Visiting the cemetery is associated with some traditions and superstitions. It is believed that this land belongs to the dead, and they have their own laws that must be respected by the living. How to behave in a cemetery? What can be done and what is strictly prohibited?
Visiting graves
Visiting the graves of relatives, friends, acquaintances is a tradition that exists in every religion. But the rules for visiting the departed may vary. According to Orthodox belief, the cemetery is a sacred place. The cross on the grave of the deceased is located at the feet, and the image of the crucifix on it is turned to the face of the deceased.
The Orthodox Church draws the attention of Christians to the fact that living relatives watch over the graves of their deceased loved ones. The fence and cross should be painted on time. Well-groomed grave, fresh flowers on it symbolize the memory of the deceased.
How to behave in a cemetery? Is it possible to leave cookies and sweets on the grave of the deceased? Orthodox traditions of visiting a cemetery have strict restrictions on this score.
Orthodox customs of visiting a cemetery
The Holy Fathers recommend lighting candles on the grave of a loved one, praying for him, asking for the remission of his sins. How to behave in an Orthodox cemetery? What prayers can be read?
Prayers are read at will. However, there are special prayers for the dead:
- About the deceased Christian.
- Prayer of the widower.
- Widow's Prayer.
- About the deceased children.
- Prayer for the deceased parents.
- Akathist is about the deceased.
- Akathist on the repose of the dead.
Priests warn that drinking alcohol is prohibited on Orthodox graves. Visiting a cemetery is not a fun holiday.
In no case should you pour alcohol over the grave hill or sprinkle crumbs on it. Such actions offend the deceased. It’s better to tidy up the grave, shut up, remembering the deceased. It is forbidden to bring artificial flowers. But you can plant fresh flowers or other plants - they are a symbol of eternal life.
Parent days
Parent days - so-called Ecumenical parental Saturdays. These days, it is customary to come to the cemetery and visit the graves of deceased relatives. There are no specific month dates for Parent Saturdays. This is due to the fact that the Lenten Easter cycle is transitional.
- Parent Saturdays. It is Saturday on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th week of Lent.
- Trinity parental Saturday. This is the day before the feast of the Holy Trinity.
- Meatless Saturday. Her time is 8 days before Lent.
- Dmitrievskaya Saturday. This is the Saturday preceding November 8th. On this day, the dead soldiers are commemorated.
In addition to Parental Saturdays, there are other days of remembrance:
- Radonitsa. This is Tuesday 2nd week after Easter.
- Commemoration of the dead soldiers - May 9.
How to behave in a cemetery?
When visiting a cemetery, you should behave respectfully towards the deceased. Emotional excesses will not lead to good. It is forbidden to talk loudly, sing, scream, have fun, sob. You can’t walk along the grave hills - for this there are special paths, paths.
On the territory of the cemetery there are columns, wells or taps with water. It is intended only for cleaning graves. It is forbidden to use cemetery water for drinking. Drinking must be brought from home or bought on the way.
How to behave in a cemetery? Is it possible to leave the things of the deceased on the grave? You can leave your favorite cup, watch, or other objects that he liked, on the grave.
Foreign objects cannot be taken home from a cemetery or grave. They are saturated with "dead" energy. If any thing is taken from the grave, it should be replaced by another. For example, a flower vase crashed - you need to put a new one.
Wipe a monument or fence from dirt, dust should only unnecessary rags. After use, it is thrown into special garbage containers in the cemetery. In no case do not use the things of the living to put the grave in order.
Cemetery restrictions
How to behave in a cemetery on parental day? Who can come to the grave? Since ancient times, cemeteries have been used by dark sorcerers to perform rituals or to collect the necessary ingredients. Priests claim that a true believer cannot be affected by magical power.
Despite these assurances, there is a category of people who should not visit the cemetery or chapel in its territory. Neither during the funeral, nor on Parental Saturday should come to the churchyard:
- pregnant women;
- nursing mothers;
- women with a small (or infant) child.
Pregnant or newly born women, children under 7 years old are sensitive to negative energy. Therefore, they are better off avoiding the cemetery. According to legend, a magician can exchange, using a special ritual, the life of a seriously ill person for the life of a small child or an unborn baby.
How to behave at a funeral?
The funeral of the Orthodox begins with his funeral in the house or in the church. For this ceremony, women traditionally cover their heads with a scarf. Put on a dress (skirt) to the knees or below. T-shirts, shorts, any frivolous clothes are forbidden. For men - a formal suit or trousers with a shirt (sweater).
How to behave at a cemetery funeral? During the funeral, some relatives stay home to prepare a memorial dinner. Attendance at a funeral is voluntary. If there is no desire or poor health - you can not go to the cemetery.
During the funeral, strong emotions should also be avoided - loud crying, inappropriate actions leave a painful impression. During the funeral, relatives go behind the coffin. Blood relatives do not wash the floor in the house of the deceased - it is better to do this to good friends, colleagues.
At the cemetery, after parting, they kiss the crown on the forehead and the hand of the deceased. An icon and fresh flowers should be taken from the coffin. Then the face of the deceased is covered with a shroud, the coffin is closed. The towels on which the coffin was lowered into the ground remain in the grave. Men who carried the deceased are given new towels as a keepsake. Women are given new handkerchiefs. After the cemetery, relatives invite everyone to a memorial dinner.
You can invite a priest to an Orthodox funeral. To bury with music is not Christian.
How to behave in a cemetery on parental day?
Holy Fathers warn that on parental day you should not cry and kill yourself. Prayers, alms, the requiem service - so the Orthodox commemorate the deceased. Come to the cemetery on Parental Saturdays in the morning.
How to behave in a cemetery on parental day? The Orthodox Church allowed a funeral dinner in the cemetery. Before and after the meal, prayer should be read. As already mentioned, it is forbidden to drink alcohol in the cemetery.
If there is food left from the funeral dinner, you can’t leave it on the grave of the “dead”. It is better to give it to the poor, asking them to remember the deceased in the prayers.
The words "kind", "joy" became the basis for the name "radonitsa" How to behave in a cemetery in Radonitsa? From ancient times, it is customary to come to the cemetery on this day with the whole family. Go around the graves of their deceased relatives, remember their good deeds and deeds.
Radonitsa is celebrated on the 9th day after Easter. Its essence is to share your joy with the departed about the resurrection of the Savior. On this holiday, it is customary not to indulge in grief over the deceased relatives, but to rejoice at their transition to eternal life.
Appearance
Having figured out how to behave in the cemetery, you should think about the right clothes for visiting him. Usually the color scheme is selected dark, soft. No fun flowers and frivolous peas. Strict, comfortable clothes for the weather without shorts and mini. Legs and hands should be as closed as possible.
In shoes, you should adhere to the same principle. Closed shoes of muted tones are ideal for visiting a cemetery. High heels or slippers on the churchyard are not allowed.
