Trinity Parent Saturday in 2025 falls on June 7, the day before Trinity Sunday. This day is dedicated to the commemoration of the departed, not only relatives and friends but all deceased individuals. As a Universal Parent Saturday, it holds special significance in the Orthodox Christian tradition.
On Trinity Parent Saturday, believers typically attend church services. Memorial tables are set up where people can bring offerings of simple foods, fruits, sweets, or liturgical wine, after it has been blessed.
The liturgy and memorial service are central to the day. Those who wish to have a priest pray for their relatives can submit a list of names before the service. It is also common to request a Sorokoust, a 40-day commemoration of the deceased.
Giving to the needy is a customary practice, with the giver often asking for prayers for their family.
Visiting cemeteries to tidy up the graves of loved ones and even neglected graves is a common practice after the church service.
In the evening, families gather for a memorial dinner. This meal should be modest, featuring lenten dishes such as kutya, a whole-grain porridge with honey, raisins, and dried fruits.
Certain activities are discouraged on Trinity Parent Saturday. Lavish feasts, idleness, settling disputes, quarreling, noisy festivities, and excessive cheerfulness are generally avoided. While remembering the departed is important, excessive grief is also discouraged.
Combining Trinity Parent Saturday with personal celebrations such as birthdays or weddings is not recommended.
Folk traditions also associate certain signs with Trinity Parent Saturday. Rainy weather is seen as a sign of abundance, while a rainbow after the rain signifies good luck and well-being. Heat on this day is believed to indicate a dry summer, and dew is thought to foretell early frosts. Dreams of deceased relatives on the preceding night are considered significant, potentially offering guidance.