Radonitsa - what is this holiday? Rules and traditions of commemoration of the dead

Often you can hear questions, especially from young people: "Radonitsa - what is this holiday and when is it celebrated?" And if its name comes from the word "joy", then what is it about? "Now, when the Orthodox culture returns to the life and consciousness of the people, it is very appropriate to talk about this.

Radonitsa: what is this holiday

The Orthodox Church in the second week after Easter, on Tuesday, set the day of special commemoration of the dead - Radonitsa. In its name, the word "joy" really sounds. Firstly, because the most joyful Christian holiday continues - Easter. Secondly, because our relatives, having completed the mortal earthly path and having left work and adversity, did not die, but went into the world where Jesus Christ prepared for us by his death and resurrection. The awareness that separation from them is only temporary and on some day we will reunite, can not but inspire joy in the heart of a believer.

On this day, in the churches after the evening service, and sometimes after the Liturgy, a special funeral service is performed. Unlike the usual, it is accompanied by Easter songs, bearing in themselves the joy of giving eternal life. In addition, prayers for the deceased are committed in cemeteries, while visiting the graves of loved ones.

The substitution of imaginary real traditions

A sad fact, but for a long period of theomachism, when Orthodox culture was being superseded from people's minds, the day of remembrance of the departed was forgotten, Radonitsa. What a feast, remembered only a few. Pious Christian traditions were replaced by purely pagan customs. And this is not surprising, because always in place of the persecuted true faith there are wild superstitions.

First of all, this refers to the current tradition of drinking on graves alcohol. To remember the deceased with vodka or wine is an exclusively Soviet innovation. The Church teaches that the souls of our loved ones need prayer for them and good deeds done by us on their behalf. The booze, arranged in cemeteries, only offends their memory.

Also among the customs rejected by the church, it is customary to leave food and Easter eggs on graves . As for the supposedly pious tradition of putting a pile of vodka, black bread and photography - this is absolutely absurd.

Currently, the church is doing a great job of reviving forgotten traditions and holidays. The answers to the questions connected with the holiday under the name "Radonitsa" are given - what for a holiday, how to celebrate? The signs of a new attitude towards the national tradition are becoming more and more noticeable.

Correct content of the grave

In all the peoples of the world, the territories on which the ashes of the deceased rest are considered sacred places. Even pagan laws guaranteed their inviolability. Especially in the Christian cemetery, the graves of people who have passed away but are awaiting a future resurrection must be kept in proper order.

Even our distant ancestors, who lived in paganism, marked burial places with hills. They still lie at the heart of the arrangement of modern graves, transformed into various forms and compositions. Common among them is the symbol of our future salvation, the Holy Life-Giving Cross, installed on the grave. It can be depicted on a tombstone or mounted over a tombstone.

In the Orthodox Church, it is customary to call dead people deceased. This is not accidental. The Savior gave us eternal life, and therefore the grave is only a temporary haven. There will come a day of resurrection, when all will rise to eternal life. Therefore, it is the duty of every Christian to keep the grave of a person close to him in order.

Cross - the oldest and most important element of the gravestone

Special importance is attached to the cross. Above the grave of an Orthodox Christian, he symbolizes that under it in the ground a seed is concealed, ready to grow into a new life. It is always put at the feet of the deceased. It is necessary to watch, that the cross never looked sly, was well-groomed and duly painted. For the soul residing in the next world, even the most modest and discreet cross is more important than expensive and magnificent tombstones. The abundance of granite and marble is more often the vanity and pride of the deceased's relatives, and not his soul.

Radonitsa in the writings of theologians

Radonitsa is a holiday, worship, traditions, and all the rites of which date back to ancient times. This is evidenced by St. John Chrysostom. In his writings, he writes that during the early Christians in the cemeteries, a special commemoration day associated with Easter was celebrated. The joy of the transition to a new life, and not grief, is the meaning laid down in the holiday, called Radonitsa (Radunitsa). The history of the holiday became the topic of research of a number of theologians. A lot of attention in her writings was given to her by the most famous religious figure, Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh.

Radonica - what a holiday, how to celebrate?

According to the Orthodox tradition, before going to the cemetery, you should visit the temple, submit a note about the commemoration of the deceased in the altar, and after the liturgy to serve a requiem. It is also recommended to receive the Body and Blood of Christ. When you come to the grave, first of all you should light a candle and perform the lithium established by the church. It is advisable to invite a priest for this, but if it is not possible, you can limit it to a short version, the text of which is easy to find in the prayer book. After that, it is necessary to put the grave in order and just stay for a while with her in silence, remembering the deceased.

Always, except prayers for the repose of the soul of the deceased, the good deeds that we made on his behalf bring him great benefit. The most convenient time for this is Radonitsa. What is this holiday if after it there is no feeling of joy? It is her that will create the consciousness of the benefits brought by us and the deceased, and alive. Radonitsa is a festival of joy and for those who have left the earthly life, but have come to life eternal, and for the living, who have received the hope of immortality.