(5 Apr 2018) Christian Orthodox believers in a small village in southern Romania visit the graves of their loved ones, light fires and share food with community members in memory of the departed on Maundy Thursday, ahead of Orthodox Easter.
Candles are also lit along with sacred incense then small bags with food are exchanged in centuries old ritual in the village of Copaciu.
Faithful believe that fires and smoke would guide the souls of the dead during the night and keep snakes, a symbol of evil, away from the ones who rest in cemeteries.
In the past, elderly women dressed in dark clothing used to go to cemetery just after midnight on Maundy Thursday and have the fires burning till sunrise on this special occasion.
Local resident Dumitru Ghergina, 67, says she inherited the tradition from her mother.
"Our children must take the tradition forward", she said.
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