Parentalia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Parentalia. Roman festival for honoring one's dead parents. Families gathered among the tombs of loved ones and made offerings or sacrifices of grain and wine to their souls (February was considered an ill-omened month and a good time to make sure the dead were appeased). Parentalia started on the Ides (the 13th) and continued through the 21st, which was Feralia. The first day after Parentalia, the 22nd, was Caristia. During this time all temples were closed, marriages were forbidden, and public officials suspended business for the duration of the festivals.
