Priest Eugen Onicov, of the Chisinau Church “Saint Pantelimon”, said the Resurrection light reaches the dead too on Low Sunday. Those who go to the cemetery to remember the dead should avoid excesses and should act within the limits of common sense.

The people should go to the cemetery with symbolic Easter gifts such as red painted eggs, pound cakes and sweets for children. “Earlier, they didn’t give such presents on Low Sunday as they give now. These derived from the burial cult as they give such presents when a person is buried. In time, this practice became more spread and is used on Low Sunday as well. All the other things taken by people to the cemetery form part of the lay traditions that cannot be associated with the Church,” said priest Eugen Onicov.

The putting of things on the grave for being blessed and then donated is another custom instituted by the people. “I know communities where this custom was removed owing to the priest. The cemeteries should not be turned into picnic places or restaurants. Only the bare essentials for remembering the dead are blessed,” stated the priest.

The Church recommends looking after graves and praying. On Low Sunday, the parishioners go to church to pray for the dead and then to the cemetery.

The dead are remembered not only on Low Sunday, but also on the Saturday before the Feast of Saint Dumitru, the Saturday before Lent and all the Saturdays of Lent and on the Saturday before Pentecost.

Low Sunday this year is celebrated on April 23 and 24.