Memorial days: traditions and rules of behavior at the cemetery

Already tomorrow, on Saturday, Ukrainians will begin memorial days – when people go to cemeteries to visit their relatives. In different cities, the date may be different, but it must be between Easter and Trinity.

Rites and customs on memorial days

According to tradition, on Easter, God releases the souls of the dead on the ground It is customary to put a lighted candle on the window so that the souls find their way home, as well as a few eggs to satisfy their hunger.

And on the memorial day, souls return to heaven. So relatives come to the cemetery to say goodbye. And if it rains on this day, then one of the souls seems to be crying because the Lord did not let her go for her sins.

But in fact, the tradition of goodbyes appeared before Christianity and has pagan roots. Then, according to pagan traditions, relatives were commemorated during the spring renewal of nature. In those days, this event symbolized the cycle of “life-death-life”. It was believed that sharing a meal with the deceased gave the living confidence in the present, and the dead helped calm the spirit.

When this tradition migrated to Christianity, it was somewhat changed. Prayers began to be sung not only in churches, but also at the cemetery. Food was consecrated, and even then, near the graves, the sacred meal was shared. Among the special dishes are: paska (you can leave it consecrated since Easter), knyshi, kolivo, pies, dyed a new portion of scrambled eggs.

What to cook for the memorial day

Kolyvo is a commemorative dish that is prepared not only for Providki, but also for a memorial service for a recently deceased relative. It is usually prepared as kutyu. But it is also poured with honey or sugar syrup (honey or sugar diluted with water), and then a cross is laid out from raisins on top. In some regions of Ukraine, Kolyvo is also called sito or kanun. This dish also has pagan roots, as does the rite of the Tombs itself, and Easter in general.

Back in pagan times, the hostess, in addition to the kolyva, on these days prepared dishes that were especially loved by the dead during life. Everyone took food to the cemetery, laid tablecloths between the graves and shared the dishes among themselves.

What can and cannot be done?

Eating food brought to cemeteries continues even now, even in Christianity. . Only the church does not recommend doing this.

Priests insist that the task of people is not to eat and drink in the cemetery, and then also leave food on the graves. After all, all this can be stretched by wild animals, birds, stray dogs. No, Christians are to share with those in need. Therefore, it is better to give a few baby goats to a shelter for homeless people.

Omens

Some people, especially the older generation, believe in omens and superstitions associated with this day.< /p>

It was believed that if an unmarried girl or a single guy does not participate in the memorial meal, fate will be angry and luck will turn away. And sit as his/her concubine/maiden until the next year.

To improve the material situation and health of the housewives, the icons were washed with spring water, which was not poured out, but kept until the holiday. In the morning on Good Sunday, the whole family washed with this water. Moreover, the elders always washed the younger members of the household first, and then themselves. It was believed that the water from the icons could strengthen health and improve the financial situation.

People believed that prayers read in the morning on Holy Sunday could give them a long and happy life. Moreover, prayers should be directed not only to the Lord, but also to one's dead relatives, who will ask for their loved ones in the next world.