For believers, church services and ceremonies are important throughout life. At the birth of a child, they baptize, as if entrusting their fate to the hands of the Lord. Then follows the first communion. Further, when a person becomes an adult and creates a family, - a wedding. In order to be cleansed from sins, he confesses. To maintain health, he orders appropriate prayers. And the last way the churchly people go with the parting words of the priest, who gathered them together and who serves as a memorial service for them.
Meaning of the word
For those who do not know, a requiem - what is it, we explain.
This is an all-night service for a deceased person. That is, a service that lasts during the night and goes into the matins, or funeral morning service. It should be noted, explaining what the requiem is, that this is a rite characteristic of Orthodoxy. In Catholicism and Protestant denominations it is not committed. True, as priests explain, at home, in a private (private) order, you can pray for a Gentile, read psalms. In the temple, for those introduced, there is no requiem. What does this mean for the deceased? If he is not led on the last journey according to his religion, then he will appear before his Creator without a funeral service. For people of faith, such a death is a great tragedy, for prayers for a sinful soul are extremely important. In addition to the church, there is a civil requiem. What is it - we will state below.
Types of Church Services
The first of the requiem services is performed on a body that has just died — before it is buried in the ground. The next is held on the third day after his departure to another world. Then to the 9th, 40th. Next is the first and subsequent anniversaries of death, birthdays and name days - they also order a requiem in the church. What does this mean: for each deceased on the day of his saint, service is sure to rule. In addition to the individual, there are general funeral services - they are called Ecumenical. These are traditional days when all the dead are remembered. For example, Parent Saturday. The funeral service for the deceased has another, historical church name: funeral service. It is performed at home, when a priest comes specially on call, both in the church and in the cemetery.
Civil funeral service
This is an official ceremony, not related to the spiritual realms. Such a requiem for the deceased is usually done for dignitaries, heads of state or famous, distinguished personalities. Funeral speeches are made at the funeral of famous actors, writers, musicians and other representatives of the cultural elite, prominent politicians, military leaders, followed by long processions. A memorial service may include a guard of honor, mourning rallies, the obligatory laying of wreaths and bouquets, and a solemn salute. Sometimes such actions develop into manifestations, political actions, if the deceased was a member of an informal or dissident organization. In this regard, the civil funeral service is fundamentally different from the church. True, in some cases, both rituals can be combined.
The structure of the Old Russian funeral service
Service for peace during its existence has undergone a number of structural changes.
- Initially, in the era of Ancient Rus, Byzantine canons and rules were a model for worship. At that time, it began around the first half of the night and included:
- Litany (words calling for prayer, containing a series of petitions and glorification of the Lord).
- 3 antiphons (choir chants, symbolizing the voices of angels, also glorifying the Most High).
- 5 special prayers. Such a succession has existed in Russian Christianity since about the 8th century. The song service for the repose was often held in the name of the holy martyrs, especially in the places of their repose. This determined which saints should be prayed on a particular day. Subsequently, the rite was postponed in time to the second half of the night. Some funeral services were reduced to the general commemoration of the deceased, others - to the paraclises.
Memorial service in Orthodoxy
Later, already in Russian Orthodoxy, there was its own regulation of the funeral service. Initially, the Charter prescribed that it be held on Trinity Saturday (before the holy holiday) and another Saturday, called "meaty". Then such memorial services were called "Ecumenical." These include now, in addition to the dates already listed, the service of Dmitriyev’s Saturday, the requiem for the Saturdays of the second, third and fourth Lenten weeks, on Radonitsa (Fomin, Monday and Tuesday) and on Saturday before the Protection.
At this time, it was customary to remember relatives and friends, all brothers and sisters of faith and those Christians who were overtaken by sudden death, who were not buried in time. Then it was decided to hold funeral services for the deceased before his intermission and then on certain days and anniversaries.
The order of the service was recorded in the Trekhnik, Psalter, Oktoikha and “Follow the departed” specially designed for this purpose. It also contains instructions on how to pray to saints, what spiritual texts to read.
An ordinary requiem consists of funeral matins (main part) and lithium (imprisonment). On the table with a crucifix and candles, before which the ritual is performed, put kutia (it is also called coliva). This food after the rite is eaten at the commemoration of all those gathered. A litia is read when the deceased is taken out of the house or other premises where he was located, as well as when he is brought to the narthex of the church, after the funeral procession returns from the cemetery, etc. The last hymn of the requiem is “Eternal memory”. The song is sung by everyone who is present at the service. If a person died in Great Lent, only lithium is served according to him.
Rite Cost
Suppose you need a requiem for deceased loved ones. "How much is the rite?" - The question is quite relevant and not at all idle. Naturally, there is no single tariff, but each parish has its own prices. They should be consulted in advance with the clergymen whom you are going to turn to demand. For example, just a memorial note, that is, a proskomid, can cost from 10 rubles and more; the cost of magpies starts from one hundred rubles, only memorial services cost the same, and the funeral service is about 500. In different churches, these figures can range from 50-100 rubles.
What is a requiem for?
What is the role of the hymn of the requiem, prayers during it, and in general, why the dead man all this rite? Firstly, it makes it easier for the soul to transition from one state to another, from being in the body to incorporeal. When they pray for the deceased, give alms and donations, this is a kind of intercession for his soul before the Almighty. And the more merciful deeds will be performed and prayers read, the more reason for the many sins of the deceased to be forgiven him.
This is the story of the lives of the saints and is spoken of in Scripture. As the Church teaches, in the first and second days after death the soul is accompanied by an angel sent after it, with whom it travels to places that were dear to the deceased. She recalls a lost life and is touched by some events, repents for others. On the third day, the soul must appear before God in order to worship Him. This is a very important and crucial moment, because a requiem is necessarily held for him. She is the first intercession for the sinners that we all are. From the third to the ninth days, the soul is in contemplation of the paradise monastery, enjoying its beauty and the benefits that promise to stay in it. And on the 9th, she again goes to God for worship. Therefore, the next requiem is timed to coincide with this date, at which they intensively pray for the forgiveness of the soul and that it be left in paradise with other holy souls.
The next seat of the soul of the deceased is on the threshold of hell, where it sees with shudder the torment of sinners. On the fortieth day, she appeared for the third time before the throne of the Lord. And the requiem for 40 days is of particular strength, because the fate of the repentant soul is decided depending on her lifetime activities. And prayers, commemoration for the deceased soften God's sentence and can even fully justify another person who has departed into the world.
Symbolism of numbers
How to order a memorial service? You can learn about this from the priest in the temple. They will explain to you in detail what needs to be done, to whom to contact, etc. We will again return to the symbolism of numbers. A three-day requiem is also performed in honor of the Resurrection of Christ and the Holy Trinity. Nine-day - for the glorification of 9
angelic ranks who are asking the Heavenly King for mercy. A memorial service on the 40th day is served in memory of the forty-day Jewish cry according to Moses; about fasting of the same duration, after which Moses was honored to speak with God and received the tablets from Him; the 40-year walk of Jews in the desert; about the ascension of Jesus Christ to heaven after he died, rose again and was another 40 days with his disciples on earth. That is why the Christian Orthodox Church advises to commemorate the departed on the 40th day so that their souls can ascend to Heavenly Sinai, contemplate our Father, achieve the bliss promised by the Almighty and remain in paradise among the righteous. Therefore, it is so important that on each of the indicated days the relatives of the deceased order a service and submit a memorial note. Memorial service and liturgy are very useful for souls.
Regulation of the action of the 1st part
Let us now consider in detail the substantial side of the rite. Its usual rules are as follows. With an exclamation “Our God is always blessed, now, and forever, and forever and ever”, a requiem begins. Its text is unchanged for many centuries. Then the priest and all those present three times read the main prayer of the faithful - “Our Father”. Next, a twelve-fold repetition of the exclamation “Lord, have mercy!”, The Orthodox prayers “Glory to this day”, “Come and worship”. Next is read the most important psalm for all Christians, Psalm 90, more known by its first line: “Living in help ...”. It is comforting for everyone who lives with God in the heart, as he paints a picture of the soul’s happy transition from earthly trials to an eternal joyful and carefree life in heaven, next to the Creator.
Through the image of fantastic monsters, aspids and dragons, the psalm allegorically reflects the obstacles that stand in the way of the deceased for his rapprochement with the Heavenly Father. However, the Lord does not leave His children alone, supporting them in all trials, including these. This psalm, as it were, forms the basis of the service. Memorial services are not complete without him, because the essence of the ritual is deeply reflected in this work.
Then, in the sequel, the litany “Let us pray to the Lord for peace” sounds. The father reads petitions - ordinary and about the dead. The first of the petitions is for the remission (forgiveness) of sins. After all, it is they who can not let the soul into paradise, but prepare it for eternal torment. The petition ends with an exclamation: “Let us pray to the Lord!” The second petition is about the sick, the weak, the mourning, hungering for comfort. It ends with the traditional appeal of praying to God that He will relieve all misfortunes and pains, send the light of hope and encouragement. The third petition is about the soul of the deceased, so that the Lord would send it to the "places of evil", where all the righteous abide. It ends with the same “Lord's Pray” and the praise of the Holy Trinity. The litany ends with the performance of Hallelujah. The chants of the requiem, such as the troparion “Pigeon Wisdom,” complete this part.
Regulation of the action of the 2nd part
Next they sing the troparion “About the Immaculate”, in the refrain of which there are such words: “Blessed be, Lord, God ...”. Then they utter a new litany - the memorial - and sing "Peace, Savior ...". After that, the priest reads the 50th psalm and sings the canon with his servants. Between its parts (after songs 3, 6, 9) small litanies read the memorials. The kondak “With the saints repose” and the ikos “Itself is One ...” should sound. Lithium is the final part of the requiem. It begins with the reading of the “Trisagion”, continues with a troparion of 4 voices “From the spirits of the righteous”, litany “Have mercy on us” and the chant of “Eternal memory”.
Parastas
This is the name of the great requiem. During the service, the choir sings “Immaculate” and the whole canon. The word "parastasis" is translated from ancient Greek as "intercession". And it’s great because prayers are held for all deceased Christians. The service begins on Friday evening and continues at night (all-night service) on parental Saturdays. Such a memorial service consists of a traditional beginning, a great litany, troparia, kafizsa of the 17th, 50th psalm, canon and small ministry.
Graveyard funeral service
How is the funeral service in the cemetery? In carrying out the ritual has its own characteristics. First of all, the difference is that lithium, that is, part of the requiem, is performed at the grave. The reason for this lies in the nature of the service itself. A funeral matinee should be held in the church, since there is the holy throne, a table with a crucifix and other necessary objects of worship. It begins with “Blessed be God”, at the end of which all those present and singers say: “Amen.” Then “Our Father” is read three times and the troparia (requiem) “With the spirits of the righteous” is sung.
This is followed by the actual memorial litany, the exclamation “Glory to you, Christ ...” and let go when the clergy present three times exclaim “Eternal memory ...”. At the very end of the ceremony, quietly pronouncing, “May God please ...” This is a very important prayer that unites all believers, living and dead, into one whole in the bosom of the Holy Church in the face of the Lord. Kutia for such a lithium is usually not brought. An exception may be Friday funeral services, more solemn and therefore stand out especially.
Memorial Notes
In churches, it is customary to submit notes for remembrance, but this applies only to those who were baptized, that is, they belong to Orthodoxy. It should be written cleanly and accurately, legibly, so that the priest reads everything correctly. What exactly should the note look like? A memorial service is served for those deceased, who are represented as follows:
- The name must be written in the genitive case (whom? - Anne).
- The form of the name must be complete, not abbreviated or diminutive. It concerns not only adults, but also deceased children. Therefore, they indicate: not Dima, but Demetrius.
- Be sure to find out the church version of secular, secular names. For example, Yegor’s spiritual counterpart is George, and Polina’s is the Appolinaria.
- If in the note we are talking about a child, then until the age of 7 he is recorded as “baby”, then, until 15, he is a lad (lad).
- Surnames and patronymics, citizenship, rank, nationality or degree of kinship are not indicated in the memorial notes.
- It can be noted how long a person left this world. It is necessary to write “newly deceased”, if 40 days have not passed yet, “deceased” - at a later date. The term “memorable” is used if the deceased has a memorable date on that day.
- The notes do not mention those recognized by the Church as saints. In the notes "on repose," anyone can write not only the names of their blood relatives, but also their deceased friends, teachers, and dear people in general.
Death anniversary
As already indicated, the deceased must be remembered not only on the 3rd, 9th, 40th days after death, but also on the anniversary and other important dates. All of them are an excellent occasion for a memorial prayer, a much-needed soul of a person. This is the invaluable help that "from here" can be given to those living by another person who has gone into the world.
How is a memorial service commemorated on the anniversary of death? At the beginning of the service, you should come to church in the morning. Write a memorial note in advance, and hand it over to the candlestick in the temple. Typically, such notes are accepted at proscidia, mass, litanies. During the requiem, they are read out publicly. The deceased themselves are considered "memorable."
Having defended the service, you need to go to the cemetery, stay there, put flowers, and pray. Be sure to give alms, give food or clothing to the homeless. Indeed, good deeds done in the name of a person are, as the church teaches, a good help to the soul. Then remember the deceased at the meal. Before eating, you need to read "Our Father" or the psalm of the 90th.
Magpies
A requiem for 40 days is considered very important. She must be ordered (or magpie) and pay the money. According to one legend, the soul leaves the earth that day, goes forever to another world to wait for the day of judgment. According to others, on the contrary, she briefly returns to people to say goodbye and part forever with those who were once dear. Prayers, requiem and magpie are extremely important right now, as they can determine the place where the soul is forever. The Church considers it extremely useful to order the Indestructible Psalter before this deadline. Rituals in the church are held routinely.
After the main service, ask for a memorial service. You can order lithium at the cemetery. Memorial notes are served, graves are visited, treats are organized. Or do Christians act like this: on the eve of an important day they order a memorial service in the church during the Liturgy, they pay requiem for the fortieth themselves, read the hymnal in the afternoon, and make the memorial service in the evening. The day should be spent sedately, in conversations and memories of for whom everything is done. Without observing these rituals, the soul is very difficult in its new abode. Therefore, it is impossible for the living to deny the dead through the Lord.