“A glass of bread will not save”: the ROC explained what memorial customs are useless
Representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church urged to abandon superstitions associated with the funeral and commemoration of the dead. According to the clergy, it is not necessary to leave a glass of bread for the deceased, hang mirrors and open windows after the death of a person, since these customs do not belong to the Christian faith.
Many such traditions arose from the confusion of Christian customs with folk and pagan ideas. Over time, people began to perform the usual rituals, without thinking about their origin and meaning. At the same time, the clergy emphasize that such actions do not help the soul of the deceased.
The main way of remembering the dead in Orthodoxy is sincere prayer. Instead of leaving food or drinks for the deceased, believers are encouraged to pray for him, attend services and do good deeds in his memory. From the point of view of the church, it is spiritual support that matters, not the observance of everyday rituals.
Separately, the clergy pay attention to the common restrictions that people sometimes associate with visiting cemeteries. In Orthodoxy, there is no ban on visiting graves by pregnant women or children, if they themselves want to come and say goodbye to a loved one. It is not considered a violation of traditions and the use of forks during a memorial meal.
Particular importance in the Orthodox tradition is attached to the first forty days after the death of a person. According to church teaching, this period is associated with the postmortem path of the soul, so loved ones are recommended to pay attention to prayer and acts of mercy. The clergy urge not to replace the spiritual side of commemoration with rites that are based on fears and superstitions.
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