On Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent, on the Revelation to the Holy Apostle Paul concerning the Departure of the Soul from the Body Sons of men, bless the Lord God without ceasing—every day, every night, and every hour. As the day passes and the sun sets, all the angels assigned to mankind—both men…
The holy fathers teach: think upon death, and thou shalt never sin. We must picture to ourselves what fate awaits the man who does not think about death, who does not prepare for it, who does not confess his sins or struggle against them. Once I had a conversation with a young Old Believer who…
In our time of constant spiritual deception and refined falsehood, it is exceedingly difficult for a person to discern the flood of so-called “prophecies” and “visions” pouring in from all sides. From the infernal depths suddenly arise all manner of seers and prophetesses. Frenzied lies and outright demonic delusions are passed off as truth. A…
“In the Holy Liturgy […] the entire Church, and Christ Himself as its Head, touches the soul of the departed. And there can be no ‘touch’ more powerful, one that stirs the soul with longing to ascend into the mountains of the Lord, and thereby to be drawn forth from the ‘mines of the devil’…
“Brethren, I would not have you ignorant concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”— Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians Holy Tradition designates specific days that are to be especially devoted to the remembrance of the departed. Chief among these are the third, ninth,…
The memorial meal has today become an obligatory part of funerals and commemorative days. Where did it come from, and how should it be properly organized? In olden times, the custom of feeding the poor was widespread. This was done especially often in memory of the departed. Once a form of almsgiving, memorial meals today…
When should memorial meals for the deceased be held? How should they be organized? Is it sufficient to simply host a memorial meal, or must commemoration also be ordered in the church? How should a memorial meal be conducted properly? The commemoration of the deceased is typically observed on the 3rd, 9th, and 40th days…
The death of a loved one is a time to reflect on the meaning and ideals that govern our lives. Are we doing all we can to approach the end of our own life with dignity? Do we live for God and for the good of our neighbors, or is our personal comfort more important…
In His parable about the Last Judgment, the Lord Jesus Christ explains the purpose of hell. To those who failed to show mercy to “one of the least of His brethren,” the Lord will say: “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did…
From time immemorial, this question has deeply troubled humanity—a question about which A. S. Pushkin poetically remarked: “And the grave’s fateful secrets…” “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” These words of God, spoken to Adam after his fall into sin, determined the mortality of all “born of Adam.” Bodily death is a…