Vitebsk diocese recommends parishioners to pray at home on Radunitsa

The Vitebsk Diocese urges parishioners to refrain from mass visits to cemeteries on Radunitsa, to strictly observe personal safety and sanitary and epidemiological regulations.

The upcoming Radunitsa is a day of remembrance for the departed, which this year falls on April 28. It is dedicated to the great event – the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ: a person shares the common joy of the Lord's Resurrection with their departed relatives.

However, visiting the graves of relatives and loved ones this year is best postponed to a later date to avoid a mass flow of people to cemeteries. This opinion is expressed by sanitary doctors, infectious disease specialists, healthcare workers who are currently on the front lines in the fight for people's lives, and clergy.

As noted by Irina Borisova, Head of the Public Health Department of the Regional Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health, according to WHO recommendations, social distancing rules must be observed – at least 1.5 m from each other. As a rule, these parameters are not observed in cemeteries. In addition, visiting the resting places of deceased relatives is often accompanied by drinking alcoholic beverages. But, as Irina Alekseevna emphasized, alcohol only worsens the condition of an organism affected by illness. Moreover, not everyone knows their COVID-19 status: with asymptomatic progression, a person can be a carrier of the virus and pose a danger to the elderly.

From the point of view of personal safety, it is more advisable to refrain from traveling to cemeteries by public transport, during peak hours, and it is desirable to visit them alone. At the same time, do not forget about hygiene products: a medical mask and an antibacterial hand sanitizer.

Believers are advised to consider their general condition. If someone is sick or feels unwell, it is better to stay home and pray with a lit candle. As reported by Archpriest Andrey Smolsky, press secretary of the Vitebsk Diocese, you can call the church and ask to read a prayer for the deceased.

Church phone numbers in Vitebsk:

    • Holy Assumption Cathedral. Tel.: 8 (0212) 66-28-53.
    • Holy Protection City Cathedral. Tel.: 8 (0212) 42-57-43, 42-54-31.
    • Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos. Tel.: 8 (0212) 67-25-48.
    • Church of the Holy Martyr Thaddeus, Archbishop of Tver. Tel.: 8 (0212) 35-13-73, 35-15-46.
    • Church of Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk. Tel.: 8 (0212) 27-67-98.
    • Church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos. Tel.: 8 (0212) 67-67-10.
    • Church of Saint Martyr Tatiana. Tel.: 8 (0212) 22-03-53.
    • Church of the Resurrection of Christ (upper church). Tel.: 8 (0212) 35-90-54.
    • Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious. Tel.: 8 (0212) 37-58-08.
    • Church of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called. Tel.: 8 (0212) 25-10-81.
    • Church of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki. Tel.: 8 (0212) 27-67-04.
    • Church of the Holy Martyr Longinus the Centurion. Tel.: +375 29 517-77-87.
    • Church of Saint Euphrosyne of Polotsk. Tel.: 8 (0212) 35-37-59.
    • Church of the Holy Right-Believing Prince Alexander Nevsky. Tel.: 8 (0212) 36-93-85.
    • Church of the Holy Apostle Luke. Tel.: 8 (0212) 63-00-63.
    • Church of the Holy Right-Believing Prince Roman of Ryazan. Tel.: +375 29 718-69-98.
    • Church of the Holy Venerable Silouan of Athos. Tel.: +375 29 972-85-31.
    • Church of the Great Martyr Healer Panteleimon, Rubas microdistrict. Tel.: 8 (0212) 29-17-01.