Mournful Bogoroditsa

This event happens two days prior to the Great Day - the most important day in the Gaalite calendar. As the Great Day always falls on the day of Nedelia - the Sabbath - Mournful Bogoroditsa takes place on the day of the Bogoroditsa (named after Kivi, Gaal's mother - literally, the 'God-bearer'). This particular Bogoroditsa is Mournful because it marks the anniversary of Gaal's death on the cross, and descent into Hell.
It is a somber occasion, with the faithful gripped with anxiety, for obvious reasons. All flowers are removed from houses, and especially, churches, and people exchange their usual garments for ones that are black. Black curtains are hung in windows. The day should be spent in prayer and remembrance of the Savior's earthly life. Candles lit in the church are not extinguished, as usual, but carried into homes to sanctify them. It marks the most important day of the Great Fast, when all restrictions have to be observed. 
Nevertheless, because it prefigures the Great Day (which marks Gaal's triumphant resurrection), it also marks preparations for the great holiday. In particular, that day is marked with the baking of kulichi - a rounded, tall sweat bread or cake, sometimes with raisins or sweets of various kinds, on top. When baked on Mournful Bogoroditsa, the kulich is rumored to be resistant to molding, and to cure all diseases. It also protects houses from fire, and sailors - from shipwrecks.