Memorial Easter or Easter of the Dead is a day of remembrance of all the dead that is celebrated at the cemetery. There is a local Christian tradition to share the joy of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ together with the close ones who departed this life – parents, relatives, ancestors and friends. Contacted by IPN for details, theologian Sergei Crudu said the celebration of Memorial Easter shows the people’s faith and hope that “the happy and sleeping” will return to life.

According to the theologian, it’s sad that some celebrate this feast by drinking and eating at graves and by displaying clothes that are unfit to wear at the cemetery on this occasion. It is even more serious when the relatives stage a competition when exchanging presents given on Memorial Easter as this does no good to the dead or the living. The traditional Christian teaching says the dead neither drink nor eat.

Sergei Crudu noted the feast should be observed by prayer and charity toward those in need, in the name of the dead. Regrettably, many give “alms” in the latest fashion, not as the Savior teaches us  - to give alms to the poor, the helpless, the lame, the blind who need and enjoy these presents.

By tradition, on this day the Christians put such gifts as dishware, towels, knot-shaped bread, Easter cakes and bread and red painted eggs on graves and then give them as alms with a lit wax candle. The priest blesses the grave and pours a glass of wine on the tomb by singing “Eternal memory”.

Theologian Sergey Crudu said Memorial Easter is a local feast day that is observed mainly in Southeastern Europe (Russian Church), in our country and in Moldova situated on the right side of the Prut and also in Bucovina and Maramures. As the dead are not remembered during the Light Week after Easter, this feast in Moldova was set on the very first day after this week.