Big parental Saturday in June. parent saturday


The Orthodox calendar tells us the exact dates of all church holidays, which means that it is thanks to him that you can accurately find out the days of Parental Saturdays in 2016. After all, they are closely connected with festivities or fasts.

To begin with, it is necessary to shed light on the term "Parental Saturday": these are the days when Orthodox Christians commemorate the dead. These days are called so, because earlier in Russia all the dead were called fathers. According to other versions, this day is called so because parents are always remembered first of all.

Parental Saturdays in 2016

In 2016, we will have 8 Orthodox Parental Saturdays. Contrary to popular belief, they may not always be Saturdays according to the usual calendar. 5 out of 8 such days fall exactly on the “correct” day of the week - they are called Ecumenical Parental Saturdays.

The First Ecumenical Parental Saturday is Meatless. It will be celebrated on March 5 this year. This holiday according to the church calendar means God's intention to remind us that we are all mortal and sooner or later, but we will be next to him. All deceased loved ones are also remembered.

Second Parental Saturday - Trinity. This holiday is dedicated to all the dead, without exception. This year, this day will be June 18 - the 50th day after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. On this day, according to the Gospel, the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples of Christ.

The third, fourth and fifth Parental Saturdays are the Saturdays of Great Lent. It will be March 26, April 2 and April 9. This is a tribute to the departed in honor of the most difficult and significant post for all Orthodox Christians.

The sixth Parent's Day - May 9 - is the day of remembrance of the soldiers who died on the battlefields in the Great Patriotic War.

The seventh Parent's Day 2016 is Radonitsa, May 10, Tuesday. Radonitsa is the ninth day after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Eighth Parental Day - Demetrius Saturday November 5, the day of memory of the Battle of Kulikovo, when Russia lost almost a hundred thousand of its soldiers on the battlefield. On this day, all warriors, defenders of their homeland, are commemorated.
How to Celebrate Parents' Saturday

During Lent, March 26, April 2 and April 9 are special days of commemoration of the dead. These days, it is customary to simply read prayers in memory of relatives who are not with us.

Trinity Saturday is the day of memorial services in Orthodox churches in honor of all baptized people. The same thing happens on Meatfare Saturday - all believers come to the temple for a memorial service.

On Radonitsa, it is customary to visit the graves of the dead with good thoughts in their souls, since Jesus is Risen. This is the day when death loses its power, because after death we are united with God.

Well, on Demetrius Saturday, it is customary to come to the temple for a festive liturgy and the subsequent memorial service. On this day, it is customary to submit notes with a request for the repose of their loved ones and for the peace of their souls.

Each Parental Saturday is a very important Orthodox holiday, as it is a reminder to us that life will end sooner or later, but another, more important one will begin. Appreciate your life and the lives of your loved ones.


The Orthodox calendar tells us the exact dates of all church holidays, which means that it is thanks to him that you can accurately find out the days of Parental Saturdays in 2016. After all, they are closely connected with festivities or fasts.

To begin with, it is necessary to shed light on the term "Parental Saturday": these are the days when Orthodox Christians commemorate the dead. These days are called so, because earlier in Russia all the dead were called fathers. According to other versions, this day is called so because parents are always remembered first of all.

Parental Saturdays in 2016

In 2016, we will have 8 Orthodox Parental Saturdays. Contrary to popular belief, they may not always be Saturdays according to the usual calendar. 5 out of 8 such days fall exactly on the “correct” day of the week - they are called Ecumenical Parental Saturdays.

The First Ecumenical Parental Saturday is Meatless. It will be celebrated on March 5 this year. This holiday according to the church calendar means God's intention to remind us that we are all mortal and sooner or later, but we will be next to him. All deceased loved ones are also remembered.

Second Parental Saturday - Trinity. This holiday is dedicated to all the dead, without exception. This year, this day will be June 18 - the 50th day after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. On this day, according to the Gospel, the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples of Christ.

The third, fourth and fifth Parental Saturdays are the Saturdays of Great Lent. It will be March 26, April 2 and April 9. This is a tribute to the departed in honor of the most difficult and significant post for all Orthodox Christians.

The sixth Parent's Day - May 9 - is the day of remembrance of the soldiers who died on the battlefields in the Great Patriotic War.

The seventh Parent's Day 2016 is Radonitsa, May 10, Tuesday. Radonitsa is the ninth day after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Eighth Parental Day - Demetrius Saturday November 5, the day of memory of the Battle of Kulikovo, when Russia lost almost a hundred thousand of its soldiers on the battlefield. On this day, all warriors, defenders of their homeland, are commemorated.
How to Celebrate Parents' Saturday

During Lent, March 26, April 2 and April 9 are special days of commemoration of the dead. These days, it is customary to simply read prayers in memory of relatives who are not with us.

Trinity Saturday is the day of memorial services in Orthodox churches in honor of all baptized people. The same thing happens on Meatfare Saturday - all believers come to the temple for a memorial service.

On Radonitsa, it is customary to visit the graves of the dead with good thoughts in their souls, since Jesus is Risen. This is the day when death loses its power, because after death we are united with God.

Well, on Demetrius Saturday, it is customary to come to the temple for a festive liturgy and the subsequent memorial service. On this day, it is customary to submit notes with a request for the repose of their loved ones and for the peace of their souls.

Each Parental Saturday is a very important Orthodox holiday, as it is a reminder to us that life will end sooner or later, but another, more important one will begin. Appreciate your life and the lives of your loved ones.

Parental days are memorial days for deceased ancestors. In the calendar of the Orthodox Church, every day is dedicated to a specific event, commemoration days. It is customary to commemorate, according to the Orthodox church custom, one's dead relatives on certain days of the year. These days are called parental days or parental Saturdays, although these dates do not always fall on a Saturday.

Radonitsa, Trinity Saturday and Dimitrovskaya are considered the most important parental days among the people, but there are also Ecumenical memorial days.

In addition, it is necessary to honor the memory of departed relatives on the day of their birth and on the day of death. Many commemorate the deceased on the day of his angel (the saint in whose honor he was baptized).

As for parental Saturdays 2016, they are scheduled for certain days when common liturgies (commemorative services) are read in churches, and every believer can join this prayer, remembering their loved ones. During the year there are 9 such special memorial days, of which 6 times always fall on Saturdays, they are called "Ecumenical Parental Saturdays". Once we honor the memory of the dead on Tuesday on Radonitsa, and May 9 and September 11 are set aside for the remembrance of the deceased soldiers and can fall on any day of the week.

Commemoration at the Divine Liturgy (Church note)

Those who have Christian names are remembered for health, and only those baptized in the Orthodox Church are remembered for repose.

Notes can be submitted to the liturgy:

At the proskomidia - the first part of the liturgy, when for each name indicated in the note, particles are taken out of special prosphora, which are subsequently lowered into the Blood of Christ with a prayer for the forgiveness of sins

First, on March 5, the universal meat and meat Saturday will come. Then, on March 26, comes the second Saturday of Great Lent. The next parent's day falls on April 2. Saturday of the fourth week of Great Lent will come, a week later, on April 9th.

May 9 will be the day of remembrance for all those who died during the Second World War. On June 16, on the seventh Thursday after Easter, there will be a day of remembrance for suicides, unbaptized and violently killed. In 2 days, June 18 will be Trinity parental Saturday. September 11 is the day of remembrance for soldiers who died in the war. November 5 - Dmitrievskaya parental Saturday.

Universal Parent Saturdays

Ecumenical parental Saturdays, or Ecumenical memorial services, according to the liturgical charter of the Orthodox Church, are performed twice a year:

Meatfare Saturday - On March 5 there will be a memorial day called the Ecumenical Meatfare Saturday

This is the most ancient and solemn memorial day. Its history dates back to the early centuries of Christianity and should remind believers, first of all, of the Day of Judgment. According to church tradition, the first Christians gathered in cemeteries and prayed for their fellow believers, especially for those who died suddenly and therefore did not receive a decent burial.

The meaning of the rite is to prepare the souls of all believers for a new, afterlife and meeting with God, not forgetting about the souls who left the earthly world. On Meatfare Saturday, they remember those who have died from Adam to our time. In folk beliefs, there is also a motive for preparing for the upcoming renewal - only here it means the renewal of nature and the transition to spring; It is no coincidence that Saturday precedes the merry Maslenitsa.

In Belarus and the western regions of Russia, the Meatless Parental Saturday is a kind of meeting of all members of the family, both current and former. When the table is laid, you can see the number of devices that exceed the number of those present: in this way they treat the deceased relatives. On this holiday, alms are served in the name of the salvation of all Christian souls.

Indestructible Psalter

The indestructible Psalter is read not only about health, but also about repose. From ancient times, the ordering of a commemoration on the Unsleeping Psalter is considered a great almsgiving for the departed soul.

It is also good to order the Indestructible Psalter for yourself, support will be vividly felt. And one more important point, but far from the least important,
There is an eternal commemoration on the Indestructible Psalter. It seems expensive, but the result is more than a million times more than the money spent. If this is still not possible, then you can order for a shorter period. It's also good to read for yourself.

Trinity Saturday -On June 18, a memorial day falls, which is called Trinity Saturday.

An equally significant day for the special commemoration of the dead in Orthodoxy is Trinity Saturday. According to legend, on the fiftieth day after the Resurrection of Christ, the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles and they received the gift of teaching people the Word of God.

The day symbolizes the complete purification of the soul by the Holy Spirit, the transition to the highest level of perfection and familiarization with universal human knowledge. On Trinity Saturday, absolutely all the dead are commemorated, including those who are in hell.

It is considered a bad sign if it is not possible to visit the graves of relatives on Trinity: then they will come to the house and begin to disturb the living. To appease the dead, sweets or the remains of a memorial dinner are left in the cemetery. A lot of folk legends are connected with Trinity Saturday.

Girls are not allowed to do any housework. A wedding on the Trinity is an extremely ominous sign; people believe that the marriage will be unhappy. Beliefs advise not to swim, because mermaids frolic on the Trinity and can carry the living into their kingdom.

Parental Saturdays during Lent

Saturdays, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Saturdays of Great Lent

On April 9 there will be a memorial day - this will be the fourth parental Saturday of Great Lent.

The meaning of Lenten memorial days is a manifestation of care and love for the souls of the deceased neighbors. During the most important fast for the Orthodox, divine liturgies are not held - it turns out that the souls remain forgotten. Due respect is given if believers go to church and read prayers for people dear to their hearts, so that the Lord does not leave them without his mercy. It is advisable to read a prayer for the departed and at home.

It must be remembered that such a prayer brings God's grace to the Christian himself. In the whirlwind of everyday routine and household trifles, the kindest feelings seem to be overwritten; to those whom we truly love, we begin to treat with condescension, and sometimes with disdain. It is a pity that the realization of the importance of each word or moment comes too late, and then many forget the deceased.

Regardless of whether a person considers himself a Christian or not, he must accustom himself to grateful reverence and memory - this is part of his upbringing and moral culture. Therefore, parental Saturdays are, first of all, days of deep respect for each other.

Private parenting days

Radonitsa, the ninth day after Easter, is a significant day for the Eastern Slavs, in which Christianity and ancient folk customs are closely intertwined. The word "Radonitsa" is the same root as the word "rejoice". According to church interpretation, the idea of ​​the complete victory of Jesus Christ over death was reflected in the celebration; it was on the ninth day after his Resurrection that the Savior descended to the dead and announced to them the joyful news of his Resurrection.

The commemoration of the dead at this time bears the imprint of solemnity: when visiting cemeteries, one should not indulge in noisy festivities, and the dead should be remembered in silence. Often, Easter eggs are buried in the graves and they are christened with loved ones in a similar way.

In the Chernihiv region, it is customary to leave crumbs in the hope that the ancestors will come, feast on them and bring news. There is a sign on Radonitsa: whoever calls the rain first, he will become more successful. From Radonitsa, funeral services begin to take place in Orthodox churches.

Day of Remembrance of Orthodox Warriors, for the Faith, the Tsar and the Fatherland on the battlefield killed -11 September

Commemoration of Orthodox wars on this day was established in the Russian Orthodox Church by decree of Empress Catherine II in 1769 during the Russian-Turkish war (1768-1774). On this day, we remember the Beheading of John the Baptist, who suffered for the truth.

Against the background of other memorial days and parental Saturdays, this day seems the most poignant and tragic. The celebration is connected with the biblical legend of Herod. During the celebration, King Herod, delighted with the dance of his stepdaughter Salome, swore in public to give her everything she wanted.

At the instigation of her mother, the insidious Herodias, Salome asked for the head of the prophet John the Baptist on a golden platter. The king, fearing universal condemnation, complied with the request. Since then, the holiday has become the embodiment of courage and perseverance in the struggle for faith and a just cause.

In 1769, when Russia was at war with Poland and Turkey, the church included it in the Charter as the Day of Remembrance of the soldiers who fell in battle, so that the feat of compatriots would remain for centuries. On a holiday it is necessary to strictly fast; it is forbidden to eat even fish. It is believed that if you do not eat anything but bread, you can make a wish at night.

There is a superstition that on September 11 you can not pick up sharp objects, as well as everything that in one way or another resembles a head. However, superstition is contrary to the commandments of the official church.

Sorokoust about repose

This type of commemoration of the dead can be ordered at any hour - there are no restrictions on this either. During Great Lent, when a full liturgy is performed much less frequently, in a number of churches commemoration is practiced this way - in the altar, during the entire fast, all the names in the notes are read and, if they serve the liturgy, then they take out the particles. It is only necessary to remember that people baptized in the Orthodox faith can participate in these commemorations, as well as in the notes submitted for the proskomedia, it is allowed to enter the names of only the baptized deceased.

Dmitrievskaya Saturday is another day associated with a special commemoration of the deceased soldiers. The appearance of the celebration is referred to the victory over the horde of Mamai in the Battle of Kulikovo.

According to legend, Dmitry Donskoy asked for blessings for the battle from Sergius of Radonezh himself. The Tatar-Mongol yoke was defeated, they managed to save their native land from desecration, but this came at a very bloody price: about 100,000 soldiers died. The army also included two monks: Peresvet and Oslyabya.

Starting from the 19th century, the holiday was strictly observed in all military units: a special memorial service was served on Dmitriev Saturday. They prepare for Dmitrievskaya Saturday in advance: a day before the celebration, it is customary to go to the bath and wash, and after leaving, leave a towel for the ancestors.

It is customary not only to visit the graves, as on all other Saturdays, but also to celebrate a magnificent feast there. On a holiday, the whole family gathers at the table. Popular wisdom says: the more magnificent the table, the more satisfied the forefathers will be, and the more satisfied the forefathers, the better and calmer the survivors. One of the dishes must be pork. It is important to remember only good things about the dead and that someone from the youngest generation be present during the conversation. There is a sign that if there is snow and cold on Dmitriev Saturday, then spring will also be cold.

Church services in Jerusalem

Parental days are memorial days for deceased ancestors. In the calendar of the Orthodox Church, every day is dedicated to a specific event, commemoration days. It is customary to commemorate, according to the Orthodox church custom, one's dead relatives on certain days of the year. These days are called parental days or parental Saturdays, although these dates do not always fall on a Saturday.

Radonitsa, Trinity Saturday and Dimitrovskaya are considered the most important parental days among the people, but there are also Ecumenical memorial days.

In addition, it is necessary to honor the memory of departed relatives on the day of their birth and on the day of death. Many commemorate the deceased on the day of his angel (the saint in whose honor he was baptized).

As for parental Saturdays 2016, they are scheduled for certain days when common liturgies (commemorative services) are read in churches, and every believer can join this prayer, remembering their loved ones. During the year, there are 9 such special memorial days, of which 6 times always fall on Saturdays, they are called “Ecumenical Parental Saturdays”. Once we honor the memory of the dead on Tuesday on Radonitsa, and May 9 and September 11 are set aside for the remembrance of the deceased soldiers and can fall on any day of the week.

Commemoration at the Divine Liturgy (Church note)

Those who have Christian names are remembered for health, and only those baptized in the Orthodox Church are remembered for repose.

Notes can be submitted to the liturgy:

At the proskomidia - the first part of the liturgy, when for each name indicated in the note, particles are taken out of special prosphora, which are subsequently lowered into the Blood of Christ with a prayer for the forgiveness of sins

First, on March 5, the universal meat and meat Saturday will come. Then, on March 26, comes the second Saturday of Great Lent. The next parent's day falls on April 2. Saturday of the fourth week of Great Lent will come, a week later, on April 9th.

May 9 will be the day of remembrance for all those who died during the Second World War. On June 16, on the seventh Thursday after Easter, there will be a day of remembrance for suicides, unbaptized and violently killed. In 2 days, June 18 will be Trinity parental Saturday. September 11 is the day of remembrance for soldiers who died in the war. November 5 - Dmitrievskaya parental Saturday.

Universal Parent Saturdays

Ecumenical parental Saturdays, or Ecumenical memorial services, according to the liturgical charter of the Orthodox Church, are performed twice a year:

Meatfare Saturday - On March 5 there will be a memorial day called the Ecumenical Meatfare Saturday

This is the most ancient and solemn memorial day. Its history dates back to the early centuries of Christianity and should remind believers, first of all, of the Day of Judgment. According to church tradition, the first Christians gathered in cemeteries and prayed for their fellow believers, especially for those who died suddenly and therefore did not receive a decent burial.

The meaning of the rite is to prepare the souls of all believers for a new, afterlife and meeting with God, not forgetting about the souls who left the earthly world. On Meatfare Saturday, they remember those who have died from Adam to our time. In folk beliefs, there is also a motive for preparing for the upcoming renewal - only here it means the renewal of nature and the transition to spring; It is no coincidence that Saturday precedes the merry Maslenitsa.

In Belarus and the western regions of Russia, the Meatless Parental Saturday is a kind of meeting of all members of the family, both current and former. When the table is laid, you can see the number of devices that exceed the number of those present: in this way they treat the deceased relatives. On this holiday, alms are served in the name of the salvation of all Christian souls.

Indestructible Psalter

The indestructible Psalter is read not only about health, but also about repose. From ancient times, the ordering of a commemoration on the Unsleeping Psalter is considered a great almsgiving for the departed soul.

It is also good to order the Indestructible Psalter for yourself, support will be vividly felt. And one more important point, but far from the least important,
There is an eternal commemoration on the Indestructible Psalter. It seems expensive, but the result is more than a million times more than the money spent. If this is still not possible, then you can order for a shorter period. It's also good to read for yourself.

Trinity Saturday -On June 18, a memorial day falls, which is called Trinity Saturday.

An equally significant day for the special commemoration of the dead in Orthodoxy is Trinity Saturday. According to legend, on the fiftieth day after the Resurrection of Christ, the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles and they received the gift of teaching people the Word of God.

The day symbolizes the complete purification of the soul by the Holy Spirit, the transition to the highest level of perfection and familiarization with universal human knowledge. On Trinity Saturday, absolutely all the dead are commemorated, including those who are in hell.

It is considered a bad sign if it is not possible to visit the graves of relatives on Trinity: then they will come to the house and begin to disturb the living. To appease the dead, sweets or the remains of a memorial dinner are left in the cemetery. A lot of folk legends are connected with Trinity Saturday.

Girls are not allowed to do any housework. A wedding on the Trinity is an extremely ominous sign; people believe that the marriage will be unhappy. Beliefs advise not to swim, because mermaids frolic on the Trinity and can carry the living into their kingdom.

Parental Saturdays during Lent

Saturdays, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Saturdays of Great Lent

On April 9 there will be a memorial day - this will be the fourth parental Saturday of Great Lent.

The meaning of Lenten memorial days is a manifestation of care and love for the souls of the deceased neighbors. During the most important fast for the Orthodox, divine liturgies are not held - it turns out that the souls remain forgotten. Due respect is given if believers go to church and read prayers for people dear to their hearts, so that the Lord does not leave them without his mercy. It is advisable to read a prayer for the departed and at home.

It must be remembered that such a prayer brings God's grace to the Christian himself. In the whirlwind of everyday routine and household trifles, the kindest feelings seem to be overwritten; to those whom we truly love, we begin to treat with condescension, and sometimes with disdain. It is a pity that the realization of the importance of each word or moment comes too late, and then many forget the deceased.

Regardless of whether a person considers himself a Christian or not, he must accustom himself to grateful reverence and memory - this is part of his upbringing and moral culture. Therefore, parental Saturdays are, first of all, days of deep respect for each other.

Private parenting days

Radonitsa, the ninth day after Easter, is a significant day for the Eastern Slavs, in which Christianity and ancient folk customs are closely intertwined. The word "Radonitsa" is the same root as the word "rejoice." According to church interpretation, the idea of ​​the complete victory of Jesus Christ over death was reflected in the celebration; it was on the ninth day after his Resurrection that the Savior descended to the dead and announced to them the joyful news of his Resurrection.

The commemoration of the dead at this time bears the imprint of solemnity: when visiting cemeteries, one should not indulge in noisy festivities, and the dead should be remembered in silence. Often, Easter eggs are buried in the graves and they are christened with loved ones in a similar way.

In the Chernihiv region, it is customary to leave crumbs in the hope that the ancestors will come, feast on them and bring news. There is a sign on Radonitsa: whoever calls the rain first, he will become more successful. From Radonitsa, funeral services begin to take place in Orthodox churches.

Day of Remembrance of Orthodox Warriors, for the Faith, the Tsar and the Fatherland on the battlefield killed -11 September

Commemoration of Orthodox wars on this day was established in the Russian Orthodox Church by decree of Empress Catherine II in 1769 during the Russian-Turkish war (1768-1774). On this day, we remember the Beheading of John the Baptist, who suffered for the truth.

Against the background of other memorial days and parental Saturdays, this day seems the most poignant and tragic. The celebration is connected with the biblical legend of Herod. During the celebration, King Herod, delighted with the dance of his stepdaughter Salome, swore in public to give her everything she wanted.

At the instigation of her mother, the insidious Herodias, Salome asked for the head of the prophet John the Baptist on a golden platter. The king, fearing universal condemnation, complied with the request. Since then, the holiday has become the embodiment of courage and perseverance in the struggle for faith and a just cause.

In 1769, when Russia was at war with Poland and Turkey, the church included it in the Charter as the Day of Remembrance of the soldiers who fell in battle, so that the feat of compatriots would remain for centuries. On a holiday it is necessary to strictly fast; it is forbidden to eat even fish. It is believed that if you do not eat anything but bread, you can make a wish at night.

There is a superstition that on September 11 you can not pick up sharp objects, as well as everything that in one way or another resembles a head. However, superstition is contrary to the commandments of the official church.

Sorokoust about repose

This type of commemoration of the dead can be ordered at any hour - there are no restrictions on this either. During Great Lent, when a full liturgy is performed much less frequently, in a number of churches commemoration is practiced this way - in the altar, during the entire fast, all the names in the notes are read and, if they serve the liturgy, then they take out the particles. It is only necessary to remember that people baptized in the Orthodox faith can participate in these commemorations, as well as in the notes submitted for the proskomedia, it is allowed to enter the names of only the baptized deceased.

Dmitrievskaya Saturday is another day associated with a special commemoration of the deceased soldiers. The appearance of the celebration is referred to the victory over the horde of Mamai in the Battle of Kulikovo.

According to legend, Dmitry Donskoy asked for blessings for the battle from Sergius of Radonezh himself. The Tatar-Mongol yoke was defeated, they managed to save their native land from desecration, but this came at a very bloody price: about 100,000 soldiers died. The army also included two monks: Peresvet and Oslyabya.

Starting from the 19th century, the holiday was strictly observed in all military units: a special memorial service was served on Dmitriev Saturday. They prepare for Dmitrievskaya Saturday in advance: a day before the celebration, it is customary to go to the bath and wash, and after leaving, leave a towel for the ancestors.

It is customary not only to visit the graves, as on all other Saturdays, but also to celebrate a magnificent feast there. On a holiday, the whole family gathers at the table. Popular wisdom says: the more magnificent the table, the more satisfied the forefathers will be, and the more satisfied the forefathers, the better and calmer the survivors. One of the dishes must be pork. It is important to remember only good things about the dead and that someone from the youngest generation be present during the conversation. There is a sign that if there is snow and cold on Dmitriev Saturday, then spring will also be cold.

Parent Saturday or Ecumenical memorial service- in the calendar of the Orthodox Churches there are special Saturdays on which the “ecumenical” is celebrated, that is, the general commemoration of the departed faithful. In the Orthodox Church, each day of the week is dedicated to the remembrance of the Cross of the Lord, angels and archangels, John the Baptist, etc. On Saturday, all the saints and all the departed Orthodox Christians are commemorated. The liturgical charter prescribes a commemoration of all "Orthodox Christians who have passed away from the age." There are private and general days of commemoration of the dead, established by the Church. Days of special general commemoration of the departed are called "Parental Saturdays". These days, a special commemoration of the departed Orthodox Christians takes place.

parent saturday

The commemoration takes place on the Sabbath day, due to the fact that the Sabbath day is the day of rest (translated from Hebrew), which in its meaning is most suitable for praying for the repose of the dead with the saints. There are two versions that explain why Saturdays (when a special commemoration of the dead is performed) are called parental:

  • Since each person commemorates, first of all, his close people - parents;
  • The name of this day comes from the name of the dead "parents", that is, already belonging to the fathers to whom they departed. Parental days, as a rule, are Saturdays, because in all weeks of the year the remembrance of the dead happens mainly on Saturdays - the day of Saturday, as a day of rest, is the most appropriate for praying for the repose of the dead with the saints.

Universal Parent Saturdays

Ecumenical parental Saturdays, or Ecumenical memorial services, according to the liturgical charter of the Orthodox Church, are performed twice a year:

  • Meatless Saturday- on Saturday before the Week of meat-fare or the Week of the Last Judgment. The commemoration of all the departed faithful before the remembrance of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is rooted in the first centuries of Christianity. On this day, as if preceding the Last Judgment, Christians pray to the Righteous Judge Jesus Christ to show His mercy to all the dead on the day of impartial retribution.
  • Trinity Saturday Saturday before the feast of Pentecost (Holy Trinity). The establishment of this memory also goes back to apostolic times. As Meat-Feast Saturday precedes the day of remembrance of the Last Judgment and the beginning of Great Lent, so Trinity Saturday precedes the revelation in all its power of the Kingdom of Christ on the day of Pentecost and the beginning of Apostolic Lent.

Parental Saturdays during Lent

Saturdays for parents 2nd, 3rd and 4th Saturdays of Great Lent, are often erroneously called universal, but they are not. These Saturdays are established by the Church so as not to deprive the departed of their intercession during Great Lent, since at this time the usual daily commemoration of the departed (magpies and other private commemorations) is impossible, combined with the celebration of the full Liturgy, which is not celebrated every day during Great Lent.

Private parenting days

Private parental days, these are days that exist only in the Russian Orthodox Church, are not equated with ecumenical ones, but have a similar meaning in the traditions of Russian Orthodoxy. There are three in total:

  • Radonitsa - Tuesday after Antipascha (on Thomas Week). The ancient custom of commemorating the dead on this day dates back to the first centuries of Christianity, but is not marked by a special following in the liturgical charter. It is based on the fact that on Fomin's week the Descent of Jesus Christ into hell is also remembered, and from Monday after Antipascha, the liturgical charter allows for the celebration of magpies for the departed - "the living rejoice in the good news of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ together with the departed."
  • Day of Remembrance of Orthodox Warriors, for the Faith, the Tsar and the Fatherland on the battlefield killed- August 29 ( 11 September) - the commemoration of Orthodox wars on this day was established in the Russian Orthodox Church by decree of Empress Catherine II in 1769 during the Russian-Turkish war (1768-1774). On this day, we remember the Beheading of John the Baptist, who suffered for the truth.
  • Dmitrievskaya Saturday- Saturday, before October 26 ( November 8), the day of memory of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica. Initially established on the initiative of the right-believing Prince Dmitry Donskoy after the Kulikovo victory in 1380, this Saturday was dedicated to the memory of the fallen Orthodox soldiers, but became in Russia a day of remembrance for all those who died in the faith.

On the eve, parastas is served; on the day itself - a funeral liturgy.

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