Sorokoust for repose - forty days of prayer support for the wandering soul

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

Recently churched parishioners learn and assimilate a lot of new things for themselves, while getting rid of prejudices and superstitions. Such concepts as liturgy, matins, mass, memorial service, and other Orthodox terms are gradually becoming clear, their use is filled with meaning. Different services are ordered for different occasions. About what a magpie is, the story will go in this article.

Magic number 40

"Term forty forty." Translated into arithmetic language, this is one thousand six hundred, if in years, then a lot - sixteen centuries. Elder Zosima was called two magic numbers: forty and seven, which were the personification of the cyclical development of the human chronicle. The Son of God Jesus was with the apostles after his resurrection for forty days, then ascended.

Seven is also a significant number, it is often mentioned in sacred texts ("vengeance sevenfold", "seven hungry years", "seven weeks fast").

The apostles introduced the custom to mourn the dead during this period. On the fortieth day, the fate of the soul of the newly appointed slave is decidedGod, after which she goes to heaven for eternal bliss or to hell for torment. Sorokoust for the repose or for he alth is one of the most frequent trebs in Orthodox churches.

Forty Day Ordeals

For forty days the name of a person is mentioned in a special prayer, after which a piece of prosphora is soaked in wine, symbolizing the blood of the Lord. Thus, his invisible presence in the service is carried out, whether he is alive or dead. The priest asks God to wash away the sins of those who are commemorated with honest blood. It is considered especially important to start serving Magpie for the repose immediately after death, when the soul wanders between the halls of hell and paradise, ascending three times to worship God, being in confusion and especially in need of prayer support.

In the temple

In the church, every person should renounce proud feelings, especially one should not be ashamed of one's ignorance. You can ask how to order a magpie for the repose in a church shop at a candlestick, which, as a rule, draws up the needs of parishioners. She will explain how to write a note (called a memorial) and give it to the altar. You need to do this before the service before the start of the liturgy, so you should come early, without breakfast.

After that, the name of the deceased will be remembered for forty days during the liturgies. It is perfectly acceptable to pray for him yourself.

When placing a candle in front of the crucifix, it is supposed to ask the Lord for the repose of the soul of the deceased slave, adding the name of the deceased. It should be lit from an already burning, standing on a candlestick. If athere are no empty seats, you just need to put it on the edge, kind people will light it later.

You can also pray to the saints and the Mother of God. Putting a candle to them, you should accompany this action, albeit a short one, but with a prayer, according to the model: “Reverend (name of the saint), pray to God for the servant of God (name of the deceased).”

About some prejudices

Out of deplorable ignorance, other people who do not know church life and have not mastered the most sacred meaning of Orthodoxy believe that with the help of some special prayers or their specific applications, one can “spoil” or harm someone. An example is the opinion that if you order a magpie for the repose of a still living person, then his death will come closer. It should be remembered that for God everyone is equally alive: both those who live on our sinful earth and those who have left this mortal world. Thus, if by malicious intent (certainly sinful) or by mistake a candle placed for he alth ends up in a rectangular candlestick (such are intended for remembrance for the dead), then nothing terrible will happen.

Other misconceptions about magpie

As for prayers for enemies, they have nothing to do with the goal of harming them, on the contrary, ordering magpie on them, a true believing Christian asks for their admonition, tenderness of their souls and peace. This behavior is correct, Christian, it demonstrates the desire for forgiveness and the establishment of harmony.

There is also a misconception that magpie for the rest is ordered only for those whodied quite recently, that is, according to the newly deceased. Church canons do not provide for any restrictions in this matter; such services are appropriate at any time. True, it should be borne in mind that during Great Lent, liturgy is served only on Saturdays and Sundays, so at this time it is better to simply write separate notes that will be read in the altar.

Why order Magpies

Having learned what a magpie is for the repose, it is easier for the mourners to endure grief.

Loved ones who have left us forever need our prayerful intercession much more than magnificent ceremonies, plentiful memorial dinners and large-scale monuments, which serve more to affirm earthly vanity than for true memory and eternal life.

Besides funeral magpies, there are other types of commemorations. These include perpetual, annual, semi-annual and ordinary memorial notes.