Christianity claims that after the death of a person, only his physical shell disappears. The soul, having left the body, continues to exist in the invisible spiritual world and makes a certain path to God. Ultimately, she appears before God's Court, which determines her future fate. The most important are the 3rd, 9th and 40th days after death. In this article we will talk about what happens to the soul on the 9th day after death.
The hard way
Orthodox clergy always emphasize that our information about the afterlife is limited and deeply symbolic. We cannot fully understand it, leading an earthly life, just as a child in the womb cannot imagine its future existence.
The Bible and other written sources do not aim to satisfy our idle curiosity. The information they provide is sparse. Their goal is to point the way to salvation. It is known that for the first three days the soul is still attached to the body and is near it and close people or wandersplaces that matter to her. Then the deletion begins. The soul spends six days in paradise, getting used to the incorporeal mode of existence and finding peace. Here she understands what divine goodness is.
What happens to the soul on day 9? A new frontier begins. A Christian ascends to God, after which he will have an introductory tour of hell. The soul has to overcome ordeals, to face its own sins. However, the righteous bypass these trials and immediately enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The rest of the souls only on the 40th day appear before God's Judgment. Then their future fate is decided.
Meaning of the 9th day
The average person has many questions about what happens to the soul on the 9th day. This is the moment of breaking with earthly life. After it comes a mysterious and difficult period, when angels and demons are fighting for the soul. But why did the all-merciful Lord allow the unclean power to block the path of the deceased to Him?
There are many hypotheses, and no one knows for sure. However, the Church calls not to understand everything literally. Hell and heaven are not real space. Rather, it is a state of mind. A person who sincerely believes in God and lives according to His laws is in the Kingdom of Heaven. At the same time, it does not matter what actions he did during his lifetime.
However, most people are subject to passions and selfish impulses. And in this state they are not able to accept the Lord. Therefore, on the 9th day, the soul itself dooms itself to ordeals. No wonder it is said that the gates of hell are locked not from the outside, but from the inside. Cana dead person will repent or remain forever in hell, depends on his mood.
How to help the soul?
People who have lost a loved one are often in mourning. This is a natural state, but it should have a measure. The Church says that extreme despair is characteristic of those who do not believe in the immortality of the soul and the support of God. A dead person already has a hard time. Sharp fears and regrets overcome the released soul after 9 days.
Wherever our departed loved ones are, we can help them overcome the difficult milestone. To do this, you should sincerely forgive a person and ask for forgiveness yourself. The soul should be released in peace, and not try to hold on. Prayers and bright memories of the best qualities of the deceased will help alleviate her fate. The Church assures that in this way you can protect a loved one and help him enter paradise faster.
Counting
We found out what happens to the soul on the 9th day after death. At this time, she renounces her worldly life and indulges in comprehension of her sins. Special funeral rites are called to help her on this path. It is important not to make a mistake when calculating the day for them.
Countdown should be from the date of death. Remember that the calendar day starts at midnight and lasts until 23:59. The number 8 must be added to the date of death to find out the day of nine. When the funeral was, it doesn't matter.
However, during Lent, commemorations may be rescheduled if they fall on a weekday. According to the Church Charter, theyheld next Saturday. It is best to consult on this issue with the priest from the temple where you will order the service.
Memorial services
The soul on the 9th day after death is captured by passions. In total there are up to 20 species. If an ordinary person can cope with experiences by being distracted by various activities, praying or fasting, then in the afterlife these methods are not available. Christian commemoration performed by living people is of great help.
It is customary to order a memorial service for 9 days. For her, alms in the form of food are brought to the Church. It can be kutya, bakery products, fruits or vegetables, sugar, eggs, wine, cereals, flour, vegetable oil. It is forbidden to bring meat products. Also in the temple you can order a magpie, if this was not done earlier, and the reading of the Ps alter for the repose.
Collective prayer is enhanced by lighting a candle. It is believed that in this way we illuminate the path of the soul in the afterlife. Candles for the repose are placed on a square table on the left side of the temple next to the image of the crucified Savior. Looking at the light, state the full name of the deceased and ask God to grant him peace.
Freedom of choice
After 9 days, the human soul experiences ordeals and struggles with temptations. But not every dead person can be prayed for in church in order to alleviate his plight. There are three categories of people for whom a memorial service is not ordered and for whom funeral dinners are not arranged. These are suicides, unbaptized people and those who consciouslyrefused the funeral. They all voluntarily rejected God. This right was given to each of us by the Creator, and we are obliged to obey the choice of man.
It is not easy for loved ones to make such a decision. To help the departed soul, the Church calls them to intense home prayer, as well as to the distribution of alms. However, one should not deceive by indicating the names of the suicide in notes or withholding important facts from the priest. By doing this, you only harm the deceased.
Home prayer
Where is the soul after 9 days, we do not know for sure. In the afterlife there are no familiar spaces, and time can flow differently. In Christian literature, it is said that demons test the deceased, but angels are also nearby. The prayer of relatives also serves as support.
On a memorable day, a portrait of a deceased person is placed in a prominent place in the house, framed by a mourning ribbon. Before him, it is advisable to light a lamp or a candle. Putting a glass of water covered with a piece of bread is optional. This rite is more related to paganism. Mirrors can also be left open. But it's better to turn off the music and the TV.
Pray sincerely for the deceased. All 40 days it is recommended to read the Ps alter, especially the 17th kathisma. Prayers for the departed are also found in any prayer book. It is permissible to choose words on your own or offer a silent prayer if speaking is not possible due to tears. You can commemorate at home all your loved ones, even if they were not baptized or deliberately took their own lives.
Visiting a cemetery
Soul on the 9th day after deathfar from earthly concerns. In the grave there is only a mortal body, to which the Church does not attach much importance. Therefore, visiting the cemetery is not a prerequisite on this day. But often this ritual provides solace to grieving relatives. To show respect to the deceased, dress modestly. Women should wear mourning scarves. Children under 12 are best left at home.
Fresh flowers are placed on the grave: white for children and young people, burgundy for the elderly. If a person died heroically, then they bring him a red bouquet. There must be an even number of flowers. It is also recommended to light a candle on the grave, but do not forget to put it out before leaving. Don't bring vodka with you. The church believes that alcohol will only harm the soul.
There is no need to indulge in empty talk in the cemetery. It is better to pray, ask the deceased for forgiveness and forgive him all his sins yourself. Remember his good qualities and deeds. Do not complain and do not shed tears, by doing this you prevent a loved one from resting in peace. Along the way, hand out sweets or other sweets to people you meet so that they remember the deceased.
Preparing the memorial dinner
No need to consider traditional ceremonies a formality. The Church insists that the bright memory of the deceased facilitates the ordeal of the soul after the 9th day. That is why it is customary to arrange funeral dinners. You don't need to invite anyone to the nineteens. Those who wish to honor the deceased come themselves. Usually these are close relatives, friends and colleagues. The more people gather, the easier the soulgo to heaven.
Kutya is considered the main dish. Boiled rice or wheat symbolizes the grains from which new life will sprout (the coming Resurrection of all the dead). Sweet components (honey, raisins) mean the bliss of the soul in paradise. Kutia can be consecrated in the Church or simply sprinkled with holy water. Compote or jelly, pancakes, sweet pies are also served on the table. It is better if the dishes are simple, so as not to fall into the sin of gluttony. Alcohol at Orthodox commemoration is prohibited, as it can seriously harm the soul of the deceased.
Rules of conduct
When going to the wake, wear formal clothes, preferably black. Close relatives tie mourning scarves on their heads. On this day, frivolous talk is unacceptable. Criticism of the deceased is inappropriate and can significantly harm him. We should remember the Roman wisdom: "It is either good for the dead, or nothing." Stories about the positive qualities of the departed person, his good deeds are welcome.
If food remains after dinner, they should be distributed to the poor, but in no case should they be thrown away. The more people you serve that day, the better. You can buy sweets and distribute to everyone you meet with a request to remember the deceased.
Priests cannot say exactly what happens to the soul on the 9th day after death. However, the Church claims that death is not the end, but the birth of a person for a new, spiritual life. All of us - both the living and the dead - stand before God. He hears our call andalways ready to open your heart to meet you. Through him, we eventually conquer death.
