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On October 28, 2017, the Orthodox Church will celebrate the special day of remembrance of the dead - Dimitrievskaya parent's 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, the day before the day of remembrance of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki (November 8, BC) was established after the Battle of Kulikovo, which took place on Christmas Day Holy Mother of God 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 of Saturday “Dimitrievskaya”.

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 annually, 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 departed is an apostolic institution, it is observed throughout the Church, and the liturgy for the departed, the offering of the Bloodless Sacrifice for their salvation, is the most powerful and effective means of asking 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:

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 relatives with prayer from pure 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 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.

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.

As a rule, Dimitrievskaya Parents' Saturday falls in November. However, in 2017, Dimitrievskaya Saturday falls at the very end of this month - October 28.

So, why was the parents' memorial day postponed? It was postponed due to the coincidence with the holiday of the Kazan Icon Mother of God, which Orthodox Christians will celebrate on November 4th.

Demetrius Saturday is the day of general remembrance of the dead, parental Saturday in the liturgical charter of the Russian, Serbian and Bulgarian Orthodox churches. It is performed annually on the Saturday before the day of remembrance of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica, which falls on October 26, and in our time on November 8.

“With God there are no dead - with God everyone is alive. Christ said this in one parable, when the Sadducees came to Him and said that a man had died, whose wife would be if all seven brothers had her (the Jews had a custom if a woman became widow, then she married her husband's brother). And the Lord answered that in the afterlife, blissful life, they do not marry or be given in marriage, but there they live like angels. And every testimony of the Savior tells us that a person is born alone - only once and, having violated the commandments of the Lord, but having repented of his sins, he still receives forgiveness for his earthly life“- note the ministers of the Orthodox Church.

“The commemoration of the dead has been going on since ancient times. And in the Old Testament there is a mention of this, and in the New Testament the Lord said: “Remember your teachers.” And Christ Himself prayed for the deceased Lazarus, for the son of the widow of Nain, for the daughter of Jairus. He grieved and prayed to the Father, thereby teaching us to pray and ask. Because He Himself said one prophetic word - arise! And the son of the widow of Nain and the daughter of Jairus resurrected. Being at the tomb of Lazarus, the Savior said: “Come out!” And Lazarus, Having already been in the grave for four days, he came out of the grave! The time will come when we too will hear similar words. The Lord will call us - and we will appear before the face of God," the clergy remind.

The history of this day is controversial: some Christians say that this day has only Orthodox roots, but stories indicate that Demetrius Saturday is associated with paganism.

According to official data, it has been established that Dmitrievskaya Saturday was established in honor of the soldiers who died a brave death on the Kulikovo Field. After the victory, Prince Dmitry Donskoy invited the church to remember those killed in this battle every year. The priests agreed, citing the fact that Christians died in this battle, whom their ancestors should remember. Years later, Dmitrievskaya Saturday became a parental day and on this day all the deceased are remembered.

Prayer for this day

“Holy Great Martyr of Christ Demetrius! Standing boldly before the Heavenly King, ask Him for forgiveness of our sins and for us, the accursed (names), to be delivered from the all-destructive plague, fire and eternal punishment. Pray for His goodness to favor this parish (or house) and our temple. Ask us for grace-filled strengthening for good deeds, so that what is pleasing to our Master, Christ God, who works here, may be worthy through Your prayers to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven and there glorify Him, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen"

Traditions of this day

All believers should attend church on this day and honor the memory of their deceased ancestors. They also come to church on Friday evening before vespers. At this time, a great funeral service is performed - paratastas. All hymns, troparia and prayers are dedicated to the dead. On the morning of St. Demetrius Saturday, a funeral liturgy is celebrated in the church.

All Christians come to church with small pieces of paper on which the names of all deceased relatives are written and hand them over to the priest, who will mention them during the service. Also, donations in the form of vegetables, bread, sweets and fruits are brought to the church, but meat and wine cannot be donated.

Signs of this day

Old people in ancient times did everything Christian holidays They noticed many features, and then passed all these signs on to their ancestors.

*Demetrius's day - winter climbs the fence;

*It doesn’t become winter until Dmitrievskaya Saturday;

*On Dmitry the rivers freeze;

*If it is cold on this day and snow has fallen, spring will be late, and if there is a thaw, spring will be warm;

*Dmitrov Saturday - work for the partygoers;

*If Dmitriev's day is in the snow, Easter is also in the snow, and Dmitriev's day is bare, and Holy Day is also covered in snow.

*On Dmitri's Day, cunning girls want to get married quickly, and all because after this day weddings rarely happen.

It is also believed that the more generous the alms of the living in the church, the better the soul of the deceased feels in the next world.

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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.

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, St. Sergius of 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 annually, 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.

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 departed is an apostolic institution, it is observed throughout the Church, and the liturgy for the departed, the offering of the Bloodless Sacrifice for their salvation, is the most powerful and effective means of asking 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.

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. 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.

In 2017, due to the coincidence with the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, which is celebrated on November 4, parental Saturday was moved to October 28.

Dmitrievskaya Saturday

The last parent's Saturday in 2017 - on this day in Orthodox churches funeral services, memorial liturgies are held and special commemoration deceased Orthodox Christians.

The special meaning of Dmitrievskaya Parental Saturday is that on this day memorial services are held for all soldiers who died for their faith and fatherland on the battlefield, as well as for all those who died a sudden death and who were not guided into life. eternal prayers Holy Church.

© photo: Sputnik / Mikhail Ozersky

Icon "Dmitry of Thessaloniki". Pskov school of painting. XV century

Demetrius Saturday was established by Prince Dmitry Donskoy after the bloody battle on the Kulikovo Field, which took place on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1380.

Over time, a tradition developed to perform such a commemoration annually before the day of St. Demetrius of Thessaloniki, whose name has always been associated in Rus' with military feat, patriotism and defense of the Fatherland.

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

Why parent

The name “parental” most likely comes from the tradition of calling the deceased “parents,” that is, those who went to their fathers. And also because Christians prayerfully commemorated, first of all, their deceased parents.

Among parental Saturdays, Ecumenical Saturdays are especially distinguished, on which Orthodox Church prayerfully remembers all the departed. There are two such Saturdays: Meat and Trinity. On these two days, special services are held - ecumenical memorial services.

The remaining parental Saturdays are not ecumenical and are reserved specifically for private commemoration of people dear to our hearts.

But since ancient times, people have most revered Dmitrievskaya parental Saturday. Emperor Nicholas II in 1903 even issued a decree on holding a special memorial service for the soldiers who fell for the Fatherland - “For the faith, the Tsar and the Fatherland, who laid down their lives on the battlefield.”

Patron of Russian warriors

On the icons, Saint Demetrius is depicted as a warrior in feathered armor, with a spear and sword in his hands. Russian soldiers always believed that they were under his special protection.

Saint Demetrius was born in the city of Soluni (Thessaloniki) in Greece into a family of secret Christians. After the death of his father, he became the ruler of the Thessalonian region and defended the city from external enemies.

© photo: Sputnik / Sergey Pyatakov

The emperor demanded that Demetrius exterminate Christians, but instead he began to eradicate pagan customs. Having learned about this, the emperor ordered him to be put in prison, where, on his orders, the prison guards killed Demetrius with spears. This happened in 306.

Demetrius' body was thrown out to be devoured by wild animals, but the residents buried him secretly. Miracles and healings were always performed at the tomb of the great martyr.

Since ancient times, the saint has been especially revered in Rus' - since the first centuries of Christianity, many churches have been built throughout the country. Russian princes gave one of their sons, usually the eldest, the name Dmitry.

Prince Dimitry Donskoy was a great admirer of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius. In 1380, on the eve of the Battle of Kulikovo, he solemnly transferred from Vladimir to Moscow the main shrine of the Vladimir Demetrius Cathedral - the icon of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica, written on the board of the Saint’s tomb.

Traditions of remembrance

On Dmitrievskaya Parents' Saturday, they traditionally commemorate their deceased parents in church - people submit notes for their deceased relatives to the priest, and also pray for the repose of their souls in the afterlife.

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

On this day, they usually bring treats to the temple for the poor, which are blessed during the service and later distributed to everyone. Also on this day, it is customary to give alms to the poor with a request to pray for the deceased.

After visiting churches, Orthodox Christians go to the cemetery, read prayers for the repose of the souls of deceased relatives, and tidy up the graves. But, if it is not possible to visit a temple or cemetery these days, you can pray for the repose of the deceased at home.

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 a church service, Orthodox people They remember by name many generations of their deceased ancestors.

Customs and signs

Women, like others memorial days were busy spring cleaning— they cleaned the courtyards, washed all the benches, windows, tables. Before parents' Saturday, the whole family had to wash themselves, after which they left water and a broom for the deceased relatives.

On Dmitrievskaya parental Saturday, dinner was special and took place a little differently than on other memorial days - in the old days they believed that all the deceased on this day descended to earth in their native homes, and therefore they tried to gather the family in their ancestral dwellings.

They began to commemorate the dead on Friday, and for this they always purchased a new white tablecloth, which was used to cover the funeral table. Candles were placed on the table both on Friday and Saturday - people believed that the family was thus giving a sign to the dead that they had not been forgotten and were being remembered.

The housewives tried to prepare as many meat dishes as possible, but stuffed meat remained traditional and basic. pig head. They also prepared traditional funeral dishes - kutya, pancakes, pies, as well as other favorite dishes of deceased relatives.

It was served on the table great amount pies with different fillings - meat, cabbage, cottage cheese and so on. Moreover, the shape must be oblong.

During the meal they remembered what the deceased were like during life, about 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 mistress of the house cleared the entire table, covered it with a clean tablecloth and placed cutlery with food and 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.

For a long time, Dmitrievskaya Saturday was considered the day of transition from autumn to winter, and accordingly, many signs were associated with the weather: Dmitrievsky day - winter is climbing the fence; on Dmitry the rivers freeze; Winter does not begin until Dmitrievskaya Saturday.

People believed that if it was cold on this day and snow fell, spring would be late, and if there was a thaw, spring would be warm.

The material was prepared based on open sources

Usually Dimitrievskaya Parents' Saturday falls in November. However, in 2017, Dimitrievskaya Saturday falls at the very end of this month - October 28. It was postponed due to the coincidence with the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, which Orthodox Christians will celebrate on November 4.

The rector of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan of Vyshgorod and Chernobyl, Vladyka Pavel, told Vesti readers about the meaning and rules of this day.

“With God there are no dead - with God everyone is alive. Christ said this in one parable, when the Sadducees came to Him and said that a man had died, whose wife would be if all seven brothers had her (the Jews had a custom if a woman became widow, then she married her husband's brother). And the Lord answered that in the afterlife, blissful life, they do not marry or be given in marriage, but there they live like angels. And every testimony of the Savior tells us that a person is born alone - only once, and having violated the Lord’s commandments, but having repented of his sins, he still receives forgiveness for his earthly life,” noted Metropolitan Pavel.

The body returns to the ground, and the soul goes to the Lord for God's judgment. And after the resurrection he is united, as Tikhon of Zadonsk says - like a horse harnessed to a harness that goes to work; together we sinned, together we work. Therefore, after the resurrection, the flesh, uniting with the spirit, the soul, receives either a good or a bad sentence, since they lived a life together.

“The commemoration of the dead has been going on since ancient times. And in the Old Testament there is a mention of this, and in the New Testament the Lord said: “Remember your teachers.” And Christ Himself prayed for the deceased Lazarus, for the son of the widow of Nain, for the daughter of Jairus. He grieved and prayed to the Father, thereby teaching us to pray and ask. Because He Himself said one prophetic word - get up! And the son of the widow of Nain and the daughter of Jairus resurrected. Being at the tomb of Lazarus, the Savior said: “Come out!” And Lazarus, Having already been in the tomb for four days, he came out of the tomb! The time will come when we too will hear similar words. The Lord will call us - and we will appear before the face of God," Bishop Paul recalled.

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, St. Sergius of 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.

“What does this story testify to? That our souls are akin. If we have a godly life, the Lord reveals the essence of being at a distance,” Metropolitan Pavel emphasized.

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.

“Remembering the leaders and soldiers who died on the battlefield, we glorify their great feat - they gave their lives for the Fatherland and the people. And the greatest feat is martyrdom. And those who suffer for the Church, for their earthly Fatherland, they are all martyrs. Defending their land, warriors defend their faith, culture, people. When the enemy of the human race begins to sow chaos, wars begin. We know the Polish invasion, Muslim raids, and where they appeared - they were eradicated true faith. People became slaves of the conquerors, slaves of sin, curse and death. Therefore, Dmitrievskaya parental Saturday, it has the character of prayer, protection of the earthly Fatherland. Let us remember all the warriors of all wars who shed their blood for the Fatherland. Their blood will cry out - and those who give orders for war, destruction, death, and suffering will be punished. Let us pray for the departed and ask God for mercy for the living, so that the Lord will unite with a single prayer for temporary and eternal life", the rector of the monastery called on all believers.

Ecumenical Parents' Saturday: how to celebrate and what not to do

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.

"And since this Saturday was approved as a commemoration of soldiers, this day has special meaning, which should always remind us of those who died defending the faith and the Fatherland. To commemorate according to church traditions, you must come to church the day before, on Friday, for an evening service, where a great requiem and parastas are celebrated. All prayers are dedicated to the remembrance of the departed. And on Saturday morning the Divine Liturgy is celebrated, after which a general memorial service is served. The most important thing we can give to our deceased relatives is our prayer. Their souls experience a great need for our prayer, since they can no longer do good deeds to appease God,” Metropolitan Pavel emphasized.

And how important prayer is is very well stated in the life of St. Macarius the Great. One day the Monk Macarius was walking through the desert and saw a skull on the ground, hearing it making some sounds. As he came closer, he heard that the skull said that he used to be the chief of the priests who lived here. And now, when they are all dead, they are in absolute torment, and only when the Monk Macarius prays for them do they experience some relief. And Abba Macarius asked to tell about the torment and relief from prayer. And the voice answered that the fire in which they were tormented was so great - like heaven from earth; and they don't even see each other. But during prayer they partially see each other, and this gives them joy.

“And the pagans still have some consolation from the mercy of the Lord. But there are still people who are even deeper and experience even more severe and unspeakable torments. These are those who, having come to know God, rejected Him and did not fulfill His Commandments,” Vladika Paul warned.

“This example clearly shows us that if the saint’s prayer brought joy to the pagans, then what a beneficial effect prayer will have on the souls of Orthodox Christians! And our love should extend not only to those who are alive, but even more so to the dead. Because they have no one cannot help in alleviating their fate there, except for us. After all, many die without having time to repent for their sins, and every person has them. We need to understand that with death, communication between the dead and the living does not stop. The soul leaves with body and moves to another world, but sees and hears everything,” noted the rector of the monastery.