Radonitsa

Radonitsa is a traditional Eastern Orthodox Christian commemoration day observed on the ninth day after Easter. It is a day for remembering and honoring deceased relatives. The name "Radonitsa" is believed to derive from the Old Church Slavonic word "radost," meaning joy, reflecting the Christian belief in the resurrection and the hope of eternal life. Services are often held in churches and at the gravesites of the departed.

The observance typically involves visiting cemeteries, cleaning and decorating graves, and sharing a meal with family members, sometimes near the graves. Food and drink are sometimes left on the graves as an offering, though this practice varies and is not universally followed. In some traditions, people will share food with the poor or leave food for the birds, believing that the souls of the departed can partake. The day is characterized by a blend of solemn remembrance and the hopeful anticipation of the resurrection, which is central to Orthodox theology. While often a solemn occasion, the underlying theme is one of continued connection with loved ones and faith in the afterlife.