“In entrance of the uncovered relics of St. Theodosius of Chernigov (1896), the priest who was dressing the relics, drained, dozed off and noticed the saint in entrance of him, who mentioned to him: “Thanks for working laborious for me. I’m nonetheless begging you whenever you serve liturgy, pray for my dad and mom”. And he known as their names – Nikita the priest and Maria. “Why do you ask me for this, saint, would you like a prayer from me, whenever you your self stand earlier than the Throne of Heaven and provides the mercy of God to individuals?” – requested the priest “Sure, it’s true, however the liturgical providing is stronger than my prayer,” St. Theodosius replied.
Memorial companies, house prayers, and good deeds of their reminiscence, equivalent to almsgiving, donations to the Church, are extraordinarily helpful for the useless, however the point out of the Divine Liturgy is very helpful. There are lots of testimonies and occasions confirming this usefulness. Many who died with repentance, however didn’t manifest it throughout their lifetime, have been free of torment and acquired repose. The church all the time affords prayers for the repose of the useless, even on the day of St. A spirit with kneeling prayers, at vespers there’s additionally a particular prayer for these “held in hell”. Every of us who desires to indicate our love for the useless and provides them actual assist can do it by praying for them, particularly close to the Holy Liturgy, when particles for the useless and the dwelling are dropped into the Chalice of the Blood of the Lord with the phrases: “Wash away, Lord, the sins of these talked about right here, the place Your Blood is, by means of the prayers of Your saints.” There’s nothing higher and larger we will do for them than to present them their names to be talked about on the liturgy. They all the time want it, however particularly throughout these 40 days when the soul of the deceased passes on the way in which to the everlasting abodes. Then the physique feels nothing, doesn’t see the gathered family members, doesn’t odor the perfume of the flowers, doesn’t hear the eulogies. However the soul feels the prayers provided to it, is grateful to their offerers and feels spiritually near them.
Family and mates of the deceased! Do for them no matter is critical and in response to your energy. Don’t spend cash on exterior decorations of graves and tombs, however on serving to the needy, in reminiscence of the family members of the deceased, on the church the place prayers are provided for them. Present mercy to the deceased, care for his soul. All of us have this path forward of us – how then can we need to be talked about in prayer! Allow us to be merciful to the useless. As quickly as somebody dies, name a priest to learn him “Succession on the exit of the soul”, which ought to be learn to each Orthodox instantly after his loss of life. Attempt to have the funeral service within the church itself, and till then learn the Psalter to him. The funeral will not be carried out sumptuously, however solemnly in its full half, with out abbreviations; assume not of your individual comforts, however of the deceased, to whom you might be ceaselessly saying goodbye. If at the moment there are a number of deceased within the church, don’t refuse to sing them collectively. Will probably be higher if there are two or three deceased, in order that the prayer of all of the family members collectively will probably be much more fervent than if they’re chanted individually, drained and shortening the service. Each prayer will probably be like one other drop of water for the thirsty. See to it that Lent is carried out for the useless. In church buildings the place each day companies are held, the useless are commemorated throughout these 40 days and much more. If the deceased is buried in a church the place there is no such thing as a each day service, then the family members ought to take care to seek out one and order a Pentecost service there.
Additionally, it’s good that their names be given for studying within the monasteries of Jerusalem or in different holy locations. However the vital factor is that the Lent ought to be ordered instantly after the loss of life, when the soul is very in want of prayer assist.
Allow us to care for those that go to the opposite world earlier than us, allow us to do all we will for them, remembering that “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be proven mercy.”