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Dziady in Belarus. Orthodox Christians celebrate Dmitrievskaya Parental Saturday on November 2
02.11.2024 08:26
In Belarus, November 2 is Dziady. This is what people call Dmitrievskaya Parental Saturday.
At one time, Adam Mickiewicz, a native of Belarus, described the customs and traditions of the holiday in his epochal work “Dziady”.
It is worth noting that the name Demetrius Saturday was once given in memory of the great martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki (he is remembered on November 8).
Names
People called Dmitrievskaya Parental Saturday Grandfather's Saturday, and in Belarus they called it even more simply - Dzyady.
On this day, as the names suggest, people remembered their deceased relatives and loved ones (“dzyady”).
And even today in some villages certain traditions and rituals are observed on Dzyady.
They are associated with the veneration of the dead and the belief that on this day they come to visit the living.
Traditions
Traditionally, believers attend memorial services in churches on Parental Saturday, light candles for the repose of their deceased loved ones, and write notes.
At the same time, they bring food (bread, flour, cookies, cereals, butter, candy, etc.) to the church, leaving them in places specially designated for this purpose.
At home, on Dzyady, Belarusians set a memorial table, around which all relatives and friends gather.
The main dish is kutia (lenten porridge). One place at the table is left empty – for a deceased relative.
What not to do
On this day it is not recommended to engage in heavy physical labor.
In addition, even on ordinary days, not very good things such as overeating and alcohol abuse are taboo.
It is strictly forbidden to speak negatively about deceased relatives.
Fortune telling, weddings, and wedding celebrations are prohibited on Parental Saturday.
What can be done
It is recommended to visit a church on Parental Saturday, attend a memorial service, write notes and light candles.
At home, you can set a memorial table, but one place must be left empty, since, according to beliefs, deceased relatives come for dinner on Dzyady.
On this day people also visit cemeteries.
By the way, according to popular belief, if a westerly wind blows on Dzyady, there will soon be prolonged precipitation (rain or snow).
If birds land on the roof, the weather will get worse, and the howling of wolves indicates that it will be cold in the coming days.
