For every believing Christian, reading the Ps alter for the dead is a tribute to the memory of those who left this world. According to tradition, the Ps alter is read continuously over the body of the deceased from the moment of his death until burial.
The Ps alter is a book that is part of the Holy Scriptures. There are only 150 psalms. Most of them are written by the biblical King David, the rest are written by other ancient Israeli rulers.
What is a kathisma?
The Ps alter itself is divided into twenty chapters or kathisma. Kathismas represent several psalms gathered together (usually three or four), separated by three "Glories". In other words, after reading, for example, two psalms, the reader encounters the word "Glory" in the text. This means that in this place one should say: “Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit”, then other prayers are read in succession and at the end it is said “And now, and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.”
The well-known Vladyka Athanasius believed that during the reading of the Ps alter for the deceased, after each "Glory" and "Now" one should say a special prayer for the dead and make five bows to the earth. Before and afterReading the Ps alter for the Dead is necessary to read the canon for the dead.
Content of the Psalms
The divided Ps alter into kathismas is much easier to read, and the reading of the book itself can last only five hours. It is advisable to read the Ps alter for the Dead continuously, especially before burial. This can be done by close people of the deceased, those who are able to do it.
In the text itself, one can feel the hope of a person in God's mercy. Thoughtful reading and listening to the Ps alter consoles loved ones and relatives of the deceased.
It is not only allowed, but also encouraged to read the Ps alter for the dead up to 40 days. It is often practiced to read the Ps alter forty days before the date of death, and then the reading is repeated for another forty days. In the end, eighty days pass.
Seventeenth Kathisma
This book has long been included in the number of Liturgical books, since almost half of the text of the All-Night Vigil Service and the Liturgy consists of its passages. The Ps alter for the Dead can be read while sitting, but not lying down. The Holy Fathers believe that prayers uttered without the burden of the body do not bear worthy fruits. Only sick and weak people are allowed to read the Ps alter, the Gospel, the Old Testament and so on.
People who are far from the church, but who want to become true believers in the future, often ask: what Ps alter is read for the dead at home? Indeed, it happens that the clergy give their blessing to read not the entire Ps alter, but one of its kathisma. This is the seventeenth kathisma. She was chosen because the content of the Divine text is the mostsuitable for expressing the feelings of the deceased himself.
The seventeenth kathisma is not only the longest of all, but also the most beautiful. The reader has a difficult and honorable responsibility to remember the deceased, to work for him before God, which is why the Ps alter, read for the dead, brings great benefit to the soul of the one who reads it.
How did the tradition of commemorating the dead begin?
The story, after which the tradition of commemorating the dead appeared, is recorded in the Old Testament, in the second book of Maccabees. After Abraham showed deep devotion to God, the Almighty promised the Jewish people that they would come out victorious in all wars, even if the number of enemies exceeded several times, but only if they kept His Covenant.
Indeed, as long as the people kept the Divine covenant written on the tablets, no one could defeat him in battle. However, the Old Testament commander Judas once suffered a crushing defeat on the battlefield. This happened for the first time and the remaining soldiers, led by the commander, were at a loss, realizing that the Almighty had refused His word. The alarmed warriors decided to examine the bodies of their dead friends in order to send some of their clothes to relatives and friends. On some they found pagan amulets and other signs of idol worship. This opened their eyes to the wrath of God.
Judas gathered the surviving soldiers, and they all stood up for prayer, first thanking the Creator for not hiding the truth from them. In an appeal to God, pious warriors askedforgiveness for the lost brothers who departed from His covenant. The Lord accepted their prayer and highly appreciated the act of Judas.
There are several other Old Testament stories in which ancient people took care of the dead.
Why should the Ps alter be read?
Even before the Lord Jesus Christ revealed himself to people and before the advent of the New Testament, Old Testament pious people read the Ps alter. King David, who wrote it, was a humble man with a meek heart, which was unusual in those cruel times.
Through his psalms or, in modern terms, songs, he showed the highest qualities of a person, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. The collection of psalms, read for the soul of the deceased, protects it from persecuted evil spirits.
How to read the Ps alter?
Usually it is read in Church Slavonic, which causes some bewilderment and inconvenience. The reader may not fully understand the meaning of words and expressions. There are two opinions on this.
Some believe that it is necessary to read the Ps alter at home for the departed in any case. It does not matter whether the reader understands the text or not, because the evil spirits still understand and tremble.
Another opinion is a thoughtful reading of the psalms, with an extract of incomprehensible words and with a translation into Russian.
Of course, conscious reading is a priority, but the first option is acceptable. If you wish, you can find explanations for the collection of psalms both on the Internet and in books devoted to this topic, which are many in church shops.
Good to studyHoly Scripture, both New Testament and Old Testament. The fiftieth psalm, most often used during Divine services, has its own explanation, which can be found in the Second Book of Kings. David wrote this penitential psalm in heavy contrition, so it is useful to know it by heart for the repentance of the soul.
If the Ps alter is read in front of the coffin of the deceased, then the reader should stand at his feet with a burning candle. While reading the words of Scripture, it is necessary to pronounce with reverence, since the tongue twister of carelessly spoken words is an insult to both the sacred rite and the Word of God.
