Meatless Saturday is traditionally celebrated two days before the beginning of Shrovetide. In the Orthodox calendar it has the status of Ecumenical Saturday, when all the deceased are commemorated. In 2025, the celebration falls on February 22. About what traditions and prohibitions are associated with this day, tell "Izvestia".

Ecumenical Parents' Saturday 2025 - how to properly commemorate the deceased

Meat-Leave Saturday is one of the special memorial days. It precedes Meat-Lent Week, which begins on Sunday, February 23. From this moment believers gradually give up meat and meat products in order to prepare for the Great Lent.

Meat-Leave Saturday is also a precursor of Shrovetide week (lasts from February 24 to March 2), after which comes Lent (from March 3 to April 19). The name "little Shrovetide" is still widespread among the people. So often called the day of remembrance, because as in the ancient Slavic holiday on the table there are pancakes.

On Parents' Saturday itself, which will be the first of the year, it is allowed to eat meat. But from the next Monday believers will have to limit its consumption.

Miasopustnaya Parents' Saturday - 2025: who is memorialized

All Parents' Saturdays are connected with the remembrance of ancestors. And not only father and mother, but also grandfathers, great-grandfathers and other close relatives are remembered.

Two parental Saturdays have a special status in the calendar and are called Ecumenical Saturdays. One of them is Meat-Leave Saturday, the second is Trinity Saturday (June 7). On these days you should pray for your deceased loved ones and all deceased Christians.

Memorial services on Ecumenical Saturdays are held in all churches. Even those people who have no living relatives are commemorated in this way. On these days priests call to pay attention and if possible to put in order abandoned graves, which no one visits.

Miasopustnaya Parents' Saturday - 2025: what can and cannot be done

On Parents' Saturday it is necessary to pray for the deceased and put candles for the repose of the soul. It is believed that on this day the living can spiritually reunite with the dead. You can pray both in the temple and at home, but it is better to attend the service.

In the temple, food is also consecrated, which is then put on the memorial table. Kutya is considered to be a traditional dish. In addition, pancakes, pies and uzvar - a hot drink made of dried fruits - are memorialized. It is important that the number of treats was odd.

Often the meals are accompanied by alcoholic beverages. However, on Parents' Saturday one should refrain from excessive alcohol consumption. In addition, one should not use swear words and speak ill of the deceased. The Church considers such actions disrespectful to the memory of the dead. About the deceased remember only with warmth, telling about his good deeds.

This day should be devoted to God-pleasing deeds, for example, to give alms or help the needy.

Miasopustnaya Parents' Saturday - 2025: whether it is necessary to go to the cemetery

Visiting cemeteries on Parents' Saturday is not obligatory. In the church statute on this matter there are no strict instructions. Clergymen believe that prayer and attending a memorial service are more important for the repose of the soul than visiting a grave.

Those who plan to go to the cemetery are advised to first visit the temple or pray for the deceased in front of a home icon.