April 29 — Radonitsa: folk signs and prohibitions

On the ninth day after Easter, Orthodox Christians celebrate Radonitsa, the day of commemoration of the dead. On this holiday, regular memorial services are resumed in churches, after which believers, according to custom, visit the graves of deceased relatives. In 2025, the date falls on a Tuesday. Izvestia tells us about the prohibitions and folk signs associated with this day.

Radonitsa 2025: the essence of the holiday

It is believed that the name Radonitsa comes from the word "joy". Its purpose is to bring the good news of the resurrection of Jesus Christ to the deceased loved ones. Therefore, the holiday is also called Easter for the deceased. But since funeral commemorations are not held in the church during Great Lent and Holy Week, believers visit the church and cemetery on Radonitsa. Although some people do it earlier — on Krasnaya Gorka, which is celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter.

On this holiday, it is customary to clean graves after the winter and arrange a memorial meal. Many people take cakes, eggs, kutia, pancakes, and sometimes alcohol with them. However, these rituals are not ecclesiastical, but serve as echoes of pagan times. The tradition of commemorating the dead existed even in pre-Christian Russia. Such days were often linked to the agrarian calendar. That's when the custom of sharing a meal with deceased ancestors appeared, which remained after the adoption of Christianity.

At the same time, the ancient Slavs believed that the dead do not leave this world forever, but become guardian spirits of the family. On certain days of the year, they could return to earth, help with business, or, conversely, send misfortunes. Therefore, they tried to appease the souls of the dead through various rituals, including lavish meals, songs and festivities.

One of the days of the spring funeral for the dead became the progenitor of the modern Radonitsa. This holiday is still celebrated not only in Russia, but also in Belarus, Ukraine, Serbia, Moldova, Poland and a number of other Slavic states.

Radonitsa and Antipaskha: what can and cannot be done when commemorating the dead

How to properly file a memorial note and commemorate the deceased on Parents' Day

What not to do on Radonitsa in 2025

It is not customary to plant crops and work in the garden on Radonitsa, so as not to "disturb" the land in any way. In addition, it is forbidden to pick up objects that have fallen to the ground, since, according to beliefs, this is a tribute to the dead.

Household chores, such as cleaning or cooking, are not prohibited. But it is not recommended to pick up needles, knitting hooks and knitting needles, so as not to get into trouble. The day should be spent in a joyful, bright mood. Any quarrels, scandals, as well as despondency, are prohibited.

Since the holiday is dedicated to the dead, it is forbidden to arrange large noisy celebrations on Radonitsa — anniversaries, weddings. It is also worth considering that the church does not perform the sacrament of baptism and wedding on this day. You can get married on Monday, on the eve of Radonitsa, or on Wednesday, after the holiday.

During the memorial meal, it is customary to share only the bright memories of the deceased. Speaking ill of the deceased is considered a great sin and disrespect for their memory. It is also forbidden to turn the commemoration into a noisy event, to guess and perform other magical rituals on memorial day. But it is necessary to pray for the dead. This can be done both in the temple and at home or in the cemetery.

Postcards and touching pictures with Radonitsa in 2025

Folk omens for Radonitsa on April 29

There are many signs and beliefs associated with Radonitsa among the people. In the morning, our ancestors cleaned themselves up and put on clean clothes. It was forbidden to wear yesterday's clothes, otherwise it was possible to attract old problems. If it rained on a holiday, they washed their faces with rainwater. Rain on Radonitsa was a good sign, and rainwater on this day was considered curative.

In Russia, it was still the custom to heat a bathhouse for deceased relatives. Brooms, detergents, and clean clothes were left in it — everything that the spirit of the deceased might need. In the old days, they believed that on a holiday the souls of the deceased returned to earth, so they tried in every possible way to appease and greet them, so as not to inadvertently anger the ancestor.

Much attention was paid to weather signs. This is due to the fact that Radonitsa usually fell in the middle of spring, the beginning of field work. According to the weather on this day, they judged what the summer would be like and whether it was worth waiting for a good harvest. So, frosts promised a meager harvest, and rain promised a fertile year. In some regions, they even held a special rain calling ceremony.

What to expect in the future was judged by the behavior of animals and birds. It was believed that through them the dead themselves transmit signs to the living. It's a good sign to see a pigeon on Radonitsa, especially if it sits on the windowsill. If the cat follows the owner, it leads to positive changes in life. A dog cuddles up to a person — a meeting with a kind friend awaits ahead. And a chickadee perched on a fence or a window — to the news from afar.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the most powerful prayers on Radonitsa.