Church commemorates Demetrius Memorial Saturday

Candles at the memorial table. Photo: open sources

On November 2, 2025, the Church commemorates Demetrius Saturday. This day is one of the special days of church-wide remembrance of the deceased.

Demetrius Parental Saturday is the Saturday preceding the feast day of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki, which is celebrated on October 26 according to the Julian calendar (November 8 in the new style). Demetrius Saturday always falls between November 2 and November 7. In 2025, this day falls on November 2.

The tradition of remembrance on this day dates back to the 14th century. Demetrius Saturday was established with the blessing of St. Sergius of Radonezh and at the initiative of the pious Prince Dmitry Donskoy after the Battle of Kulikovo in 1380 to commemorate the warriors who fell in the battle.

Over time, this day became a general commemoration of all deceased Orthodox Christians.

On Demetrius Saturday, memorial services – panikhidas and the Divine Liturgy with special remembrance of the deceased – are held in the temples of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

The clergy calls to pray on this day for all those who have previously departed, to perform acts of mercy and charity in memory of the deceased.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the UGCC called to abandon the "Moscow" Demetrius Saturday.

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