In the Russian Orthodox tradition, there are special memorial days on which the living commemorate deceased relatives. Radonitsa is one of these parental days.
The dating of Radonitsa varies depending on the time of the celebration of Easter (according to the church charter, Radonitsa falls on Tuesday of the second week after Easter). At the Bright Week itself, the dead are not remembered. The first commemoration of the deceased after the feast of the Holy Sunday is carried out precisely on Radonitsa. This name of the memorial day is not accidental, because on this day living people share Easter joy with those who have already left this world.
In Orthodox churches on Radonitsa, a liturgy is performed with some requiem features (prokimen, Apostle and the Gospel the requiem). After the liturgy, a memorial service is performed, where special Easter chants are inserted (for example, troparion and Easter condak). Believers are trying to order the commemoration of the deceased to Radonitsa both for the liturgy and for the requiem.
The custom of visiting the graves of deceased loved ones on Radonitsa is widespread. Believers not only carry out the cleaning of burial places after winter, but also commemorate the dead with prayer. Usually the Easter troparion "Christ is Risen" is read or sung thrice. Then you can read the 90th psalm. Instead of the usual funeral kondak "With the saints repose, " it is customary to read or sing the kondak of Easter, "Yes, and into the grave, thou shalt be without death." Special funeral troparia from the followings of the requiem and lithium “From the spirits of the righteous who died” can also be read or sung. Some believers in cemeteries on the day of Radonitsa read (sing) the canon of Easter.
The commemoration of the dead on Radonitsa can take place at home after visiting the liturgy and burial sites. The above Easter chants can also be sung at home.
The radonitsa serves as a special recollection of the fact that Christ descended to hell, brought people who believed in him out of there, saving him from spiritual death.
