When a person passes away, it always becomes a shock for his loved ones, even if the death was expected due to age or illness. To cope and survive is difficult. In the Orthodox religion, there are many customs and rituals that allow you to adequately lead the deceased on the last journey. Of paramount importance is the organization of the burial, memorial rites, the erection of a monument on the grave, etc. But since ancient times, the Christian religion defines the prayer in his honor as the most important way to commemorate the deceased.
The need to read prayers for the deceased
In history, the earliest evidence of permissive prayer is in the second half of the eleventh century. Its author was the Monk Theodosius of the Caves, who composed the text of the prayer and put it in the hand of the deceased at the request of one of the princes of Kievan Rus. Others are convinced that the first mention of requiem litany is in the eighth century. According to this source, the pioneer was John Damascene, who wrote thirteen stichera for the funeral of a deceased comrade.
Memorial prayer is a way to honor the memory of the deceased and to facilitate his fate on the other side of life. Speaking the name of the deceased before the images, we remind the higher powers about him, so they care about his eternal soul in the afterlife. There are other kinds of prayers designed to reduce human suffering.in dying agony. When he introduces himself, from that moment the reading of the canon of the one who has died and the Psalter with prayer for his soul is permitted. After this person is carried to the temple and buried.
Pray for the soul of the deceased is necessary because she will face various ordeals, as well as the Last Judgment and the Judgment Seat of Christ. During the period when the soul goes through ordeals, demons torment it, trying to drag it to hell. If a loved one ardently prays for the deceased, it is easier for the soul to withstand difficult trials. The judgment of Christ will determine her place in heaven or hell, where she will wait for the Last Judgment. Prayer for the dead can change his fate before this event, so pronouncing it is extremely important.
What prayers to read for the repose of the soul?
Saying a holy text about the deceased, we show them respect, but also ask for mercy for our soul, since any prayer is saving. She tunes in to grace, eradicates vices and unholy thoughts, strengthens the strength of mind. This is not customary to talk about, but prayer prepares us for a sudden deathso that in this case we will appear before the higher forces prepared. To forget the memory of the deceased means to abandon him, and this does not correspond to Christian canons.
One strong prayer is enough, the role of which is suitable for the following text:
“Great Lord, support in our lives. Everyone shall appear before Your eyes at the appointed hour. In different ways, but invariably at the right time, we all appear before the court before your judgment. We pray to you, Father, have mercy on the souls of our deceased brothers, parents, children and loved ones.Grant them your mercy, as you forgive sins of those who repent sincerely. Deliver them from torment, forgive and have mercy on their involuntary sins committed out of ignorance. As the children ask for forgiveness from their parents, so we pray for forgiveness. Lord Almighty, we pray you with sincere faith and for the repentance of all the dead, whose ashes are not buried, whose thoughts are unclear. Grant them a fair trial, but save him from devilish torment. Deliver their souls from eternal wandering on the sinful Earth, take away under your cover. Amen".
When turning to God, be merciful and mention in the speeches of all those who have died for centuriesfor the salvation of which, perhaps, no one prays. This is a good deed, which will certainly be reckoned to you from above.
The prayer itself sounds like this:
“A sinful slave (name), bound by sins of sin, asks you, the Creator, forgiveness and purification. Before Your eyes with humility I came with my troubles, but let me pray for the souls of all the dead. For sinners and righteous, warriors and children, old and young. In all ages, souls flock to you, ascend. Do not leave one without attention, but forgive them all their free and involuntary mistakes. I owe you my life and death, I pray for guidance, peace and peace in the heart. Protect me from demonic manifestations during my life, and I will remember all who have died now and give them respect through the words of a sincere and cleansing prayer. So be it forever and ever, and all sinners will be righteous, may the blessed Kingdom of Heaven come on earth. Amen".
Sometimes loved ones disappear without a trace: the number of missing people is growing from year to year, and this is also a huge tragedy. If you are not sure about the fate of a loved one or close friend, wait a certain amount of time, and then ask the priest to sing it. If this is not done, the soul of the potentially deceased will roam the world.
For peace of mind, prayers are usually read:
- Within 40 days after death;
- On the ninth day after death;
- On the anniversary of passing away;
- On the birthday of the deceased.
Prayer for children for deceased parents
The Orthodox religion establishes certain days, called parental funeral sabbaths. They fall on the period before preparation for the fast (the conspiracy), before the onset of the Holy Trinity, on the second, third and fourth Saturday of Great Lent, as well as on Dimitriev’s Saturday (on the memorial day of St. Demetrius of Solunsky). Present day `s reciting a memorial prayer in honor of deceased parents is extremely powerful and helps their immortal soul find eternal peace.
If you consider yourself a true Christian, submit notes for the liturgy and memorial service. Also, such services are ordered on days that are special for the deceased (death anniversary, birthday, name day, etc.). It is worth reading a prayer for the repose of the soul of the father or mother himself.
The children's prayer for the deceased parents is given in abbreviated form. Her full text is available. here:
“Lord Jesus Christ, our God! You are an orphan keeper, mourning refuge and crying comforter. I am running to you az, orphan, wailing and crying, and praying to you: hear my prayer and do not turn your face away from the sighing of my heart and from the tears of my eyes. I pray to you, merciful Lord, to quench my sorrow for separation from my parent (who gave birth and raised) my parent (my matter), (name) (or: from my parents who gave birth and raised my name, their names) - his soul (or: her, or: them), who have departed (or: departed) to You with true faith in You and with firm hope for Your philanthropy and mercy, accept into Your Kingdom of Heaven ... "
Prayer for 9 days after death
Prayer for the repose of the soul, deducted on the ninth day after the death of a person, is especially important, because on this day he appears before the Creator and awaits a sentence before the Last Judgment. Relatives of the deceased are obliged to go to the temple on the 9th day and order a memorial service.
When you are in church, be sure to pray by saying the following:
“Holy Guardian Angel, you were appointed to the deceased servant of God (name of the dead)! So I ask you not to throw his soul during this period, protect it from evil terrible demons; be her protector in the invisible world of spirits, take the soul of the deceased under your wing and guide her through the air gates; appear to intercede for it with God and pray to the Almighty to have mercy and release all the earthly sins of the servant of God (name of the deceased). Please the Lord not to send the soul of the deceased to a place of eternal darkness, but to send it to the Kingdom of Heaven, where it will find eternal peace. "
The dead man is mentioned only in the best light. What are his positive character traits? Remember good deeds and deeds. The Creator will remember everything, including the said prayer. If you wish, take communion: this helps to cleanse sinfulness from the soul of a deceased.
What prayers to read for the deceased until 40 days?
The church teaches that a newly-deceased person must be prayed for within the first 40 days after death. At this time, his spirit remains in an uncertain position, dwelling between heaven and earth. He awaits a decision from above, which will determine him to heaven or to the realm of darkness and pain. Since he himself is not able to do anything to facilitate his own fate, this mission is shifted to relatives and friends. They are obligated to pray for the deceased, to give alms for his repose, to mention the name of the deceased in the liturgy.
Prayer for the deceased until 40 days It is done in many ways: ordering a memorial service, filing a memorial note during the liturgy or lithium. But most often they pray at home, alone with themselves, for the dead.
Prayer up to forty days is pronounced like this:
“Remember, our Lord God, in the faith and hope of the belly of the ever-reposed Your servant (or Your servant), he is known and as good and humane, forgive sins and consume iniquities, weaken, forgive and forgive all his free sins and involuntary, restoring him in your holy second coming in the communion of your eternal blessings, even for the sake of you the faith is true, the true God and the human lover. For thou art the resurrection and the belly, and the rest of thy servant, be called, Christ our God. And we are glorifying you, with your Father without beginning and with the Most Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever, Amen. ”
After the indicated period, you are no longer able to change the fate of a departed into another world, but the reading of prayers should continue.
Remembering the deceased, say the following words aloud:
“Remember, our Lord God, in the faith and hope of the belly of your ever-present servant Thy brother, (name), and as Good and Humane, forgive sins and consume iniquities, weaken, forgive and forgive all his free sins and involuntary, deliver him hell’s eternal torment and fire, and grant him the communion and enjoyment of your eternal good, prepared for those who love you: even more and have sinned, but do not depart from you, and without a doubt in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the God of God in the Trinity is glorious, faithful, and The unit in the Trinity and the Trinity in Unity, Orthodox even until the last oego breath confession. But be merciful to him, and faith, even in Thou instead of works, and with Thy saints repose you generously: to bear more than a man, he will also live and sin. But You are One except for all sin, and Your truth is true forever, and You are One God of mercies and generosity, and humanity, and We glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen".
How to pray for relatives?
Orthodox teaching establishes that church prayer has the power to grant the dead relief or even pardon from punishment in the afterlife. That is why a person who yearns for a departed relative and wants to show him loyalty and love should constantly pray for the deceased. The tradition of remembering his home has come into everyday life since ancient times. Those who remember the duty of memory and respect for the deceased relative are required to periodically read the Psalm.It can also be read in kathisma every day or included in the morning prayer ritual to commemorate relatives, deceased and living.
A prayer for deceased relatives is pronounced before the images of the Virgin, Jesus Christ.
If you are in the temple, light a memorial candle and say:
“Our all-merciful Father in heaven! I, the sinful slave (name), pray to you in humility. Peace be upon the souls of my relatives who have left our world (names). The servants of God are now in Your power. Their bodies were betrayed to the earth, and eternal souls headed for the kingdom of heaven. Accept them and forgive your omnipotence, forgive them their sins of their lifetime, free and involuntary, and allow them to participate in eternal communion. Let them watch us, those who live, and through Your mercy show the path that is only true and righteous. Amen".
There is an unspoken belief that a prayer will be heard faster if it is personalized. This means that praying for a specific relative in terms of remembrance is more correct.
For example, a prayer for the deceased grandmother will give you a chance to reconnect in thoughts with the deceased again:
“Remember, Lord our God, in the faith and hope of the belly of your everlasting servant Your name, and as a good and humane man, forgive sins and consume iniquities, weaken, forgive and forgive all his free transgressions and involuntary, putting him in the holy second coming of Christ into the sacrament Your eternal blessings, even for the sake of The One, faith, the true God and Man-lover. For thou art the resurrection and the belly, and the rest of thy servant is the name of Christ our God. And we are glorifying you, with your Father without beginning and with the Most Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever, Amen. ”
Similarly, a prayer for the deceased grandfather would sound like this:
“Remember, Lord our God, in the faith and hope of the belly of your everlasting servant, your name, and as a good mankind, forgive sins and consume iniquities, weaken, forgive and forgive all his free transgressions and involuntary, placing him in the holy second coming of God into the sacrament Your eternal blessings, even for the sake of The One, faith, the true God and Man-lover. For thou art the resurrection and the belly, and the rest of thy servant, name, Christ our God. And we are glorifying you, with your Father without beginning and with the Most Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever, Amen. ”
The demise of the second half is always a terrible tragedy for someone who truly loves. You are no longer able to change what has happened, but in your will to make the deceased receive eternal life in prayers.
If the husband died, then the prayer for the dead husband is read:
“Christ Jesus, Lord and Almighty! You are weeping comfort, orphans and widows' intercession. Thou art thou: Call Me on the day of thy sorrow, and I will smite thee. In the days of my sorrow, I run to you and pray to Th: do not turn Your face away from me and hear my prayer that is brought to You with tears. You, Lord Sovereign of all sorts, favored you to combine with one of your servants, in our life, we have one body and one spirit ... ” (full prayer here).
The grieving widower should remember the other spouse who has gone into the world with the following words:
“Christ Jesus, Lord and Almighty! In the contrition and tenderness of my heart, I pray to You: repose, Lord, the soul of the dead body of Your servant (name), in Your Kingdom of Heaven. Lord of the Almighty! Thou hast blessed if you have a marital union of husband and wife, forever thou shalt: Thou shalt not be good to a single man, we will create an assistant for him. You consecrated this union in the image of the spiritual union of Christ with the Church. I believe, Lord, and confess, as if you had blessed you to combine and less with this holy union with one of your slaves ... ” (you can download the text of the prayer here).
Remember that when praying for deceased relatives, under no circumstances should you send a rebuke to heaven. The incident cannot be undone, but resentment and pain can hold back the spirit of the deceased between the two worlds, and he will remain restless. No one will be able to fully understand the grief of the one who lost a loved one, but he must find comfort and keep only bright memories of the deceased.
The death of children is the most terrible test that a parent may suffer. Realizing and letting go of such a disaster is difficult; some are not able to recover from the blow until the end of their days. But prayer will help alleviate pain at least one iota.
To repose a dead daughter read this text:
“Lord Jesus Christ, our God, Lord of the belly and death, Comforter of the mourners! With a broken and touched heart, I resort to You and pray to T: remember. Lord, in Thy Kingdom, Thy servant is dead, my child (name), and make her eternal memory. You, the Lord of belly and death, have given me this child. By your good and wise will it is deigned and taken away from me ... ” (prayer given in its entirety here).
Pray for the deceased son in the following words:
“Lord Jesus Christ, our God, Lord of the belly and death, Comforter of the mourners! With a broken and touched heart, I resort to You and pray to T: remember. Lord, in thy kingdom your dead servant, my child (name), and make him eternal memory ... " (full prayer text download link).
What to read at the grave?
A regular visit to the place where another person who has gone into the world rests bears a special meaning in the Orthodox world. Being above the grave, we establish an invisible connection with the spirit of the deceased. He watches us from above and feels relieved his fate in the afterlife becomes less difficult. The person making the visit once again recalls the deceased and thus revives him in his thoughts. If at this moment a prayer is read in the cemetery at the grave of the deceased, the effect of presence for both is amplified many times.
We recommend pronouncing the following lithium for the laity upon arrival at the cemetery, which includes the following words:
“By the prayers of the saints our father, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Amen. Glory to you, our God, glory to you. To the King of Heaven, the Comforter, the Soul of Truth, Even this whole thing to fulfill, Treasure of the good and life to the Giver, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from all filth, and save, Better, our soul. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times) Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and forever and ever. Amen. Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse our sins; Lord, forgive our lawlessness; Saint, visit and heal our weaknesses, in thy name's sake. Lord have mercy. (Three times) Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and forever and ever. Amen. Our Father, Thou art in heaven! Hallowed be Thy name, may Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, as in heaven and on earth. Give us our daily bread today; and leave our debts to us, as well as we leave our debtor; and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Lord have mercy. (12 times) Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And now and ever and forever and ever. Amen. Come, worship the Tsar’s God. (Bow) Come, bow, and come on to Christ, our Tsar God. (Bow) Come, we will bow and bow down to Christ Himself, the Tsar and our God. (Bow)".
If you do not consider yourself a churchly or deeply religious person, but feel a duty to the deceased, a short prayer for the repose and pardon of the soul of a deceased person is more suitable. The number of characters and letters in prayer is not as important as sincerity in reading it.
Remembering a dead person, say out loud:
“God bless Your souls of the dead Your servant: my parents, relatives, benefactors (their names), and all Orthodox Christians, and forgive them all sins, free and involuntary, and grant them the Kingdom of Heaven.”
When saying a prayer, be restrained; you should not give your feelings too emotional an outlet: the soul of a deceased person should not be alarmed. Nobody forbids you to bring bright sadness, but violent sobs and noisy behavior near the grave are not welcome.
