A week after Easter, Orthodox Christians celebrate the Red Hill holiday. The clergy also call it Antipascha and Little Pascha. On this day, it is preferable to go to church. But if a believer decides to visit the cemetery on Krasnaya Gorka, then he should remember a number of rules.
What can not be done in the cemetery on the Red Hill holiday?
The clergy note that on this day it is forbidden in the cemetery:
- clean up the cemetery. Cleaning and planting flowers there should be done in advance;
- drink alcohol near the graves of the dead. It is recommended to organize a memorial dinner at home. But in this case, drinking alcohol is prohibited. Only church wine is allowed;
- leaving refreshments on the graves, as this custom came from pagans;
- Children under the age of years and pregnant women cannot visit the cemetery.
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What is Red Hill holiday?
This is a church holiday that falls on the first Sunday after Easter. On this day, it was believed that spring finally came into force. By tradition, the spring holidays were celebrated exactly where the snow melted first. These were, as a rule, hills — "hills". And the adjective “red” denoted by the Slavs — “beautiful” and “beautiful”. Hence the name of the holiday — “Red Hill”.
Krasnaya Gorka is also called Antipascha, Little Easter and St. Thomas Sunday. The last name has its own explanation. The Apostle Thomas was absent during the resurrection of Jesus Christ, because of which he doubted that He was alive. Thomas saw Jesus only on the eighth day after the resurrection. Christ showed the righteous man his wounds, and only then Thomas believed in the words of the Savior. On this day, it is also customary to greet each other with “Christ is Risen”; and “Truly Risen.”
People attend the Sunday service on Krasnaya Gorka. Then they rush home and organize a feast and invite guests. The Antipascha holiday came to the Orthodox religion from the pagans. On this day, it was customary to have fun, hold bridesmaids, matchmaking and even weddings. The Orthodox organized various contests, mass celebrations, dances and other fun events.
The Antipascha holiday came to the Orthodox religion from the pagans, so on this day, in addition to fun and feasts, rituals and conspiracies were held.
Sources:
https://pronedra.ru/na-krasnuyu-gorku-ne-delayut-uborku-na-kladbishhah-227685.html
https://rsute.ru/758027-mozhno-xodit-na-kladbishhe-na-krasnuyu-gorku-ili-net.html
