Radunica

On this day, they remembered the dead relatives.Radunica is a spring pagan holiday of the Eastern Slavs associated with the cult of ancestors. After baptism, it began to be celebrated on Fomina week - on the 1st Sunday after Easter, or on the following Monday or Tuesday (the latter is especially common). Radunica is one of the oldest holidays, when wine and food are brought to the graves of great-grandfathers, lamentations and games (games, songs and dances) are arranged.

The origins of this are in the ancient notions of farmers that deceased ancestors buried in the land are associated with its wealth and capabilities and can affect future crops.

On this day, in a festively decorated house, the hostess prepared dishes for commemoration in the cemetery. At the same time, the number of dishes should have been odd. Everything turned into a large handkerchief. Chocolate eggs or cheese were added.

In the morning they went to church, where they commemorated loved ones, and after dinner they went to the cemetery, each family to their graves. The women voted, the men untied the handkerchief and, having taken out the sacred egg, rolled it on the grave with the words "Christ is risen." Then silently sat around the grave, where the hostess on a white tablecloth exhibited numerous dishes. The feast began with the invitation of the deceased. They used to say, “Holy Rhodzitsel, Hodzice to us bread and salt kushats!” At the end of the memorial, they said: “My rhodzicelli, go fishing, do not dzivice, what the hut is rich, so happy.” Some food and vodka were left for the dead. The rest of the food was distributed to the poor, and the day ended with taverns with songs and dances.

On this day, it was not desirable to sow or plant anything.

Currently, Radunica is an official non-working day (according to the calendar of the Orthodox confession). Customs have largely remained the same, although the church has a negative attitude towards the arrangement of meals on graves.