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Forefathers
Forefathers (Dzyady,Radzitseli) is one of the most important days in the annual memorial circle of Belarusians: their conduct is confined to Demetrius Soul Saturday (last Saturday on the eve of Martyr Dmitry Salunski - November 8) among the Orthodox and to the Day of Spirits ( November 2) among Catholics. Belarusians believed that on this day the souls of ancestors descended to the earth to see with their own eyes how their descendants lived and hosted there. Celebrating Dzyady provided for an ever-present funeral dinner which was held strictly in accordance with traditional customs and rituals. Before dinner people called the dead and they also left overnight food and water for the latter.
© National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 2011
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