Dmitrievskaya Parents' Saturday: what needs to be done on this day

Commemoration of the dead is one of the many traditions of Orthodoxy. It is aimed at maintaining the memory of people who have left the earthly world and liberating the latter from the sins they once committed through prayers. The dead are commemorated on days called parental Saturdays. October 13, 2018 is one of those days. It is called Intercession Parental Saturday and is celebrated on the eve of the well-known feast of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

General information about the event

This day, which has deep religious significance, is not relevant throughout the entire territory of our vast country. Intercession Saturday is celebrated only in some Russian regions - this has been the custom since ancient times. These are Izhevsk, Kazan, Perm, Vyatka lands and those that belong directly to the diocese of the city of Yekaterinburg. Since this holiday does not have a fixed date, it happens that it coincides with another Christian church event - the day of remembrance of the Apostle John the Theologian. In such a situation, a prayer service, called a panafida, is served not on Saturday, as it should be, but on the Sunday following it.

The emergence of the tradition of commemorating the dead on Intercession Saturday is closely connected with certain historical events. In fact, on this day it is customary to honor the memory of the soldiers who died in the battle of Kazan, who laid down their lives for their Motherland. The mentioned battle took place back in 1552, on October 13, during the reign of the Russian state by Ivan the Terrible, who conquered the Tatar monastery “with fire and sword.” Many people gave their souls to the Lord under these circumstances. For this reason, the Church initiated the emergence of a locally revered tradition of commemorating deceased soldiers, and in specific dioceses. It should be noted that the symbol of the battle was a monument erected in honor of the Image of the Savior Not Made by Hands right at the site of the death of the soldiers - near the Kazan Kremlin. Initially, the Church established Intercession Parental Saturday in the same 16th century, 40 years after the bloody Kazan events.

This happened through the efforts of the then-current Archbishop of Kazan and Astrakhan, St. Hermogenes. A representative of the clergy wrote a letter to Patriarch Job, in which he voiced a request to establish a specific and permanent date for the commemoration of deceased Orthodox soldiers. The Patriarch gave his blessing. And so a new day of remembrance of those who laid down their lives for the faith appeared. Over time, Christians added to the veneration of the memory of the soldiers who died near Kazan the memory of all the dead in general: friends, parents, other relatives, etc. In this form, the tradition we are considering has reached the present day and will exist as long as Orthodoxy is alive in Russia . On the day of Intercession Parental Saturday, memorial services and funeral services are held in the churches of the dioceses mentioned above. And believers, after visiting churches, go to cemeteries in order to honor the memory of loved ones in close proximity to them.

Folk signs and customs

From time immemorial, the Eastern Slavs who converted to the Christian faith were associated with specific folk signs. The most important of them was the belief that on this day the meeting of winter and autumn takes place. If on the eve of Intercession Holy Mother of God suddenly a snowball fell, people believed: it was a sign from above, testifying to the special protection of the territory within which this happened.

There was such a saying among the people: “On the Intercession before lunch it’s summer, after lunch it’s winter.” And although it was directly related to the holiday of the Intercession, it contained a hint of the nature of the Day of Remembrance of the Dead. In villages and villages, grief for loved ones who had left the earthly world was strangely intertwined with entertainment. According to custom, the last festivities fell on Intercession Saturday, and after Intercession the time for Pokrovsk evenings and home gatherings began. Probably, historians believe, this tradition goes back to the pre-Christian period of the Slavs, since the custom of commemorating the dead - it is known for certain - existed among our pagan ancestors. They had special Saturdays on which they remembered their loved ones who had died untimely.

In Belarus, in some of its regions, Intercession Saturday is also celebrated, but our kindred people have a different name for the holiday: “Pokrovsky grandfathers (dzyads).” Belarusians believe that on this day the dead come to the houses of their living loved ones, which is why our neighbors prudently prepare a funeral dinner. The table should be rich, the cutlery should be numerous. Our old friend, kutia, is a ritual dish. Belarusians cook it from millet, adding nuts, raisins, poppy seeds and always honey. Kutya for them, as for us, personifies the resurrection and immortality of the soul.

How to properly remember the dead

In order for our deceased loved ones to feel our support and prayerful help, we must learn to honor their eternal memory according to all the rules.

You cannot submit memorial notes for the liturgy, as well as order memorial services, magpies and other specific services “for the remembrance of the soul” for unbaptized persons and suicides. All others can be remembered without restrictions.
On the day of remembrance, one should behave quietly, modestly, in thoughts about the dead, in prayer for the salvation of their souls. You can and should visit the temple and attend the service.
The most important thing for any deceased is commemoration at the proskomedia. Thus, the sins committed by the deceased are cleansed and atoned for by immersion in the blood of Christ, the great sacrifice. You should keep this in mind and submit a note on the day of remembrance to perform this ritual.

It’s good to pray not only in church, but also at home. There are special prayers for the departed, and these must be read - always with attention, reverence and meekness in the heart.
According to folk tradition, on days such as Pokrovskaya parent's Saturday, you should take food to the temple or bake pies, buns, cookies, buy sweets and distribute all these delicacies to friends and strangers, especially children and neighbors. And it’s also useful for yourself, your family, to remember the deceased.
Going to the cemetery on Memorial Day was also mentioned earlier. We can only add that it is better not to leave treats at the grave, as this is contrary to Christian Orthodox tradition. It is better to take fresh flowers or a special wreath of artificial plants there, clean up, communicate with the deceased in peace, and pray for the repose of his soul.

Any church date has its own characteristics that every believer should know. On the Day of Remembrance 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 Parents' 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 passed on to another world. The history of the holiday begins in 1380, and the date was set by Prince Dmitry Donskoy. Previously, on Parents' Saturday, people held memorial services for 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 the people who gave their lives for their homeland.

Now on memorial day people pray for their loved ones, attend services and divine liturgies, and after that they remember the dead 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 anger them.

What to do on Dmitrievskaya Parents' Saturday

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

The funeral meal is held after the service. On Dmitrievskaya Saturday, it is customary to set a rich table, which must include dishes that your deceased loved ones loved during their lifetime. The most important dish on the table was pies: the housewife had to prepare a lot of pastries with different fillings. In ancient times it was believed that this could appease and please the deceased.

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

Before parents' Saturday, on Friday, the hostess after dinner must clear everything from the table and lay out a clean tablecloth. Then re-set the table and place 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. This way you let the soul of the deceased know that you still remember and love him.

Despite the fact that during 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 in the bathhouse fresh broom And clean water for the deceased, to appease the soul of the deceased. The most important thing is that your household chores do not interfere with attending church.

On Parents' Saturday it is customary to go to the cemetery. The grave of the deceased needs to be put in order and cleaned. After this, pray for the repose of his soul.

On St. Demetrius 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 Parents' Saturday

On this day it is forbidden to scold the deceased. You should remember only good things about them, otherwise you may anger their soul.

It is believed that it is strictly forbidden to remember the dead alcoholic drinks. However, if there is such a tradition in your family, then try to do it in moderation. The souls of the deceased may become angry due to drunkenness during the funeral meal.

Also, during remembrance, you should not 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, 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 remember him in church and light a candle for the repose of his soul. In this case, you can pray for him at home.

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On October 28, 2017, the Orthodox Church will celebrate a special day of remembrance of the dead - Dimitrievskaya Parental Saturday. Dimitrievskaya Parents' Saturday in 2017 falls not in November, as is usually the case, but at the very end of October. Why?

In 2017, Parents' Saturday was moved to October 28 due to the coincidence with the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God (November 4).

The Day of Remembrance of the Dead on Saturday on the eve of the day of remembrance of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica (November 8, according to the New Style) was established after the Battle of Kulikovo, which took place on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1380.

Initially, according to the establishment of the holy Prince Demetrius Donskoy, on this day they commemorated all Russian soldiers who fell on the Kulikovo Field. Actually, this is another meaning of the name “Dimitrievskaya” Saturday.

Over time, Dimitrievskaya Saturday became the day when all Christians “dead from time immemorial (from the beginning of time)” are remembered.

Dimitrievskaya Saturday is the last parents' Saturday in 2017. The next Parents' Saturday will be celebrated on February 10, 2018.

Dimitrievskaya Parents' Saturday - what you need to know about the memorial day

Dmitrievskaya Parental Saturday falls on the nearest Saturday before the day of remembrance of the Great Martyr Dmitry of Thessalonica (day of the angel Dmitry Donskoy). He was a warrior of the heavenly and earthly king. He defended the earthly king from attacks, defended his country, people, history. But he loved, knew, worshiped and served the Heavenly King. He protected the earthly king, and glorified the heavenly one and led other people to worship of God, to faith, so that after their dormition they could be united in the kingdom of heaven.

And Dmitrievskaya parental Saturday was established after the battle on the Kulikovo field - by Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy. After the victory over Mamai in 1380, Dmitry Donskoy visits the Trinity-Sergius Monastery to commemorate the fallen soldiers. And a little earlier the abbot of the monastery, Venerable Sergius Radonezh, blessed two of his monks - Alexander Peresvet and Andrei Oslyabya - for the war against the Mongol-Tatar yoke. Both monks died in battle. And the monk himself during the war, when he offered his prayers to God, imbued with the Holy Spirit, saw how soldiers were falling and called each soldier killed by name.

Upon the arrival of Dmitry Donskoy at the monastery, a funeral service was held, a commemoration of the Orthodox soldiers who died on the battlefield, and a common meal.

Subsequently, a tradition developed - to perform such a commemoration every year, since there were 250 thousand killed in that battle and many families felt the bitterness of loss. A little later, they began to commemorate not only the soldiers, but also all the deceased Orthodox Christians.

Parents' Saturday - how to spend the day

On Dmitrievskaya Parents' Saturday, people visit the graves of their relatives and loved ones. Memorial services, funeral litias (services) are held in churches and cemeteries, and memorial dinners are held.

On Dimitrovskaya Parental Saturday, Orthodox Christians go to churches, light candles for the Crucifixion, not icons, and write the names of their deceased loved ones in memorial notes. Notes can only mention the names of deceased relatives who were baptized during their lifetime.

You can pray for the unbaptized over their grave or at home. Another custom characteristic of Dimitrievskaya parental Saturday is to bring treats to the temple for the poor. During the service, this treat is blessed and later distributed to those who wish. Also on this day, it is customary to give alms to the poor with a request to pray for the deceased.

To remember your deceased relatives in church, you need to come to church for a service on Friday evening before parental Saturday. At this time, a great funeral service, or parastas, takes place. On the morning of Memorial Saturday, a funeral liturgy is celebrated, after which a general requiem service is served.

The commemoration of the dead is an apostolic institution, it is observed throughout the Church and the liturgy for the dead, the offering of the Bloodless Sacrifice for their salvation is the most powerful and effective remedy to ask the departed for the mercy of God.

Church commemoration is performed only for those who were baptized in the Orthodox faith.

Memorial services for suicides, as well as for those not baptized in the Orthodox faith, are not performed. Moreover, these persons cannot be commemorated at the liturgy. The Holy Church offers unceasing prayers for our departed fathers and brothers at every divine service and especially at the liturgy.

It is imperative to remember the deceased on the day of his death, birth and name day.

Days of remembrance must be spent decorously, reverently, in prayer, doing good to the poor and loved ones, in thinking about our death and future life.

You cannot have a feast or get drunk in a cemetery. There is an opinion that the wake of the deceased is an opportunity to drink a glass of other alcohol, but this is not so. The plight of the departed cannot be alleviated by this action. Only conscious prayer can convey our love to loved ones. Also not allowed on Parents' Saturday:

swear;
get drunk;
to swear;
speak ill of the deceased;
grieve and cry.

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

Saturdays of remembrance of those who introduced themselves are special. They are called parental, due to the fact that all the deceased went to their parents and ancestors. Read here on how to spend this day and what not to do.

What not to do on Dimitrievskaya Parent Saturday

On this day it is forbidden to scold the deceased. You should remember only good things about them, otherwise you may anger their soul.

It is believed that it is strictly forbidden to remember the deceased with alcoholic beverages. However, if there is such a tradition in your family, then try to do it in moderation. The souls of the deceased may become angry due to drunkenness during the funeral meal.

What not to do on Parents' Saturday

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

Most believers, when visiting a cemetery, pour alcohol into a glass at the grave or pour vodka on it, believing that if the deceased liked to drink, then they are helping him. This is unacceptable, since the soul of the deceased may suffer for the sin of drinking wine even after death.

You cannot have a feast or get drunk in a cemetery.

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Dimitrievskaya Parents' Saturday in 2017 falls not in November, as is usually the case, but at the very end of October. In 2017, Parents' Saturday was moved to October 28 due to the coincidence with the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God (November 4).

The Day of Remembrance of the Dead on Saturday on the eve of the day of remembrance of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica (November 8, new style) was established after the bloody battle on the Kulikovo Field, which took place on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1380.

First, on this day they prayed for the repose of those at the cost of whose lives the victory was won. Over time, Dimitrievskaya Saturday became the day when all Christians “dead from time immemorial (from the beginning of time)” are remembered.

As on other parental Saturdays, the funeral Liturgy and requiem service are celebrated in the morning. The night before, the Great Requiem Service - Parastas - is celebrated. The translation of this word from Greek - “anticipation”, “intercession” - reflects the meaning and significance of parental Saturdays for believers.

People whose earthly journey has ended can no longer correct their mistakes and repent of their sins, but the living can ask the Lord for mercy for them. Every day Christians pray for their deceased loved ones, and 7 times a year the entire Russian Orthodox Church turns to God, interceding for all its deceased children.

Dimitrievskaya Saturday is the last parents' Saturday in 2017. Next Parents' Saturday is February 10, 2018.

Those Christian believers who clearly adhere to church canons, come to church services on Friday evening before parental Saturday. At this time, a great funeral service, or parastas, takes place. All troparia, stichera, chants and parastas readings are dedicated to prayer for the dead. On the morning of the memorial Saturday itself, the funeral Divine Liturgy is celebrated in churches, after which a general memorial service is held.

To remember your deceased relatives in church, you need to prepare notes in advance with the names of the deceased. In the note, in large block letters, you must write the names of those who should be remembered. All names must be in church spelling and in the genitive case. It is customary to bring to the temple as a donation lean products- bread, sweets, fruits, vegetables. But meat products or alcohol (except Cahors) are not allowed to be donated.

On Dmitrievskaya Parental Saturday, all Christian believers visit the graves of their deceased relatives, memorial services and funeral litias are held in temples, churches and cemeteries, and funeral meals are held.

The morning of Demetrius Saturday must begin with visiting church and praying for the repose of the souls of deceased Christians. Unlike other parenting days, Dmitrievskaya Saturday It also carries a special meaning: established after the Battle of Kulikovo, it reminds us of all those who died and suffered for the Orthodox faith.

If it is not possible to visit a temple or cemetery, you can pray for the repose of the deceased in home prayer.

For our distant ancestors, Dmitrievskaya Saturday was the day of transition from autumn to winter. Therefore, if after the holiday of the Intercession there were unfinished matters, then by this day they tried to finish everything and complete preparations for severe frosts.

The Slavs called this day Autumn Grandfathers or Grandfather's Saturday. As in others memorial days, the women were busy with general cleaning. They cleaned the courtyards, washed all the benches, windows, and tables. They tried to whitewash or repair what needed to be done. Before Grandfather's Saturday, the whole family had to wash themselves, after which water and a broom were left for the deceased relatives.

On Dmitrievskaya Parents' Saturday, dinner was special and took place a little differently than on other memorial days. They began to remember the deceased on Friday and for this purpose they necessarily purchased a new one. white tablecloth, which was used to cover the funeral table. Housewives prepared traditional Slavic funeral dishes - kutya, uzvar, pancakes, pies, as well as the favorite dishes of deceased relatives.

Funeral pies were treated especially on this day, since a huge variety of them with different fillings could be found on the table - with meat, cabbage, cottage cheese, and so on. Moreover, the shape must be oblong. Also, every housewife tried to prepare as many meat dishes as possible - roasts, jelly and even ham could be found on the tables. But the traditional and main thing was a stuffed pork head.

Candles were always placed on the table, whether on Friday or Saturday. It was believed that the family was thus giving a sign to the dead that they had not been forgotten and were being remembered. After all, they used to believe that all the deceased on this day descend to earth to their homes, reports the Neelov portal. That’s why they tried to gather the family in their ancestral homes. They always remembered what the deceased were like during their lifetime, their good qualities and deeds. Also, the eldest in the families told the youth the family history and genealogy.

On Friday, after the whole family had dinner, the hostess of the house cleared the entire table, covered it with a clean tablecloth and placed cutlery with food. Then she invited all the deceased relatives to the table.

The next day, Saturday, at the funeral meal, each family member put one spoon from each dish into a separate plate, and then it was all left overnight for the deceased. This was done so that the souls of the dead could come home and be satisfied with food along with the whole family. A bowl of water and a towel were placed next to the plates so that they could wash themselves after the meal. On St. Demetrius Saturday they always helped the poor and the hungry - they gave generous alms, fed them pies and asked them to pray for the souls of the departed.

These days the Church prayerfully commemorates all dead Christians. A special, universal memorial service is served in the church.

A week before Lent, on the Saturday before the Last Judgment Sunday. On the day preceding the remembrance of the Last Judgment, Christians pray to the Righteous Judge to show His mercy to all departed Christians.

With God everyone is alive. In the Church we feel a connection with all dead Christians. Pentecost is the birthday of the Church. On the eve of this day, the Church prays for Christians who have crossed the threshold of earthly life.

“Parental” Saturdays began to be called because Christians prayerfully commemorated, first of all, their deceased parents. These days, after the Liturgy, a special funeral service is performed in the church - a requiem.

2nd week of Lent – March 11
3rd week of Lent – March 18
4th week of Lent – March 25

Throughout Lent, there are very few days when it is possible to perform the full Liturgy, and therefore the main church prayer for the dead. In order not to deprive the dead of prayer during this period, the Church established three special days for prayer for them.

These days of remembrance of the dead exist in the liturgical practice of only the Russian Orthodox Church.

After the liturgy, a thanksgiving prayer for the granting of victory and a funeral litany are performed.

From this day on, the Charter of the Church again, after long break during Lent and Easter days, it allows church-wide commemoration of the dead.

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

The commemoration was established by decree of Catherine II during the Russian-Turkish War (1768–1774). In modern liturgical practice it is often omitted.

On the Saturday preceding the day of remembrance of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki (November 8). Installed by the noble prince Dmitry Donskoy after returning to Moscow from the battle on the Kulikovo field (1380). In 2017, due to the coincidence of the Saturday before the day of remembrance of St. Demetrius and the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, Dmitrievskaya parental Saturday was moved to October 28.

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.

Big Dmitrievskaya Parents' Saturday in 2017, what date

It happens that parents memorial Saturdays coincide with others Orthodox holidays, therefore, to avoid confusion, memorial days are moved to another date. What Christians are warned about in advance.

This year, Dmitrievskaya Saturday also coincides with another holiday. November 4 is celebrated as Kazan Day Mother of God, so the memorial Saturday was moved a week earlier and will be celebrated on October 28.

Dmitrievskaya Parents' Saturday, as celebrated

October 28 is the last memorial parental Saturday of the year, Dimitrievskaya, according to the secular calendar established by Peter I, and according to the Church calendar Gregorian calendar, which begins the church year on September 1 (14), is the first parental Saturday of the year.

Each day of the week in the Orthodox Church is dedicated to a special memory. Saturday is dedicated to the memory of all Saints and deceased. The Holy Church prays every Saturday for its deceased members and asks God for eternal peace for them after a sorrowful earthly life. In addition to daily prayers and prayers on Saturdays, there are separate days of the year, mainly dedicated to prayers for the deceased - parental days.

On these special memorial Saturdays, the Church calls on the living to come to church to make a special prayer for their departed relatives, and on ecumenical Saturdays, the Church prays for the repose of all who have ever lived on earth, all Christians who have died from time immemorial.

In the liturgical circle of the Russian Orthodox Church, Ecumenical memorial parental Saturdays are noted: Meat, three Lenten parental Saturdays, Trinity parental Saturday. Two memorial Saturdays, Radonitsa and Dimitrievskaya, arose on Russian soil, and are not Ecumenical.

There is also a commemoration of deceased soldiers on the day of the Beheading of John the Baptist on September 11, and on May 9, on Victory Day, our Holy Church commemorates “all the soldiers who were killed on the battlefield for the Faith and Fatherland, who laid down their lives.”

Dmitrovskaya Parents' Saturday in 2017 in Russia

Among the Slavs, memorial days in the national calendar do not coincide with “Parents' Saturdays” church calendar; Not all “parental Saturdays” of the church calendar are celebrated among the people. It was customary to remember “parents” on the eve of the birth. big holidays: before Shrovetide, before Trinity, before the Intercession and before Dmitrov's day. In Polesie, this list was supplemented by Michaelmas Saturday and memorial Fridays. Among the Eastern Slavs, the main calendar memorial days in many places they were considered: Radonitsa, Trinity Saturday, Dmitrievskaya Saturday.

Parents Saturday, what is it?

Parents' Saturday is a day of special remembrance of the departed in the Orthodox tradition. Orthodox Christians, and above all, their deceased parents. Canonical days for visiting the graves of ancestors and other relatives, where memorial services are held. The days of special remembrance of the dead in the Orthodox Church are five parental Saturdays: Meat-free universal parental Saturday (Saturday 2 weeks before Lent); Trinity Ecumenical Parental Saturday (Saturday before the Holy Trinity, on the 49th day after Easter); parents' 2nd Saturday of Great Lent; parents' 3rd Saturday of Great Lent; parents' 4th Saturday of Great Lent.

Orthodox traditions of Dmitrievskaya parental Saturday

Those Christian believers who strictly adhere to church canons come to church services on Friday evening before parental Saturday. At this time, a great funeral service, or parastas, takes place. All troparia, stichera, chants and parastas readings are dedicated to prayer for the dead. On the morning of the memorial Saturday itself, the funeral Divine Liturgy is celebrated in churches, after which a general memorial service is held.

To remember your deceased relatives in church, you need to prepare notes in advance with the names of the deceased. In the note, in large block letters, you must write the names of those who should be remembered. All names must be in church spelling and in the genitive case. It is customary to bring Lenten products to the temple as a donation - bread, sweets, fruits, vegetables. But meat products or alcohol (except Cahors) are not allowed to be donated.

The morning of Demetrius Saturday must begin with visiting church and praying for the repose of the souls of deceased Christians. Unlike other parental days, Dmitrievskaya Saturday also carries a special meaning: established after the Battle of Kulikovo, it reminds us of all those who died and suffered for the Orthodox faith. If it is not possible to visit a temple or cemetery, you can pray for the repose of the deceased in home prayer.

Great parenting in 2017, do's and don'ts

It is believed that Dmitrievskaya Saturday is the time when winter replaces autumn, so you need to finish all preparations for frost before this day. Traditionally, on the eve of Saturday, people go to the bathhouse. It was believed that if someone had not gotten married before this day, they would not get married this year, since severe frosts were coming. And if it’s cold and snowing on Dmitry, spring will be late and cold, but if there’s a thaw, spring will be warm.

According to ancient custom, on parental Saturdays it was customary to eat kutya - an obligatory dish for the funeral meal. Sweet porridge was usually prepared from whole grains of wheat or other cereals with the addition of honey, as well as raisins or nuts. True, today few people follow it.

Prayer for the departed

Rest, O Lord, 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. During church service, Orthodox people remember by name many generations of their deceased ancestors.

What to do on Parents' Saturday

Parents' Saturdays are days of special remembrance of the dead, when with our prayers we can provide great help to our family and friends who have passed on from earthly life. Five of them are reserved for commemorating deceased relatives, two more and the memorial services performed at the same time are called ecumenical. Parental Saturdays require observance certain rules which all believers should know.

On Demetrius Saturday, as on other memorial Saturdays, they visit the temple, where funeral services and memorial services are held, light a candle and pray. As on many parental Saturdays, on this one it is customary to help the poor and needy. It is believed that Dmitrievskaya Saturday is the time when winter replaces autumn, so you need to finish all preparations for frost before this day. Traditionally, on the eve of Saturday, people go to the bathhouse. It was believed that if someone had not gotten married before this day, they would not get married this year, since severe frosts were coming. And if it’s cold and snowing on Dmitry, spring will be late and cold, but if there’s a thaw, spring will be warm.

What to do in Church on Parents' Saturday

Believers often ask priests the question: what to bring to church on Parents' Saturday and what other important actions need to be performed in church. Before the start of the service, you must submit a note with the names of deceased relatives. Notes of repose can be submitted on those days when the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom or St. Basil the Great is served. These are: Saturdays and Sundays, the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Thursday and Saturday of Holy Week.

After this, you can put candles for them on the funeral table, and then, listening to church hymns, sincerely pray for the departed. You can use this a short prayer: “O Lord, rest the soul of your deceased servant (name), and forgive him all his sins, voluntary and involuntary, and grant him the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Parents' Saturday in Church

In memory of loved ones, it is also customary to give alms and do good deeds. Believers who do not have large funds can donate food. During the days of Great Lent, which also falls on Parents' Saturday, Lenten foods and Cahors are brought to the temple. It is customary to leave them on a special table, which stands either in front of or behind the funeral table. Read more about the rules of Lent in the Lent Calendar section.

Please note that it is not accepted to bring strong alcoholic drinks, such as vodka or cognac, as a donation.

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

How to spend the rest of the day on Parents' Saturday and is it possible to clean up? Archpriest Alexander Ilyashenko for the online publication “Orthodoxy and Peace” answers this question this way: the ban on cleaning the house on this day is nothing more than superstition, the day, of course, needs to start with visiting the temple, performing prayers, visiting the cemetery, and then If necessary, you can perform your usual household chores.

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