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It may seem strange call a memorial for the departed "joyful," but the Christian belief that lies behind this joy is the remembrance of Christ's Resurrection and the joy and hope it brings to all.
Because of the importance of the last few days of [[Holy Week]] and the joy of the Resurrection, the [[Typikon]] (''Ustav'') forbids the celebration of the [[Memorial Services|Panikhida]] (memorial service) from [[Holy ThursdayHoly_Week#Holy_Thursday|Great and Holy Thursday]] through [[Sunday of St. Thomas|Thomas Sunday]] (a period of eleven days). Therefore, the first opportunity after Pascha to remember the dead is on the second Monday of Pascha. However, because in Orthodox countries a number of [[monastery|monasteries]] follow the custom of fasting on Mondays, the feast is often celebrated on Tuesday, so that all may partake of the paschal foods (which are intentionally non-fasting).
==Ancient tradition==
Among the traditions that have grown up around Radonitsa, the following are noteworthy:
* Foods traditionally eaten at Radonitsa are: funeral [[kutia]], painted eggs, [[kulich]]i, pancakes, [[w:dracheni|dracheni]], honey [[w:prianiki|prianiki]], and cookies.
* Radonitsa begins the [[marriage]] season. Since weddings are forbidden during the [[Great Lent|Great Lenten Fast]] (because that time should be devoted to [[penance ]] and self-examination, rather than merrymaking), as well as during Bright Week (because at that time we commemorate nothing else except the Resurrection), with Radonitsa comes the time for weddings.
* Men and women traditionally give gifts to their in-laws (more kindly known as "God-given" family members), at Radonitsa, so that joy may be in every house.