The cemetery is traditionally a sacred place. Despite the fact that death is a natural outcome of the life of every person, and cemeteries grow and expand in the course of natural events, many often ask the question: when can you visit the graves of deceased loved ones.
The question about the frequency of visiting cemeteries before the floods arises quite often. After all, everyone has their own understanding of when and how to visit the graves: some go strictly on fixed days, others almost like to work. The church gives its recommendations when it is necessary to go to the churchyard.
Naturally, such instructions are just a recommendation: it is impossible to force a person to strictly adhere to the established rules. Therefore, you can simply take them as a basis, and then determine a convenient schedule for yourself.
What days are set for visiting cemeteries
Usually in the church it is recommended to visit the churchyard on the days of commemoration of the dead, on the day of the death of the one who is going to visit the cemetery, in Radonitsa, and it is also allowed to visit the cemetery every Saturday - it is considered a funeral day. The days of commemoration of the dead include the 3rd, 9th, 40th days after death.
In Radonitsa, the commemoration of the dead takes place on Monday or Tuesday of the week following Easter. It is often colloquially called parental day. But despite such a gradation, many transfer Radonitsa for the weekend in front of her. This is due to the fact that most of the population works and cannot find enough time to visit the churchyard on a working day. After all, it's not enough just to come to the grave, you definitely need to clean it up: throw out old and faded flowers, wash those that still look worthy, pull out weeds, put a special treat on a plate.
Since Radonitsa is celebrated after Easter, colored eggs, Easter cakes, sweets, etc. are usually used as a treat. However, this does not limit you, and you may well bring something else.
A visit to the cemetery on Radonitsa is one of the mandatory and commemorates the fact that Christ descended into hell and conquered death. Such a day is considered a kind of holiday for the dead. After all, relatives, gathering at the grave, congratulate them on the resurrection of the Lord.
As for the church holidays - Christmas, Trinity, Annunciation, etc. - It is highly discouraged to go to cemeteries these days. After all, deceased people no longer belong to this world, but are in the Kingdom of Heaven. A visit to the cemetery on Easter is also considered a common mistake, as it is a holiday of the living.
On all other days, if a desire arises, it is recommended to attend church and light candles for the repose.
Visiting rules
As for the flowers that they take with them to the cemetery, there is a widespread myth that there should be an even number of them. For the deceased, it does not matter at all how many there will be - 4 or 5. Most often, they take artificial flowers with them, although it is recommended to refrain from them. Better to plant the ground with various plants. And in winter, there are both living plants and artificial flowers that cannot be seen from under the snow.
If you want to light candles on the grave, which is absolutely not forbidden today, you need to do this according to certain rules. It is necessary to purchase special candles in the church and light them directly in front of the cross (or, more often, the monument).
You need to visit the cemetery only when sober. To be shocked and not decent, and ugly. In addition, the cemetery is not a place for entertainment: when entering the churchyard by car, turn off the music.
And remember that nothing can be taken out of the cemetery. You will take out negative energy, which is in abundance in the cemetery. And this applies to any items - be it a beautiful flower, a branch from a tree or garbage (there are special trash bins for it in cemeteries).
