Holy Tradition and local customs

[fiona232]

Hi Everyone
I was wondering if anyone has had experience or knows of people who have been in a situation where they are an Anglo in a highly ethnic church. Has anyone seen what most Anglos do in the situation where someone dies in their family who is not Orthodox ? Do the Orthodox relatives of the deceased show their mourning by wearing all black? This custom of wearing all black usually for a long time from what I can see is very strong in the Greek Church. Or, do Orthodox realtives stick w what happens in the wider Anglo society where few people if anyone seems to wear black these days for mourning purposes?

Thanks
Fiona

[MariaRegina]

You mentioned only the Greeks.

In the Antiochian Orthodox Church, the people wear black for the 40 days after the falling asleep of their dear one. However, the widow may wear black for a year or two or more.

In the OCA, I have observed the relatives wearing black until the 40 days are completed at which time they prepare a dinner in honor of their beloved one.

These are some of the customs that I've observed.

[nicodemus]

Maybe I'm wrong, but that seems like more of a cultural tradition rather than a religious one. Neither seems more right than the other.

[fiona232]

Thank you. I assume it isprobably more cultural than religious. I only mentioned the Greeks bc that is the church I go to. Pple there seem to wear black for a very long time. I guess given the significance of the first 40 days is the reason why pple wear black for that length of time.

Fiona