often hear questions, especially on the youth, "Radonitsa - what kind of a holiday and when she says?And if his name comes from the word "joy", on what it is about? "Now, when the Orthodox culture is returned to the life and consciousness of the people, it is appropriate to talk about it.
Radonitsa What is this holiday
Orthodox Church in the second week after Easter, on Tuesday set a special day of remembrance of the dead - Radonitsa.His name really sounds the word "joy."Firstly, because it continues the most joyous Christian holiday - Easter.Secondly, because of our close, ending the mortal earthly journey, leaving the works and tribulations, not dead, and moved into a world where his death and resurrection, we have prepared the way for Jesus Christ.Knowing that the separation from them only a temporary and some day we will be reunited again, we can not fail to inspire joy in the heart of the believer.
this day in the church after the evening service, and sometimes after the Liturgy, performed a special memorial service.In contrast to the usual, it is accompanied by Easter hymns that carry the joy of the gift of eternal life.In addition, prayers for the dead are performed in cemeteries, visiting the graves of loved ones.
substitution of these traditions imaginary
sad fact, but over a long period of rebellion when the Orthodox culture is displaced from the consciousness of the people, was forgotten and All Souls' Day - Radonitsa.What kind of holiday, only a few remember.Devout Christian traditions have been tampered with purely pagan customs.This is not surprising, because always there persecuted the true faith emerge wild superstition.
First of all, it refers to the existing tradition in our time to drink alcohol on the graves.Commemorate the dead of vodka or wine - it's only the Soviet innovation.The Church teaches that the souls of our loved ones need a prayer for them and good deeds done by us on their behalf.Booze well arranged in cemeteries, only insults their memory.
also include customs, rejected the church, there used to leave food on the graves and Easter eggs.With regard to the alleged pious tradition to put a glass of vodka, black bread and a photo - that's perfect nonsense.
Currently, the church is working hard to revive the forgotten traditions and holidays.Answers questions related to the holiday called "Radonitsa" - what a holiday is to celebrate?Signs of a new attitude toward the national traditions are becoming more visible.
Proper maintenance of the graves
All nations of the world territories where the ashes of the deceased are considered sacred places.Even pagan laws guaranteeing their integrity.Especially in a Christian cemetery the graves of people who have died, but the expected future resurrection, should be kept in a proper manner.
More distant ancestors of our living in paganism, marked the burial place of hills.They now form the basis of modern devices tombs, transformed into a variety of shapes and compositions.Common among them is installed on the grave symbol of our future salvation - Holy Holy Cross.It can be depicted on the tombstone or gravestone set on.
In the Orthodox Church decided to call dead people dead.It is not by accident.The Savior has given us eternal life, and so the tomb is only a temporary haven.There will come the day of resurrection, when all will rise to eternal life.Therefore, the duty of every Christian - contain the tomb close to him in order.
Cross - the oldest and the most important element of tombstones
Particular importance is attached to the cross.Over the grave of an Orthodox Christian, he symbolizes that underneath it is hidden in the ground seed, ready to bring forth new life.He always placed at the feet of the deceased.Make sure that the cross never looked was neat and tidy and timely painted.For the souls in the afterlife, even the most modest and discreet in appearance cross important roads and magnificent gravestones.The abundance of granite and marble often is vanity and pride relatives of the deceased, but not his soul.
Radonitsa in the writings of theologians
Radonitsa - holiday, worship, tradition and everything rite that dates back to ancient times.This is evidenced by St. John Chrysostom.In his writings, he writes about that in the days of the early Christians in the cemeteries marked a special day of remembrance associated with Easter.The joy of the transition to a new life, not grief - that is the meaning inherent in the celebration, called Radonitsa (Radunica).The history of the festival was the subject of a number of research scholars.A lot of attention in his writings, and gave her a famous religious leader, Metropolitan Anthony Bloom.
Radonitsa - what a holiday is to celebrate?
According to Orthodox tradition, before heading to the cemetery to visit the temple, to submit a note on the remembrance of the dead at the altar, and after the Liturgy served requiem.It is also recommended to partake of the Body and Blood of Christ.Having come to the grave, we must first commit to light a candle and set the church litany.It is advisable to invite the priest, but if you can not, you can restrict its condensed version, the text of which is easy to find in the prayers.After that it should result in a tomb in order and just a time to be with her in silence, remembering the deceased.
Always besides prayers for the repose of the souls of the deceased, a great favor bring him the good deeds done by us on his behalf.Especially convenient time to do this is Radonitsa.What kind of holiday if after it there will be no feeling of joy?That it will create awareness and benefits brought by us and the dead and the living.Radonitsa - a festival of joy and departed from earthly life, but I will dwell in eternal life, and for the living who have received the hope of immortality.
