The Orthodox Christians are commemorating the dead on May 12 and 13. According to priest Pavel Carlan, of Archangel Michael Church situated in Glodeni town, on Low Sunday the people remember those who passed away with prayers and presents, while priests bless the graves and pray at the morning liturgical service.
Contacted by IPN, priest Pavel said that the Christians give the presents they can, but those that are offered from the heart are the most welcome. “According to the Bible, God accepts even a glass of water if it is given in the name of those who are dead,” said the priest.
He called on the Christians to pray to God and to give alms. “I every time tell the Christians that they should remember the dead by praying and being generous, not by drinking alcohol. The Church cannot ban the alcoholic beverages, but we tell the Christians to use them in little amounts as the real remembrance comes from heart and prayer,” he stated.
On Low Sunday, the Church remembers not only those who were buried religiously, but also the soldiers killed in battle, who were buried without a service. “Those who killed themselves and who converted to another religion are not remembered,” said Pavel Carlan.
Even if we are under the aegis of the same Church, Low Sunday in Russia is celebrated the third day after Easter. “In the past, the government decided that Tuesday is a workday. That’s why we celebrate Low Sunday in a different way,” said the priest. In some settlements of Romania, they commemorate the dead the next day after Easter, not in a week.
