The death of a loved one is always a great grief and pain, which only dulls a little over time. But when we talk about the death of a mother or father, then recovering from this disaster is doubly difficult. Moreover, according to Orthodox canons, after death, the connection between children and parents does not stop. The Lord can always ask a mother for an unreasonable child left on earth. And the child, in turn, is not released from the obligation to pray for his deceased parents. These prayers, recited on special days, can even save the soul from inevitable hell.
Priests say that a person who so diligently prays for the souls of his loved ones also receives a blessing from God and, after death, goes to heaven. Therefore, a prayer for a deceased mother from a daughter or son will bring spiritual benefits to both parties. However, not everyone knows how to properly ask for their loved ones before the Almighty. Today we will tell you what prayers you need to read about the deceased mother in different periods that have passed since the day of death. Keep in mind that in a similar way you can beg for the souldeceased father or other loved ones.
What happens to the soul after death?
According to Orthodox canons, each prayer of children for the deceased mother should be pronounced at the right time. This or that text matters on certain days after death, therefore it is necessary to clearly understand what exactly happens to the soul of the deceased after the transition to another world. Orthodox priests advise loved ones never to grieve for their dead parents. After all, death is not the end, but only a transition to another state. And in it the soul will not experience pain and suffering, especially if during life the person was a sincere believer and honored the laws of God above all else. Even the most sinless, according to the relatives of the deceased, the soul has its sins, and therefore the temptation of demons and the judgment of the Almighty will await it.
Have you ever wondered where the rules come from to commemorate loved ones on the third, ninth and fortieth day after death? Many Orthodox do not understand the meaning of these days for the departed soul. Some perform the commemoration according to the rules, while others believe that this is not too important. However, we must not forget that it is on these days that a strong prayer for the deceased mother or father is very necessary for them, because at such moments it is decided exactly where the soul will be determined.
Keep in mind that in the first few days after death, demons tempt the soul and try to take it to hell. However, a fervent prayer for the deceased mother, read by children, can help the soul cope with all temptations and face the judgment of God.
Not worth itforget that this court can be called private. It decides where the soul will be sent before the Last Judgment. If she is recognized as sinless and is allowed into paradise, then this decision will not be reviewed in the future. But in the case when the sins turn out to be too strong, and the soul is determined to hell, only a prayer for the deceased mother, read regularly and with a pure heart, can become the basis for revising the decision on the day of the Last Judgment, when the fate of every living person will be considered and when -or a person who lived on earth.
Since the soul itself can no longer ask for itself and repent of what was done during life, it is the children who, by their prayer for the repose of the soul of the deceased mother, can save her from eternal torment in hell. Church ministers always clarify that even one moment in hell cannot be compared with all the suffering on earth. Therefore, you should always remember your deceased relatives and work spiritually to help them find peace in the best of all possible worlds.
The first forty days after death: what does the soul do during this time?
Prayer for a deceased mother is especially important in forty days after death. No wonder this period is defined as a certain milestone, after the transition of which it is almost impossible to change anything.
- In Orthodoxy, it is generally accepted that after the soul leaves the body, it remains on earth for two more days. She is greeted by two angels: a guardian and a guide. They will accompany the soul in the first days after death. The soul can spend them next to their loved ones, visit the most memorable places or those where they never had time to visit during their lifetime. This time can be calledfarewell to your earthly existence.
- The third day is considered one of the most difficult. Angels must lead the soul to the Creator, but demons begin to tempt it along the way. They strive in every possible way to take her to hell, recalling all the sins made during the earthly journey. It is very difficult to overcome temptation, but a prayer for a deceased mother can become that beacon that will guide the soul and help her.
- For the next six days, the deceased remains in paradise, he gets acquainted with everything that is there, resting before the judgment that every soul fears.
- The ninth day is devoted to fellowship with God, after which the disembodied spirit goes to hell. There he remains until the fortieth day, after which the judgment itself takes place. On this day, the soul receives its verdict until the Last Judgment.
From the above, it becomes clear why in the first days after death, children should actively pray for the departed parent to help him overcome all trials.
Church rituals to be performed over the body of the deceased
If death has come to your family, then, of course, it is very difficult to remain reasonable and remember all the rituals. However, it is the children who, in the event of the death of one of the parents, are responsible for observing all the rituals. Therefore, this issue must be taken very seriously. Moreover, all church rites are not too difficult for heartbroken loved ones.
At the very moment when the soul departed from the body, it is necessary to read "Following". This is not one prayer, but a whole collectionprayers and songs. They help the deceased to completely separate from the body and say goodbye to their earthly existence. Next, you need to read the Ps alter and order several funeral services in the temple. We will talk about them a little later.
On the third day after the death of the deceased, the funeral service is held in the temple. To do this, the coffin with the body is brought to the church, where the priest performs the necessary prayers. After the burial, all relatives and friends should remember the deceased. Also, the memorial meal is repeated on the ninth and fortieth day after death.
How to pray for a dead mother?
Grief always comes unexpectedly, that's why it's so hard to think sensibly in these moments. A prayer for a deceased mother does not require special preparations, however, when reading it, certain rules must be observed:
- Don't pray in a state of deep despondency, try to let go of your grief a little and turn to the Creator without sorrow and with a pure heart. If the appeal to God is accompanied by tears, then such a prayer will become a heavy burden for the soul in the afterlife. She will not bring joy and support in the coming trials.
- Of course, you should order special prayers in the temple, but they should only complement the words that the child will pronounce for his departed mother in the silence of the house. Only such prayers have real power and value in the eyes of God. They need to be read at any icon and with a lit church candle. However, if there are no icons and candles in the house, then you can pray without them. The main thing,so that the words are spoken with love.
- Of course, one prayer will not help your dead mother find peace. Therefore, it is necessary to ask God for her on the days of remembrance and at any other time, because the prayer for the deceased mother after forty days is no less important than before the expiration of this period. It is believed that a daily appeal to the Creator will help the soul to be cleansed of sins and find peace in paradise.
What prayers to read for the deceased mother: Sorokoust
Forty liturgies are usually ordered in the temple immediately after the death of a person. Moreover, this can be done simultaneously in several churches, it is permissible if they are located in different cities or even countries. Sorokoust is a prayer of commemoration that the priest reads at the liturgy. This happens for forty days, until the soul enters the judgment of God and receives its definition.
According to Orthodox canons, a forty-day commemoration during the service helps the soul to pass tests more easily and be cleansed of its lifetime sins, of which it did not have time to repent. It is believed that after the first three liturgies served for the deceased, the angels turn to the Almighty with requests to go to hell for the soul in order to ease its torment. In the following liturgies, they ask for the communion of the newly introduced soul.
During ten dinners, the angels beg the Creator for the opportunity to bring the deceased to the gates of hell. Until the twentieth service, the soul is in hell and only then receives permission to leave from there. Angels accompany her everywhere and in the following days dress the incorporeal spirit in whiteclothes, return him to his usual appearance and enter into paradise with the blessing of the Creator. That is why it is so important to offer prayers for the deceased mother up to 40 days in church and at home.
What prayer to read at home?
Prayer for the deceased mother up to 9 days should be daily. It is best to read the following text, which we provide in its entirety without abbreviations.
The same prayer must be said on all days of commemoration of the departed mother. This is usually done on the ninth and fortieth day. In the future, the deceased is remembered on specially designated church holidays and on the anniversary of death.
On such days it is necessary to come to the grave of loved ones and read a prayer there or at home if you cannot get to the cemetery.
Prayer for the deceased mother up to 40 days
In addition to what we have already said, especially those close to the deceased should read the Ps alter. This is done at the same time by agreement, thus the power of prayer increases significantly. Up to forty days, it is very important to constantly ask the Lord for the forgiveness of the sins of the deceased. You can do this through the text below.
Also, the priests advise to have a special little book, where the names of all close relatives who are no longer alive will be recorded. This will help you remember them at any time and turn to the Lord with a prayer. You can pronounce it at the behest of the soul,no matter where you are, as it is quite simple and easy to remember.
If necessary, you can read another prayer presented above. Priests often cite her as one of the first to advise children to pray for their dead parents.
When to commemorate the dead?
Of course, no one can forbid us to remember our parents who have left this world. But the Orthodox Church allocates several days on which this must be done without fail. Loving children on such dates always commemorate their relatives in the church and at the grave in the cemetery. Naturally, the first such day is the anniversary of death. After 40 days, prayer for the deceased mother or father should not be as intense as before. Do not count any other dates, the Orthodox Church does not support this.
Another date when we all remember not only the deceased parents, but also other people who are no longer with us, is Radonitsa. This holiday has no fixed date. It is associated with Easter and is counted from Bright Sunday.
In addition to these days, Orthodoxy has a few more Saturdays, when it is customary to remember their dead loved ones. There aren't many really, so these days are pretty easy to remember:
- Meat Saturday (before Maslenitsa).
- Saturdays of Great Lent (second, third, fourth).
- Before Pentecost.
If your mother had something to do withmilitary service, which is not uncommon in the modern world, it is necessary to commemorate it on the ninth of May and on the Saturday before the eighth of November.
How to commemorate the dead?
Not always people, even when they come to the cemetery, behave correctly and according to the canons of the Orthodox Church. But they are quite simple and include only a few points:
- keep the grave clean;
- don't swear;
- do not drink alcohol.
It is also obligatory to visit the temple on the day of remembrance and write a note with the name of the deceased, so that the minister of the church would say it during the service. It is also advisable to order a memorial service, but this is done at the request of a relative.
How to pray for an unbaptized mother?
It happens that children belong to the bosom of the Orthodox Church, but their parents never received baptism, leaving life not tried on with God. How to pray for the deceased mother in this case? After all, everything that we told earlier is done only for Orthodox who have been baptized. Is it really possible to leave mom's soul without repentance and prayer?
These questions, as it turned out, are of concern to many parishioners of the Orthodox Church. In this regard, the clergy advise to pray at home in their own words. This cannot be done within the walls of the temple. Also, if you wish, you can read a prayer to St. Ouar, but, once again, you can do this only at home.
Our parents have always been with us during their lifetime, they do not leave their children even after leaving it. Often it is their prayerswe cope with our troubles and life's trials, so our primary duty is to ask God for the souls of our mothers and fathers.
