Dimitrievska Parental Saturday November 7, 2026 - how to properly remember the dead, the signs of the day, what can and cannot be done

History and Church Meaning

Demetrius Saturday is celebrated on the Saturday before the day of memory of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki, which is celebrated on November 8. The name is associated with the name of the holy Prince Demetrius Donskoy, whose heavenly patron was Demetrius of Thessaloniki.

According to the church tradition, after the victory at the Kulikovo field in 1380, Prince Dimitry Donskoy visited the Trinity-Sergius monastery, where a cathedral funeral service for fallen soldiers was performed. Over time, this tradition expanded: from the day of memory of the defenders of the Fatherland, Demetrius Saturday became a day of prayer for all deceased Orthodox Christians.

Modern historians treat the legend of the Battle of Kulikovo with caution, noting that this connection was consolidated only in the XIX century. However, in the church tradition, Demetrius Saturday remains a day of special commemoration of the dead.

How to remember the dead: what happens in the temples

Those who are looking for the right way to remember the dead on November 7, the church focuses primarily on the temple. The day before, on Friday evening, a parastasis is performed - a special funeral service. On Saturday morning, the Divine Liturgy is celebrated, at the end of which a general memorial service is performed.

You can submit a note of repose with the names of all baptized, except for suicides. On the memorial table in the temple you can bring food - fresh food, bought or homemade. A note with names for commemoration can be included in the food package: after the service, the products will be distributed to the temple staff or those in need, who will remember the deceased in personal prayers.

It is important to understand what not to do in the cemetery on November 7 from the point of view of the Church. The priests remind: leaving food on graves, putting a glass of vodka with bread “for the deceased” are pagan customs that have nothing to do with Orthodox commemoration. The souls of the dead do not live in cemeteries, and such actions do not benefit them. Instead, it is better to make a donation or give food to those in need in memory of the dead.

Folk traditions: Granddad's crying

In the national calendar, November 7 was called Granddad’s Cries. It was believed that nature on this day mourns the departed – rain or snow. People joined in this mourning by remembering deceased relatives.

On this day, it was customary to visit the church in the morning, put candles at rest, then go to the cemetery - put the graves in order, wrap them around, repair fences. Houses covered the memorial table with simple dishes, remembered the dead. The rest of the food was not thrown away - finished the next day or given to animals.

Special attention was paid to helping those in need: orphans, widows, the disadvantaged. They were invited to the table and tried to feed them. Giving alms on this day was considered especially important.

Weather marks

Weather on November 7 judged the future harvest and winter:

If a lot of snow fell by this day and snowdrifts drenched, they waited for a good harvest next year.

If there is no snow yet, the year will be scarce.

The leaves left on the trees in the first decade of November foreshadowed a long and harsh winter.

Morning fog promised temporary warming and clear days.

Dimly glowing stars - for cold and inclement weather.

Dry weather - for a cold winter with snowstorms.

What is forbidden to do

There are several strict prohibitions associated with Dedevsky crying:

One cannot speak ill of the dead, it was thought to disturb their souls.

Noisy feasts and loud laughter are forbidden - fun on this day, according to the will, will turn into tears.

You can’t lie or cheat, otherwise you will live in deception.

Do not sit idle - lazy, according to the sign, waiting for lack of money and debts.

Big purchases and important decisions should be postponed.

You can not guess and turn to the healers.

Women were not advised to cry in the pillow - it was believed that the pen would "remember" tears, and troubles would persist for a long time.

The Church on this day calls on believers to refrain from noisy feasts, spend time in prayer and remembrance of the dead, as well as show mercy to those who need help.