Regretfully, they often forget about the dead on Low Sunday. Those who go to the cemetery have other intentions than praying for the deceased relatives. The preparations start with the purchase of presents, such as cups, plates and towels. Then the people prepare different delicious dishes and put on the best clothes. On Low Sunday, the cemeteries become places for sittings, distraction, drinking bouts and less for prayer, said priest Octavian Mosin, of the Chisinau Church “Meeting of God”.

Contacted by IPN, the priest said the Christians should understand that the fuss in cemeteries is not associated with prayer. The priests are hurried into visiting the graves as the people are impatient to tell each other what they did during a year and to say jokes, forgetting about the dead.

“The people’s conscience became sick. They amuse themselves near graves. But we must know that the dead wait for us and look at our heart. We must go to cemeteries with peace and the intention to pray and give presents to the poor, not to relatives. We should also remember the lives of our ancestors and their deeds and advice. Our love for those who are close to us must not die,” said Octavian Mosin.

Low Sunday is usually celebrated on next Monday after Easter Monday, but, owing to the traditions inherited from the Soviet period, when the people went to work, there are settlements when this day is also marked on next Sunday after Easter Sunday.