Today is parents' memorial Saturday. Parents Saturday

Parents' Saturdays in 2017 are dedicated specifically to honoring the departed. A person is worth remembering and should be remembered even after death. And loved ones can remember them; that’s what parental Saturdays are for. These are several special days, which begin on February 18th. The dates of memorial Saturdays shift, so it is worth updating the calendar annually.

Every family has someone who has died, someone to cry for and someone to remember. The Orthodox devote several special days to memorial services, which are called memorial Saturdays in 2017. Their dates are constantly shifting, so it's worth keeping an eye on the calendar every year.

Memorial Saturdays

- will be on February 18, the first and most solemn among memorial Saturdays. The main task of the day is to remind everyone of the approaching Last Judgment. If you look at church chronicles, once upon a time the first Christians themselves introduced this tradition, when on February 18 they went to pray, wishing for the repose of their dead relatives and friends.

The tradition of family gatherings has been preserved, when believers set tables and prepare dishes for the deceased, too, as if they might actually come and join in the meal. It’s interesting how this resonates with the teaching that with the Lord everyone is equal, both the dead and the living. There are no dead people for him.

It is considered the 2nd week, because March 11 is already underway Lent. Parents' Saturdays for the Orthodox are a big event for the church. A large-scale service is being held dedicated to all departed Christians, no matter when they left this world. Temples also hold special memorial services at the request of believers.

It is considered the 3rd week, because fasting is still ongoing and the day for the memorial Saturday is calculated using them. It is also dedicated to the commemoration of all deceased family members, as well as friends and other Christians who adhered to Orthodoxy. The Church dedicates its services to them.

It is considered the 4th week, here you need to become especially close to your relatives, not only the living, but also the dead. Remember them, a day for repentance, remembrance, thanksgiving. After all, the dead lived, gave their love and care, they did not go in vain. They left traces in the hearts of loved ones. Death should not separate relatives forever, and the church teaches people not to be afraid of it, but to accept it as inevitable, helping Christians. We accompany the deceased and make their way there easier with prayers, and calls on the living to support each other.

A day intended specifically for visiting the cemetery. The remaining Saturdays of remembrance were only in church. People attend divine services, also Liturgy and a full memorial service, which are held by churches, and then go to the cemetery.

Important! Those who visited the cemetery probably saw on some graves, in addition to flowers, pieces of bread, sweets, or even a glass of vodka, bottles. Relatives leave this for their deceased relatives. Many people think this is the way it is. However, the church is strongly against it. For the deceased, only prayers are important; a person comes into the world naked, without material goods, and leaves as well. He no longer needs food, much less vodka. A similar custom was introduced in the USSR.

Of course, children are often left toys and sweets, there is nothing seditious about this for the church, but leaving vodka or black bread is not allowed. The deceased relatives only need the memory of loved ones, their prayers and services. Of course, it’s worth taking care of the grave, keeping an eye on the fence, weeding in the spring so that it doesn’t become overgrown with grass, and visiting occasionally. But it’s not worth bringing something expensive or food. Expensive things will attract thieves, and food will only spoil. Moreover, you cannot pour vodka or leave bottles. This is ugly and has nothing to do with funeral customs.

Alcoholic commemoration is permitted by the church, but it is only wine and not much. Radonitsa is celebrated on the territory of the cemetery; this is a long-standing custom.

It is believed that then the apostles told about the Savior to all pagans, also to Jews, calling him the great Judge for all the living and all the dead. On this particular Saturday, the Lord Almighty is ready to listen to the prayers of those languishing in Hell.

Previously, only the victims of Mamaia were remembered, only later they prayed for all the dead, excluding only suicides. You can visit cemeteries and have modest funeral meals. The Church calls not to forget about the dead. The main task is to remember everyone who died defending the Orthodox faith or for it.

And, it is not only a cheerful holiday, Victory Day, when you should rejoice and remember the glorious merits of your ancestors, but also one of the parents’ Saturdays will be on May 9th. It is interesting that this day is not a Saturday, although it is marked on the church calendar along with other Saturdays. Then they remember the victims of the war, not necessarily just the forties and not only the soldiers, but also the civilians who also paid with their lives for the glorious day.

Parents' Saturdays all have moving dates, except May 9, which is fixed. That's why it doesn't always come out on Saturday.

Important! Alas, if you have someone who died without permission, then you cannot pray for him along with others who died inside the temple. Only at home. Also, you cannot write the names of suicides and give them to the priest. It doesn't matter whether he knows about the fact of death or not. The Almighty sees and deception will not help the deceased. But you can pray for the unfortunate suicides yourself. At home, remembering and asking God to forgive them. After all, the church considers suicide a terrible sin.

Christians believe the soul is eternal. And she experiences several incarnations. When a body dies, it must be buried and special memorial services held. And give the soul time to say goodbye to its loved ones, leave the earth and move on. Living relatives can only help in one way: prayers. Moreover, you need to pray believing in the power of words, from the heart.

This is how people remind the Lord of their dead relative, ask for peace and indulgence for him. After all, every person is a sinner; there are no absolutely holy and sinless people. Everyone has something to apologize for. The deceased can no longer pray on his own; he relies on relatives and through their prayers he becomes closer to the Father.

Therefore, the church specifically separates memorial days. You cannot pray during fasting, only on certain days designated by the church calendar. Then the priests themselves pray for the dead, helping their parishioners.

Memorial Saturdays require serious consideration; Christians usually look forward to them all year, especially those who have suicides in the family, because you need to pray for them carefully so as not to anger the Almighty further. The Church does not approve of revelry and drinking, especially on days of remembrance, when people take a lot of alcohol and in the end they no longer remember why they gathered.

Knowing the date of Parent's Day is necessary for every Christian who cares about his deceased relatives, friends, and acquaintances. Dates shift every year, so every year people update their calendars. So, what date is Parents' Day in 2017?

Parents day

For Orthodox Christians it is considered the most important date. Not a holiday that can be celebrated with fun, not an important event that must be attended. It is considered more personal, because each of the people has deceased relatives, also friends or acquaintances. Life is fleeting, but in Christianity they believe in the immortality of the soul and afterlife. It is believed that through prayers the living can help the dead. Find a way, encourage them, ask the Almighty to give them peace.

When will it be for 2017? And why, in fact, are such days called “parental days”? To accurately calculate the date of the event, you need to remember Easter. Here it comes on April 16, then you need to count exactly 9 days after it. Then Parents' Day will fall on April 25th.

History of the memorial day

This event has many different traditions and customs. For example, it is customary to visit cemeteries and remember all the deceased loved ones. Not necessarily just parents, but all relatives, friends, even acquaintances who managed to leave a mark during their lifetime and now live in their memories and hearts.

Can't study business as usual, solve everyday issues. The date is dedicated only to the dead. You can discuss them, remember some cases, people usually say: “remember them only with a kind word.”

The memorial day is also called Radonitsa. This is an older, first name. Once upon a time, Radonitsa was called by the name of Radunitsa, a god who among the Slavs was considered a protector, protecting the souls of dead people. God was their guide, helping them quickly find eternal peace. For this, the living pagans revered God, thanking him for his constant hard work. And they asked them to be just as merciful and attentive when their time comes.

Yes, Parents' Day has deep roots, dating back to pagan times, when people worshiped the forces of nature and deified the world, trying to explain to myself how it works. The Sun and Moon seemed to them to be living deities, and the seasons also had their own personalities. They tried to appease many gods and brought various sacrifices and gifts. Easter, for example. After all, the pagans performed many rituals, trying to evoke spring and spend the winter so that it would go away faster.

God Radunitsa also received gratitude, and delicious, varied dishes were prepared for him. A similar tradition, along with the ancient name, has been preserved; the only thing is that people then distribute the prepared dishes to those in need. Parents' Day is celebrated with delicious, fluffy Easter cakes, a variety of pies, treating all the poor and disadvantaged. Baked dishes are also taken to cemeteries, then they are left nearby on the graves of those visited by relatives and friends.

By the way, a memorial day is not at all considered a sad or mourning event. People give food to beggars, encourage others and smile. It is rather a bright, even joyful holiday, filled with memories and stories about loved ones. The day when their souls found the desired peace. It is believed that the living, on the contrary, should not cry when celebrating Radonitsa, but on the contrary, rejoice. Then the dead souls will stop worrying about the living and will be able to continue their journey there, beyond, and will find peace. After all, the connection between loved ones remains, no matter whether someone has died or is still alive.

Traditions for Parents' Day

The church warns: you should not bring a lot of delicious food and no alcoholic drinks to the cemetery. Some often go overboard, practically having a picnic among the graves. No, the dead cannot be helped to find peace in this way. Rather, it is a celebration of the living, gluttony with drinking alcohol. True remembrance: give food to the poor and be sure to read prayers. Visit the cemetery, leave some sweets. All.

Housewives bake Easter cakes, then, apart from this, no household work. In the morning, parishioners will definitely visit the church and take part in a special memorial liturgy. When this is not possible, you can light a special, sacred candle, read prayers, dedicating them to the souls of all deceased relatives, loved ones, acquaintances, and friends. After that, prepare some goodies and be sure to visit the cemetery. It is important to go to the graves in the company of loved ones, friends or relatives; solo visits are not welcome.

4.9 (97.02%) 228 votes

What does the soul of the deceased do during 9 and 40 days, how should one pray for health and for the repose of the souls of loved ones, what did the holy fathers say about such prayer and how to help those who do not think about their salvation?

In response to the accumulated questions from readers, we provide detailed information about the coming days special commemoration departed - parental Saturdays, a selection of relevant quotes from the holy fathers from the nun Livia and information on how to pray for those who can only conditionally be called Orthodox people.

Sincere prayer can melt even the coldest ice...

Remembrance of the Dead- a special tradition characteristic of Orthodoxy and distinguishing it from many others religious movements, including Christian ones. For example, while declaring formal adherence to their version of the Bible, they completely reject the commemoration of the dead and all rituals associated with it.

On Saturday March 2 – a week before the start of Lent – ​​before Meat week(Maslenitsa week) a day is set for the Orthodox special veneration memory of the deceased.

Of the seven days a year intended for enhanced remembrance of ancestors, two stand out Ecumenical Memorial Saturdays : Meat and .

The main meaning of the Ecumenical (common to all Orthodox Church) funeral services - in prayer for the salvation of the souls of all deceased Orthodox Christians, regardless of their personal closeness to us. Remember your parents and ancestors: don’t miss the service and commemoration!

"And we were just like you, and you will be just like us"

This is what the quiet fraternal tombs in the isolated monastic state on Mount Athos tell their visitors. For monks, this is especially sensitive due to their corresponding lifestyle. unbreakable bond visible and invisible world, when all internal spiritual aspiration is directed towards the ascent into that future invisible and unknown world, which will inevitably meet each of us and determine its place for endless centuries.

“...On this day we commemorate all people who have died from time immemorial in faith and piety, for the sake of the fact that many suffered a useless death: in the sea, and impassable mountains, rapids and abysses, from hunger and heat, from battle and cold, and suffered death in another way. Therefore, for the sake of humanity, the holy fathers legitimized the creation of this memory from the Catholic Church, the apostolic tradition is acceptable.

On Saturday we create remembrance for souls, because Saturday is a day of repose; the departed come to rest from worldly temptations. The holy fathers commanded that remembrance should be made for the departed, saying that alms and great services bring weakness and benefit to those.

The story of Saint Macarius the Great.

Saint Macarius asked, having found on his way the dry skull of the wicked Elin: do they ever have some weakness in hell?

He answered him the same, We also have a lot of weakness when Christians say prayers for their dead. And Gregory, the verbose, delivered King Trajan from hell through prayer. And the godless Theophilus Theodora, the queen of saints, for the sake of the confessor of her husbands, snatched away from torment.

The Great Athanasius says, even if a person dies of a holy life, do not deny alms and candles on the coffin, calling on Christ God, to light, it is pleasing to God and brings much reward. If a person is sinful, his sins are allowed; if he is righteous, he accepts a large bribe.

The Holy Fathers say that in a bright place they will know each other’s souls, they know everyone, even those whom they have never seen before, as St. teaches about this. John Chrysostom, presenting the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. But they see not physically, but in some other way, and they all have the same age.

The Great Athanasius says about this:

And until the general Resurrection, the saints are granted to know each other and have fun. Sinners are deprived of this. It is known that in places excellent souls the righteous and the sinners remain. The righteous rejoice in hope, but sinners are tormented and saddened by the hope of the wicked. But this is only partly, and not completely, until the general Resurrection.

It is also appropriate to know that baptized infants, if they present themselves in this way, will enjoy eternal food, but unbaptized and pagans will not go either to the Kingdom or to Gehenna, but there is a special place for them. As the soul departs from the body, it no longer remembers a single earthly care, but only cares about those there.

Tretiny We do things for the dead, so that on the third day a person’s appearance changes.

Devyatiny because on the ninth day the whole body dissolves, only the heart is preserved.

Fortieth day- when the heart is already dying.

At conception, this is what happens to a baby: on the third day, the heart is painted. In the ninth the flesh is formed. IN fortieth– the perfect view is imagined. Glory to our God, now and ever, and forever and ever, Amen.” (Lenten Triodion, synoxarion for Meat-Free Saturday).

Instructing us to spiritual knowledge, the holy fathers remind us that the one final hour of death, when it comes, will determine the entire value of life lived. human life. So that we are ready to meet that hour with a bright mind, faith and hope. A great war then arises, on the border of eternity.

The crafty spirits know that the first judgment about the human soul is now being decided, and with terrible force they attack that soul in order to keep it for themselves. There is no longer time for repentance for the grave unrepentant sinner, but they will clearly reveal, for fear and edification of others, all their internal indecency, from evil thoughts and deeds, which they kept in this life in the secret places of hypocritical hearts.

Many earthly despots and blasphemers died in terrible agony and a frenzy of mind, such as Ulyanov-Lenin, who, according to eyewitnesses, in his last hours no longer recognized anyone and asked forgiveness in his room near the cabinets and chairs for the crimes he had committed.

About one famous American actress There is a story that, when dying, she ordered that her most favorite dress be given to her, and so she died, even clutching it with her teeth with an irresistible iron grip.

Another, a Jewish banker, in front of his stunned heirs, managed, with incredible dexterity and speed for the last minutes of his life, to extract from a hiding place under his own mattress and swallow a precious clutch of diamonds...

When they realized what was the matter and tried to take countermeasures, the last diamond was already buried in his womb. And so he died.

The Holy Fathers say that this whole life, like a long road, carries what a person collects along it. If sins and passions are in their place, virtues and the desire for perfection are in their place. No matter how many people go and where they go, everyone comes to their own grave mound.

We must never forget about this, but, in pious reflection, remember and think about the impermanence of the present age, in which even the wisest person cannot know for himself exactly what this day or night has in store for him, and whether eternity awaits him now . Therefore, the teachers also legitimized church funerals for us. Saturdays, so that we look at them with our souls, as at a mirror in which our eternal spiritual essence is reflected, and, remembering this, we retreat from all sin.

How to pray correctly for health and peace?

Some time ago, a custom prayer service to St. Paisius the Great took place on Rogozhsky. The service was led by the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, His Eminence Metropolitan Korniliy.

On the eve of the next Parents' Saturday, we decided to bring a few important thoughts about the rules and practice of prayer in the Russian Orthodox Church for those who are in the Church and outside its fence.

Prayer to everything

The pious tradition of ordering prayer services for one reason or another has been inherent in Orthodox Christians from time immemorial, but in Lately On Rogozhsky, such additional services do not happen as often as before.

Despite the fact that the service adds about another hour and a half to the already long Sunday service, there are always many who want to join and write notes about their health (there are no prayers for the repose).

Bishop Cornelius himself leads the prayer services, and is often their organizer. For example, during fasting, especially Great Lent, he announces prayer services almost every Sunday.

Apart from worldly concerns, the biggest drawback of the current practice in Moscow is the lack of information about such prayer services in advance. The most active parishioners hear about the plans through word of mouth in the morning, and some hear about the plans after the bishop’s sermon. Which saint and for what reason the service will take place - usually immediately becomes surrounded by mutually exclusive versions... As a result, not everyone present at the Liturgy knows that immediately after the service there will be a good opportunity to pray for their relatives, which means there is no need to rush to leave the church.

Reverend Father Paisius the Great, pray to God for us!

IN in this case the reason for delay turned out to be very serious: a prayer service to the venerable Paisius the Great, who has the grace from God to ease the afterlife of Orthodox Christians who died without repentance. They especially pray to him for those who were baptized in Orthodox faith, but for one reason or another withdraws from attending services and confession.

Pray for the admonishment of truants

A quick survey of those present in the church showed that people are well aware of all sorts of prohibitions and restrictions regarding persons whom we have the right to indicate in notes about health and repose, but not everyone remembers their “rights.” We now remind readers of Old Believer Thought: In the Church there is a legal way of praying for those who do not go to church.

Council of the Metropolis of the Russian Orthodox Church, held on February 4-5, 2015, recalled in his resolution about the ancient patristic practice, according to which Old Believers are not forbidden to perform prayers for health, including those of heterodox and excommunicated people. In addition to home prayer, custom prayer services are intended for this purpose.

ABOUT church prayer for the heterodox and excommunicated

8.1. Do not forbid clergy to perform prayers for the health of the heterodox and excommunicated, guided by the instructions of the Apostle Paul: “I ask you to make prayers, petitions, supplications, and thanksgivings for all people, for kings and for all those in authority, so that we may lead a quiet and serene life in all godliness and purity, for this is good and pleasing to God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:1-4); as well as the interpretation of St. John Chrysostom: “Do not be afraid to pray for the pagans; and He (God) wants it. Just be afraid of cursing others. Because He doesn't want that. And if you need to pray for pagans, then obviously for heretics, because you need to pray for all people, and not persecute them” (Works of St. John Chrysostom. Interpretation of the 1st Epistle to Timothy of the Apostle Paul. Discourse 6, volume 11, p. 659).

Material on the topic

Days of special remembrance of the dead in 2017 According to the canons of the Orthodox Church, they are shifted relative to Easter. The exception is one day, characteristic only for Russia.

The days when the Church especially remembers the dead are traditionally called in Rus' parent's Saturdays. Saturday is considered a day of rest, so we pray for the repose of our loved ones and all Orthodox Christians and saints who have died since time immemorial. Parental Saturdays are called because we most often remember our deceased parents and direct ancestors. Almost all days of remembrance were determined on church calendar back in the days of the first Christians.

UNIVERSAL PARENTAL SATURDAY (MEAT SATURDAY) in 2017 falls on 18th of Febuary. The basis for the establishment of Ecumenical commemoration on this day was the fact that next Sunday the Last Judgment and the Second Coming of Christ are remembered. In addition, during preparation for Lent on this day, Christians are called to love all the previously departed and remember that we are with them in the one Body of Christ.

The 2nd, 3rd, 4th SATURDAYS OF GREAT LENT fall in 2017 respectively on March 11, March 18 And March 25.

In addition to the ecumenical remembrance of the dead, performed on some parental Saturdays, the Church holds ecumenical memorial services on the Saturdays of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th weeks of Great Lent. These days, the Church prays for the forgiveness of Christians of “voluntary and involuntary sins... and their eternal repose with the Saints.”

Radonitsa occupies a special place in the annual circle church holidays, this day is immediately after Holy Week, which calls on Christians not to suffer over the death of loved ones, but to rejoice at their birth into eternal life.

On this day, the same funeral service is performed as on Ecumenical Parental Saturday. These days of remembrance are also brought together by the fact that they are located in the church circle a week before Lent. Trinity Parental Saturday precedes the Apostolic or Petrine Fast.

DIMITRIEVSKAYA SATURDAY in 2017 falls on November 4 and this year coincides with the holiday in the name of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.

Dimitrievskaya Saturday was established by Dmitry Donskoy after the Battle of Kulikovo, on this day the Church historically remembers all Orthodox soldiers.

IN last years Another day of remembrance of soldiers has become widespread - 9th May, in memory of those who suffered during the hard years of the Great Patriotic War. This day is not approved by the Church, the tradition is just being formed.

Eastern Christians have a tradition of holding another memorial Saturday - before the Day of the Intercession. In 2017 it falls on October 7th.

All dates are given according to the new style.

On all days it is possible to commemorate a deceased person baptized in the Orthodox Church during the Liturgy. To do this, special notes are submitted in advance, colloquially called "Mass of repose."

Repose can be ordered in monasteries The Indestructible Psalter, which has long been considered a great alms for a deceased soul.

There is also a custom to order funeral services, which can be served not only in churches, but also in cemeteries.

There is another type of remembrance, funeral lithium, can be performed by a layman in a cemetery or at home.

Exists ancient tradition consecration of Kutya- a special funeral meal, which after consecration is eaten at home with prayer.

In addition, among Orthodox Christians it is widespread to commemorate the dead by giving alms. Particularly in this series is the serving "to the canon", that is, the laity’s offerings to the temple of food for the clergy’s meal, the distribution of food to those working in the church and those in need.

From this article you will find out what date Orthodox parental Saturdays will be in 2017. You will also learn about the meaning of this Ecumenical service.

Parents' Saturdays in 2017

Often these special days of remembrance of the dead are called “ecumenical parental Saturdays.” This is not true. There are two Ecumenical Memorial Saturdays: Meat Saturday (on the Saturday preceding the Sunday of Last Judgment) and Trinity (on the Saturday preceding the Feast of Pentecost, or also called the Feast Holy Trinity- the birthday of the Church of Christ).

The main meaning of these “ecumenical” (common to the entire Orthodox Church) funeral services is to pray for all deceased Orthodox Christians, regardless of their personal closeness to us. This is a matter of love that does not divide the world into friends and strangers. The main attention these days is to all those who are united with us by the highest kinship - kinship in Christ, and especially to those who have no one to remember.

Parents' Saturdays in 2017 fall on the following dates:

• Ecumenical Parental Saturday (meat-free)– February 18, 2017.
• Saturday of the 2nd week of Great Lent – ​​March 11, 2017.
• Saturday of the 3rd week of Great Lent – ​​March 18, 2017.
• Saturday of the 4th week of Great Lent – ​​March 25, 2017.
• Commemoration of deceased warriors– May 9, 2017.
• Radonitsa– April 25, 2017.
• Trinity Parents' Saturday in 2017– June 3, 2017.
• Dimitrievskaya Parents' Saturday– November 4, 2017.

For preferential commemoration to us personally dear people There are other parenting Saturdays. First of all, these are the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Saturdays of Great Lent, and besides them, the Dimitrievsky parental Saturday established in the Russian Orthodox Church, which was originally intended to commemorate the soldiers who fell in the Battle of Kulikovo, but gradually became a general memorial day .

This memorial service falls on the Saturday preceding the memory of St. Vmch. Demetrius of Thessalonica - patron saint of the prince. Dmitry Donskoy, at whose suggestion, after the Battle of Kulikovo, an annual commemoration of soldiers was established. But over time, the memory of the liberating soldiers was supplanted in the popular consciousness, which is very regrettable, turning Dimitrievskaya Memorial Saturday into one of the “parents’ days.”

Why "parental"? After all, we remember not only our parents, but also other people, often not connected to us by any family ties? By various reasons. First of all, not even because parents, as a rule, leave this world before their children (and therefore too, but this is not the main thing), but because in general our first priority prayer duty is for our parents: of all the people whose temporary earthly life is over, we first of all owe it to those through whom we received this gift of life - our parents and grandparents.