Trinity Parental Saturday, a day of remembrance for the deceased, is observed annually before Pentecost. In 2025, it will fall on June 7. This day holds significant importance as a time to honor ancestors and all departed souls.
Observed before the Trinity holiday, Trinity Parental Saturday is a time to commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. This event, where tongues of fire bestowed special abilities upon Jesus’ disciples, is believed to have completed mankind’s liberation from sin, impacting both the living and the deceased.
On Trinity Parental Saturday, it is customary to visit temples, submitting notes with the names of deceased loved ones. Lenten food, homemade pastries, fruits, sweets, and liturgical wine can be brought to the temple for consecration. These consecrated items are then distributed to those who wish to commemorate the departed.
Visiting cemeteries to care for the graves of relatives is another important tradition on this day. The church also suggests cleaning up unnamed graves. Following cemetery visits, families often gather at home to remember and honor the deceased.
While remembrance is central, creativity, needlework, and cleaning are permitted on Trinity Parental Saturday. Planting seedlings is also a customary activity. Furthermore, the day is considered auspicious for breaking bad habits.
Certain activities are discouraged on Trinity Parental Saturday. These include quarreling, using foul language, being overly sorrowful, and wearing black. Going to the forest, leaving unwashed dishes, excessive alcohol consumption, lavish celebrations, weddings, and strenuous work are also advised against.
Several omens are associated with Trinity Parental Saturday. Rain is believed to foretell a bountiful harvest of berries and mushrooms. A hot day may indicate drought and crop failure. Abundant dew suggests early frosts. Seeing a rainbow is thought to bring good health to loved ones. Dreams of deceased relatives on the night of Parental Saturday are considered significant, with their words potentially offering important information or wise counsel.