BEFORE GOING TO THE GRAVEYARD, TAKE THESE TWO THINGS TO CHURCH: Prota Predrag calls on believers to prepare properly for Zadušnice
The first Zadušnice of the year are marked on February 22nd – find out how to prepare, what is important to bring to the temple, and why prayer for the deceased is immensely significant.
TL;DR
- Zadušnice is a time of spiritual responsibility, not just sadness, for praying for those who can no longer pray for themselves.
- Believers are encouraged to bring cooked koljivo (wheat) and names of the departed to church for a special liturgy and blessing.
- The candle symbolizes light and faith, serving as a didactic tool to remind people that life is not a tunnel but illumination.
- Koljivo, made from wheat, symbolizes resurrection, drawing parallels between sowing seeds and the eventual resurrection of the dead.
- The Orthodox Church opposes cremation because the human body is considered sacred and destined for resurrection, as both body and soul are essential to a complete person.
- Zadušnice signifies a meeting between the Church on Earth and those whose names are inscribed in eternity, where remembrance confirms that love transcends death.