The good custom of praying for the dead appeared at the dawn of Christianity. Already in the liturgy of the Apostle James, brother of the Lord, a prayer was raised for the dead. Many Holy Fathers and teachers of the church testify to their saving benefits.
In prayerful memory, love for the deceased is manifested, the desire to save his soul, cleanse him from sin. The deceased no longer needs earthly material goods. Hearty commemoration and expensive monuments are not help for the deceased. The soul cannot free itself from the bitter fate and receive the Grace of God. Only in the tireless prayers of relatives and friends is care for the deceased manifested, spiritual help to him.
Akathist for the one who died will help the restless soul find peace in the next world. Prayer for the deceased is a prayer for yourself. The Savior, for mercy to the deceased, sends his mercy to the one who prays. No good, even the most secret, is wasted. The afterlife of the deceased also depends on the diligence of the living.
Commemoration of the dead
Sorrow and sadness come to the house of the deceased. Death in Orthodoxy is a great sacrament, the end of earthly life. Soul leavingbody, embarks on a new journey. She goes through 3 states - from the womb to earthly life and the afterlife.
Repentance before death, the funeral of the deceased will help the soul to be cleansed of sins. After death, the dead also need charity for their souls. Prayers for the deceased will help not only his soul. They will bring calm, peace in the hearts of loved ones and relatives. There is a special prayer - an akathist for the one who died (or the one who died). Reading it will help to find peace for the soul of the deceased.
Prayers for one who died are prayers for one person only. The clergy recommend reading the Ps alter - it is the word of God. While the akathist is folk art. Relatives and loved ones in home commemorations rely on their feelings during prayer. The Akathist for the one who died are heartfelt words that will help comfort the living and reconcile them with the death of a loved one.
What is an akathist
Akathist - a hymn, a hymn that is read while standing. The very first akathist in Christianity is dedicated to the Theotokos. It was created in the 7th century in gratitude to the Mother of God for the liberation of Constantinople from the Persian army. It is this akathist that is called the Great. According to the Charter, it is included in church services.
All other akathists (translations or original Slavic expositions) appeared everywhere throughout the history of Christianity in Russia. Later, entire collections of such texts began to be published. They are hymns of praise to the saints, the Savior, the Mother of God. The authors are clergymen, spiritual writers or teachers of theological schools, seminaries.
In order for the akathist to enter the divine service, it is sent for consideration to the Committee of Spiritual Censorship. The decision of the Committee is forwarded to the Holy Synod. After that, a hymn that meets the requirements can enter into worship and, thus, will be printed in the official spiritual collection.
Structure of an akathist about a fellow deceased
The structure of the anthem consists of 25 songs - 13 kontakions and 12 ikos. They alternate. Unpaired, the 13th kontakion will be worn out three times. After it, the first ikos is read and again the first kontakion.
The word "akathist" in Greek means "non-sedal song". That is, during the performance of the anthem, you can not sit.
The first kontakion and all ikos end with the call "Rejoice". The remaining 12 kontakia end with the word hallelujah. The hymn is read most often at home. Therefore, it is quite possible to pronounce it without the special blessing of the priest.
The ordeal of the soul after death
According to church tradition, the soul after death begins ordeals. They last 40 days, so prayers for the deceased at this time are considered the most effective.
After death, for the first 3 days, the soul is at the coffin, next to its relatives. From the 3rd to the 9th day, she flies around the heavenly abodes. From the 9th to the 40th day, she contemplates hell and torment in it. All material goods become unnecessary for the soul - an expensive coffin, a monument. It connects with the world of spirits, where purification from earthly sinfulness is more important.
Repentance before death helps to start a new path. The prayerful help of loved ones, their good deeds in memory of the deceased is a necessary spiritual, sacrificial work. The Holy Fathers say that the receptacle of passions is the soul, not the body. No one knows what sufferings are prepared for this immortal substance after earthly life, what passions will torment it. That is why it is worth asking for the remission of sins and the forgiveness of the deceased.
In mortal life, we face small temptations and do not always strive to overcome them. Ordeals are a test of the strength of the soul, a test of good and evil. Repentance before death can change the inner mood of a person. Prayers after his death will help the soul pass the test.
Why read an akathist?
The dead can no longer pray for themselves. Therefore, relatives and relatives should pray for the forgiveness of the sins of those who have departed to another world. Only on the 40th day the ordeals of the soul end. All this time, close people should constantly ask the Almighty for mercy on the deceased. Relatives often ask the clergy: “Where can I find an akathist for a fellow deceased? When to read it?”
There are no established canons for reading prayers for the dead. It is not known for certain whether the soul will go to heaven if relatives tirelessly ask for forgiveness of the sins of the deceased. Prayer cannot buy the grace of God. But you can use good deeds, words, alms to commemorate the deceased or the deceased.
Prayer help for suicides, unbaptized people is allowed only inpersonal prayer. The text of the akathist, as already mentioned, can be found in church literature. There are different words of the anthem. It is best to choose the option that you like and will match your inner mood.
How to read an akathist
Parishioners are often interested in the clergy: “Akathist for the same-dead… How to read it? Is it obligatory to stand while praying?”
Akathist is a self-sufficient prayer. It can be read in church at a prayer service or at home. In some cases, it is combined with the canon to the saint or combined with a funeral litia. But most often the clergy advise reading the akathist itself and the prayer after it. A headscarf for women is required only when visiting the temple. Prayer reading without head covering is allowed at home.
Prayers before the akathist for the deceased are read at the discretion of the relatives. For example:
- "Our Father" 3 times;
- "Lord have mercy" 12 times;
- "Come, let's bow";
- psalm 50;
- akathist himself;
- prayer after akathist;
- "It is worthy to eat."
You don't have to stand during the anthem. If there are he alth problems, then it is allowed to pronounce words while sitting or even lying down. Prayers at home are read at the request of the laity.
On what days is the akathist read?
Akathist for a dead woman reads:
- within 40 days of death;
- within 40 days before the anniversary.
The same-dead is one deceased, for whom prayer words are pronounced. Full text of the anthempresented in the singular.
Is it possible to read an akathist for one who died on Bright Week? The Holy Fathers warn that the reading of the hymn is prohibited by the Charter on some holidays. So, these texts are not pronounced on Holy and Bright Week.
Another common question: "Is it necessary to read an akathist for one who died on Easter?" Since the holiday falls on Bright Week (it lasts from the Resurrection of the Lord to Saturday inclusive), the mentioned prayer is not offered. But you can pronounce the words of the Paschal Canon or read the Acts of the Holy Apostles all week long - this is the same prayerful help to the deceased as the hymn.
How to read an akathist for a dead house?
Prayers at home are read at the request of the laity. It is not necessary to stand in front of the iconostasis. Akathist allows reading without images. In this case, the inner attitude is more important. A lazy, relaxed state of mind will not benefit the deceased. A pious, humble attitude to prayer will be evidence of love for the remembered. Diligence in reading is comforting both for the soul of the deceased and for the soul of the one who remembers.
How to read an akathist for one who died at home? The Charter does not provide clear definitions in this case. It all depends on personal attitude and diligence. The akathist is read in full, from beginning to end, followed by a special prayer.
We repeat once again: if there is no iconostasis in the house, it does not matter. It is allowed to read prayers in front of a window or with closed eyes. The posture of the supplicant depends onhe alth status. If it is difficult to stand on your feet or kneel for a long time, you can pray while sitting.
Reading an akathist for a dead house can be timed to coincide with daily appeals to the Lord. For example, read the morning prayer, the field of it is the akathist itself, then the prayer after the akathist. By the same principle, evening church texts are read.
Relatives of the deceased, worrying, ask the clergy: “Is it possible to write an akathist for a deceased woman on a piece of paper? How to read it - aloud or silently? The anthem can be read from a book or by heart. There are even special audio and video recordings - it is permissible to include them during home prayer. As for the question of how to pray - out loud or in a whisper, the answer to it is determined by each person independently. Whichever you prefer.
It is allowed to pray for the deceased in your own words. It is not necessary to look into the brochure or learn the akathist by heart. If the words come from the heart, they will be heard.
How to help the deceased?
Dead relatives, friends need the help of the living. The clergy assure that sincere and constant appeals to the Heavenly Father can beg for a soul even from hell.
No one knows where the soul will be found after death until the Last Judgment. Therefore, the spiritual help of loved ones and relatives will always be relevant. At the liturgy in the temple, all the baptized deceased are commemorated (for this, a note with the name of the deceased should be submitted). You can order a magpie - then all 40 days at the service he will be commemorated. It is optimal for 3, 9, 40 days to order a memorial service in the temple.
Good deeds - the same intercession for the deceased. Almsgiving, helping the sick or the needy is a charity that will contribute to the atonement of sins and the acquisition of grace. Righteous John of Kronstadt warned that if there is no love for one's neighbor, then almsgiving will be in vain. Only with kindness and a sincere heart, with regret for poverty or illness, is it worth doing works of mercy. Almsgiving is a boon primarily for the one who gives it.
The amounts for donations or the number of memorial services ordered are not fundamental. What matters is the feeling with which a person asks for the deceased.
An akathist for the same deceased is also an intercession. When to read it? Immediately after death 40 consecutive days and 40 days before the anniversary. Prayer facilitates the afterlife. Good memory of the deceased should be accompanied by deeds. Clean up the grave, plant flowers, put up a cross. Such simple actions are not always performed by relatives. The loss of a loved one is a great grief. Good deeds will help overcome despair. Daily prayers will calm the hearts of those who remember and benefit the deceased.
Spiritual charity
Not always relatives, friends of the deceased have the opportunity to donate to the temple, give alms, order a memorial service. There is such a thing as spiritual charity. It does not require financial investments. At the same time, it can bring tangible benefits to the soul of both the living and the deceased. What is its essence?
It's spiritualhelp another person. It can consist in kind words of support and encouragement in difficult times. Or free distribution of spiritual books.
If someone you know is in grief or sadness, even the smallest words of comfort can be helpful. Thus, the spiritual support of the grieving is also a sacrifice for the soul of the deceased.
Deeds of mercy, prayers with love - this is a huge power that will help to atone for the sins of the deceased and return God's grace to him.
Is it possible to read an akathist on the grave?
A visit to the cemetery is the duty of friends and relatives of the deceased. But do not go to the grave against your will. A sincere desire to help the deceased should be the reason for visiting the cemetery or praying for the deceased.
You can't arrange a funeral at the grave - for Christians, only prayers, kind words about the deceased are optimal. You can light candles, clean up. Relatives are sometimes interested in the Holy Fathers: “How to pronounce an akathist in a cemetery for a one who died? Can it be read on a grave?”
If there are a lot of people in the cemetery, then reading an akathist is unlikely to be beneficial. Do not be distracted from prayer by worldly concerns. Therefore, it is better to come to the cemetery on a day when there will be no one nearby. In silence and calm, prayer words should sound. Then intercession for the deceased will do him good. You can light candles, bring a small icon.
The clergy especially insist that there are no wreaths or artificial flowers ongraves of Christians. Fresh flowers are a symbol of life and Resurrection. Therefore, it is better to bring one living flower to the grave than to cover it with artificial wreaths.
The grave in Orthodoxy is considered the place of the future ascension. It must be kept clean and tidy. The immortal soul feels the need for constant prayer, since it cannot ask for itself. Reading an akathist and prayers at the grave of the deceased is the duty of a Christian.
The opinions of the clergy about the akathist
The Holy Fathers do not always welcome the reading of akathists about one who died. Some of them admit that the commemoration of the dead can be combined with this hymn. The essence of the akathist is a joyful, laudatory song. In Orthodoxy there is no death as such. And there is the transformation of the soul into eternal life. The victory of the Savior over death, the immortality of the soul and its union with the Lord is a joy for a Christian. Therefore, the akathist for the one who died should be read with this attitude.
There is another opinion on this matter. So, some clergymen assure that the akathist for the one who died (one who died) is of dubious origin. This statement is based on some facts.
- The inner meaning of the anthem is contradictory. This is a praise of the Lord, the Mother of God or saints, and not an intercession for the dead.
- Akathist does not have the permission of His Holiness the Patriarch or the liturgical commission.
- Replacing the reading of the Ps alter with an akathist will not bring peace of mind to either the living or the deceased.
Therefore, the solution of the question of the laity on how to correctly read the akathist for the one who died, should begin by agreeing it withby his father. Only with his approval is it permissible to read this hymn.
