A funeral candle is an attribute of Orthodoxy. When a person dies, it is the candle light, dispelling the darkness, that serves as a guide for the soul of the deceased. Grieving people hold candles in their hands and believe that those leaving for another world will have a bright meeting with the Lord. This ritual is a silent testimony that the deceased person was bright during his lifetime, gave goodness, and with his good deeds dispelled the darkness that blocked the path to the truth.
The symbolic meaning of a funeral candle
A memorial candle is a symbol, a reminder to the Lord of a deceased person. People buy candles for funeral rites not only because of the death of a loved one, but as a sign that the person lived in this world. The light of a funeral candle is the best proof of this. It is known that the fire from a candle always points upward. Even a tilted candle reaches upward with its light. This is how a pious person should reach out to God in all his thoughts and aspirations.
During the burial ceremony, 4 candles on the sides of the coffin symbolize the cross, and a memorial candle in the hands of relatives and friends during the funeral service means the Divine light that every person receives during baptism.
Where and how to place a funeral candle
Any Orthodox church or temple cannot be imagined without candles. This is a human sacrifice to God. The clergy say that there is no huge difference in what a person donates - money or a candle.
Prayer is not limited by location. At home, a person can light a candle and pray for health or peace. In the church, for the sake of order, there are specially designated places for carrying out these rituals.
Funeral candles in the church are a visible confirmation of human prayer. These candles are placed on a special table called the eve table. It has a rectangular shape, in contrast to the round table where they place
A funeral candle is placed near the crucifix, which is located on the eve. Christ is the link between life and death; he took upon himself all the sins of the world, dying guiltlessly on the cross.
How to light a funeral candle correctly
There are no special rules in this regard. It doesn't matter which hand (right or left) you do this with. It is important to simply take your time, putting faith and a sincere desire into your action to help the soul of a deceased person with your prayer.
There are several types. It’s easy enough to place a candle filled with sand. When placing a candle on a metal candlestick, its bottom needs to be melted a little over the light next to it, so that it is subsequently securely fastened.
What to do after the funeral candle is installed
The main purpose of visiting the temple is to pray for the repose of the soul of the deceased. A candle is a visual image of prayer, so having placed the candle while it is burning, you need to stand and pray.
You can pray in your own words, asking God to accept the soul of a deceased person into His Kingdom of Heaven and grant it peace. You can use a special prayer, which is called “For the Dead.”
After prayer in church, it is good to give out alms, with the request that those who receive it remember the soul of the deceased person.
How much do funeral candles cost and where to buy them?
Of course, they are bought only in the temple, because they signify the union between the temple and the person. It is also important that all church candles are blessed, and this is also a necessary ritual of the Christian faith. By buying a candle, you thereby donate your money to the temple.
Funeral candles are different, and their prices also differ. An ordinary wax memorial candle costs from 5 rubles; prices for candles, which include funeral verses from loved ones, range from 50 to 400 rubles apiece.
We must remember that a candle is just a visual image that helps in turning to God, the main thing here is faith, pure thoughts and sincere prayer.
When can you go to the cemetery:
*on the day of the funeral;
*on the 3rd, 9th and 40th day after death;
*every year on the day of a person’s death;
*on memorial days - Monday and Tuesday of the week following Easter;
*Meat Saturday, the week preceding Lent;
*2nd, 3rd and 4th Saturdays of Lent;
*Trinity Saturday - the day before the feast of the Holy Trinity;
*Dmitrov Saturday is the first Saturday in November.
When not to go to the cemetery:
*Orthodoxy does not encourage visiting the graves of relatives on Christian holidays such as Easter, Annunciation and Christmas;
*Trinity is also not celebrated in the cemetery. On Trinity they go to church;
*it is believed that there is no need to go to the churchyard after sunset;
*women are not advised to visit the place of the dead during pregnancy or menstruation. But this is a personal choice of each representative of the fair sex
Some sources report that it would be wrong to go to his tomb on the birthday of the deceased.
You can simply remember him with a kind word, among the family and loved ones of the deceased.
Upon arrival at the grave, a positive action would be to light a candle and remember the deceased.
You should not drink or eat near the gravestone. Host a memorial dinner at home.
Do not step on or jump over graves.
There is no need to touch other people's graves or restore order there, unless the relatives of the person buried there have asked you to do so.
In the case when you dropped something on the dead ground, it is better not to pick up this thing. If the fallen object is very important to you, when you pick it up, put something in its place (candies, cookies, flowers).
When leaving the cemetery, do not turn around, and, especially, do not return.
When you come home, wash your hands thoroughly (or better yet, do this at the cemetery), be sure to wash off the cemetery soil from your shoes, and wash the tools you used to clean the grave.
WHY AND HOW TO LIT CANDLES IN THE TEMPLE?
This ritual of lighting a candle has many meanings. The light from it is the divine light that Jesus brought into the world. The life of people in sin and ignorance is darkness, which the Savior will dispel. Likewise, a candle with its radiance drives away the darkness around. Pure wax, from which candles are made, is a symbol of the fact that a person repents of his sins and is ready for obedience before the face of God. Speaking about how to place candles correctly, it is worth starting with the fact that this should not be done automatically, but with awareness and with a feeling of love in the heart for the one to whom the candle is placed. When you buy a candle in a temple, it becomes your voluntary offering, a symbol of your faith and love. Candles are lit for health and peace. “For the repose” are usually placed in the church on a special memorial table - eve, in order to honor the good memory of a person who has passed on to another world. Candles “for health” are lit for various reasons: in gratitude for something, to help with a difficult decision, before a serious trip, a risky undertaking, and so on. The question often arises: which icons and which saints should we light candles for? Of course, the main thing is the emotions and thoughts with which the candle is lit. With kind thoughts and love in your heart, you can light a candle for a person to an icon of the Savior or the Virgin Mary. Your good wishes will be heard. If you don’t just want to light a candle for a person, but express special wishes, you need to decide which saints to light the candles for. So, for example, if you are worried about a loved one suffering from a disease, pray in front of the icon of the Mother of God “Healer”, with which you can light a candle. If a person has taken the path of alcoholism, then a candle can be placed on the “Inexhaustible Chalice” icon. Knowing what miraculous properties are endowed with certain holy images, you will know which icons to light candles in order to protect, preserve and help your loved ones in difficult times and difficult life decisions. They often light candles for their patron saints. If you have personalized icons in your home, you can light a candle and pray to your guardian angel.
WHAT DO CHURCH CANDLES MEAN? WHY ARE THEM PLACED IN THE TEMPLE?
A candle is a symbol of prayerful burning before the Lord, His Most Pure Mother, and before the holy saints of God.
A candle is a sign of voluntary sacrifice to God and His temple and a symbol of a person’s involvement in the divine light.
A burning candle is a visible sign that expresses ardent love and goodwill towards the one to whom the candle is placed. And if there is no this love and favor, then the candles have no meaning, the sacrifice is in vain. Therefore, you cannot light a candle formally, with a cold heart. External action must be accompanied by prayer - at least the simplest one, in your own words.
WHAT DOES THE CANDLE PUT IN FRONT OF THE ICON SYMBOLIZE?
– The fire of a candle symbolizes eternity, a prayerful appeal to God, to the Mother of God, to the saints. The fire always rushes upward, no matter how the candle is tilted, so a person, in any life circumstances, must turn all his thoughts and feelings to God.
WHEN SHOULD YOU LIT CANDLES?
- Those who come to the temple must light candles before the service begins. It is not good to disturb the decorum of a church by passing candles during a service or by squeezing your way to a candlestick, distracting those praying. Those who are late for the service should light candles after it ends.
HOW TO PLACE A CANDLE CORRECTLY?
- The candles are lit one from the other, burning, and placed in the nest of the candlestick. The candle should stand straight. You should not use matches or lighters in the temple if there are already burning candles in the candlesticks. You should not light a candle from a lamp, so as not to drip wax into the oil or accidentally extinguish the lamp.
WHO SHOULD LIT AND HOW MANY CANDLES?
– There are no mandatory rules about where and how many candles to put. Their purchase is a voluntary sacrifice to God.
First of all, it is good to light a candle for the “holiday” (central analogue) or a revered temple icon, then - for the relics of a saint (if they are in the temple), and only then - for health (for any icon) or for repose (on the eve - square or rectangular table with a Crucifix).
IS IT POSSIBLE TO PLACE A CANDLE ON A CANDLESTICK IF THERE IS NO WHERE TO PLACE IT?
- That’s what you should do. Those who put two candles in one cell or remove someone else's candle to put their own do it wrong.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO HOLD A BURNING CANDLE IN YOUR HAND AND STAND WITH IT?
– It is customary to stand with lit candles at a memorial service during the service of Matins of Great Heel. Candles are also lit on polyeleos, but this tradition is mainly preserved only for clergy. A burning candle must be handled carefully: make sure that the wax does not drip onto the floor, and that the clothes of the person standing in front do not accidentally ignite. The rest of the time, it is more correct to place the candle on a candlestick that is specially designed for this purpose. In the temple one must follow the established order, and not do as one pleases.
TO WHOM SHOULD I LIT A CANDLE FOR REMOVAL OF SINS? WHAT TO READ ABOUT REMOVAL OF SINS?
Sins are forgiven only at Confession after a sincere, detailed confession of all of them in the presence of a priest and the reading of a prayer of absolution to him. A candle is a symbol; in itself it does not free one from sins and does not connect one with God.
WHICH SAINT IS BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE IN THE EVENT OF FAMILY DISORDER, WHEN THE HUSBAND WANTS TO LEAVE THE FAMILY?
– For family well-being they pray to the Mother of God, Saints Guria, Samon and Aviv, and Saint Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg.
It is also useful to remember and realize your guilt towards your husband, ask for forgiveness, and try to reconcile.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO LIGHT A CANDLE FOR AN UNBAPTIZED NEWBORN CHILD WHO IS SICK?
– You can pray for the unbaptized with your personal prayer and light candles for them, you just cannot write their names in church notes, since the Church does not pray for the unbaptized.
A sick child should be baptized as soon as possible. If the child is seriously ill, you can call the priest home or to the maternity hospital. In the Sacrament of Baptism, the child will receive a special grace that will help him. If a child dies unbaptized, the parents will bear the sin. And a baptized child can be given communion, order magpies, prayers for health - this is first aid in illness.
WHO SHOULD LIGHT A CANDLE ABOUT A PERSON WHO IS ADDITED TO DRUGS?
– You can pray for deliverance from this passion and light a candle in front of the icons of the Mother of God “The Inexhaustible Chalice”, the martyr Boniface, the righteous John of Kronstadt.
WHO SHOULD I LIT A CANDLE IF A CHILD IS SERIOUSLY ILL?
– A candle can be placed next to any icon: the Lord Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, the holy saints of God.
In addition, you need to know that a child’s illness is a time of prayer and repentance for the whole family. It seems to stimulate spiritual life. The baby should be given holy water and washed with this water. And the most important thing is the communion of the sick child with the Holy Mysteries of Christ. Communion can take place at home, in a hospital, or in a church, depending on the condition of the baby. If a child already knows how to pray, let him do it himself, but if he doesn’t know how, then his parents and godparents should do it for him. And, of course, spiritual work must be combined with treatment that a professional doctor can recommend.
WHICH ICON IS BETTER TO LIT A CANDLE BEFORE THE UPCOMING OPERATION?
– You can light candles and pray to the holy great martyr and healer Panteleimon, the holy unmercenary doctors Cosmas and Damian. You also need to prepare for Confession and Communion, order a prayer service for the successful outcome of the operation, find out the name of the doctor and pray that the Lord will control his hands.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO LIGHT A CANDLE FOR YOUR OWN HEALTH?
– Of course, you can light candles and pray for your health. A candle is a symbol of prayer to God. And most prayers are written in the first person.
IS IT POSSIBLE FOR A PREGNANT WOMAN TO LIT CANDLES FOR THE RIP OF THE REST?
– Everyone can and should light candles and pray for the departed.
WHOM SHOULD I LIGHT A CANDLE ABOUT WELL-BEING IN BUSINESS?
– Anyone who wants to receive anything from the Lord or from the saints must not only pray to them, but also build his life according to the commandments. Through the Gospel, God appeals to everyone with a request to be kind, loving, humble, etc., but people often do not want to listen to this, but themselves ask Him to help them in business.
For prayers to be successful, you must pray with words coming from the heart, with faith and hope for God’s help. And it should be remembered that not everything that a person asks from the Lord is useful for him. The Lord is not a machine that fulfills all desires, you just have to press the right button, that everything He sends is aimed at the benefit and salvation of the soul, although sometimes people think this is unfair.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO LIT CANDLES FOR A TRAGICALLY DIED UNBAPTIZED ONE AND IN GENERAL ABOUT THE REST OF UNBAPTIZED PEOPLE?
– You can light candles and pray for the unbaptized, but you cannot give notes in church with the names of the unbaptized.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO LIT CANDLES FOR HEALTH AND REST ON EASTER?
– You can always light candles for health and repose, but the Church does not perform prayers for the departed on Easter and Bright Week; they are transferred to Radonitsa – the second Tuesday after Easter.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO LIT CANDLES PURCHASED IN ANOTHER TEMPLE?
– Candles are usually purchased in the temple where they come to pray - this is a small sacrifice to this particular temple.
WHAT TO DO WITH THE CANDLE AFTER THE Blessing of Easter cakes and eggs? CAN I TAKE IT HOME?
– You can take it home and light it during home prayer, or you can put it in a church in front of any icon.
WHY DO THEY REMOVE CANDLES THAT ARE ONLY HALF BURNED, BECAUSE WE PAY MONEY FOR THEM...
– Due to the large number of people who want to light candles, they are sometimes removed not completely burned out. There is no need to be embarrassed by this, or by the fact that the candle that was not completely burned out was extinguished after the end of the service - the sacrifice has already been accepted by God.
WHEN IS INCENSE USED? CAN I USE IT AT HOME?
– Incense is used in the Church during divine services, as well as during funeral services for the dead, and during the consecration of dwellings by the priest. You can also use incense during home prayer.
When can you go to the cemetery:
*on the day of the funeral;
*on the 3rd, 9th and 40th day after death;
*every year on the day of a person’s death;
*on memorial days - Monday and Tuesday of the week following Easter;
*Meat Saturday, the week preceding Lent;
*2nd, 3rd and 4th Saturdays of Lent;
*Trinity Saturday - the day before the feast of the Holy Trinity;
*Dmitrov Saturday is the first Saturday in November.
When not to go to the cemetery:
*Orthodoxy does not encourage visiting the graves of relatives on Christian holidays such as Easter, Annunciation and Christmas;
*Trinity is also not celebrated in the cemetery. On Trinity they go to church;
*it is believed that there is no need to go to the churchyard after sunset;
*women are not advised to visit the place of the dead during pregnancy or menstruation. But this is a personal choice of each representative of the fair sex
Some sources report that it would be wrong to go to his tomb on the birthday of the deceased.
You can simply remember him with a kind word, among the family and loved ones of the deceased.
Upon arrival at the grave, a positive action would be to light a candle and remember the deceased.
You should not drink or eat near the gravestone. Host a memorial dinner at home.
Do not step on or jump over graves.
There is no need to touch other people's graves or restore order there, unless the relatives of the person buried there have asked you to do so.
In the case when you dropped something on the dead ground, it is better not to pick up this thing. If the fallen object is very important to you, when you pick it up, put something in its place (candies, cookies, flowers).
When leaving the cemetery, do not turn around, and, especially, do not return.
When you come home, wash your hands thoroughly (or better yet, do this at the cemetery), be sure to wash off the cemetery soil from your shoes, and wash the tools you used to clean the grave.
WHY AND HOW TO LIT CANDLES IN THE TEMPLE?
This ritual of lighting a candle has many meanings. The light from it is the divine light that Jesus brought into the world. The life of people in sin and ignorance is darkness, which the Savior will dispel. Likewise, a candle with its radiance drives away the darkness around. Pure wax, from which candles are made, is a symbol of the fact that a person repents of his sins and is ready for obedience before the face of God. Speaking about how to place candles correctly, it is worth starting with the fact that this should not be done automatically, but with awareness and with a feeling of love in the heart for the one to whom the candle is placed. When you buy a candle in a temple, it becomes your voluntary offering, a symbol of your faith and love. Candles are lit for health and peace. “For the repose” are usually placed in the church on a special memorial table - eve, in order to honor the good memory of a person who has passed on to another world. Candles “for health” are lit for various reasons: in gratitude for something, to help with a difficult decision, before a serious trip, a risky undertaking, and so on. The question often arises: which icons and which saints should we light candles for? Of course, the main thing is the emotions and thoughts with which the candle is lit. With kind thoughts and love in your heart, you can light a candle for a person to an icon of the Savior or the Virgin Mary. Your good wishes will be heard. If you don’t just want to light a candle for a person, but express special wishes, you need to decide which saints to light the candles for. So, for example, if you are worried about a loved one suffering from a disease, pray in front of the icon of the Mother of God “Healer”, with which you can light a candle. If a person has taken the path of alcoholism, then a candle can be placed on the “Inexhaustible Chalice” icon. Knowing what miraculous properties are endowed with certain holy images, you will know which icons to light candles in order to protect, preserve and help your loved ones in difficult times and difficult life decisions. They often light candles for their patron saints. If you have personalized icons in your home, you can light a candle and pray to your guardian angel.
WHAT DO CHURCH CANDLES MEAN? WHY ARE THEM PLACED IN THE TEMPLE?
A candle is a symbol of prayerful burning before the Lord, His Most Pure Mother, and before the holy saints of God.
A candle is a sign of voluntary sacrifice to God and His temple and a symbol of a person’s involvement in the divine light.
A burning candle is a visible sign that expresses ardent love and goodwill towards the one to whom the candle is placed. And if there is no this love and favor, then the candles have no meaning, the sacrifice is in vain. Therefore, you cannot light a candle formally, with a cold heart. External action must be accompanied by prayer - at least the simplest one, in your own words.
WHAT DOES THE CANDLE PUT IN FRONT OF THE ICON SYMBOLIZE?
– The fire of a candle symbolizes eternity, a prayerful appeal to God, to the Mother of God, to the saints. The fire always rushes upward, no matter how the candle is tilted, so a person, in any life circumstances, must turn all his thoughts and feelings to God.
WHEN SHOULD YOU LIT CANDLES?
- Those who come to the temple must light candles before the service begins. It is not good to disturb the decorum of a church by passing candles during a service or by squeezing your way to a candlestick, distracting those praying. Those who are late for the service should light candles after it ends.
HOW TO PLACE A CANDLE CORRECTLY?
- The candles are lit one from the other, burning, and placed in the nest of the candlestick. The candle should stand straight. You should not use matches or lighters in the temple if there are already burning candles in the candlesticks. You should not light a candle from a lamp, so as not to drip wax into the oil or accidentally extinguish the lamp.
WHO SHOULD LIT AND HOW MANY CANDLES?
– There are no mandatory rules about where and how many candles to put. Their purchase is a voluntary sacrifice to God.
First of all, it is good to light a candle for the “holiday” (central analogue) or a revered temple icon, then - for the relics of a saint (if they are in the temple), and only then - for health (for any icon) or for repose (on the eve - square or rectangular table with a Crucifix).
IS IT POSSIBLE TO PLACE A CANDLE ON A CANDLESTICK IF THERE IS NO WHERE TO PLACE IT?
- That’s what you should do. Those who put two candles in one cell or remove someone else's candle to put their own do it wrong.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO HOLD A BURNING CANDLE IN YOUR HAND AND STAND WITH IT?
– It is customary to stand with lit candles at a memorial service during the service of Matins of Great Heel. Candles are also lit on polyeleos, but this tradition is mainly preserved only for clergy. A burning candle must be handled carefully: make sure that the wax does not drip onto the floor, and that the clothes of the person standing in front do not accidentally ignite. The rest of the time, it is more correct to place the candle on a candlestick that is specially designed for this purpose. In the temple one must follow the established order, and not do as one pleases.
TO WHOM SHOULD I LIT A CANDLE FOR REMOVAL OF SINS? WHAT TO READ ABOUT REMOVAL OF SINS?
Sins are forgiven only at Confession after a sincere, detailed confession of all of them in the presence of a priest and the reading of a prayer of absolution to him. A candle is a symbol; in itself it does not free one from sins and does not connect one with God.
WHICH SAINT IS BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE IN THE EVENT OF FAMILY DISORDER, WHEN THE HUSBAND WANTS TO LEAVE THE FAMILY?
– For family well-being they pray to the Mother of God, Saints Guria, Samon and Aviv, and Saint Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg.
It is also useful to remember and realize your guilt towards your husband, ask for forgiveness, and try to reconcile.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO LIGHT A CANDLE FOR AN UNBAPTIZED NEWBORN CHILD WHO IS SICK?
– You can pray for the unbaptized with your personal prayer and light candles for them, you just cannot write their names in church notes, since the Church does not pray for the unbaptized.
A sick child should be baptized as soon as possible. If the child is seriously ill, you can call the priest home or to the maternity hospital. In the Sacrament of Baptism, the child will receive a special grace that will help him. If a child dies unbaptized, the parents will bear the sin. And a baptized child can be given communion, order magpies, prayers for health - this is first aid in illness.
WHO SHOULD LIGHT A CANDLE ABOUT A PERSON WHO IS ADDITED TO DRUGS?
– You can pray for deliverance from this passion and light a candle in front of the icons of the Mother of God “The Inexhaustible Chalice”, the martyr Boniface, the righteous John of Kronstadt.
WHO SHOULD I LIT A CANDLE IF A CHILD IS SERIOUSLY ILL?
– A candle can be placed next to any icon: the Lord Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, the holy saints of God.
In addition, you need to know that a child’s illness is a time of prayer and repentance for the whole family. It seems to stimulate spiritual life. The baby should be given holy water and washed with this water. And the most important thing is the communion of the sick child with the Holy Mysteries of Christ. Communion can take place at home, in a hospital, or in a church, depending on the condition of the baby. If a child already knows how to pray, let him do it himself, but if he doesn’t know how, then his parents and godparents should do it for him. And, of course, spiritual work must be combined with treatment that a professional doctor can recommend.
WHICH ICON IS BETTER TO LIT A CANDLE BEFORE THE UPCOMING OPERATION?
– You can light candles and pray to the holy great martyr and healer Panteleimon, the holy unmercenary doctors Cosmas and Damian. You also need to prepare for Confession and Communion, order a prayer service for the successful outcome of the operation, find out the name of the doctor and pray that the Lord will control his hands.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO LIGHT A CANDLE FOR YOUR OWN HEALTH?
– Of course, you can light candles and pray for your health. A candle is a symbol of prayer to God. And most prayers are written in the first person.
IS IT POSSIBLE FOR A PREGNANT WOMAN TO LIT CANDLES FOR THE RIP OF THE REST?
– Everyone can and should light candles and pray for the departed.
WHOM SHOULD I LIGHT A CANDLE ABOUT WELL-BEING IN BUSINESS?
– Anyone who wants to receive anything from the Lord or from the saints must not only pray to them, but also build his life according to the commandments. Through the Gospel, God appeals to everyone with a request to be kind, loving, humble, etc., but people often do not want to listen to this, but themselves ask Him to help them in business.
For prayers to be successful, you must pray with words coming from the heart, with faith and hope for God’s help. And it should be remembered that not everything that a person asks from the Lord is useful for him. The Lord is not a machine that fulfills all desires, you just have to press the right button, that everything He sends is aimed at the benefit and salvation of the soul, although sometimes people think this is unfair.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO LIT CANDLES FOR A TRAGICALLY DIED UNBAPTIZED ONE AND IN GENERAL ABOUT THE REST OF UNBAPTIZED PEOPLE?
– You can light candles and pray for the unbaptized, but you cannot give notes in church with the names of the unbaptized.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO LIT CANDLES FOR HEALTH AND REST ON EASTER?
– You can always light candles for health and repose, but the Church does not perform prayers for the departed on Easter and Bright Week; they are transferred to Radonitsa – the second Tuesday after Easter.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO LIT CANDLES PURCHASED IN ANOTHER TEMPLE?
– Candles are usually purchased in the temple where they come to pray - this is a small sacrifice to this particular temple.
WHAT TO DO WITH THE CANDLE AFTER THE Blessing of Easter cakes and eggs? CAN I TAKE IT HOME?
– You can take it home and light it during home prayer, or you can put it in a church in front of any icon.
WHY DO THEY REMOVE CANDLES THAT ARE ONLY HALF BURNED, BECAUSE WE PAY MONEY FOR THEM...
– Due to the large number of people who want to light candles, they are sometimes removed not completely burned out. There is no need to be embarrassed by this, or by the fact that the candle that was not completely burned out was extinguished after the end of the service - the sacrifice has already been accepted by God.
WHEN IS INCENSE USED? CAN I USE IT AT HOME?
– Incense is used in the Church during divine services, as well as during funeral services for the dead, and during the consecration of dwellings by the priest. You can also use incense during home prayer.
Is it possible to remember in church those who died due to illness caused by drunkenness?
It is possible if they were Orthodox and believers and did not die from drunkenness itself (they did not drink themselves to death).
Is it possible to place candles for repose behind the throne?
There is a special place for this - the eve, and it should be placed there.
Is it possible to place a photograph of the deceased on a grave or grave cross? Do I need to take care of the grave? Is it possible to set up tables, benches and have meals?
It is under no circumstances acceptable to post a photograph. Pious believers place a case with an icon and a lamp. You are also not allowed to place tables, benches or have meals. This is a pagan custom. Believers commemorate the departed with prayer, some read the “Seraphim’s Rule.”
Is it possible to put a monument on a grave with a cross on it?
There should only be a cross on the grave.
There is a custom of lighting candles or lamps on the grave. Is it correct?
You can place candles on a grave provided that these candles burn in front of an icon, and not in front of a monument or photograph of the deceased.
Many people go to the cemetery on the first day of Easter. Is this custom correct?
This is a modern custom. Believers know that the commemoration of the dead begins after Antipascha. Nowadays there are such customs that there is no farewell to the deceased without vodka. And the popular proverb says: “Whoever remembers the dead with vodka prepares great torments for them.”
There is a belief that until the fortieth day nothing of the deceased’s belongings should be given away. Is this true?
This is a belief inspired by the devil. On the contrary, we must do good for the deceased. Donate wine to the monastery, to the church - Cahors (for the Holy Mysteries), flour (for prosphora), wax (for candles), distribute from the belongings of the deceased, buy sacred books (and distribute to believers) before the fortieth day, and not after. When should you petition for a convicted person - before the trial or after the trial? So it is here: the soul goes through ordeals, a trial is carried out, one must intercede for it: pray and perform deeds of mercy, but people do not do this.
Is it necessary to leave the icon that was on the deceased during the funeral service in the church for forty days, and where should it be put then?
There is a custom that the icon remains in the temple until the fortieth day, and on the fortieth day (or after) is taken home. The icon is not placed in the coffin. Saint Theophan the Recluse writes about this.
How often and on what best days should you visit the graves of loved ones and what is advisable to do there? Is it possible to take dogs with you?
On the days of remembrance of the dead, if this does not distract from the temple, otherwise on another day, visit the graves. Read the 119th Kathisma or “Seraphim’s Rule” from the Psalter. Dogs are not allowed in the cemetery, especially in the fence where the temple is located.
Is it good to decorate the graves of loved ones?
Decorating the graves of the deceased does not bring any benefit to the deceased, but also causes harm to their souls.
What is more important on the day of remembrance of loved ones: visiting a cemetery or celebrating mass in a church?
Celebrating mass in a church is more important than visiting the graves of relatives.
What is most important when commemorating the dead: alms, memorial service, mass?
Everything is good and pleasant for the deceased; but if the deceased had little faith or died without a cross, then alms for him are better than prayer.
Is it good to invite a priest to serve a memorial service at a grave?
There was a case when, after a service at the grave, the deceased appeared to a relative and said: “Until now, it was as if there was a stone lying on me, but as soon as you served a litany for me, the stone would be removed from me.”
I heard that those who died on Bright Week are honored with the Kingdom of Heaven. Is it so?
Can a priest, in the absence of a nearby church and the impossibility of transportation, perform a funeral service at home or must it be in a church?
Of course, it can, but the reason for bringing the deceased to the temple is to pray for him at the Liturgy.
In case of mortal and imminent danger, is it possible to confess to a person who does not have the priestly rank? Does this make sense or is it useless?
It is better in front of a monk and if a person has previously resorted to a priest and confessed.
In the (Orthodox) calendars, in addition to church holidays, anniversaries and memorable dates, etc., days of special remembrance of the dead are given. And when should you not commemorate? I mean funeral home meals. Two years ago my brother died, on Wednesday of Holy Week. They buried, as expected, on the third day, Friday. And the Church allowed the first commemoration only on Tuesday after Easter week. I would like to know on what days funerals cannot be held and how this is explained. And one more thing: which of the wakes (ninth day, fortieth day, six months, a year) can be done, as they are called, counter, i.e. rescheduled for another day?
Funeral meals are held not according to the Church Charter, but according to custom. According to the Charter of the Church, commemorations, and therefore meals, are not prescribed during Great Lent, except for Saturdays and Sundays, Bright Week, and great holidays. This is explained by the fact that on days when the Church calls for the joy of the holiday, any sadness is not appropriate. During Great Lent there is no Liturgy (except for the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts), and therefore no proskomedia, during which the priest takes out particles from the prosphora [in memory of the deceased - Note ed.], who at the end of the Liturgy are washed by the Blood of Christ in the Holy Chalice. Lent and the funeral meal are very meager. Over the past few decades, a practice has developed: instead of worship, many go to the cemetery on Easter and arrange a funeral there. This custom developed due to the fact that the people were weaned from the Church for a long time. But since it is impossible to destroy faith in immortality, non-church people also tried to express it on the Day of the Holy Resurrection of Christ by going to cemeteries and there communicating with their dead in the way they understood it. The Church, according to tradition, commemorates the deceased on “Radonitsa” - the first Tuesday after Easter week, and on Easter calls for great joy and does not bless going to the cemetery, since especially the recent death of loved ones, instead of joy, plunges a person into sadness: instead of joy - tears , which shouldn't happen. On Easter, it is better to pray in church and at home and enjoy the holiday. For those who cannot be on Tuesday - the day of “Radonitsa” - due to work, it is more logical to visit the cemetery on the first Sunday after Easter (it is also called the “Descent of Jesus Christ into Hell”). The ninth day, the fortieth day and the anniversary should be commemorated in the Church on these same days, and meals should be arranged at your convenience.
I am a pensioner; we don’t have a church in our village. I live alone, on Sundays old women like me gather at my place. We pray, read the prayer book. We need to know: at funerals and wakes on the ninth, fortieth day, for six months and a year, if commemorated, then what to read and in what order?
Usually the Psalter is read for the repose of the laity. It also indicates the order of readings. After several short or one long psalm it is stated: “Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages” and three times - “Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God,” and then: “Rest, Lord, the soul of Your departed servant (Name)". After each “Glory” the commemoration is repeated again. You can read the memorial, which is in the prayer books after morning prayers.
What is the most important memorial for the dead?
Proskomedia is the most important commemoration, for the parts taken out for the departed are immersed in the Blood of Christ and sins are cleansed by this great sacrifice. In general, a good example of commemoration was left to us by St. righteous Juliana. We read that when Vasily and Evdokia died, she distributed generous alms for the repose of their souls, ordered magpies for churches and for forty days set up funeral tables for monks, priests, widows, orphans and beggars, and also sent abundant alms to prisons (there are also spiritual alms: distributing spiritual books for the departed).
Tell me, what prayer, how many bows and for what time should be performed for the newly deceased?
You should read the prayer: “Rest, O Lord, the soul of your departed newly departed servant (her name) and forgive her every sin, voluntary or involuntary,” - twelve times with twelve bows in the morning (after morning prayers), in the evening (after evening prayers), for forty days.
Do all the departed pray there for us?
“Those who say about the dead: “They are now prayer books for us” are very mistaken. The dead no longer pray, but demand prayers and care for their souls from the living; but when their sins are cleansed by the prayers, faith and deeds of the living, then only the prayer of remembrance turns to the benefit of the souls of those who remember. Only that soul that the Lord has vouchsafed with full faith to receive communion at the hour of death or to receive Christian death on the week of Christ’s Bright Resurrection is spared from the airy ordeals.” (Abbess Feofania Govorova).
What is important at the time of death?
We must always think about facing death in peace with everyone. Many do not know this, and therefore do not attach importance to non-worldliness.
Does the external rite of burial matter for the eternal fate of the deceased?
Know that for the eternal fate of the deceased, the appearance of the burial (coffin, wreaths, honor, music, funeral service by high church officials, etc.) matters little. Everyone will be judged according to their deeds.
Does it matter for the salvation of the soul what death finds a person in?
The salvation of the soul depends a lot on the last minutes of life. “What I find, that is what I judge,” says the Gospel.
What should you most fear when death approaches?
Despair. We must remember what the Lord said to St. Catherine: “Sinners who, at the end of their lives, despair of My mercy, anger Me most of all and are very displeasing to Me for their sin than for all their other iniquities and atrocities.”
Is it necessary to serve a memorial service for a baby?
There is no need to serve a memorial service for the baby, but rather remember it at the proskomedia; requiem services are served for the forgiveness of sins, and at the proskomedia a sacrifice is made and particles are taken out for the saints: the infant burial is sung - asking not for the forgiveness of sins, but “for the repose of the baby.”
How to get rid of the fear of sudden death?
According to St. fathers, sudden death does not happen to people who want to cleanse themselves by repentance, even if at times they are overcome by their infirmities.
How to justify yourself at the ordeal?
Saint Theodora responded well when she was tortured (at ordeals). “You did this and that,” said the demons. She answered: “Yes, I did, but I repented and received forgiveness and permission.” This is the kindest answer. This is where all our attention should be directed. First confession, and then correction of life.
How to look at posthumous wills?
Others make various posthumous orders and wills, but such a sacrifice cannot be compared with the one made with their own warm hands.
Should we risk our lives or should we save ourselves from untimely death?
When God does not clearly determine death for us or when our death does not benefit either faith, or the Church, or neighbors, or the fatherland, then is it possible to think that God, “not wanting death for a sinner” who can convert, wanted an untimely death for people? We read that Saint Athanasius the Great repeatedly fled from persecutors who sought his death. Saint Polycarp of Smyrna left the temple, which threatened to fall and, in its outcome, crushed many. The Lord Himself commanded His disciples not to expose themselves to untimely danger and, when they are persecuted in one city, to flee to another.
Is it possible to charge a certain fee (money) for reading the Psalter for the dead?
Is it possible to pray for the dead not only to the Lord, but also to His saints?
We already know the words on behalf of the dead at the big funeral service: “Pray to that martyr diligently to grant us permission for our debts.” In general, the Church ends its funeral prayers with an appeal to the Mother of God.
What to do if you tremble on the Last Day of Judgment?
If you, Christian soul, truly tremble at the Last Day of Judgment and seek mercy from the Lord, then, through the fear of God’s Judgment, arouse in yourself a firm determination to repent and live for the Lord alone in piety and purity, and as evidence of your sincerity, force yourself, for the first time, to reverently spend the coming week in pious meditation, abstinence and prayerful preparation for the exploits of the approaching fast, as required by the Holy Church.
If ordinary worldly thoughts stop and tempt you in this matter, because of which most people remain unrepentant and careless, then again contrast them with the image of the Last Judgment - and the temptations will disappear.
Will all human affairs be examined at the Last Judgment?
Come for the Son of Man in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his deeds(Matthew 16:27); Whoever's work will be revealed: the day will reveal it, it will be revealed by fire; and everyone's work, as it is, will be tested by fire.(1 Cor. 3:13); for God will bring all creation into judgment for every sin, whether good or evil(Eccl. 12:14). After these he will arise and repay them, and their reward will be repaid upon their heads.(Sir. 17:19). Do not think that when I speak about the trial, I instill false fear, like nurses who, in order to keep children from crying, are in the habit of frightening them with fictitious stories. The doctrine that speaks about judgment is not false. So, be sure that all the deeds you have done throughout your life will be investigated.
Who should fear the Last Judgment more?
Will our future life be better than our present one?
Our future life will be incomparably more excellent than our present one.
“The force that sustains the life of the soul will not be a combination of anything solid or liquid, but the knowledge of the Divine nature, communication with the true and Holy Spirit. There are neither the sorrows of orphanhood, nor the misfortunes of widowhood, nor those various diseases that torment our body. There they do not envy the happy, they do not despise the unfortunate... There, in this people of souls, perfect justice of rights and laws and the highest peaceful freedom reigns; for there everyone has what he has prepared for himself here according to his own free will and choice. And if someone, through imprudence, has prepared for himself the worst instead of the best, death is not to blame; for everyone here has the power to choose for himself what he wants.” (St. Gregory of Nyssa. Sermon on the future life).
How can you help the soul of the deceased?
We can bring joy to his soul through alms, prayers, and even more so through the Bloodless Sacrifice offered for him. Although the soul of the deceased is found in a temporary place where it is held for its sins, the prayers performed by the Church for the deceased can redeem it from debts, and we, sinners, can help those who have died.
I want to be buried with honors. Is this a sin?
Saint Theophilus foresaw his death and ordered the novice to bury him like this: tie him by the leg with a rope and drag him along the ground into a deep ravine. Before his death, he lay down on the floor, on the matting, and said: “I rejoice in you, Holy Angels, I rejoice in you, Most Holy Theotokos, I rejoice in you, all saints,” and he died. This example teaches us not to worry about luxurious funerals, but rather to try to do more good deeds during our lifetime.
Should St. sprinkle? the body and coffin of the deceased with water?
In the Orthodox burial rite we read: the priest (or if there is none, then a layman) sprinkles St. water the body of the deceased and his ark from the outside and from the inside and immediately puts (the body) into it.
About spiritual reading and understanding
Holy Scripture
Nowadays there is a very large amount of Orthodox literature. What is the best literature to read in order to avoid mistakes and misconceptions (theological, modern, patristic, etc.), or is it generally better to limit ourselves to just reading the Holy Scriptures?
The Holy Scriptures were written by the Holy Spirit through the prophets and apostles, and the same Holy Spirit through St. fathers explained to us how to understand it correctly. All heretical faiths originate from a misunderstanding of Holy Scripture. Only St. the fathers correctly explain the Holy Scripture to us.
How should Scripture be interpreted?
“Do not dare to interpret the Gospel and other books of Holy Scripture yourself. The Holy Spirit interpreted it through St. fathers. And the word of God, the word of salvation, comes to the daring interpreters of it with the will of death, with a two-edged sword, with which they will stab themselves into eternal destruction,” Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov tells us. Only the pure in heart can understand Holy Scripture correctly; they understand the will and intention of God in Scripture, and for people with a heart uncleaned from passions it will serve as a stumbling block. Therefore, we need to read the works of the holy fathers, in which they explain the meaning of Holy Scripture.
What, in particular, can you recommend reading for new Orthodox Christians?
The Law of God, interpretation of the Holy Gospel, instructions on spiritual life.
Books “The Christian’s Companion”, “Spiritual Flower Garden”, “School of Piety”, “Spiritual Sowings”, “Prologue” by Priest Guryev.
Some people have the opinion that reading spiritual books can replace church services. Is it so?
Reading God's word is like bread, and prayer is like living water for the soul. Can bread replace water or can water replace bread? You need both.
The great elder, Venerable Ambrose of Optina, responded to the same statement: “You don’t understand, but the demons understand perfectly well and run away. Read without understanding yet, but someday you will begin to understand.”
Did Jesus Christ change the law God gave to Moses? Actually, I find the answer to this question in the Bible in the Holy Gospel from Matthew: Ch. 15, art. 17: “Do not think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I did not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” Why do churches honor Sunday, the first day of the week, and not Saturday, the seventh day, as God commanded us?
Reading the Gospel carefully, you will see that many provisions of the Old Testament (Mosaic Law) evoked a special attitude of Jesus Christ towards them. See how He rebuked the Pharisees and lawyers for their outward reverence for the rites and laws of Moses. When He said that He came to fulfill the law, the Savior immediately explained how these laws should be fulfilled. “You have heard,” He said, “what was said to the ancients: You shall not commit adultery. But I tell you that whoever looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart,” etc. In addition, from the book of the Acts of the Apostles we know how the Apostle Peter had a vision of food, which according to the Mosaic Law was forbidden to be eaten as unclean. However, the apostle was told: “What God has cleansed, do not consider unclean” (see Chapter 10 of the Acts of the Apostles). You can cite many more places from the Holy Scriptures, the New Testament, where it is said that many provisions of the Old Testament are not binding for Christians. From church history we know that already in the 1st century Christians gathered for prayer not on the Sabbath day, but on the weekday, i.e. on the day of Christ’s Resurrection from the dead, because this event has become central to every believer in Christ: If Christ is not risen, then our faith is vain, and our confession is vain,- wrote the Apostle Paul to the Christians of Corinth (1 Cor. 15: 14). Therefore, Saturday was replaced by Sunday.
Is there literature that describes what each icon means? What does the icon of the Mother of God “Hodegetria”, “Vladimirskaya”, etc. mean? Is there an icon of Kazan? My nephew was born on July 21 - at Kazanskaya, he was recently baptized, he will be 24 years old; I advise you to buy him the Kazan icon. Am I right?
The icons of the Mother of God are reported quite fully in a book called “The Earthly Life of the Most Holy Theotokos and a Description of Her Miracle-Working Icons” - it is constantly republished by the Blagovest publishing house. "Hodegetria" translated from Greek means "Guide". According to legend, the “Vladimir” icon was painted by the holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke and brought to us from Byzantium. Initially it was located in Vladimir (hence the name), then it was moved to Moscow. Many miracles were performed here from her. In particular, she saved Moscow from Tamerlane’s attack. Currently located in the Tretyakov Gallery. The Patriarchate petitions for this image to take its former place in the Assumption Cathedral of the Kremlin. The “Kazan” icon was found near the city of Kazan. She was in the army of Minin and Pozharsky during the liberation of Moscow. A very revered all-Russian shrine. It will be good if you give it to your nephew.
Why is the word “hell” nowhere found in the Bible?
You have been misinformed. “Hell” appears several times in the Bible. "Hell" (Heb. Sheol) found in the book of Genesis (37, 35), in the book of Numbers (16, 30-33), in the book of Psalms (15, 10), etc. Literally translated from Greek, hell means a place devoid of light. In Christian teaching, this word means spiritual prison, i.e. the state of spirits alienated by sin from the sight of God and the light and bliss united with Him (see Jude 1: 6).
Christianity has always maintained and maintains that God is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living(Luke 20:38). F. M. Dostoevsky wrote in his diary: “Without faith in one’s soul, in its immortality, human existence is unnatural, unthinkable, unbearable.” If there is no afterlife, then our whole life is meaningless. Many modern scientists not only recognize the afterlife, but even deal with the problems of immortality, studying the experience of people who have experienced clinical death.
How can we understand that in one place in the Bible it is written: “I punish the children for the sins of the fathers until the fourth generation,” and in another that the children do not bear responsibility for the sins of the fathers?
The answer to your question is given in chapter 18 of the book of the prophet Ezekiel. Read the Bible more carefully; there are still clarifications there.
Why are there such contradictions: “love one another” and “blessed are the peacemakers,” and in another place: “I did not bring you peace, but a sword,” “I came to restore a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, etc. "?
Yes, Christianity is a religion of love, and it is not the fault of Jesus Christ that many could not accept His teachings. He Himself, who had no sin, was given over to torture and shameful death on the Cross. With the words: “I have not brought you peace, but a sword,” He foretold how the world would often hate all who believed in Him. And it is not the fault of the martyrs who believe in Christ that even their parents tortured them (see the life of St. Barbara the Great Martyr), but the misfortune of the tormentors is that they did not accept this teaching of love and wanted to destroy it by force.
How do we understand the word “blessed,” namely, “blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven”? Who are the poor in spirit and why?
“Blessed” means happy. Happy are the poor in spirit - these are those people who realize that they are only at the beginning of a spiritual movement towards the Kingdom of Heaven, realize that they lack their own strength to achieve spiritual affairs and they need Divine help. Such people always strive for the ideal of holiness. Pharisaic self-satisfaction is alien to them, which gives rise to inertia and stagnation and the end of improvement. Therefore, the “poor in spirit” are not far from achieving the Kingdom of Heaven, and this is the greatest happiness.
I heard that the Bible says: “Drink from your vessel, and you will live long and not get sick.” But for some reason I didn’t read this in the Bible. The fact is that I am being treated with urine - my legs hurt. Am I doing the right thing? My Bible is American, canonical, in translation, but the cross on the cover is not Christian. Maybe you shouldn’t read it or are they basically the same?
The Bible text reads like this: Drink the water from your reservoir and that flowing from your well... Blessed be your fountain - and be comforted by the wife of your youth(Proverbs of Solomon, chapter 5, vv. 15-20). This book is not in your Bible, since your Bible contains only canonical books. You can read it, but it lacks eleven books. Today, new translations have appeared, at least of the New Testament, of the Gospel, which lead believers into doubt. There really are texts that the Orthodox do not accept. Therefore, try to purchase a Bible that is printed from a text approved by the Holy Synod.
Why does one of the four Gospels give the genealogy of Christ according to Joseph, while it is believed that Jesus was born of Mary without male seed and, therefore, the genealogy should be described to Mary, and not Joseph?
The Gospel of Luke does record that Jesus “was believed to be the son of Joseph.” However, in the Codex of Alexandria - the text - an explanation of this genealogy is given: “And there was (or rather was) a son, as they believed Joseph - (in fact) - Eliev.” But who is Eli? According to the most probable assumption, this was the father of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She herself, according to Jewish custom, is not included among the members of the genealogy of Christ, but it was very important for the evangelist to indicate that Christ in the flesh was a real descendant of David, which he does, giving the genealogy of Mary’s father and showing that Mary really descended from David . The Evangelist Luke thus leads the genealogy of Christ through His maternal grandfather and in ascending order. Since the legend calls Mary’s father not Elijah, but Joachim, then in explanation of this we can recall the custom of the Jews to bear two names - one given at birth, and the other, adopted on the occasion of some extraordinary event in a person’s life (see Explanatory Bible ).
In the Old Testament we read: “And Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. And Cain knew his wife: and she conceived and gave birth to Enoch. And he built a city: and he named the city after the name of his son Enoch” (Genesis, ch. 4, 16-17). My question is: “Who is Cain's wife? If she was the daughter of Adam and Eve and her name is not mentioned, then how did the problem of incest not arise?”
Cain's wife was indeed the daughter of Adam and Eve. In the first centuries after the creation of man, the question of incest did not arise, because the main commandment was the reproduction of the human race. Both St. John Chrysostom and Blessed Theodoret speak about this. With the multiplication of the human race, the need for marriages in close kinship disappears. And in the Law of Moses it is already considered a great sin (see the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 27, and the book of Leviticus, chapter 18). Although the story of Lot tells how his daughters were deceived into coming to their father and became pregnant by him, Bible interpreters say that they did this because they believed that all mankind was lost, and they did not do this for the sake of satisfying passion, but for the sake of continuation of the human race.
Could you interpret the church pronunciations in the Psalter, for example, priest, troparia, ikos, irmos, clergy?
Modern prayer books quite often contain short dictionaries where you can find translations of unclear words. I recommend purchasing Dahl's Dictionary of the Russian Language. Priest - priest (Greek), bishop - senior priest or bishop. Troparion is a short chant dedicated to a holiday or saint. Kontakion and Ikos are also special chants, only the Kontakion is shorter and the Ikos is longer. Kontakion is a theme, and ikos is the development of a theme. Akathists are composed of kontakia and ikos - more extensive church hymns dedicated to holidays, icons, etc. Irmos is the Greek name for the songs of the canon (literal translation - I bind, I unite). Irmos is the model according to which all other troparia of the same song are compiled. Knowing the melody of the Irmos, you can always sing all the troparia correctly; That is why Irmos is placed at the beginning of every song of the canon. Clergy (Church Slavic), clerics (from the word clergy) are ministers of the church.
Do I take sin on my soul? I'm collecting books, but I have very little time to read. I work, farm, garden in the summer - and they still have a long way to go before retirement.
Although it is very difficult to live today and we don’t always have time to read, if we abandon our spiritual life until retirement, this is what we are really sinning, because the Lord did not promise any of us that we would live tomorrow. He said that he would accept our repentance at any time. But we impoverish ourselves greatly by not reading anything. After all, even the rules of a Christian include not only reading prayers, but also spiritual reading. The time of fasting is a time when we especially need to strengthen our spiritual exercises, including reading the New Testament and other spiritual books.
Which books of the Church are considered Holy Scripture?
Explain how to understand the Gospel words: “Whoever is ashamed of Me in this adulterous generation, of him I will also be ashamed”? If I am ashamed to cross myself (at church, when I sit down to eat, when I set out on a journey, etc.), is this about me?
Yes, we should not be ashamed to confess the name of Christ with the sign of the cross; not removing the cross in a public bath or going to the doctor; conversations about the holy and good; We should not remain shamefully silent when the Orthodox faith is trampled underfoot, and we are often ashamed to profess faith in Christ because of the insignificant customs of the world, out of a cowardly fear of being considered backward among our acquaintances, fanatics, as people of “this world” usually call those who want to treat honestly to his Christian duties; They should not be afraid to cross themselves before and after lunch, reverently bare their heads when passing near a church, or be ashamed to decorate their homes with St. icons.
For reading the Holy Scripture to be useful, one must: 1) before reading, call upon the grace of the Holy Spirit to help oneself; 2) read slowly, repeating several times what is not clear to you; 3) do not try to read a lot at once; 4) beware of reading miscellaneous books.
Do not neglect the psalms, because they drive away evil spirits from the soul and infuse the Holy Spirit into it. “By reading the Psalter and giving alms, the soul is cleansed from sins,” said the recluse Georgy Zadonsky.
The Lives of the Saints are best for beginners; fatherly scriptures - for average ones; God's word is for the perfect. Before reading, you must remove your soul from everything and turn prayerfully to God. Follow what you read with attention and put it in your heart. Whatever doesn’t reach your heart, stay there until it does. You should read very slowly. To stop reading when the soul no longer wants to feed on reading means that it is full. If a place strikes your soul, stand there and do not read further. The best time for the word of God is morning, the lives of the saints - after lunch, St. fathers - shortly before bedtime. There are texts of Holy Scripture that warm the spirit, act on the heart and evoke tenderness and tears. Such places should be written out and stored in case of need, for stimulation
(Elder Adrian of Yuga).
Do I need to listen anew to the word of God and teachings every time, for I listen, but do not fulfill; not doing what it teaches?
“Listen, even if you don’t do it, because from listening they come to doing. Even if you didn’t do it, you will be ashamed of your sin; even if you didn’t do it, you will change your way of thinking; even if you didn’t do it, you will condemn yourself for what you don’t do.” (St. John Chrysostom "^.
How to understand the apostolic words: “Judgement without mercy to him who has not shown mercy”?
At night Fr. came to me. Nikita, who recently died,” said the Valaam elder, “and I ask him:
How did you, father, go through the ordeal? “Oh, it’s hard for all people during ordeals,” he answered. - It’s good that whoever is kind and merciful, then his judgment at the ordeal is lenient, and whoever is evil and cruel, cruel and evil judges are assigned to him. Whoever lives and goes through his life on earth, everyone asks questions about his deeds and life on earth.
Is it useful to read Holy Scripture?
"Reading Scripture is a great defense against sin" (St. Epiphanius of Cyprus).
Is it necessary to buy spiritual literature?
“The acquisition of Christian books for those who have the means for such acquisition is necessary; just the sight of these books stops our desire for sin and arouses in us the desire for virtue.” (St. Epiphanius of Cyprus).
About the dead and death
Is it possible to remember in church those who died due to illness caused by drunkenness?
It is possible if they were Orthodox and believers and did not die from drunkenness itself (they did not drink themselves to death).
Is it possible to place candles for repose behind the throne?
There is a special place for this - the eve, and it should be placed there.
Is it possible to place a photograph of the deceased on a grave or grave cross? Do I need to take care of the grave? Is it possible to set up tables, benches and have meals?
It is under no circumstances acceptable to post a photograph. Pious believers place a case with an icon and a lamp. You are also not allowed to place tables, benches or have meals. This is a pagan custom. Believers commemorate the departed with prayer, some read the “Seraphim’s Rule.”
Is it possible to put a monument on a grave with a cross on it?
There should only be a cross on the grave.
There is a custom of lighting candles or lamps on the grave. Is it correct?
You can place candles on a grave provided that these candles burn in front of an icon, and not in front of a monument or photograph of the deceased.
Many people go to the cemetery on the first day of Easter. Is this custom correct?
This is a modern custom. Believers know that the commemoration of the dead begins after Antipascha. Nowadays there are such customs that there is no farewell to the deceased without vodka. And the popular proverb says: “Whoever remembers the dead with vodka prepares great torments for them.”
There is a belief that until the fortieth day nothing of the deceased’s belongings should be given away. Is this true?
This is a belief inspired by the devil. On the contrary, we must do good for the deceased. Donate wine to the monastery, to the church - Cahors (for the Holy Mysteries), flour (for prosphora), wax (for candles), distribute from the belongings of the deceased, buy sacred books (and distribute to believers) before the fortieth day, and not after. When should you petition for a convicted person - before the trial or after the trial? So it is here: the soul goes through ordeals, a trial is carried out, one must intercede for it: pray and perform deeds of mercy, but people do not do this.
Is it necessary to leave the icon that was on the deceased during the funeral service in the church for forty days, and where should it be put then?
There is a custom that the icon remains in the temple until the fortieth day, and on the fortieth day (or after) is taken home. The icon is not placed in the coffin. Saint Theophan the Recluse writes about this.
How often and on what best days should you visit the graves of loved ones and what is advisable to do there? Is it possible to take dogs with you?
On the days of remembrance of the dead, if this does not distract from the temple, otherwise on another day, visit the graves. Read the 119th Kathisma or “Seraphim’s Rule” from the Psalter. Dogs are not allowed in the cemetery, especially in the fence where the temple is located.
Is it good to decorate the graves of loved ones?
Decorating the graves of the deceased does not bring any benefit to the deceased, but also causes harm to their souls.
What is more important on the day of remembrance of loved ones: visiting a cemetery or celebrating mass in a church?
Celebrating mass in a church is more important than visiting the graves of relatives.
What is most important when commemorating the dead: alms, memorial service, mass?
Everything is good and pleasant for the deceased; but if the deceased had little faith or died without a cross, then alms for him are better than prayer.
Is it good to invite a priest to serve a memorial service at a grave?
There was a case when, after a service at the grave, the deceased appeared to a relative and said: “Until now, it was as if there was a stone lying on me, but as soon as you served a litany for me, the stone would be removed from me.”
I heard that those who died on Bright Week are honored with the Kingdom of Heaven. Is it so?
This is correct, but not for everyone. Those who wore the cross, took communion during Great Lent, repented, and lived piously, are truly worthy of a blessed life. And whoever did not have this will not receive it.
Can a priest, in the absence of a nearby church and the impossibility of transportation, perform a funeral service at home or must it be in a church?
Of course, it can, but the reason for bringing the deceased to the temple is to pray for him at the Liturgy.
In case of mortal and imminent danger, is it possible to confess to a person who does not have the priestly rank? Does this make sense or is it useless?
It is better in front of a monk and if a person has previously resorted to a priest and confessed.
In the (Orthodox) calendars, in addition to church holidays, anniversaries and memorable dates, etc., days of special remembrance of the dead are given. And when should you not commemorate? I mean funeral home meals. Two years ago my brother died, on Wednesday of Holy Week. They buried, as expected, on the third day, Friday. And the Church allowed the first commemoration only on Tuesday after Easter week. I would like to know on what days funerals cannot be held and how this is explained. And one more thing: which of the wakes (ninth day, fortieth day, six months, a year) can be done, as they are called, counter, i.e. rescheduled for another day?
Funeral meals are held not according to the Church Charter, but according to custom. According to the Charter of the Church, commemorations, and therefore meals, are not prescribed during Great Lent, except for Saturdays and Sundays, Bright Week, and great holidays. This is explained by the fact that on days when the Church calls for the joy of the holiday, any sadness is not appropriate. During Great Lent there is no Liturgy (except for the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts), and therefore no proskomedia, during which the priest takes out particles from the prosphora [in memory of the deceased - Note. ed.], who at the end of the Liturgy are washed by the Blood of Christ in the Holy Chalice. Lent and the funeral meal are very meager. Over the past few decades, a practice has developed: instead of worship, many go to the cemetery on Easter and arrange a funeral there. This custom developed due to the fact that the people were weaned from the Church for a long time. But since it is impossible to destroy faith in immortality, non-church people also tried to express it on the Day of the Holy Resurrection of Christ by going to cemeteries and there communicating with their dead in the way they understood it. The Church, according to tradition, commemorates the deceased on “Radonitsa” - the first Tuesday after Easter week, and on Easter calls for great joy and does not bless going to the cemetery, since especially the recent death of loved ones, instead of joy, plunges a person into sadness: instead of joy - tears , which shouldn't happen. On Easter, it is better to pray in church and at home and enjoy the holiday. For those who cannot be on Tuesday - the day of “Radonitsa” - due to work, it is more logical to visit the cemetery on the first Sunday after Easter (it is also called the “Descent of Jesus Christ into Hell”). The ninth day, the fortieth day and the anniversary should be commemorated in the Church on these same days, and meals should be arranged at your convenience.
I am a pensioner; we don’t have a church in our village. I live alone, on Sundays old women like me gather at my place. We pray, read the prayer book. We need to know: at funerals and wakes on the ninth, fortieth day, for six months and a year, if commemorated, then what to read and in what order?
Usually the Psalter is read for the repose of the laity. It also indicates the order of readings. After several short or one long psalm it is stated: “Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages” and three times - “Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God,” and then: “Rest, Lord, the soul of Your departed servant (name).” After each “Glory” the commemoration is repeated again. You can read the memorial, which is in the prayer books after morning prayers.
What is the most important memorial for the dead?
Proskomedia is the most important commemoration, for the parts taken out for the departed are immersed in the Blood of Christ and sins are cleansed by this great sacrifice. In general, a good example of commemoration was left to us by St. righteous Juliana. We read that when Vasily and Evdokia died, she distributed generous alms for the repose of their souls, ordered magpies for churches and for forty days set up funeral tables for monks, priests, widows, orphans and beggars, and also sent abundant alms to prisons (there are also spiritual alms: distributing spiritual books for the departed).
Tell me, what prayer, how many bows and for what time should be performed for the newly deceased?
You should read the prayer: “Rest, O Lord, the soul of your newly departed servant (her name) and forgive her every sin, voluntary or involuntary,” twelve times with twelve bows in the morning (after morning prayers), in the evening (after evening prayers) , within forty days.
Do all the departed pray there for us?
“Those who say about the dead: “They are now prayer books for us” are very mistaken. The dead no longer pray, but demand prayers and care for their souls from the living; but when their sins are cleansed by the prayers, faith and deeds of the living, then only the prayer of remembrance turns to the benefit of the souls of those who remember. Only that soul that the Lord has vouchsafed with full faith to receive communion at the hour of death or to receive Christian death on the week of Christ’s Bright Resurrection is spared from airy ordeals” (Abbess Feofania Govorova).
What is important at the time of death?
We must always think about facing death in peace with everyone. Many do not know this, and therefore do not attach importance to non-worldliness.
Does the external rite of burial matter for the eternal fate of the deceased?
Know that for the eternal fate of the deceased, the appearance of the burial (coffin, wreaths, honor, music, funeral service by high church officials, etc.) matters little. Everyone will be judged according to their deeds.
Does it matter for the salvation of the soul what death finds a person in?
The salvation of the soul depends a lot on the last minutes of life. “What I find, that is what I judge,” says the Gospel.
What should you most fear when death approaches?
Despair. We must remember what the Lord said to St. Catherine: “Sinners who, at the end of their lives, despair of My mercy, anger Me most of all and are very displeasing to Me for their sin than for all their other iniquities and atrocities.”
Is it necessary to serve a memorial service for a baby?
There is no need to serve a memorial service for the baby, but rather remember it at the proskomedia; requiem services are served for the forgiveness of sins, and at the proskomedia a sacrifice is made and particles are taken out for the saints: the infant burial is sung - asking not for the forgiveness of sins, but “for the repose of the baby.”
How to get rid of the fear of sudden death?
According to St. fathers, sudden death does not happen to people who want to cleanse themselves by repentance, even if at times they are overcome by their infirmities.
How to justify yourself at the ordeal?
Saint Theodora responded well when she was tortured (at ordeals). “You did this and that,” said the demons. She answered: “Yes, I did, but I repented and received forgiveness and permission.” This is the kindest answer. This is where all our attention should be directed. First confession, and then correction of life.
How to look at posthumous wills?
Others make various posthumous orders and wills, but such a sacrifice cannot be compared with the one made with their own warm hands.
Should we risk our lives or should we save ourselves from untimely death?
When God does not clearly determine death for us or when our death does not benefit either faith, or the Church, or neighbors, or the fatherland, then is it possible to think that God, “not wanting death for a sinner” who can convert, wanted an untimely death for people? We read that Saint Athanasius the Great repeatedly fled from persecutors who sought his death. Saint Polycarp of Smyrna left the temple, which threatened to fall and, in its outcome, crushed many. The Lord Himself commanded His disciples not to expose themselves to untimely danger and, when they are persecuted in one city, to flee to another.
Is it possible to charge a certain fee (money) for reading the Psalter for the dead?
Is it possible to pray for the dead not only to the Lord, but also to His saints?
We already know the words on behalf of the dead at the big funeral service: “Pray to that martyr diligently to grant us permission for our debts.” In general, the Church ends its funeral prayers with an appeal to the Mother of God.
What to do if you tremble on the Last Day of Judgment?
If you, Christian soul, truly tremble at the Last Day of Judgment and seek mercy from the Lord, then, through the fear of God’s Judgment, arouse in yourself a firm determination to repent and live for the Lord alone in piety and purity, and as evidence of your sincerity, force yourself, for the first time, to reverently spend the coming week in pious meditation, abstinence and prayerful preparation for the exploits of the approaching fast, as required by the Holy Church.
If ordinary worldly thoughts stop and tempt you in this matter, because of which most people remain unrepentant and careless, then again contrast them with the image of the Last Judgment - and the temptations will disappear.
Will all human affairs be examined at the Last Judgment?
For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his deed (Matthew 16:27); Every person's work will be revealed: the day will reveal it, it will be revealed by fire: and everyone's work, as it is, will be tested by fire (1 Cor. 3:13); for God will bring all creation into judgment for every sin, whether good or evil (Eccl. 12:14). After these he will rise up and repay them, and repay their reward upon their heads (Sir. 17:19). Do not think that when I speak about the trial, I instill false fear, like nurses who, in order to keep children from crying, are in the habit of frightening them with fictitious stories. The doctrine that speaks about judgment is not false. So, be sure that all the deeds you have done throughout your life will be investigated.
Who should fear the Last Judgment more?
The Last Judgment should be feared more by those who do not experience punishment here for their sins. This impunity and God's long-suffering in the future judgment will increase their punishment.
Will our future life be better than our present one?
Our future life will be incomparably more excellent than our present one.
“The force that sustains the life of the soul will not be a combination of anything solid or liquid, but the knowledge of the Divine nature, communication with the true and Holy Spirit. There are neither the sorrows of orphanhood, nor the misfortunes of widowhood, nor those various diseases that torment our body. There they do not envy the happy, they do not despise the unfortunate... There, in this people of souls, perfect justice of rights and laws and the highest peaceful freedom reigns; for there everyone has what he has prepared for himself here according to his own free will and choice. And if someone, through imprudence, has prepared for himself the worst instead of the best, death is not to blame; for everyone here has the power to choose for himself what he wants” (St. Gregory of Nyssa. Sermon on the future life).
How can you help the soul of the deceased?
We can bring joy to his soul through alms, prayers, and even more so through the Bloodless Sacrifice offered for him. Although the soul of the deceased is found in a temporary place where it is held for its sins, the prayers performed by the Church for the deceased can redeem it from debts, and we, sinners, can help those who have died.
I want to be buried with honors. Is this a sin?
Saint Theophilus foresaw his death and ordered the novice to bury him like this: tie him by the leg with a rope and drag him along the ground into a deep ravine. Before his death, he lay down on the floor, on the matting, and said: “I rejoice in you, Holy Angels, I rejoice in you, Most Holy Theotokos, I rejoice in you, all saints,” and he died. This example teaches us not to worry about luxurious funerals, but rather to try to do more good deeds during our lifetime.
Should St. sprinkle? the body and coffin of the deceased with water?
In the Orthodox burial rite we read: the priest (or if there is none, then a layman) sprinkles St. water the body of the deceased and his ark from the outside and from the inside and immediately puts (the body) into it.
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