On parental Saturday what to do at home. What Not to Do on Parents' Saturday

Every year in the Orthodox church calendar there are special days dedicated to the commemoration of the dead. They are called Parental Saturdays as a sign that it is for parents, as the main people in life, that we pray both when they are in good health and when they are no longer in this world. The first Parental Saturday is celebrated every year before the start of Lent. It is called "Meat-empty", and this year falls on February 10th.

Meatfare Saturday is the most ancient holiday of commemoration of all the dead Orthodox who were innocently killed and tortured for the true faith in Christ. February 10 is a day that recalls the Great Judgment, the time of meeting with God. The clergy give everyone a chance to purify and save their souls from terrible sins, to be honest and pure before themselves and our Lord.

The covenant of the Apostle James to pray for each other in the name of healing refers not so much to the body as to the soul. After all, it is she who is the focus of all human benefactors and reflects their emotional and physical state. It is we who can help our loved ones with prayers, having gathered together and offered up a single prayer to God.

Features and meaning

Ecumenical Saturday is called as a sign that on this day they pray and commemorate all, without exception, the deceased Orthodox.

Meatless Saturday is celebrated on the eve of Maslenitsa and a week before the start of Lent - from that day on, believers should already limit themselves in meat products in order to properly prepare for the long seven weeks of abstinence.

Parental Saturday is named because the mother and father are the closest relatives, and first of all it is customary to pray for the peace of their loved ones. On this day, the church allows you to pray for people whose lives were cut short of their own free will, and for those who have gone missing and are not buried. The church also commemorates all those who lived during the Last Judgment of Christ and those who defended it from the attacks of unbelievers.

What can and cannot be done on this day

The day should begin with a prayer for the dead. At home, at the icon or in the church, it is worth asking for the repose of the souls of those who are no longer with us. After the church, you need to go to the cemetery to clean up the grave and light a candle in honor of the remembrance of the deceased.

Many are sure that it is necessary to commemorate the dead with alcohol. The church has been arguing with such a tradition for a long time - the commemoration is associated with prayers and repentance before God, and not with libations.

Some argue that one cannot work on Ecumenical Parental Sabbaths. No, this is completely wrong. The Church, of course, prescribes believers to rest on holidays, but if work is extremely necessary and benefits you and your family, you should not deny yourself work.

On Ecumenical parental Saturday, it is customary to cook kutya and pies - the main dishes that commemorate the dead. Kutia is a symbol of a person who has left the world of the living. Grain for bread is put into the ground, it decays, yielding fruits that we reap for cooking. Similarly, a person must be buried in the earth so that the body decays, and the immortal soul ascends to the Kingdom of Heaven. Kutia also serves as a symbol of the burial of all those who, for various reasons, were not interred, and whose spirit rushes about, unable to leave this world.

On this day you can not be greedy. It is necessary to feed the poor and the needy or bring treats directly to the church so that the clergy already distribute food to the suffering. Sharing one's grief for the dead on the Ecumenical Parental Saturday is an obligatory ritual.

The main task of this day is to remind all people that there is a certain line between the world of the dead and the living. But just do not treat death as the end of everything, since this is only the beginning, the transition from material life to eternal life next to God.

It should always be remembered that only those who have managed to reconcile with people, including themselves, will be able to enter the gates of paradise. That is why it is necessary to read prayers, always remember those who are not with us, play in memory the most pleasant moments of their lives.

Any negativity towards the dead should be released from the soul so as not to accumulate even more sin, and thereby release the deceased into another world with peace.

Ecumenical Saturdays in 2018

The days of commemoration of the dead are set before important church holidays, so that the believers, as it were, reunite with their dead relatives before great church dates and do not forget about those who need their prayers during idle time.

Saturdays of commemoration of the departed will take place during Great Lent:

  • March 3 - Saturday 2 weeks (weeks) of Great Lent;
  • March 10 - Saturday 3rd week of Great Lent;
  • March 17 - Saturday 4th week of Great Lent.

Parent Saturday, which does not fall on Saturday, is celebrated after Easter - Radonitsa is celebrated on the ninth day (Tuesday, April 17, 2018). On this day, it is worth visiting the cemetery and remembering the dead, because it is forbidden to do it directly on Easter.

Also, a private Parents' Saturday is celebrated on the eve of May 9 - in churches they pray for those who died in the struggle for the Motherland.

Ecumenical Saturday will also be before the Trinity - this year it is May 26th. On Trinity parental Saturday, even those who committed one of the most powerful sins, suicide, are commemorated.

Also, a private Saturday is celebrated in November (3rd day) - Saturday is named after Dmitrievskaya and is dedicated to all the soldiers who fell in the struggle for their native land.

Parental Saturdays are days of special commemoration of the departed, when with our prayers we can provide great help to our relatives and friends who have passed away from earthly life. Five of them are reserved for the commemoration of deceased relatives, two more and the requiems performed at the same time are called ecumenical. Parental Sabbaths involve the observance of certain rules that all believers should be aware of.

The Deep Meaning of Parental Saturday

Please note that hard liquor, such as vodka or cognac, is not accepted as a donation.

If desired and possible, you can order a memorial service, and after prayers are completed, you are allowed to visit the cemetery, put the grave in order, replace the flowers, thereby showing that you keep the memory of a loved one.

How to spend the rest of the day on parental Saturday and can I clean up? Archpriest Alexander Ilyashenko for the online publication Pravoslavie i Mir answers this question as follows: the ban on cleaning the house on this day is nothing more than superstition, of course, you need to start the day with visiting the temple, praying, visiting the cemetery, and after if necessary, you can perform the usual household chores.

Another important question that worries believers is whether it is possible to baptize a child on parental Saturday? Hegumen Alexy (Diocese of Vladivostok) and other priests of the Russian Orthodox Church recall a simple rule - you can baptize a child on all days without restrictions.

For the period of Lent in 2019, the following parental Saturdays fall:

  • March 23 - Parent ecumenical Saturday of the second week of Great Lent
  • March 30 - Parent ecumenical Saturday of the third week of Great Lent
  • April 6 - Parent ecumenical Saturday of the fourth week of Great Lent.

P.S. Prayer for the deceased is the sacred duty of every Christian. A great reward and great consolation awaits the one who, through his prayers, will help his departed neighbor receive the forgiveness of sins.

November 3 is the last day of commemoration of the dead this year. Parishioners pray for the repose of the souls of deceased relatives and friends, visit their graves in cemeteries.

Memorial Saturdays are very important days, since a person whose earthly path has already ended cannot beg for the forgiveness of his sins and correct the mistakes made during his lifetime. However, it is quite capable of being alive. Parental Saturdays exist so that we do not forget about the dead, honor their memory and, most importantly, ask the Lord for mercy for relatives and close people who have gone to another world, thereby facilitating their afterlife.

Many Christians pray every day for the repose of the dead, but especially important days of remembrance, according to the traditions of the Orthodox Church, come five times a year. All parental Saturdays for Orthodox Christians are especially important days when it is necessary to commemorate the dead and pray for the granting of the Kingdom of Heaven to all deceased relatives and friends. First of all, we are talking about parents, which is reflected in the title.

Dmitrievskaya parental Saturday is a transitional holiday. It is not tied to a specific date, but to the Saturday before the day of memory of Demetrius of Thessalonica - the great martyr, whose life, miracles and deeds are remembered on November 8 (October 26, old style). On the weekends on the eve of the holiday, a Divine Liturgy for the dead is served and requiems are read.

Traditions of Dmitrievskaya parental Saturday November 3, 2018

November 3 (the eve of the day of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica) is another day of commemoration of deceased relatives. Special memorial services are held in temples. People pray for the repose of the souls of the departed, ask God to forgive their sinful deeds and grant them the Kingdom of Heaven.

Many historians associate the appearance of this Saturday with the Battle of Kulikovo. Dmitry Donskoy, after the victory, suggested that Orthodox dignitaries establish a day of commemoration of their souls in honor of the soldiers who fell in battle. The clergy agreed, naming Saturday in honor of Prince Dmitry.

Those who cannot visit the temple to pray for the departed can do so at home. On this day, it is customary to give alms, therefore, when going to the temple, do not forget to take treats with you, which must be distributed to the poor after the service.

After the memorial service, Orthodox believers can go to the cemetery and clean up the graves of relatives. In this case, you need to take treats that are left on the grave with you.

Dmitrievskaya parental Saturday in 2018, what to do

In folk traditions, on November 3, they say goodbye to autumn and meet winter. On the day of commemoration of the dead, they cleaned the houses, put the plots in order in order to start sowing work as early as possible in the spring. After attending the service in former times and now, believers arrange memorial dinners, where, according to tradition, they also set the table for departed relatives, believing that their souls descend from Heaven to look after the living. Previously, before Dmitrievskaya Saturday, they always visited baths, and after washing they left brooms, believing that the souls of the dead would also want to wash.

On Dmitriev Saturday, many go to cemeteries to clean up the graves, leave a memorial and light candles taken in temples or churches. On the churchyards they read prayers for the dead and ask them for help and support.

You can pray for the dead not only during parental Saturdays, but also on ordinary days. The clergy note that regular prayers offered to the Higher powers provide great support to the souls of the dead and help them get to Heaven. Sincere prayers coming from the heart will surely be heard.

Meal rules for Dmitrievskaya parental Saturday

When arranging a memorial meal, it is necessary to adhere to important rules. First of all, try to serve dishes that the deceased liked during his lifetime. In ancient times, there was a tradition to put additional cutlery on the table and fill the plate with treats.

It was believed that in this way it was possible to show the deceased that they still love him and keep a memory of him. During the funeral dinner, it is forbidden to abuse alcohol, otherwise you can anger the souls of the departed. It is better to serve soft drinks or Cahors on the table.

Prayer for the dead

Give rest, 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.

It is more convenient to read the names from the commemorative book - a small book where the names of living and deceased relatives are recorded. There is a pious custom to keep family commemorations, reading which both in home prayer and during church services, Orthodox people commemorate many generations of their deceased ancestors by name.

Church commemoration on parental Saturday

To commemorate your deceased relatives in church, you need to come to the temple for worship on the evening of Friday on the eve of parental Saturday. At this time, a great memorial service, or parastas, is performed. All troparia, stichera, hymns and parastas readings are dedicated to prayer for the dead. On the morning of the memorial Saturday itself, a Divine Liturgy for the dead is performed, after which a common memorial service is served.

For church commemoration for the parastas, and then separately for the liturgy, parishioners prepare notes with the remembrance of the departed. In the note, the names of those commemorated in the genitive case are written in large legible handwriting (answer the question “who?”), with the clergy and monastics being the first to be mentioned, indicating the rank and degree of monasticism (for example, Metropolitan John, Sheikhumen Savva, Archpriest Alexander, nun Rachel, Andrei, Nina). All names must be given in church spelling (for example, Tatiana, Alexy) and in full (Michael, Lyubov, not Misha, Lyuba).

In addition, it is customary to bring food to the temple as a donation. As a rule, bread, sweets, fruits, vegetables, etc. are placed on the canon. You can bring flour for prosphora, Cahors for liturgy, candles and oil for lamps. It is not allowed to bring meat products or spirits.

Any church date has its own characteristics that every believer should know. On the day of commemoration of the dead, it is very important to observe all traditions and prohibitions in order to ward off troubles and not bring grief to your family.

Every year people celebrate Dmitrievskaya parental Saturday. On this day, Orthodox believers visit churches and temples to light a candle for the repose of their loved ones, and also remember relatives who have already gone to another world. The history of the holiday begins in 1380, and the date was set by Prince Dmitry Donskoy. Earlier, on parental Saturday, people performed requiems for the fallen soldiers. It was believed that Russian soldiers are always under God's protection, and even after their death it is necessary to pray for people who gave their lives for their homeland.

Now on the memorial day, people pray for their loved ones, attend divine services and divine liturgies, and after that they remember the dead with kind words. This can be done at home or near the grave of the deceased. It is believed that on this day the souls of the dead descend to earth, so all traditions and prohibitions should be observed in order to please them, and not to anger them.

What to do on Dmitrievskaya parental Saturday

In Russia, it was believed that this day is the transition from autumn to winter. Severe frosts began, for which people prepared in advance. Despite the fact that many tried to complete their household chores before Intercession on October 14, some for some reason did not have time to do this, and then they tried to finish the preparations before Dmitrievskaya Saturday.

A memorial meal is held after the service. On Dmitriev Saturday, it is customary to lay a rich table, on which there must be dishes that your deceased loved ones loved during their lifetime. The most important dish on the table was pies: the hostess had to cook a lot of pastries with different fillings. In ancient times, it was believed that this could appease and please the deceased.

During the memorial meal, it was necessary to put a separate clean plate on the table, where each relative put one spoonful of his food. This dish was left overnight so that the deceased could come and eat with his family.

Before parental Saturday, on Friday, the hostess after dinner should clear everything from the table and lay a clean tablecloth. Then re-set the table and put freshly prepared dishes. Thus, in ancient times, the deceased was called to the table.

On Dmitrievskaya parental Saturday, the family of the deceased should remember only good things about him, share warm memories that are associated with the deceased. So you make it clear to the soul of the deceased that you still remember and love him.

Despite the fact that on many church events it is strictly forbidden to do household chores, this does not apply to Dmitrievskaya parental Saturday. On the contrary, on this day you should do a general cleaning, and then wash yourself. Our ancestors certainly left a fresh broom and clean water in the bath for the deceased in order to appease the soul of the deceased. The most important thing is that your household chores do not interfere with church attendance.

On parental Saturday, it is customary to go to the cemetery. The grave of the deceased must be put in order, cleaned. After that, pray for the repose of his soul.

On Dmitriev Saturday, it is customary to feed the poor so that they pray for the soul of your deceased relative.

What not to do on Dmitrievskaya Parental Saturday

On this day, it is forbidden to scold the dead. Only good things should be remembered about them, otherwise you can anger their soul.

It is believed that it is strictly forbidden to commemorate the dead with alcoholic beverages. However, if your family has such a tradition, then try to do it in moderation. The souls of the dead may become angry because of drunkenness during the memorial meal.

Also, during the commemoration, one cannot laugh or sing songs. Despite the fact that the holiday is not of a mourning nature, do not forget that on this day you remember loved ones who are no longer among the living. Therefore, the fun will be inappropriate.

If your deceased relative committed suicide or was not a believer during his lifetime, then you will not be able to commemorate him in the church and put a candle for the repose of his soul. In this case, you can pray for him at home.

Probably, it is difficult for each of us to come to terms with the death of our loved ones, but their soul is always with us. In order for our relatives to feel peace in the other world, it is necessary to read memorial prayers for the departed. We wish you and your family good health, and don't forget to press the buttons and

27.10.2017 05:10

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During the year, parental Saturdays are held eight times. These days, believers remember the dead. It is possible to commemorate relatives and friends who have fallen into another world on other days. Most of the dates on which the parental Sabbath passes are not constant, but are located in the calendar relative to the great church holidays.

These include the following:

  • meat-soup Saturday (comes a week before Lent);
  • three Parental Saturdays during the fasting period (2, 3 and 4 weeks);
  • Demetrius Saturday (before November 8);
  • radunitsa (9 days after Easter, invariably falls on Tuesday);
  • Trinity parental Saturday (the day before the feast of the Holy Trinity);
  • commemoration of fallen soldiers (May 9).

Saturdays of commemoration of those who introduced themselves are special. They are called parental, due to the fact that all the deceased went to their parents, ancestors. Sincere prayer for the departed relatives and friends helps their souls to be cleansed.

How to spend parental Saturday?

On all days of memory of the departed, the Orthodox go to churches, asking in prayer to give peace to the souls of those who have presented themselves. They also carry sweets and cookies for remembrance, which the ministers will distribute to the parishioners, submit notes with the names of the deceased for later mention in church prayers. Those who have not come to the temple at home with an open heart read the prayer for the dead and the 17th kathisma for the departed.

After the service, believers visit the cemetery, clean and decorate the graves with flowers. Upon returning home, a memorial meal is held. The whole family must attend. Fast food should not be placed on the table during fasting.

What can not be done on parental Saturday?

Many superstitions are associated with the prohibitions on the memorial day. It is not forbidden these days to do housework and gardening, but only after going to church and reading a memorial prayer.

Most believers, when visiting a cemetery, pour alcohol into a glass at the grave or pour vodka over it, believing that if the deceased liked to drink, then they help him so much. It is unacceptable to do this, since the soul of the deceased may suffer for the sin of drinking wine even after death.

In the cemetery you can not arrange a feast and get drunk. There is an opinion that the commemoration of the deceased is an opportunity to skip a glass of another alcohol, but this is not so. The fate of the departed cannot be alleviated by this action. Only conscious prayer is able to convey our love to loved ones. It is also impossible on parental Saturday:

  • swear;
  • get drunk;
  • swear;
  • speak badly about the deceased;
  • grieve and cry.

It is important to know that remembering does not mean sadness. To remember means to pray. The soul cannot die, it passes into another world - which one depends on the person during his lifetime. If he sinned, then the soul will suffer and languish. Only prayer, which is read by relatives with special trepidation, will help save her from this. Therefore, every parental Saturday it is necessary to remember your loved ones with a prayer from a pure heart. The one who reads it conveys the love and gratitude that he could not give to his loved one during his lifetime.