For believers, church services and rituals are important throughout life. At the birth of a child, they are baptized, as if entrusting his fate into the hands of the Lord. Then comes the first communion. Further, when a person becomes an adult and creates a family, - a wedding. To be cleansed of sins, he confesses. To maintain he alth, he orders the appropriate prayers. And the churched people also go on their last journey with the parting words of the priest who called them unction and serves a memorial service for them.
Meaning of the word
For those who do not know, a memorial service - what it is, let's explain. This is a vigil for a dead person. That is, a service that lasts during the night and turns into matins, or the morning service for the dead. It should be noted, explaining what a memorial service is, that this is a rite that is characteristic of Orthodoxy. It is not performed in Catholicism and Protestant denominations. True, as the priests explain, at home, in a private (cell) order, you can pray for a non-believer, read psalms. In the temple, there is no memorial service for such people who have introduced themselves. What does this mean for the deceased? If he is not sent on his last journey according to his religion, then hewill appear before his Creator without a funeral. For believers, such a death is a great tragedy, because prayers for a sinful soul are extremely important. In addition to the church, there is also a civil memorial service. What is it - we will state below.
Types of church memorial services
The first of the funeral services is performed over the newly deceased body - before it is buried in the ground. The next one is held on the third day after his departure to the other world. Then on the 9th, 40th. Then the first and subsequent anniversaries of death, birthdays and name days are celebrated - a memorial service is also ordered for them in the church. What does this mean: for each deceased on the day of his saint, a service is necessarily corrected. In addition to individual ones, there are also general requiems - they are called Ecumenical. These are traditional days when all the dead are commemorated. For example, Parents' Saturday. A memorial service for the deceased has one more, historical church name: funeral rites. It is performed at home, when a priest comes specially on call, both in the temple and in the cemetery.
Civil memorial service
This is an official solemn ceremony not related to the spiritual realms. Such a memorial service for the deceased is usually done for high-ranking officials, heads of state or famous, famous personalities. At the funeral of famous actors, writers, musicians and other representatives of the cultural elite, prominent politicians, military leaders, farewell speeches are said, long processions follow the coffin. A funeral service may includeguard of honor, mourning rallies, obligatory laying of wreaths and bouquets, solemn fireworks. Sometimes such actions develop into manifestations, political actions, if the deceased was a member of any informal or dissident organization. In this regard, the civil memorial service is fundamentally different from the church one. True, in some cases, both rituals can be combined.
The structure of the Old Russian funeral service
The Service for the Dead has undergone a number of structural changes during its existence.
Initially, in the era of Ancient Russia, the Byzantine canons and rules were the model for worship. At that time, it began around the first half of the night and included:
- Litanies (words calling to prayer, containing a series of petitions and glorifying the Lord).
- 3 antiphons (chants of the choir, symbolizing the voices of angels, also praising the Almighty).
- 5 special prayers. Such rites have existed in Russian Christianity since about the 8th century. The song service for the repose was often held on the name day of the holy martyrs, especially in their places of repose. This determined which saints should be prayed on a particular day. Subsequently, the rite was postponed in time to the second half of the night. Separate memorial services were reduced to a general commemoration of the dead, others - to paraclises.
Requiem service in Orthodoxy
Later, already in Russian Orthodoxy, there was its own regulation for the administration of a memorial service. At first, the Charter ordered it to be held on Trinity Saturday (before St.holiday) and on one more Saturday, called "meat-favored". Then such requiems were called "Ecumenical". These now include, in addition to the dates already listed, the services of Dmitrievskaya Saturday, memorial services on Saturdays of the second, third and fourth Great Lent weeks, on Radonitsa (Fomin Monday and Tuesday) and on Saturday before the Intercession.
At this time, it was customary to commemorate relatives and friends, all brothers and sisters in faith and those Christians who were overtaken by sudden death, who were not buried on time. At the same time, it was decided to hold memorial services for the deceased before his burial in the earth and then on certain days and anniversaries.
The order of the service was written down in the Ribbon, the Ps alter, the Octoechos and the "Following the Dead" specially designed for this purpose. It also contains instructions on which saints to pray to, what spiritual texts to read.
The usual memorial service consists of a funeral matins (main part) and lithium (conclusion). On the table with a crucifix and candles, in front of which the ritual is performed, a kutya is placed (it is also called a koliv). After the ceremony, this dish is eaten by all those gathered at the mention. Litiya is read when the deceased is taken out of the house or other premises where he was, as well as when he is brought into the porch of the temple, after the return of the funeral procession from the cemetery, etc. The last chant of the memorial service is “Eternal Memory”. The song is sung by all who are present at the service. If a person died during Lent, only lithium is served for him.
Rite cost
Suppose you need a memorial service for dead loved ones. "How much does the ceremony cost?" - the question is quite relevant and not at all idle. Naturally, there is no single tariff, and each parish has its own prices. You should inquire about them in advance from the clergy to whom you are going to apply with a request. For example, just a memorial note, that is, proskomidia, can cost from 10 rubles and more; the cost of magpies starts from one hundred rubles, only funeral services cost the same, and the funeral service costs about 500. In different churches, these figures can vary between 50-100 rubles.
Why do we need a memorial service
What role do the chants of the panikhida play, prayers during it, and in general, why does a dead person need this whole ceremony? First, it facilitates the soul's transition from one state to another, from being in a body to incorporeality. When they pray for the deceased, distribute alms and donations, this is a kind of intercession for his soul before the Almighty. And the more merciful deeds are done and prayers are read, the more reason for many of the sins of the deceased to be forgiven.
The lives of the saints tell about this and it is said in Scripture. As the Church teaches, on the first and second days after death, the soul is accompanied by an angel sent for her, with whom she travels to places that were dear to the deceased. She recalls her lost life and is touched by some events, repents for others. On the third day, the soul must come before God to worship Him. This is a very important and crucial moment, becausehe must be held a memorial service. It is the first intercession for sinners, which we all are. From the third to the ninth days, the soul is in contemplation of the heavenly abode, enjoying its beauty and the benefits that a stay in it promises. And on the 9th, she again goes to God to worship. Therefore, the next memorial service is timed to this date, at which they pray intensely for the forgiveness of the soul and for it to be left in paradise with other holy souls.
The next location of the soul of the deceased is on the eve of hell, where she contemplates the torment of sinners with a shudder. On the fortieth day, she appears for the third time before the throne of the Lord. And the memorial service held for 40 days has a special power, because the fate of the departed soul is decided depending on its lifetime affairs. And prayers, remembrance for the deceased soften God's sentence and can even fully justify a person who has departed to another world.
Symbols of numbers
How to order a memorial service? You can find out about this from the priest in the temple. You will be explained in detail what needs to be done, who to contact, etc. We will again return to the symbolism of numbers. A three-day memorial service is also performed in honor of the Resurrection of Christ and the Holy Trinity. Nine days - to glorify the 9 angelic ranks, which before the King of Heaven ask for mercy on the sinner. A memorial service on the 40th day is served in memory of the forty-day crying of the Jews for Moses; about a fast of the same duration, after which Moses was honored to speak with God and received the tablets from Him; about the 40-year walk of the Jews in the desert; on the ascension of JesusChrist to heaven after he died, resurrected and was with his disciples on earth for another 40 days. That is why the Christian Orthodox Church advises to commemorate the dead on the 40th day, so that their souls can ascend to Heavenly Sinai, behold our Father, achieve the blessedness promised by the Almighty and remain in paradise among the righteous. Therefore, it is so important that on each of these days the relatives of the deceased order a service and submit a memorial note. Panikhida and liturgy are very useful for souls.
Regulations of the action of the 1st part
Let's now consider in detail the content of the rite. This is his usual rule. With the exclamation “Blessed is our God always, both now and forever and forever and ever,” the memorial service begins. Its text has not changed for many centuries. Then the priest and all those present read the main prayer of the faithful three times - "Our Father". This is followed by a twelve-fold repetition of the exclamation "Lord, have mercy!", Orthodox prayers "Glory now", "Come and worship." Next, the most important psalm for all Christians is read No. 90, known more by its first line: "Alive in help …". It is comforting for everyone who lives with God in their hearts, as it paints a picture of a happy transition of the soul from earthly ordeals to eternal joyful and carefree life in heaven, next to the Creator.
Through the image of fantastic monsters, asps and dragons, the psalm allegorically reflects the obstacles that stand in the way of the deceased for his rapprochement with the Heavenly Father. However, the Lord does not leave His children inloneliness, supporting them in all trials, including these. This psalm, as it were, forms the basis of the service. Memorial services are not complete without it, because the essence of the ritual is deeply reflected in this work.
Then the litany “Let us pray to the Lord in peace” sounds in the aftermath. The priest reads petitions - ordinary and about the dead. The first of the petitions is for the remission (forgiveness) of sins. After all, it is they who can not let the soul into paradise, but prepare eternal torment for it. The petition ends with the exclamation: “Let us pray to the Lord!” The second petition is for the sick, the weak, the mourners, those who yearn for consolation. It ends with a traditional appeal to pray to God that He would deliver from all misfortunes and pains, send the light of hope and encouragement. The third petition is about the soul of the deceased, so that the Lord sends it to the "places of the green", where all the righteous dwell. It ends with the same “Let us pray to the Lord” and the doxology of the Holy Trinity. The litany ends with the performance of "Alleluia". This part is completed by such panikhida chants as the troparion "Pigeon Wisdom".
Regulations of the action of the 2nd part
Followed by another troparion "On the immaculate", in the refrain of which there are such words: "Blessed be, Lord Thou …". Then they pronounce a new litany - a funeral one - and sing "Peace, Savior …". After that, the priest reads the 50th psalm and sings the canon with his attendants. Between its parts (after songs 3, 6, 9) small litanies for the dead are read. The kontakion “God rest with the saints” and the ikos “One Himself…” should sound. Litiya is the final part of the memorial service. It begins with the reading of the Trisagion, continuestroparion 4 tones "From the Spirits of the Righteous", the litany "Have mercy on us" and the hymn "Memory Eternal".
Parastas
This is the name of the great memorial service. During the service, the choir sings "Immaculate" and the entire canon. The word "parastas" is translated from ancient Greek as "intercession". And it is great because prayers are held for all the dead Christians. The service begins on Friday evening and continues at night (all-night service) on parental Saturdays. Such a memorial service consists of a traditional beginning, a great litany, troparia, kathissa 17, psalm 50, a canon and a small service.
Cemetery memorial service
How is the memorial service at the cemetery? The ritual has its own peculiarities. First of all, the difference lies in the fact that a lithia is performed at the grave, that is, part of a memorial service. The reason for this lies in the nature of the service itself. The funeral matins should be held in the church, as there is a holy throne, a table with a crucifix and other necessary items of worship. It begins with "Blessed be God", at the end of which all those present and the singers say: "Amen." Then “Our Father” is read three times and troparia (funeral) “From the Spirits of the Righteous” are sung.
After this, the litany for the dead follows, the exclamation "Glory to Thee, Christ …" and dismissed when the clergy present three times exclaim "Eternal memory …". At the very end of the ceremony, “God bless …” is quietly pronounced. This is a very important prayer that unites all believers, living and dead, into one whole in the bosom of the Holy Church before the face of the Lord. Kutia for such a lithium is usually not brought. An exception may be Friday requiems, which are more solemn and therefore stand out.
Remembrance Notes
In churches, it is customary to submit notes for commemoration, but this applies only to those dead who were baptized, that is, belong to Orthodoxy. It must be written cleanly and neatly, legibly, so that the priest read everything correctly. What exactly should the note look like? A memorial service is served for those deceased who are presented as follows:
- The name must be written in the genitive case (of whom? - Anna).
- The form of the name must be complete, not abbreviated or diminutive. This applies not only to adults, but also to dead children. Therefore, they indicate: not Dima, but Dimitri.
- Be sure to learn the church version of secular, worldly names. For example, Yegor has a spiritual counterpart George, Polina has Appolinaria.
- If the note refers to a child, then until the age of 7 he is recorded as a "baby", then, up to 15, - a lad (girl).
- Surnames and patronymics, citizenship, rank, nationality or degree of kinship are not indicated in memorial notes.
- It can be noted how long ago a person left this world. You should write “newly deceased” if 40 days have not passed yet, “deceased” - at a later date. The term "ever-memorable" is used if the deceased has a memorable date on that day.
- The notes do not commemorate those who are recognized as saints by the Church. In the notes "about the repose" anyone can write notonly the names of blood relatives, but also of their deceased friends, teachers, dear people in general.
Death Anniversary
As already mentioned, it is necessary to commemorate the deceased not only on the 3rd, 9th, 40th days after death, but also on the anniversary, other important dates. All of them are an excellent occasion for prayer for the dead, so necessary for the human soul. This is the invaluable help that "from here" can be provided by the living to another person who has gone into the world.
How is a memorial service performed on the anniversary of death? By the beginning of the service in the morning you should come to the church. Write a memorial note in advance, and in the temple pass it to the candlestick. Usually such notes are accepted at proskomedia, masses, litanies. During the memorial service, they are read aloud. The departed themselves are considered "eternally memorable."
After serving, you need to go to the cemetery, stay there, put flowers, pray. Be sure to give alms, give food or clothes to the homeless. After all, good deeds done in the name of a person are, as the church teaches, a good help to the soul. Then remember the deceased at a meal. Before eating, you need to read the "Our Father" or Psalm 90.
Forties
A memorial service for 40 days is considered very important. It must be ordered (or magpie) and paid money. According to some beliefs, the soul leaves the earth on this day, goes forever to another world to await judgment day. According to others, on the contrary, she returns to people for a short time to say goodbye and part.forever with those who were once dear. Prayers, memorial services and magpies are extremely important right now, as they can determine the place where the soul will dwell for eternity. The Church considers it extremely useful to order the Indestructible Ps alter before this date. The ceremonies in the church are carried out according to routine.
After the main service, ask for a memorial service. You can order lithium at the cemetery. Memorial notes are served, graves are visited, refreshments are organized. Or do Christians do this: on the eve of an important day, they order a commemoration in the church during the Liturgy, on the forties themselves they perform a memorial service, read the ps alter during the day, and make a commemoration in the evening. The day should be spent sedately, in conversations and reminiscences about the one for whom everything is done. Without observing these rituals, it is very difficult for the soul in its new abode. Therefore, it is impossible for the living to deny the dead support through the Lord.
