Today Belarusians are marking the Day of Rejoicing (Radaunitsa) which has its roots in pagan customs and traditions. Nowadays Radaunitsa is an official day off in Belarus.
On the second Tuesday after Easter Orthodox Christians visit cemeteries, pray for the souls of their deceased and share the joy of resurrection of Christ with them.
Some etymologists state that the term ‘Radaunitsa’ derived from the word ‘rod’ (family, clan). Orthodox Christians associate the name of the feast with the belief that after Easter people bring the joy (‘radost’) of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ to their dead and gone relatives.
Belarus’ Orthodox Church and Greek Catholic Church included the tradition of ‘Easter of the dead’ in their worship, but the Orthodox Church does not approve of the custom of leaving food on the graves; according to them, the souls need only prayers.
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