Funeral service - what is it? A requiem for the deceased. Memorial service at the cemetery

For religious people, church services and rituals are important throughout life. At birth, the child is baptized, as if entrusting his fate into the hands of the Lord. Then comes the first communion. Further, when a person becomes an adult and creates a family, - a wedding. To be cleansed from sins, he confesses. To maintain health, order appropriate prayer services. And in the last way, the people who have been drawn into the church go also with the parting words of the priest who gathered them and served them a requiem.

Meaning of the word

For those who do not know the requiem - what it is, we will explain. This is the all-night vigil for the deceased person. That is, a service that lasts for the night and goes into matins, or a funeral morning service. It should be noted, explaining what a funeral service is, that it is a ritual, characteristic for Orthodoxy. In Catholicism and Protestant denominations it is not committed. True, as the priests explain, at home, in a private (cell) order, you can pray for a non-believer, read the psalms. In the temple, for such presenters, a requiem is not held. What does this mean for the deceased? If he is not held in the last path according to his religion, he will appear before his Creator without burial service. For people of believers, such death is a great tragedy, for prayers for a sinful soul are extremely important. In addition to the church, there is a civil funeral service. What is it will be stated below.

Types of church funeral services

The first of the funeral services is performed over the body that has just died - before it is buried in the ground. The next one is held on the third day after his departure to another world. Then on the 9th, 40th. Next is the first and subsequent anniversaries of death, birthdays and name-days - they are also being ordered in the church requiem. What is meant by this: for each deceased on the day of his saint, the service must be governed. In addition to individual, there are also general funeral services - they are called Ecumenical. These are the traditional days when all the dead are commemorated. For example, Parental Saturday. The requiem for the deceased has one more, the historical church name: funeral rites. It is also performed at home, when the priest comes specially on a call, both in the church and in the cemetery.

Civil funeral service

This is an official solemn ceremony, not related to the spiritual spheres. Such a memorial service for the deceased is usually done for high-ranking officials, heads of state or famous, celebrated personalities. At the funeral of famous actors, writers, musicians and other representatives of the cultural elite, prominent politicians and military leaders, farewell speeches are spoken, followed by long processions behind the coffin. A civil funeral service can include an honor guard, mourning rallies, the obligatory laying of wreaths and bouquets, a solemn salute. Sometimes such actions develop into manifestations, political actions, if the deceased was a member of some informal or dissident organization. In this regard, the civil funeral service radically differs from the church service. True, in some cases, both rituals can be combined.

Structure of the Old Russian funeral service

Service for the repose during its existence has undergone a number of structural changes.

1. Originally, in the era of Ancient Rus, the sample for worship was the Byzantine canons and rules. At that time it began around the first half of the night and included:

• Litany (words that call for prayer, containing a number of petitions and glorification of the Lord).
• 3 antiphones (chants of the choir, symbolizing the voices of angels, also glorifying the Most High).
• 5 special prayers. This ritual examination existed in Russian Christianity from about the 8th century. Song service for the repose was often held in the name-day of the holy martyrs, especially in places of their repose. This determined which saints should be prayed on a particular day. Subsequently, the rite was transferred in time for the second half of the night. Separate requiems were reduced to a general commemoration of the deceased, others - to the paraklisis.

The requiem in Orthodoxy

Later, already in Russian Orthodoxy, there was a schedule for the departure of the requiem. At first, the Charter ordered her to be held on Holy Trinity Saturday (before the holy feast) and on another Saturday, called "meat-eating". Then such requiems were called "Ecumenical". These include, in addition to the already listed dates, the services of the Dmitrievskaya Sabbath, the requiem for the Sabbaths of the second, third and fourth Lenten weeks, Radonitsa (Fomin Monday and Tuesday) and Saturday before the Pokrov.

At this time it was customary to commemorate relatives and friends, all brothers and sisters by faith and those Christians who were overtaken by sudden death, who were not on time. At the same time, a decision was taken to hold memorial services for the deceased before his betrayal of the land and then on certain days and anniversaries.

The order of the service was recorded in specially for this intended Trebnik, Psalter, Oktochie and "Follow the Dead". There, too, there are prescriptions about which saints to pray, what spiritual texts to read.

An ordinary requiem consists of funeral matins (main part) and lithium (conclusion). On the table with the crucifix and candles, before which the ritual is performed, put kutya (it is also called kolivom). This food after the rite is eaten for remembrance of all gathered. Lithium is read when the deceased is taken out of the house or other room where he was, as well as when he was brought into the porch of the church, after the funeral procession was returned from the cemetery, etc. The last hymn of the funeral service is "Eternal Memory". The song is sung by all who are present at the service. If a person died in Lent, only lithium is served by him.

Cost of the Rite

Suppose you need a deceased loved one for a requiem. "How much is the rite worth?" - the question is quite urgent and not idle at all. Naturally, there is no single tariff, and each parish has its own prices. They should be handled in advance by the clergymen you are going to contact with the treasure. For example, just a memorial note, that is, a proskomedia, can cost 10 rubles or more; The cost of sorokousty starts from one hundred rubles, only requiems cost the same, and the funeral service - about 500. In different temples, these figures can fluctuate within 50-100 rubles.

What is a requiem for?

What is the role played by the hymns of the requiem, prayers during it and in general, for what is the deceased person all this rite? First, it facilitates the soul transition from one state to another, from being in the body to incorporeity. When they pray for the deceased, give alms and donations, this is a kind of petition for his soul before the Most High. And the more compassionate deeds will be accomplished and the prayers read, the more grounds for the 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, on the first and second days after death, the soul is accompanied by an angel sent for her, along with whom she travels to places that were dear to the deceased. She remembers the lost life and is touched by one event, repents for others. On the third day the soul must appear before God to worship Him. This is a very important and responsible moment, therefore, a requiem is necessarily held for him. It is the first petition for sinners, of whom we are all. From the third to the ninth days the soul is in contemplation of the paradise monastery, enjoying its beauty and blessings, which promises to stay in it. And on the 9th she again goes to God to worship. Therefore, it is to this date that the next requiem is timed, on which they pray intensely 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 in the vestibules of hell, where she sees with shudder the torments of sinners. On the fortieth day, she appears for the third time before the throne of the Lord. And a special funeral is held for 40 days, after all, the fate of the deceased soul is decided, depending on its lifetime affairs. And prayers, remembrance for the deceased soften God's sentence and can even fully justify the departed person into the world.

Numeral symbols

How to order a funeral service? This can be learned from the priest in the temple. You will be explained in detail what to do, who to contact, etc. We will again return to the symbolism of the figures. A three-day memorial service is also performed in honor of the Resurrection of Christ and the Holy Trinity. Nine-day - for the glorification of 9 angelic ranks, who before the King of heaven ask for pardon of the sinner. A funeral service on the 40th day is served in memory of the forty-day crying of the Jews according to Moses; On the fast of the same duration, after which Moses was honored to speak with God and received the tablets from Him; About the 40-year walk of the Jews in the desert; About the ascension of Jesus Christ to heaven after he died, rose again and 40 more days with his disciples on earth. That is why the Christian Orthodox Church advises us to commemorate the dead on the 40th day so that their souls can ascend to Heavenly Sinai, contemplate our Father, reach the bliss promised to the Almighty and remain in the heavenly tabernacles among the righteous. Therefore, it is so important that on each of these days the family of the deceased be ordered to serve, a memorial note was given. A funeral service and a liturgy are very useful to souls.

Regulations of the action of the 1st part

Let us now examine in detail the content of the rite. The usual rules are as follows. With the cry "Blessed is always our God, now, and ever, and forever and ever" begins a requiem. Its text has not changed for many centuries. Then the priest and all those present three times read the main prayer of the faithful - "Our Father". After a twelve-fold repetition of the cry "Lord, have mercy!", Orthodox prayers "Glory and now", "Come and worship." Further, the most important for all Christians psalm number 90, known more on the first line of his: "Alive in help ...". He is comforting to all who live with God in the heart, as he paints a picture of the happy transition of the soul from earthly ordeals to an eternal joyous and carefree life in heaven, next to the Creator.

Through the image of fantastic monsters, aspids and dragons, the psalm allegorically reflects the barriers 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 in these. This psalm forms the basis of the service. Funeral services can not do without him, for the essence of the ritual is deeply reflected in this work.

Then the eulogy sounds "Follow the Lord to the Lord." Father reads petitions - ordinary and about the deceased. The first of the petitions is about the forgiveness of sins. After all, they can not let the soul into paradise, and prepare for it eternal torment. The petition ends with an exclamation: "Let us pray to the Lord!" The second petition is about the sick, the weak, the grieving, thirsting for consolation. It ends with a traditional appeal to pray to God, that He delivered from all sorts of sorrows and pains, sent a light of hope and encouragement. The third petition is about the soul of the deceased, so that the Lord sends it to "the places of the cerebral", where all the righteous dwell. It ends with the same "We'll Pray to the Lord" and the glorification of the Holy Trinity. The litany ends with the execution of Hallelujah. Complete this part of the hymns of the requiem, as troparion "Dove wisdom."

Regulations of the second part

They are followed by a troparion "About the Immaculate", in the chorus of which there are such words: "Blessed are you, Lord ...". Then they say the new litany - the funeral - and they sing "Peace, Savior ...". After that, the priest reads the 50th psalm and sings with his servants the canon. Between its parts (after songs 3, 6, 9) read the small litanies of the funeral. Should sound kontakion "With the Saints of the Peace" and the icons "Sam Odin ...". Litiya is the final part of the requiem. It begins with the reading of the "Trisagion", continues with the tropic 4 voices "From the spirits of the righteous", the litany "Have mercy on us" and the hymn of "Eternal memory".

Parastas

This is the name of the great funeral service. During the service, the choir sings "Immaculate" and the whole canon. The word "parastas" is translated from ancient Greek as "petition." And it is great because prayer services are held for all deceased Christians. The service begins on Friday evening and continues at night (Vigil) on the parents' Saturdays. There is such a requiem from the traditional beginning, the great litany, the troparia, the kafizza of the 17th, the 50th psalm, the canon and the small ministry.

Cemetery requiem

How is the funeral service at the cemetery? In the conduct of the ritual, there are special features. First and foremost, the difference is that lithium is committed near the grave, that is, part of the requiem. The reason for this lies in the nature of the service itself. A funeral matinee should be held in the church, since there is a holy altar, a table with a crucifix and other necessary objects of worship. It begins with "Blessed God", at the end of which all present and singers say: "Amen." Then the "Our Father" is read thrice and the troparia (funeral) "From the spirits of the righteous" are sung.

After that, the requiem litany itself, the cry "Glory to You, Christ ..." and release, when the clergymen present three times exclaim "Eternal memory ...". At the very end of the ritual, "God bless and please ..." is quietly pronounced. This is a very important prayer that unites all believers, living and dead, into one in the bosom of the Holy Church in the face of the Lord. Kutia for such a lithium is usually not brought. The exception can be the Friday funeral services, more solemn and therefore allocated separately.

Notes on Remembrance

In churches it is customary to submit notes for commemoration, but it concerns only those who died, who were baptized, that is, they belong to Orthodoxy. Written it should be clean and neat, legible, so that the priest read everything correctly. How should the note look like? The requiem is served by those deceased, who are represented as follows:

• The name is necessarily written in the genitive case (whom? -Anna).
• The form of the name must be complete, not shortened or diminutive. It concerns not only adults, but also dead children. Because they say: not Dima, but Demetrius.
• It is necessary to learn the church version of secular, worldly names. For example, Yegor has a spiritual analogue of George, and Polina has Apollinaria.
• If the note is about a child, then until the 7th years it is written as "baby", then, up to 15, - the boy (the girl).
• Surnames and patronymics, citizenship, rank, nationality or degree of kinship in memorial notes are not specified.
• It can be noted how long ago a man left this world. Write "new" should be, if it has not been 40 days, "deceased" - at a later date. The term "ever-memorable" is used if the deceased person has a memorable date on the given day.
• The notes are not commemorated by those who are recognized as a saint by the Church. In the notes "about the repose" anyone can write not only the names of blood relatives, but also their deceased friends, teachers, in general, dear people.

Death anniversary

As already mentioned, to remember the deceased is needed not only on the 3rd, 9th, 40th days after death, but also on the anniversary, other important dates. All of them - an excellent occasion for the funeral prayer, so necessary for the human soul. This is the invaluable help that "from here" can be rendered by those who live in another person's world.

How is the funeral for the anniversary of death? At the beginning of the morning, you should go to church. In advance, write a memorial note, and in the temple pass it to the candlestick. Usually such notes are accepted on proskomidiyah, Mass, Litany. During the funeral service, they will be read into the audience. The deceased themselves are considered "ever-memorable".

Having defended the service, you need to go to the cemetery, stay there, put flowers, pray. Be sure to give alms, give food or clothes to the homeless. After all, good deeds done in the name of a person are, as the church teaches, a good help to the soul. Then, remember the deceased at the meal. Before eating, you need to read "Our Father" or Psalm 90.

Sorcerers

A funeral for 40 days is considered very important. It is necessary to order it (or sorokoust) and pay money. According to one belief, the soul leaves this day the earth, goes forever to another world to wait for the day of judgment. On the other hand, on the contrary, she briefly returns to people to say goodbye and leave forever with those who were once expensive. Prayers, requiem and sorokoust are extremely important right now, since they can determine the place where the soul is eternity. The Church considers it extremely useful before this date to order the Sleeping Psalter. Rites in the church are held according to the established order.

After the main service, ask for a requiem. You can order lithium at the cemetery. Memorial notes are given, graves are visited, and refreshments are organized. Or do Christians do the following: on the eve of an important day, they order a commemoration in the church during the Liturgy, they perform a memorial service for themselves, read a hymnal in the afternoon, and make a funeral in the evening. The day must be conducted in a sedate manner, in conversations and memories of who is doing it for whom. Without observing these rituals, the soul is very difficult in its new abode. Therefore, it is not possible for the living to deny the dead support through the Lord.