The religious scholar explained the reasons for the fear of the belongings of deceased relatives

Fear of the clothes and personal belongings of deceased relatives is primarily related to psychological experiences, not religious prohibitions. Natalia Fominykh, a religious scholar, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, professor at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, told Izvestia on July 14.

According to the expert, the things of the departed person become a constant reminder of him and the loss he has experienced. It is the emotional connection with objects that forms a special attitude towards them, which has existed in different cultures since ancient times.

"For people, the belongings of their relatives and loved ones are a constant reminder of the person who left and the grief that happened. This psychological reminder has always bothered me, since ancient times," Fominykh said.

The religious scholar stressed that in the Orthodox tradition there is no prohibition on using the belongings of the deceased. According to her, they can be kept for themselves, given to other people or given to those in need. The main focus in Christianity is not on objects, but on prayer for the deceased and the preservation of his memory.

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Fominykh noted that the ideas about the "negative energy" of the dead belong to superstitions. According to her, touching objects of a loved one does not cause physical harm, but emotional experiences that people have historically associated with mystical explanations.

Giving the clothes of the deceased to other people can be a manifestation of mercy and a way to preserve the memory of a person. If the item evokes fond memories and does not become a source of heavy emotions, you can leave it at home. In case of severe emotional stress, items can be given to churches, charities, or those in need.

The expert also explained why some people believe that it is possible to part with the belongings of the deceased only after 40 days. According to her, this tradition is connected with the Orthodox commemoration of the dead and with the psychological process of experiencing loss, when after a while the pain becomes less acute. However, there are no strict deadlines for the transfer or disposal of items.

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On July 10, Fominykh said that kutya has remained one of the main ceremonial dishes of the Slavic tradition for centuries. It is prepared both on memorial days and during the Christmas and Epiphany holidays. The main meaning of kutia, according to the expert, is to combine several important ideas: the memory of ancestors, faith in the immortality of the soul and hope for rebirth. Each component of the dish has its own symbolic meaning.