Memorial Service
Our departed relatives are alive in soul, because the soul is created and is eternal. Let us pray fervently to the Lord of love and all mercy to rest the souls of the deceased in the abodes of the righteous, where there is no pain, sorrow, or sighing.
Eternal memory to them. Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven!
A memorial service is performed by a priest in the temple or at the grave on the third, ninth, fortieth day, the anniversaries of the death of a Christian, as well as on All Souls' Days.
What to prepare:
1. Bread
2. Boiled wheat
3. Bottle of red wine and a glass
4. Set of candles
5. Photo of the deceased (if in the temple) and flowers
6. Offerings (lenten, if the day is fasting)
7. Raw wheat and a hoe (only for 40 days)
What to do:
1. Let's get acquainted with the Orthodox meaning of the rite
How to pray:
Prayer for the dead
Christ our eternal King and God, You have destroyed death and the devil by Your Cross and have restored man to life by Your Resurrection; give rest, Lord, to the soul of Your servant (name) who has fallen asleep, in Your Kingdom, where there is no pain, sorrow or suffering. In Your goodness and love for all men, pardon all the sins he (she) has committed in thought word or deed, for there is no man or woman who lives and sins not, You only are without sin.
For You are the Resurrection, the Life, and Repose of Your servant (name), departed this life, O Christ our God; and to You do we send up glory with Your Eternal Father and Your All-holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit; both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen