For an Orthodox believer, the commemoration of the departed is not only a religious duty. This is a moral need of the human soul, expressing love for deceased relatives and friends. In the Christian tradition, there are certain days of commemoration of the departed, called parental days (Saturdays).
Trinity parental Saturday is a special day on which the Orthodox Church offers up her prayers for the repose of people who have completed their earthly journey. The scale and great significance of this parental memorial day are reflected in the naming of the Trinity parental Sabbath, which indicates the special attitude of the Church towards this parental Sabbath.
As the name implies, Trinity parental Saturday is correlated in time with the Day of the Holy Trinity. However, at the same time, one should not confuse the Saturday day of commemoration of the dead (Trinity Saturday) with the Sunday holiday of the Day of the Holy Trinity (on which the dead are not commemorated either in the church at the liturgy or at the memorial services).
The dating of Trinity parental Saturday depends on the time when the Church celebrates Pentecost (the Day of the Holy Trinity). In 2016, the Day of the Holy Trinity is June 19, therefore, the time of remembrance of the dead on Trinity parental Saturday in 2016 is June 18.
Thus, in 2016, June 18th is one of the main memorial days of the year. Believing Christians must remember that the main essence of the remembrance of the dead is prayer for them. It is with a prayer commemoration at the divine liturgy and memorial service that Christians begin their day on Trinity parental Saturday.
After attending a service in the church, an Orthodox person goes to the burial places of his loved ones. At the cemetery, it is necessary not only to put things in order at the grave, but also to pray to God for the repose of the soul of the deceased.
