy Pentecost, the indicated Saturdays are allocated.

In pre-revolutionary times, each family had a list of the names of all deceased members of this kind- “Commemoration.” Thus, they even prayed for those whom the oldest living family members did not remember. Now this tradition has been lost by most families, and even when making a memorial, many believers do not know how to properly remember their deceased loved ones. Priest Andrei Bezruchko, rector of the St. Nicholas Church in the city of Voskresensk, cleric of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in the village of Voskresensk, answered questions regarding the commemoration of the dead.

Why does the Orthodox Church introduce special days of remembrance - parental Saturdays, since commemoration, therefore, is performed at the liturgy?

The fact is that liturgies are not celebrated in parish churches every day; there is no such thing, speaking modern language, technical capabilities. In order to perform the liturgy, it is necessary that in addition to the priest there are chanters, sextons and, of course, praying people. Therefore, during the week, not every church holds a service, namely, a liturgy. But on Sunday, liturgies are celebrated in every functioning church. This is not enough to commemorate the dead, because this day occurs only once a week. Therefore, for special commemoration, parental Saturdays and days of remembrance of the dead are set aside, on which a special prayer for the deceased takes place.

During Lent, the full liturgy cannot be celebrated during the week, therefore, there cannot be commemoration of the dead on these days. From Monday to Friday (on weekdays) of Great Lent, the full liturgy is not celebrated in any church - it is not required; the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is performed on Wednesdays and Fridays or on major holidays. At this liturgy there is no commemoration of health or repose, because the days of fasting are days of repentance, days of special prayer, when a person goes deep within himself and the church structure of the service itself does not leave time for long remembrances of the deceased, except for a short funeral litany, which is due after 1 hour. And therefore, in Lent, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Saturdays are designated, which are called the days of remembrance of the dead - on these days special time is allocated for prayer for the departed. The day before, 17 Kathisma is read (this is when they pray for the departed). It talks about reward to the righteous and sinners from God, about their answer to God for their deeds, and therefore, this Kathisma in the Psalter is the most appropriate on this day and the Church Charter determines it to be read on the eve of Saturday. And already on Saturday itself, the day of remembrance of the dead, a liturgy and requiem service are performed, like a funeral prayer, where the dead are remembered.

When are parental Saturdays on the calendar, and what other special days have been established by the Orthodox Church for commemorating the dead?

Parental Saturdays are called several days in the church calendar: Meat, Trinity and Dmitrievskaya parental Saturdays. The remaining days in the Church calendar are days of remembrance of the dead. Although on all these days they commemorate the parents of the deceased, and close and acquaintances of Orthodox Christians, Orthodox slain soldiers, the names differ in the structure of the service itself, that is, in the name of the days of remembrance of the dead, it determines the very structure of this funeral prayer that takes place. For example, if it is parental Saturday, Trinity Saturday, Meat Saturday and Demetrius Saturday, then on these days the service is more filled than on other days of remembrance of the dead, with lengthy prayers, including troparia, stichera, and canons.

In addition to the usual days of remembrance of the dead: three parental Saturdays, the 2nd, 3rd, 4th Saturdays in Lent, there are other days of remembrance of the dead - Radonitsa(Tuesday of the second week after Easter), since during Easter week itself there are no large funeral prayers, there is only a secret prayer that takes place in the altar, and there is no general funeral prayer. They are transferred to Radonitsa, although the service performed on this day is not so abundantly filled with funeral prayers.

The days of remembrance of the dead are September 11, on the day of the beheading of the head of John the Baptist the remembrance of the dead is also performed, the date came historically - on this day it is customary to commemorate Orthodox soldiers who died in Patriotic War 1812, on this day they commemorated and so this day remained for remembrance, and not only of deceased soldiers.

Also today, on May 9, deceased soldiers in the Great Patriotic War are commemorated. On this day, warriors are remembered, although other deceased relatives can also be remembered.

Another day of remembrance of the dead is the day of remembrance of the dead who died during the years of persecution for the faith of Christ, repressed people in the 30s, in godless times. Among the millions of those shot there were many Orthodox Christians, all of them are remembered in a special prayer on the day of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia - this is the last Sunday of January (after January 25). On this day, after prayerfully commemorating the saints, we ask for the repose of the souls of the departed.

There are other days of remembrance of the dead; they are not on the church calendar, but with the blessing of His Holiness the Patriarch they are celebrated. For example: about those killed in road accidents, about dead liquidators Chernobyl nuclear power plant and etc.

What should a believer do on Parents' Saturday in order to remember deceased loved ones?

First of all, prayer for them, prayer in church, prayer at home, because there are people who good reason cannot attend church on this day. Therefore, they can pray fervently and heartily at home for their departed relatives - in private home prayer. In the usual Prayer Book there is a “Prayer for the Dead.” The day before, you can give notes with the names of the deceased to those who go to the temple on this day. You can visit a church shop the day before and pass a note so that they will remember you on this day and light a candle, because a burning candle is like a symbol of the burning of the human soul during prayer. We pray for the departed, and they feel our prayer and their afterlife becomes better from our prayer, becomes blissful. Of course, this depends on the strength of our prayer, and although we cannot make such a prayer as the saints did, so that overnight, through our prayer, the departed would immediately be in heaven, but to the best of our ability in prayers we remember them, make their afterlife easier .

In the “Prayer for the Dead” there are the words “Rest, O Lord, the souls of your departed servants: parents ...”, what words should be said if the parents of the person praying are alive?

You can say ancestors, these include grandfathers, great-grandfathers, all deceased members of the clan, which is why Saturday is called parental Saturday, because we pray for the deceased of our clan.

How to write names correctly in notes if the names of those being remembered are Yuri, Svetlana and Eduard?

All names in the notes must be given in church spelling, for example, George, not Yuri, Fotinia, not Svetlana. Some people pronounce the name on Greek, they can calmly pronounce it in Russian; for some names there is no barrier between languages. But, nevertheless, you need to be guided by the local charter: if they are accepted in the temple with that name, apply, if not, then it’s okay if you correct the name.

But there is rare names, which have no interpretation in church calendar, for example, Eleanor, Edward, Rubin, etc. Therefore, you should write the name given at Baptism, and if it is unknown, resolve this issue with the priest.

Should a person think about the afterlife on Parents' Saturday or on All Souls' Day?

A person needs to think about the afterlife not only on this day, but every day of his life. The Proverbs of Solomon says: “In all your deeds remember your end, and you will never sin...” - this is the path to a sinless human life. If we think that we have to appear before God and give an answer for our deeds, then we will try to spend every day of our lives piously and commit fewer sins.

On the days of remembrance of the dead, you need to think about both your afterlife and the afterlife of your deceased relatives. Of course, all these thoughts normal person who understands his spiritual path, follows it, strives to climb the hierarchical ladder of virtue.

What is the point of a funeral meal?

Those present, eating at the meal, remember their departed relatives, for whom this meal is being prepared. This important point, because there is a saying: “The well-fed cannot understand the hungry.” When we are full, we don’t think that there are people who are hungry and need to be fed. Often, when there is a funeral, many people come there to eat - there is no opportunity to eat at home. Therefore, being present at this meal, they will remember our deceased relative with prayer. The meal itself is alms done for deceased relatives, because the expenses spent on it are a sacrifice.

Question about those present. This should not be a circle of people who interest us for profitable purposes in order to benefit from them. Therefore, we should invite poor people to the funeral who need to be fed.

Of course, the main thing in commemoration is prayer, but, nevertheless, the memorial meal is a continuation of this prayer. The meal in the church charter is a continuation of the divine service, its integral part. Therefore, by attending a funeral meal, a person is attending a divine service.

Are funerals allowed to consume alcoholic beverages?

The church charter does not prohibit the consumption of alcoholic beverages at a funeral meal. But sometimes wakes turn into drunkenness, and from commemoration into sin. Therefore, everything should be in moderation. Drinking alcoholic beverages is possible, but I advise those who abstain not to drink, and for those who want to drink, do not remember with alcohol, but remember with a meal, and wash it down with alcohol, so that they do not raise their glasses in memory of a deceased friend.

Is it right to leave candy, cigarettes (if the deceased was a smoker) or even glasses of alcohol in the cemetery?

Some people think that if the deceased smoked during his lifetime, then after his death cigarettes should be brought to the grave, then, following this logic, if a person liked to drive a car, then he needs to bring a car to the cemetery. What else did you love? Dance - let's dance on the grave. Thus, we return to paganism, then there was a funeral feast (rite), whatever happened there. We must understand that if a person had some kind of earthly addiction, it remains on earth, but this does not exist in eternal life. Of course, it is inappropriate to put cigarettes or glasses of alcohol. You can leave sweets or cookies, but not on the grave, but on a table or bench, so that a person will come and remember this person. And scold, for example, children for that. It’s not worth it for them to collect sweets - they are put there to remember.

The grave must be kept clean, and nothing needs to be placed on the grave itself. In the absence of a person, birds sit there and shit, and it turns out that the grave is well-groomed, the fence is painted, and the birds or dogs disturb the order - scatter candy wrappers, etc.

The best way out: distribute candies and sweets to those who need them as alms.

What is the correct way to say “Heaven rest in peace” or “May he rest in peace”?

An Orthodox Christian will always say: “The kingdom of heaven be to him,” and an atheist says: “May he rest in peace,” because he does not believe in the kingdom of heaven, but, although, wanting something good, let him still say so to his relative . But an Orthodox Christian needs to say correctly: “The kingdom of heaven be unto him.”

What people should not be remembered in the temple?

The church does not commemorate suicides or the unbaptized by name. In common prayer, when we come to church to pray, we can present any petitions to the Lord God in our hearts, in our minds. Of course, when a person has deceased who have not been baptized, or deceased who have committed suicide, one cannot forbid turning to the Lord in mental prayer - the Lord himself knows whom and how to determine in the afterlife.

There are cases when suicides are blessed to have a funeral service in absentia. And when the funeral service is performed in absentia, the Diocesan Administration, after commemorating the deceased, says that commemoration in the church of this person is at the discretion of the rector of this church.
In the Church Charter for the decision controversial issues There is an expression “If the abbot wills,” and this is understood to mean that if the abbot allows, you can submit notes, if not, then the priest is guided by the statutory principles.

Is it possible to remember them with home prayer?

No one limits prayer, although one must understand that the Lord himself will judge at the Last Judgment. At home we can pray about everything, not only about people, but also about the arrangement in the family and affairs.

If a person dies during Lent, how can he be remembered during the week?

During Lent there are some deviations from the rules of ordinary commemoration. The church charter says that if a person dies during Lent, then during the week, neither on the 9th nor on the 40th day, they are not remembered, but a commemoration is held, either on the proper Saturday following this day or on the previous Sunday . For example, if you need to celebrate 9 days on Tuesday, then it is better to collect the commemoration on the previous Sunday.

Parents' Saturdays- nine days of special remembrance for Orthodox Christians. Every Saturday is dedicated to the remembrance of the dead, but there are also specially designated Saturday days. They are called parental because parents are the people closest to us, but these days they pray not only for relatives.
All parent ones, except one (May 9), have a moving date.

On these days, funeral services are performed - funeral services. Please note that public worship may begin the night before (i.e. Friday) as The liturgical day begins in the evening.

Of the nine days of special commemoration of the dead, two Ecumenical Memorial Saturdays stand out: Meat Saturday and Trinity Saturday. The main meaning of these “ecumenical” (common to the entire Orthodox Church) funeral services is prayer for all deceased Orthodox Christians, regardless of their personal closeness to us.

Parents' Saturday is a generalized name for the day of special remembrance of the dead. Special, not in terms of something different, but in terms of intensified ones. On this day, the entirety of the Church prays for the repose of the souls of deceased Orthodox Christians. For us – the living – this day of remembrance of our loved ones should, if possible, be spent in prayer. The leitmotif of all prayers for repose is forgiveness of sins. The dead have no time to repent and ask for forgiveness, but we can make every effort and ask God for mercy towards them. And the Lord, seeing our zeal, taking into account our deeds of prayer and alms (and alms can be given for the deceased), can forgive all the sins of a deceased person.
On parental Saturdays, an Orthodox Christian, if possible, needs to attend the funeral liturgy and memorial service, pray during the service not only for our loved ones, but also for all deceased Orthodox Christians (in Church Slavonic - “those who have died from eternity”), then visit the cemetery and there perform a private prayer - a memorial service, litia, or, if time permits, read the 17th kathisma of the Psalter. It is most important. As for the meal, this side of life is not regulated in any way by church rules. There is only one rule - moderation. In everything. And don’t forget: the main thing on this day is prayer.
Priest Pavel Konkov (magazine “Foma”)

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When are funeral services for parental Saturdays held in the church?

The liturgical day begins in the evening, so funeral services often begin in the evening of the previous day. The most important commemoration is at the Liturgy (usually served in the morning).

Is it necessary to go to the cemetery on Parents' Saturday?

Prayerful remembrance in a church is incomparably more important for the deceased than visiting a grave, but the first does not exclude the second. It is important to maintain a hierarchy: worship comes first, a trip to the cemetery comes second. Christians perform the ceremony at the grave or invite a priest.

Why do they bring food to the temple?

Initially, food was brought for a joint funeral meal. In our time - as a sacrifice to the clergy and clergy for the soul's sake.

One should be sober about the tradition of bringing food “to”, based on modern realities. No matter how hard the priests try, they can’t eat 30 loaves of bread or 20 packs of gingerbread, so it makes sense to bring food that will last for a long time. A donation can also be made to the church mug; the church has many needs, not just food.

What date does Trinity Ecumenical Parents' Saturday fall on in 2018? What is the history of this event? What is possible and what is not allowed on this day. Read about it in Pravda TV.

Trinity (parental) Saturday is the day of remembrance of the dead, falling on the Saturday before Trinity. In Russia, this day was also called: Semitskaya Saturday, Klechalnaya Saturday, Soulful Wake, Spiritual Day.

On Trinity Parental Saturday, it is customary in the Orthodox world to remember the departed. In 2018, parent's day falls on May 26th.

This tradition dates back to apostolic times. On this day, the Apostle Peter, addressing the Jews, speaks of the Risen Savior: God raised Him up, breaking the bonds of death (Acts 2:24). The apostolic decrees state that the apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, preached to the Jews and pagans our Savior Jesus Christ, the Judge of the living and the dead.

Trinity Parents' Saturday 2018: how to remember the dead and what not to do

History and significance

Trinity Ecumenical Parental Saturday is probably the oldest memorial day in Christianity. It originates from apostolic times - from the 1st century after the Nativity of Christ. It is always celebrated on the eve of the Holy Trinity - hence the name.

According to legend, on this day, still persecuted and not recognized by anyone, Christians gathered together to honor the memory of tortured and executed brothers and sisters in faith who did not receive a proper burial.

If Trinity Day is a kind of birthday of the Ecumenical Apostolic Church, then Trinity Saturday represents, as it were, the last day of the Old Testament Church before the revelation of the Church of Christ in its entirety. Therefore, the Orthodox Church considers it important to remember before the Day of the Holy Trinity all those who have departed from the ages. The Church says that the Holy Spirit descended to earth on the day of Pentecost in order to teach, sanctify and lead people to eternal salvation. Therefore, the Church calls on all people to perform commemoration on Parental Saturday in order to cleanse all souls with the saving grace of the Holy Spirit.

During the service, they remember the parable of the Last Judgment of the living and the dead, so that a person remembers that he will have to answer for sinful acts committed during the Judgment. Therefore, the Church has established intercession not only for its living members, but also for all those who have died from time immemorial, especially for those who died a sudden death, and prays to the Lord for their pardon. Thus, the Church gives everyone a chance to save their soul.

What is Parents' Saturday

On these Saturdays, special commemoration of deceased Orthodox Christians is performed in Orthodox churches. The name “parental” most likely comes from the tradition of calling the deceased “parents,” that is, those who went to their fathers. And also because Christians prayerfully commemorated, first of all, their deceased parents. Among parental Saturdays, Ecumenical Saturdays are especially distinguished, on which the Orthodox Church prayerfully commemorates all the departed.

Holy Trinity 2018: symbols and signs of the great holiday

There are two such Saturdays a year: Meat Saturday (a week before the start of Lent, which was celebrated on February 18 in 2017) and Trinity. On these days, special services are held - ecumenical memorial services. The remaining parental Saturdays are not ecumenical and are reserved specifically for private commemoration of people dear to our hearts.

How they are remembered in church

In Orthodox churches, on the eve of parental Saturday - on Friday evening, the Great Requiem Service is served, which is also called Greek word"parastas". The funeral Divine Liturgy is served on Saturday morning, and after it - a general memorial service. On this day, one should remember their deceased parents in church - people submit notes with the names of loved ones of the deceased and pray for the repose of their souls in the afterlife.

According to the old church tradition, parishioners bring Lenten foods and wine to the church for the liturgy, which are blessed during the service, and later distributed to those who wish.

What is customary to do

After visiting churches, Orthodox Christians go to the cemetery, read prayers for the repose of the souls of deceased relatives, and tidy up the graves. The Church believes that on this day it is more important to hold a service in the church than to go to the cemetery, since prayer for deceased relatives and friends is much more important than visiting the grave.

But, if it is not possible to visit the temple and cemetery these days, you can pray for the repose of the deceased at home. Another custom of Trinity Saturday is the obligatory distribution of alms to all those in need with a request to pray for the departed.

There is a belief that on parental Saturday before Trinity you cannot work, clean the apartment, or even wash the dishes, although the church has a different opinion.

The clergy say that work restrictions exist primarily to ensure that household chores do not interfere with prayer and visiting church. Parents' Saturday should begin with visiting church and praying for the departed, and after returning home from church, you can do homework.

Customs

Folk traditions of commemorating dead people were somewhat different from church traditions. Ordinary people walked to the graves of relatives in front of big holidays- on the eve of Maslenitsa, Trinity, Intercession Holy Mother of God and the day of remembrance of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica.

The people most revered Dmitrievskaya Parental Saturday. This is the last parent's Saturday of the year, which in 2018 falls on November 3. In 1903, Emperor Nicholas II even issued a decree on holding a special memorial service for the soldiers who fell for the Fatherland - “For the faith, the Tsar and the Fatherland, who laid down their lives on the battlefield.” Days of special remembrance of the dead in Ukraine and Belarus were called “Grandfathers”. There were up to six such “Grandfathers” a year. People superstitiously believed that on these days all deceased relatives invisibly joined the family funeral meal.

According to ancient custom, on parental Saturdays it was customary to eat kutya - an obligatory dish for the funeral meal. Sweet porridge was usually prepared from whole grains of wheat or other cereals with the addition of honey, as well as raisins or nuts. True, today few people follow it.

Prayer for the departed Give rest, O Lord, to the souls of your departed servants: 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. During a church service, Orthodox people remember by name many generations of their deceased ancestors

The meaning of Trinity Saturday

The rector of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan of Vyshgorod and Chernobyl, Vladyka Pavel, told readers about the traditions of this day.

He recalled that the tradition of commemorating the dead was founded during the time of the apostles. When the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, preaching about Jesus Christ, they called Him the Judge of the living and the dead. The descent of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost marked the redemption of the world and the gift of ineffable grace, which acts savingly on the living and on the dead.

Trinity Saturday can be called the last day of the Old Testament Church and the beginning of the dispensation of the Church of Christ. Therefore, in one of the prayers there is such an appeal to the Lord: “Lord rest, the souls of Your servants, the fathers and our brothers and other relatives in the flesh who have fallen before the dead, and all our relatives in the faith, and we create memory of them now.”

“By the prayer for repose, we ask the Lord to forgive the sins committed by those who have died due to weakness, and who have sometimes passed into another world without repentance. We ask that the soul of the deceased receive eternal rest in the Abodes of the Kingdom of Heaven, where there are no sorrows and sorrows, but there is eternal joy in being with the Lord. Try to help the deceased through alms and helping those in need, because any alms for the deceased is another request for the Lord’s mercy. A person who has passed into another world can no longer repent of his sins, give alms, or change anything. He is waiting for our prayers, help and rewards,” the Metropolitan noted.

The Monk John of Damascus says how one of the God-bearing fathers had a disciple living in carelessness, and when he was overtaken by death, the Lord, after the prayers offered by the elder, showed him the boy, like the rich man (mentioned in the parable of Lazarus) burning in fire up to his neck. When the elder grieved a lot about this and tearfully prayed to God, the Lord showed him the boy standing waist-deep in the fire. And then, when the saint added new labors to his labors, God, in a vision to the elder, showed the youth free and completely removed from the fire.

“There are a great many such examples that can be told, but all of them again and again confirm to us that the prayer of those living on earth, sincere, coming from the heart, can change a lot for our departed. The Lord sees and hears each of us, and blessed is he who strives not only for himself, but also for his neighbor. The Lord gives us His mercies and mercy every minute. Do not doubt, dear brothers and sisters, in the forgiveness of the Lord, but remember at the same time that everything that is offered to God with faith subsequently has a multiple reward, both to those who bring it and to those for whom they offer it,” he addressed the readers “ Vestei" abbot of the Lavra.

He once again recalled that the Lord came down from heaven to earth, accepted torment and death on the cross for the salvation of the entire human race. He suffered and sacrificed Himself for each of us. Therefore, every person who has the smallest share of virtues will not be forgotten by the Lord and will be his close friend, by the mercy of the Lord, and his relatives and friends will do prayers and alms for the one who has departed to receive his reward in the Abodes of the Kingdom of Heaven.

But for the one who lived viciously, without caring for the soul, the Lord will not look upon him, and no one from relatives and friends will help. John Chrysostom says: “If you have not managed to arrange everything in life regarding your soul, then at least at the time of your death, command your relatives so that after death they convey your property to you and provide you with assistance.” good deeds, that is, alms and offerings. Thus, here too you will be reconciled with the Redeemer.”

The Lord will not leave without His Divine justice those who are alone and who do not have relatives who would pray for them, or those who do not have a fortune that can be distributed as alms after death.

The Lord does not leave anyone or anything without His Divine attention, and only in the Lord lies all truth, wisdom and grace. He will save every creation He has made, with the exception of those who apostatized from the faith and violated the Commandments of the Lord.

It is necessary to remember the dead as often as possible, not only on those days that are designated as days of special remembrance of the dead.

Parents' Saturday: what to do and what to bring to church

It is necessary on the eve of the liturgy to submit notes - a registered magpie - with the names of relatives (only those baptized in Orthodox faith), and during the proskomedia, particles will be taken out from the prosphora for repose, lowered into the chalice and washed with the Blood of Christ.

“This is the greatest good we can do for our deceased. The souls of people who have passed into another world without bearing the fruits of repentance endure torment and suffering, and the priest’s prayer helps them gain some relief. You can submit notes for the memorial service, which is served after the liturgy, in the designated place in the church. Here you can leave an offering in the form of bread, cereals, vegetable oil, everything is done whenever possible. You can light a candle in memory of the deceased, and this will be your small sacrifice. It is advisable to order magpies - this is when for 40 days, during the liturgy, there is an incessant commemoration or reading of the Psalter for six months or a year,” explained Bishop Pavel.

At the same time, he emphasized that when offering repose in churches, one should not forget about home prayer, since the soul of the deceased has a great need for this. “And since the Church does not commemorate suicides and those not baptized in the Orthodox faith, you can perform commemoration in home prayer,” the Metropolitan added.

A very popular custom is the funeral meal. “But you shouldn’t turn this into a feast to eat deliciously and discuss last news. At the funeral meal, a general prayer for the repose of the deceased is necessary. And the first dish with which the meal begins is kutya (wheat grains with honey and raisins). It is also necessary to exclude all types of alcohol. Previously, there was such a pious custom when the first to sit at the funeral table were beggars, old women and children, and they were also given the clothes of the deceased and alms,” said Bishop Pavel.

Prayer for the departed

Prayer for everyone who has died

Remember, O Lord our God, in the faith and hope of the life of Thy eternally departed servant, our brother (name), as Good and Lover of mankind, forgiving sins and consuming untruths, weaken, forsake and forgive all his voluntary and involuntary sins, deliver him from eternal torment and the fire of Gehenna, and grant him the communion and enjoyment of Your eternal good things, prepared for those who love You: even if you sin, do not depart from You, and undoubtedly in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, You are glorified God in the Trinity, faith, and the Unity in the Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is Orthodox even until his last breath of confession. Be merciful to him, and have faith in You instead of deeds, and rest with Your saints as You are Generous: for there is no man who will live and not sin. But You are the One besides all sin, and Your truth is the truth forever, and You are the One God of mercies and generosity, and love for mankind, and to You we send glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Children's prayer for deceased parents

Lord Jesus Christ our God! You are the keeper of the orphans, the refuge of the grieving and the comforter of the weeping. I, an orphan, come running to You, groaning and crying, and I pray to You: hear my prayer and do not turn Your face away from the sighs of my heart and from the tears of my eyes. I pray to You, merciful Lord, satisfy my grief over separation from my parent (matter) (name), and his soul (her), as if she has gone to You with true faith in You and firm hope in Yours accept philanthropy and mercy into Your Heavenly Kingdom. I bow before Your holy will, which was taken away from me, and I ask You not to take away from him (her or them) Your mercy and mercy. We know, Lord, that You, the Judge of this world, punish the sins and wickedness of the fathers in children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, even to the third and fourth generation: but you also have mercy on the fathers for the prayers and virtues of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. With contrition and tenderness of heart, I pray to Thee, merciful Judge, do not punish with eternal punishment the deceased, unforgettable for me, Your servant (s), my parent (mother) (name), but forgive him (her) all his (her) sins, voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, knowledge and ignorance, committed by him (her) in his (her) life here on earth, and according to Your mercy and love for mankind, prayers for the sake of the Most Pure Mother of God and All saints, have mercy on him (you) and deliver him from eternal torment. You, merciful Father of fathers and children! Grant me, all the days of my life, until my last breath, not to cease to remember my deceased parent (mother) in my prayers, and to beg Thee, the righteous Judge, to order him (s) in a place of light, in a place cool and in a calm place, with all the saints, from where all illness, sadness and sighing have escaped. Merciful Lord! Accept this day for Thy servant (Your) (name) my warm prayer and give him (her) Your reward for the labors and cares of my upbringing in faith and Christian piety, as having taught me first of all to lead You, my Lord, pray to You in reverence, trust in You alone in troubles, sorrows and illnesses and keep Your Commandments; for his (her) concern for my spiritual success, for the warmth of his (her) prayer for me before You and for all the gifts he (she) asked me from You, reward him (her) with Your mercy, Your heavenly blessings and joys in Your eternal Kingdom. For you are the God of mercies and generosity and love for mankind. You are the peace and joy of Your faithful servants, and we send glory to You with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Trinity Saturday: popular beliefs and prohibitions

Our ancestors believed that on the eve of Trinity, mermaids come out of reservoirs, playing various pranks in the fields and forests and singing songs loudly. Hearing this noise, the merman begins to stir up the water in rivers and lakes. To calm the merman, on the night of Trinity, young people burned fires near the water or ran through the forest with branches, chasing the playful mermaids. At the same time, swimming on the night of Trinity was strictly prohibited, since a merman awakened by the mermaids could drag him to the bottom.

Also on Trinity Saturday and Trinity, it was forbidden to work in the field and in the yard, and one could not go into the forest alone - for fear of meeting mermaids. For the same reason, these days they also tried not to graze cattle near forests and water bodies.

On this day it was forbidden to sew or spin. In addition, all prohibitions related to water were in effect: washing and rinsing clothes, washing and swimming in open water, etc. were prohibited. In general, these days, mermaids should have been careful, or better yet, appeased with some kind of offering.

Trinity Saturday: signs and sayings

From Trinity Saturday they don’t sweep for three days, and on the fourth they clean the house.

On Trinity Saturday, this barley and hemp will produce well.

Rain on Trinity - good omen: Expect a harvest of mushrooms and berries, and there will be no frosts all summer.

On what days is it customary to commemorate the dead?

Parents' Saturdays in 2018 fall on the following dates:

• – February 10, 2018.
• Saturday of the 2nd week of Great Lent – ​​March 3, 2018.
• Saturday of the 3rd week of Great Lent – ​​March 10, 2018.
• Saturday of the 4th week of Lent – ​​March 17, 2018.
• Commemoration of deceased warriors– May 9, 2018.
• Radonitsa– April 17, 2018.
• Trinity Parents' Saturday in 2018– May 26, 2018.
• – November 3, 2018.

Parents' Saturdays in 2019 fall on the following dates:

• Ecumenical Parental Saturday (meat-free)– March 4, 2019.
• Saturday of the 2nd week of Great Lent – ​​March 23, 2019.
• Saturday of the 3rd week of Lent – ​​March 30, 2019.
• Saturday of the 4th week of Lent – ​​April 6, 2019.
• Commemoration of deceased warriors– May 9, 2019.
• Radonitsa– May 7, 2019.
• Trinity Parents' Saturday in 2019– June 15, 2019.
• Dimitrievskaya Parents' Saturday– November 2, 2019.

• Parents' Saturdays in 2020 fall on the following dates:

  • Ecumenical Parental Saturday (meat-free)– February 24, 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 Lent – ​​March 28, 2020.
  • Commemoration of deceased warriors– May 9, 2020.
  • Radonitsa– April 28, 2020.
  • Trinity Parents' Saturday in 2020– June 6, 2020.
  • Dimitrievskaya Parents' Saturday– October 31, 2020.

• Parents' Saturdays in 2021 fall on the following dates:

  • Ecumenical Parental Saturday (meat-free)– March 8, 2021.
  • Saturday of the 2nd week of Great Lent – ​​March 27, 2021.
  • Saturday of the 3rd week of Lent – ​​April 3, 2021.
  • Saturday of the 4th week of Lent – ​​April 10, 2021.
  • Commemoration of deceased warriors– May 9, 2021.
  • Radonitsa– May 11, 2021.
  • Trinity Parents' Saturday in 2021– June 19, 2021.
  • Dimitrievskaya Parents' Saturday– November 6, 2021.

Ecumenical Parental Saturday before Great Lent, in 2019 coming on March 2 is one of the special days when all temples service is underway for the remembrance of deceased Christians. Prayerful sighs the living about 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 there is a “farewell” to meat dishes until Great 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.

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.

Sometimes children are annoyed by parents who insist on obedience and punish those who disobey. Stupid children do not understand that parents are driven by the reluctance of power, and ordinary fear raise a child who does not respect the father and mother.

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 perform universal universal prayers for 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 man consists of spirit, soul and body, but the deceased have a soul and spirit, which means they still have time to repent. 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. Remaining 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

The morning of 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;
• women who died during abortions;
• 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 journey on Ecumenical Memorial 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 succession of the parastas, that is, the great requiem, for our departed fathers and brothers and for all Orthodox Christian 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 the secret of His 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 the Old Testament of the 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 perfection 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 people who remain on earth will never learn the secrets about the afterlife of the Saints, they will not find answers to why their bodies do not smolder and how incense emanates from a dead body. Everyone's responsibility Orthodox Christian provide assistance to the deceased. Universal petition has great power to untie 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