Has a loved one committed suicide or died in separation from the Church?
Based on the godly counsel of Optina Elder Leonid:
Humble yourself before our merciful God.
Temper your sorrow and do not fall into despair.
Trust in God’s wisdom, omnipotence, goodness and compassion.
Without reservation, ask for God’s loving mercy for your loved one and for you. If God is “well-pleased to show mercy, then who shall oppose Him?”
The following is a model of a private prayer, based on the consolation given by Elder Leonid to one of his disciples after the disciple’s father committed suicide.
“Have mercy, O Lord, if it is possible, on the soul of Thy servant (name), departed to eternal life in separation from Thy Holy Orthodox Church! Unsearchable are Thy judgments, unfathomable are Thy mercies. Account not this my prayer as sin, but may Thy holy will be done!”
Based on the godly counsel of Optina Elder Leonid:
Humble yourself before our merciful God.
Temper your sorrow and do not fall into despair.
Trust in God’s wisdom, omnipotence, goodness and compassion.
Without reservation, ask for God’s loving mercy for your loved one and for you. If God is “well-pleased to show mercy, then who shall oppose Him?”
The following is a model of a private prayer, based on the consolation given by Elder Leonid to one of his disciples after the disciple’s father committed suicide.
“Have mercy, O Lord, if it is possible, on the soul of Thy servant (name), departed to eternal life in separation from Thy Holy Orthodox Church! Unsearchable are Thy judgments, unfathomable are Thy mercies. Account not this my prayer as sin, but may Thy holy will be done!”
[1/2] “Memory eternal!" is more than just a "shalom, good friend" farewell. It is, specifically, a prayer to God to remember this soul for eternity-- not that God needs a sticky note reminder from us-- but that God can indeed "forget" those who forget Him. And those that "forget" Him are without excuse-- since forgetting God is easily willed on the part of human beings.
Forgetfulness is not so easy on God's part, because forgetfulness is neglect. He is not neglectful of those He has fashioned in His image.
Forgetfulness is not so easy on God's part, because forgetfulness is neglect. He is not neglectful of those He has fashioned in His image.
[2/2] God is Love-- and He desires that not one of us should perish out of rejection of that Love. Yet, every one of our sins involves some degree of willful neglect of God, one drop at a time. It is the antithesis of what St Isaac of Syria says of God-directed good works. Even that "small but always persistent discipline is a great force... a soft drop falling persistently hollows out hard rock."
So, having "hollowed out" a life of forgetfulness when it comes to God, should we be surprised that that "forgetfulness" echoes back? That possibility of such an eternal event is exactly why we pray, "Memory eternal!" It is a plea of "God forbid that our loved one should be eternally forgotten," that his or her soul will never be the recipient of the divine declaration "I never knew you," (Matt. 7:23) We ask for our loved ones what the thief on the cross asked Christ: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42)
We are not simply pleading that the soul of the departed is spared eternal torment. We are praying that the departed keeps their personal and eternal identity with God, rather than nameless and "forgotten" by Him throughout eternity.
So, having "hollowed out" a life of forgetfulness when it comes to God, should we be surprised that that "forgetfulness" echoes back? That possibility of such an eternal event is exactly why we pray, "Memory eternal!" It is a plea of "God forbid that our loved one should be eternally forgotten," that his or her soul will never be the recipient of the divine declaration "I never knew you," (Matt. 7:23) We ask for our loved ones what the thief on the cross asked Christ: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42)
We are not simply pleading that the soul of the departed is spared eternal torment. We are praying that the departed keeps their personal and eternal identity with God, rather than nameless and "forgotten" by Him throughout eternity.
“We implore you, cover us with your holy veil (omophorion) and deliver us from all evil.”
The Feast of the Protection of The Theotokos (Oct 1/ Oct 14 and in the Greek tradition on Oct 28) commemorates the appearance of our holy Theotokos in the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople in the early sixth century,
as recorded in the life of Saint Andrew the Fool for Christ.
While the multitudes of the faithful were gathered in the church, Epiphanius, the friend of Saint Andrew, through the Saint's prayers, beheld our most Holy Lady Theotokos coming through the air, radiant with heavenly light and surrounded by an assembly of the Saints.
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The Feast of the Protection of The Theotokos (Oct 1/ Oct 14 and in the Greek tradition on Oct 28) commemorates the appearance of our holy Theotokos in the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople in the early sixth century,
as recorded in the life of Saint Andrew the Fool for Christ.
While the multitudes of the faithful were gathered in the church, Epiphanius, the friend of Saint Andrew, through the Saint's prayers, beheld our most Holy Lady Theotokos coming through the air, radiant with heavenly light and surrounded by an assembly of the Saints.
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St John the Baptist and the holy Apostle John the Theologian accompanied the Queen of Heaven above the faithful and spreading out her veil over them, signifying her unceasing protection of all Christians. Because of this, we keep a yearly feast of thanksgiving, beseeching our Lady never to cease sheltering us in her mighty prayers.
“Remember us in your prayers, O Lady Virgin Mother of God, that we not perish by the increase of our sins. Protect us from every evil and from grievous woes, for in you do we hope, and, venerating the Feast of your Protection, we magnify you.”
St John the Baptist and the holy Apostle John the Theologian accompanied the Queen of Heaven above the faithful and spreading out her veil over them, signifying her unceasing protection of all Christians. Because of this, we keep a yearly feast of thanksgiving, beseeching our Lady never to cease sheltering us in her mighty prayers.
“Remember us in your prayers, O Lady Virgin Mother of God, that we not perish by the increase of our sins. Protect us from every evil and from grievous woes, for in you do we hope, and, venerating the Feast of your Protection, we magnify you.”
"On the mountain lives an old monk, working out his salvation in prayer and seclusion. He is just the one to show Nikola the holiness in each moment."
Are your children reading Orthodox books? Dessi Jackson is a mother of six, an immigrant from Bulgaria, living in the countryside of Maryland, and she writes books about Saints that you and your children are likely to fall in love with. http://amzn.to/2sH8Itd
* Roses in the Snow: A Tale of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
* Saint Felix and the Spider
* The Saint and His Bees
* Nikola and the Monk
View all at http://amzn.to/2sH8Itd
Are your children reading Orthodox books? Dessi Jackson is a mother of six, an immigrant from Bulgaria, living in the countryside of Maryland, and she writes books about Saints that you and your children are likely to fall in love with. http://amzn.to/2sH8Itd
* Roses in the Snow: A Tale of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
* Saint Felix and the Spider
* The Saint and His Bees
* Nikola and the Monk
View all at http://amzn.to/2sH8Itd
“Grant me torrents of tears, O most pure one, to cleanse my soul from impurity. I offer the groans of my heart to thee unceasingly, strive for me, O Sovereign Lady. Accept my service of supplication and offer it to compassionate God. O thou who art above the angels, raise me above this world's confusion. O Light-bearing heavenly tabernacle, direct the grace of the Spirit in me. I raise my hands and lips in thy praise, defiled as they are by impurity, O all-immaculate one. Deliver me from soul-corrupting evils, and fervently intercede with Christ, to Whom is due honour and worship, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen."
Most Holy Theotokos, shelter us under your mantle.
Most Holy Theotokos, shelter us under your mantle.
“Thou didst enter the flame as it were a place a bloom with flowers…”
Saint Thecla the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles (Sept 24/ Oct 7) was taught by the Holy Apostle Paul. Her holy relics are at the monastery bearing her name in Maaloula, Syria, an ancient Christian village which came under attack in 2013 by ISIS-affiliated militants. Their attempt to burn down the entire monastery failed. Twelve nuns who were kidnapped were later released. Looted icons were eventually retrieved. Who can doubt the intercession of the Holy First-Martyress?
Icon photo credit: The Eastern Orthodox Church on Facebook
Saint Thecla the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles (Sept 24/ Oct 7) was taught by the Holy Apostle Paul. Her holy relics are at the monastery bearing her name in Maaloula, Syria, an ancient Christian village which came under attack in 2013 by ISIS-affiliated militants. Their attempt to burn down the entire monastery failed. Twelve nuns who were kidnapped were later released. Looted icons were eventually retrieved. Who can doubt the intercession of the Holy First-Martyress?
Icon photo credit: The Eastern Orthodox Church on Facebook