Parent's Day in 2016 Which Number? Commemoration of the dead in the cemetery and other customs on the Parent Saturday
The date on which the Parent day falls,depends on the date of the celebration of Easter. On this day, the deceased relatives are commemorated, bringing Easter food to the graves. The tradition of commemorating the bright memory of deceased relatives is taken from pagan customs, but is firmly included in the calendar of Orthodox holidays. The parental day of 2016 is also called Radonice.
History of the church holiday
The Eastern Slavs have a holiday calledRadonica (anchor to Radonitsa) (Radunitsa). In different localities, it can be celebrated on Radonitskaya (Fomina) week on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. The roots of the tradition go back to the time of paganism, but the custom was maintained by the church.
There are several versions of the origin of the name Radonica:
It means "crying with lamentation," "prayer for the dead with weeping and lamentation";
Radonitsa (or Trizny) are deities guardingsouls of the dead. In ancient times they were revered, sacrificed to the mounds. It was believed that the soul of the deceased would see in this a sign of respect from the living and calmly fly away;
The root "rad-" means "joy," "joy." After the Resurrection of Christ, a universal resurrection of the dead is coming.
When Christianity came to Russia, the meaningholiday has changed. Pagan fears gave way to a meaningful understanding of the world and life. Radonitsa became a bright spring holiday, the triumph of life over death. During the spring flowering of nature, the living tried to honor the memory of the deceased, to appease them.
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Parent's Day in 2016 Which Number?
Every year the date of the Parent day changes. To understand what number to celebrate Radonitsa in 2016 is easy, if you count the 9th day after Easter. This year the biggest Orthodox holiday falls on May 1, which means that the date of Radonica will be May 10 (Tuesday). Parent's Day 2016, as in any other year, is always celebrated in Fomin for a week (2nd after Easter).
On Parent's Day it is customary to walk to the cemetery
Radonica is considered the Easter holiday of the departed, this is their Passover. Wreaths pass in silence, avoid noisy celebrations. There are several parental days, but the same customs apply to them:
Visiting temples, funeral services for funeral services;
Visit the cemetery family;
They take in the cemetery Easter dishes - cakes, painted eggs;
Memorial meal at the cemetery, then at home, in the family circle;
They help the needy, orphans.
Since the festival is held under the auspices of the church, some restrictions are imposed on the celebration:
Do not leave food on graves, it is better to distribute them to those in need;
moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages, alcohol abuse on that day the church does not approve;
It is not necessary to arrange a feast at the cemetery, accompanied by merriment;
although there is no fasting on this day, you should cover a table with lean dishes.
On Parent's Day there is a tradition of remembrance of the dead not only from the circle of the family, but also just acquaintances, close friends. Commemorative products are also allowed to be left on the graves of strangers.
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What are the popular features associated with Radonitsa?
In the old days, people believed that on that day the souls of the deceased visited their home. Especially for them they built a bathhouse, washed in it only after the holiday;
For those who came in the shower, they left dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner - extra plates, cups;
The rain on this day is a sign for happiness. Children all day long called for rain, so that a yearly harvest of a rich harvest;
Parental Saturday was the day when it was not allowed to work after dinner (plant, sow, make in the house, sew) - this is a bad harvest;
In ancient times the holiday was considered light, it was allowed to rejoice, to have fun. In the evening, people, free from work, went out to sing songs and dance dances.
The Orthodox calendar has 6 memorial days, of which Radovitsa is the most important. The small parental days of 2016, when they are also allowed to visit the graves of their loved ones, note:
March 5 (Meat-packed Saturday) and March 26;
2 and 9 April;
June 18 (Trinity Saturday);
November 5 (Dmitrievskaya Saturday).
Now you know what date is celebratedparental Saturday Radonica. It's worth starting the Parent's Day 2016 with a visit to the church, the presence in the funeral service. Only after that they go to the cemetery, then in the family circle they honor the memory of their relatives at home for their meal.
