How will the cemeteries on Radonitsa and Krasnaya Gorka work in 2026

In April 2026, key memorial days will be held in Russia — Krasnaya Gorka and Radonitsa. During this period, cemeteries in Moscow and other cities are switching to an enhanced mode of operation, preparing for a massive influx of visitors. At the same time, the city authorities are introducing temporary restrictions on roads and launching additional public transport routes. For more information, see the Izvestia article.

Krasnaya Gorka and Radonitsa: when is it customary to visit cemeteries

Krasnaya Gorka is traditionally celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter, which in the church tradition is called Antipascha, or St. Thomas Sunday. In 2026, it falls on April 19th. Despite the fact that many people tend to visit the cemetery on this day off, it is not associated with the commemoration of the dead.

The holiday opens Radonitsa Week and is considered a celebration of joy and life. During Holy Week, which immediately follows Easter, funeral services are not performed, since the entire liturgical life is devoted to the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ. Visits to the cemetery are allowed only for cleaning graves without conducting funeral rites.

According to church tradition, the main day for visiting cemeteries is Radonitsa. The holiday is celebrated on the ninth day after Easter, which always falls on a Tuesday. In 2026, the date falls on April 21. It is on this day that memorial services with Easter hymns will be held in churches, and believers will be able to remember the dead.

Radonitsa is officially recognized as a non-working day in several regions of Russia. This practice operates in the Krasnodar Territory, Kabardino-Balkaria, as well as in the Bryansk, Penza, Saratov regions and a number of other subjects. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, this day is not a weekend, so residents have to plan their own visits to cemeteries, combining it with their work schedule.

Working hours of cemeteries and transport in Moscow

On April memorial days, a large influx of people is traditionally expected in cemeteries. On Krasnaya Gorka and Radonitsa, their operating mode will be changed, which will evenly distribute the flow of visitors.

"On normal days in April, Moscow cemeteries operate according to the winter schedule: from 9:00 to 17:00. However, on the days of mass visits, the regime changes. On Krasnaya Gorka and Radonitsa, the time to visit cemeteries will increase — they will be open from 9:00 to 19:00. Such changes are being introduced specifically for the convenience of citizens during memorial days," the GBU "Ritual" told Izvestia.

The main prohibitions on Krasnaya Gorka are named so as not to bring trouble.

They also added that during such periods, some roads are blocked, traffic patterns are changed in some sections, and parking at cemeteries is significantly limited. It can be difficult to drive directly to the entrance by car. In this regard, Muscovites are advised to use public transport.

During the holidays, the city authorities will strengthen transport links: additional buses will run to 14 cemeteries, and to Radonitsa — up to 11. According to Maxim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport, more than 570 buses and electric buses will leave for Krasnaya Gorka on the line, which will serve special free routes to memorial complexes.

In addition, temporary navigation has already been installed at ground transport stops and metro stations for the convenience of passengers. You can also find the desired route on a single transport portal. According to the published data, free buses will run to Vostryakovsky, Dolgoprudnensky, Domodedovo, Kotlyakovsky, Mitinsky, Khovansky and other cemeteries.

When is the best time to plan a trip to the cemetery

Due to the high workload, it is recommended to plan the time of the visit in advance and take into account the specifics of the organization of traffic near the cemeteries on Krasnaya Gorka and Radonitsa. The busiest hours are considered to be in the morning, especially immediately after the end of services, when the flow of visitors increases dramatically.

For a more relaxing visit, it is better to arrive in the early hours before the main influx of people or in the afternoon. However, you should not expect to be able to park directly at the entrance, as parking may be limited on the days of mass visits. In addition, it is important to put extra time on the road, taking into account possible traffic jams.

If possible, Muscovites are advised to choose weekdays close to Radonitsa, since on such dates the flow of visitors is noticeably lower. This avoids queues at the entrance and crowds at the graves, especially in the morning.

Memorial Saturdays in 2026: calendar, rules of commemoration

What not to do at the cemetery on memorial days

At the same time, the church emphasizes that Radonitsa is primarily a day of prayer and spiritual connection with the deceased. On this day, believers are advised to start the morning with a visit to the temple, submit notes for the repose, and only after that go to the cemetery.

On the spot, you can put the grave in order, remove the garbage, fix the fence or monument, light a candle and say a short prayer. At the same time, the clergy emphasize that the main thing on memorial day is prayer commemoration, and not external attributes.

The church also disapproves of holding memorial meals directly at the cemetery and the widespread custom of leaving food and alcohol on graves, noting that such actions are not related to Orthodox tradition. It is considered more appropriate to gather relatives and friends at home, pray and hold a memorial dinner in a calm atmosphere, without haste and extraneous noise.