Every year on Saturday, two weeks before the beginning of Great Lent and before the Last Judgment Week, the Orthodox Church organizes a memorial day called Ecumenical parental (meat-free) Saturday.

In the Christian tradition, Saturday is a day of rest and remembrance of the departed. Father’s Saturday is a day of prayer for parents and commemoration of deceased ancestors, especially those who were taken by sudden death. On this day, it is customary to visit the graves of deceased relatives.

• On Friday, the eve of Shrove Tuesday, churches serve a great memorial service (parastas), then the Divine Liturgy and a general memorial service.