Christianity claims that after the death of a person only his physical shell disappears. Having left the body, the soul continues to exist in the invisible spiritual world and makes a certain path to God. Ultimately, she appears before God's Court, at which her future fate is determined. The most important are the 3rd, 9th and 40th days after the death. In this article we will talk about what happens to the soul on the 9th day after death.
Hard way
Orthodox clergy always emphasize that our information about the afterlife is limited and deeply symbolic. We cannot understand it to the end, leading earthly life, just as a child in the womb cannot imagine his future existence.
The Bible and other written sources are not intended to satisfy our idle curiosity. The information presented in them is stingy. Their goal is to point the way to salvation. It is known that for the first three days the soul is still attached to the body and is located near it and loved ones, or wanders around places important to it. Then the removal begins. The soul spends six days in paradise, getting used to the disembodied mode of existence and finding peace. Here she understands what divine goodness is.
What happens to the soul on day 9? A new frontier begins. The Christian ascends to God, after which he will have a guided tour of hell. The soul has to overcome ordeals, face its own sins. However, the righteous pass these trials and immediately fall into the kingdom of heaven. The rest of the souls appear only on the 40th day before God's Judgment. Then their further fate is decided.
9 day value
An ordinary person has many questions about what happens to the soul on day 9. This is the moment of a break with earthly life. After it comes a mysterious and difficult period, when angels and demons are fighting for the soul. But why did the all-merciful Lord allow unclean forces to block the dead person's path to Him?
There are many hypotheses, and no one really knows. However, the Church calls not to understand everything literally. Hell and paradise are not real spaces. Rather, it is a state of mind. A man who sincerely believes in God and lives according to His laws is in the kingdom of heaven. Moreover, it does not matter what actions he performed during his lifetime.
However, most people are prone to passions and selfish impulses. And in this state, they are not able to accept the Lord. Therefore, on day 9, the soul itself dooms itself to ordeals. No wonder it is said that the gates of hell are not locked outside, but from inside. Whether a dead person can repent or remain in hell forever depends on his mood.
How to help the soul?
People who have died a loved one, are often in grief. This is a natural state, but it must have a measure. The Church says that extreme despair is characteristic of those who do not believe in the immortality of the soul and the support of God. A dead person is already having a hard time. Sharp fears and regrets overcome the released soul after 9 days.
Wherever our departed relatives are, we can help them overcome a difficult frontier. To do this, you should sincerely forgive a person and ask for forgiveness yourself. The soul should be let go in peace, and not try to hold on. To alleviate her fate will help prayers and bright memories of the best qualities of the deceased. The church assures that in this way it is possible to protect a loved one and help him enter paradise faster.
We carry out the calculations
We found out what happens to the soul 9 days after death. At this time, she renounces her worldly life and indulges in the comprehension of committed sins. Special memorial rites are called upon to help her along this path. It is important not to make a mistake when calculating the day for them.
Countdown should be from the date of death. Remember that the calendar day starts at midnight and lasts until 23:59. To the date of death, you need to add the number 8 to find out the day of the Ninth. When there was a funeral, it does not matter.
However, during Lent, commemoration can be postponed if it falls on a weekday. According to the Church Charter, they will be held next Saturday. It is best to consult with a priest from the temple where you will order the service.
Memorial Services
The soul on the 9th day after death is captured by passions. In total, there are up to 20 species. If an ordinary person can cope with experiences, being distracted by various things, praying or fasting, then in the afterlife these methods are inaccessible. Substantial help is provided by the Christian commemoration performed by living people.
For 9 days it is customary to order a memorial service. For her, charity is brought to the Church in the form of products. This can be kutya, bakery products, fruits or vegetables, sugar, eggs, wine, cereals, flour, vegetable oil. It is forbidden to bring meat products. Also in the temple you can order the magpie, if this was not done earlier, and the reading of the Psalm for peace.
Collective prayer is enhanced by the burning of a candle. It is believed that this is how we illuminate the path of the soul in the afterlife. Candles for the repose are placed on a square table on the left side of the temple next to the image of the crucified Savior. Looking at the light, state the full name of the deceased and ask God to grant him tranquility.
freedom of choice
After 9 days, the human soul goes through ordeals and fights against temptations. But not every dead person can be prayed in the church to alleviate his fate. There are three categories of people for whom they do not order a requiem and for which they do not arrange funeral dinners. These are suicides, unbaptized people, and those who knowingly refused the funeral service. All of them, of their own free will, rejected God. This right was given to each of us by the Creator, and we must obey the choice of man.
It is not easy for relatives to make such a decision. To help a departed soul, the Church calls them to intensify domestic prayer, as well as to give alms. However, you can’t be deceived by indicating the names of the suicide in the notes or by hiding important facts from the priest. By this you only harm the dead.
Home prayer
Where the soul is after 9 days, we do not know for certain. In the afterlife there are no familiar spaces, and time can flow differently. In Christian literature it is said that demons experience the deceased, but angels are also nearby. Prayer of relatives also serves as support.
On a memorable day, a portrait of a deceased man framed by a mourning ribbon is put on a prominent place in the house. It is advisable to light a lamp or candle in front of it. Putting a glass of water covered with a piece of bread is optional. This rite is more likely to refer to paganism. Mirrors can also be left open. But it’s better to turn off the music and TV.
Sincerely pray for the deceased. All 40 days it is recommended to read the Psalter, especially 17 kathisma. Prayers for the dead are also found in any prayer book. It is permissible to choose words on your own or offer a silent prayer if you cannot speak because of tears. You can remember at home all loved ones, even if they were not baptized or intentionally took their lives.
Visit to the cemetery
The soul on the 9th day after death is far from earthly concerns. In the grave there is only a mortal body, to which the Church does not attach special importance. Therefore, a visit to the cemetery is not a prerequisite on this day. But often this ritual gives comfort to grieving relatives. To show respect to the deceased, dress modestly. Women should tie mourning shawls. Children under 12 years old are best left at home.
Fresh flowers are put on the grave: white for children and young people, burgundy - for the elderly. If a person died heroically, then a red bouquet is brought to him. There should be an even number of colors. It is also recommended to light a candle on the grave, but do not forget to extinguish it before leaving. Do not take vodka with you. The church believes that alcohol will only harm the soul.
At the cemetery you do not need to indulge in empty talk. Better to pray, ask the deceased forgiveness and forgive him for all your sins. Remember his good qualities and deeds. Do not complain and do not pour tears, this is how you prevent a loved one from resting in peace. On the way, hand out sweets or other sweets to people you meet so that they remember the deceased.
Preparing a funeral dinner
It is not necessary to consider traditional ceremonies a formality. The church insists that the blessed memory of the deceased facilitates the ordeal of the soul after 9 days. That is why it is customary to arrange funeral dinners. No one needs to be invited to the Ninths. Those who wish to honor the deceased come themselves. Usually these are close relatives, friends and colleagues. The more a person gathers, the easier it is for the soul to go to heaven.
The main dish is kutia. Boiled rice or wheat symbolizes the grains from which a new life will sprout (the coming Resurrection of all the dead). Sweet ingredients (honey, raisins) mean the bliss of the soul in paradise. Kutia can be sanctified in the Church or simply sprinkled with holy water. Also, compote or jelly, pancakes, sweet cakes are served on the table. It is better if the dishes are simple so as not to fall into the sin of gluttony. Alcohol at Orthodox commemoration is prohibited, as it can seriously harm the soul of the deceased.
Rules of behavior
When going to the commemoration, wear strict clothes, preferably black. Close relatives tie mourning scarves on the head. Frivolous conversations are unacceptable on this day. Criticism of the deceased is inappropriate and can significantly harm him. We should recall the Roman wisdom: "About the deceased, either good or nothing." Stories about the positive qualities of a departed person and his good deeds are welcome.
If after dinner there are dishes, they must be distributed to the poor, but in no case should be thrown away. The more people you treat that day, the better. You can buy sweets and distribute to everyone you meet with a request to remember the deceased.
Priests cannot say exactly what happens to the soul on the 9th day after death. However, the Church claims that death is not the ending, but the birth of a person for a new, spiritual life. All of us, both the living and the dead, are standing before God. He hears our appeal and is always ready to open his heart towards it. Through him, we ultimately defeat death.