Society

19 April, 2026 / 15:41

/ 7 hours ago

Orthodox Christians celebrate Memorial Easter

Orthodox Christians are celebrating today and tomorrow Memorial Easter, a day dedicated to commemorating the departed. Believers visit the graves of their loved ones, put them in order, priests hold memorial services, after which relatives offer alms for the souls of the dead.

Traditionally, it is celebrated one week after the Resurrection of the Lord. In larger rural localities and in cities where there are several cemeteries, the holiday takes place over several days, starting on Saturday and continuing until Monday.

Priest Octavian Moșin emphasized that it is a holiday during which believers remember those who have fallen asleep and pray for their rest.

“This day must be lived in peace and reflection, with less focus on material things. True almsgiving is not measured in expensive gifts, but in the intention with which they are offered. In this life, it is not what you give that matters, but how you give it. It should be a gift from the heart, offered with humility and love, with thought for those who are truly in need. It is important that we come to the cemetery to pray and commemorate,” said Octavian Moșin.

People usually go to cemeteries and give red eggs, sweet Easter bread as alms to the needy, as well as place flowers on graves. Each woman brings a towel, gathered at one end and tied with a candle. The towel is offered to the priest who reads the commemoration lists. On this day, not only known deceased persons are remembered, but the entire lineage of common ancestors.

Comment

Latest News

General Prosecutor’s Office announces legislative initiatives to strengthen preventing and combating domestic violence, developed following analysis of recent cases, including that of Ludmila Vartic

CSP gives green light: Acting Prosecutor General passes external evaluation

Improved access for people with disabilities in Moldova: 30 ramps to be installed in public institutions hosting polling stations

Ana Racu elected vice-chair of UN Committee Against Torture

Victims of the organized famine from 1946–1947 to be commemorated in central Moldova settlement

PHOTO GALLERY // Well-known artist of Moldova escorted on path of eternity, amid thunderous applause

Three students of Moldova receive honourable mentions at European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad

Prime Minister: Government to propose to Parliament termination of state of emergency

Cabinet members held minute of silence in memory of Gheorghe Urschi

PHOTO // Cooperation agreement signed in Copenhagen

Increased interest in learning Romanian in Moldova: over 6,800 people enroll in programme launched by Education and Research Ministry

Attention, travelers! Heavy traffic at Leuseni checkpoint of Moldova, on outbound route

Digital documents can be used directly at counter and online via EVO wallet

PHOTO // National Army sappers conduct demining missions in Orhei, Chișinău, Cimișlia

PHOTO // Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Deputy Prime Minister held meetings with ministers from Ukraine, Montenegro and Germany

PHOTO // Minister of Defense meets with his Lithuanian counterpart in Vilnius

Speaker on famine of 1946–1947: One of most painful tragedies in history

Several localities in Nisporeni, Fălești, Hâncești and Ungheni disconnected from electricity

Moldova strengthens economic and security partnerships at Antalya Diplomacy Forum

Job fair to be organized in Moldovan capital

Day of Remembrance for Victims of Famine of 1946–1947 marked in Moldova

PHOTO // High-level meetings at Antalya Diplomacy Forum: Moldovan president has talks with presidents of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Border Police of Moldova recommend that citizens check documents' validity before traveling to EU

PHOTO // New contingent of Moldovan carabineers deployed to KFOR mission

Moldovan government's secretary general comments on Chisinau mayor's attitude towards local public administration reform

Economic Development Ministry presents Moldovan national economy's developments in 2025: rising investments, sectoral performance, robust domestic demand

Gasoline and diesel prices continue to fall: lower prices for weekend

Speaker announces parliamentary hearings on Vartic case

Relaunch of competition for selecting civil society representatives in Open Governance Coordination Committee

Shortage of teaching staff in general education decreasing in recent years

See more