When Can One Have A Memorial Service In The Greek Churcg

This post highlights funeral practices of the Greek Orthodox Church in general. The bodily practices of individual families and congregations may vary.

Greek Orthodox and Other Orthodox Churches

Greek Orthodox funeral traditions take a number of similarities to other Orthodox sects, as well as some meaning differences. Other Orthodox Churches include: Antiochian Orthodox, Carpatho-Russian Orthodox, Romanaian Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Serbian Orthodox, and Ukranian Orthodox. The total number of Orthodox adherents in the US is estimated at almost 4.two million.

Cremation is frowned upon by the Church building and can be a cause to deny property an Orthodox funeral. A wake or viewing may be held at the mortuary the night before the funeral — an appropriate time for eulogies by family or friends, and a priest may hold a Trisagion Service, which includes the singing of hymns and a homily. The body is usually viewed during the funeral.

The Greek Orthodox funeral ceremony is typically held in a church, commonly within ii to three days of the death (tin can be up to one week after). The ceremony can last xxx to sixty minutes, and is not function of a larger service. The priest will lead the Trisagion Service, and several books may be used, including The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. The casket is open up throughout the service with a procession passing the catafalque to pay last respects to the deceased. Greek Orthodox volition not schedule a funeral on a Sunday or on Holy Saturday.

In other Orthodox churches, the officiants at a funeral include a bishop and/or priest, and the deacon, subdeacon, and altar server, all of whom assist the bishop or priest. In most Orthodox churches, only officiating bishops and priests employ a text at a funeral ceremony.

In the American Carpatho-Russian Church, the Eucharistic liturgy is often celebrated in add-on to the funeral service at the discretion of the family, a anniversary of up to ninety minutes. If there is a Eucharistic liturgy celebrated at a funeral, guests who are not Orthodox exercise not partake in Holy Communion.

When viewing the body, which is optional simply often expected, approach and pause briefly in front of the casket. A Christian might as well cross himself or herself and kiss the cross or icon resting on the casket. Greek Orthodox adherents traditionally bow earlier the casket and buss an icon or a cantankerous placed on the chest of the deceased.

Traditional Greek Orthodox greetings to the bereaved family are: "May you have an abundant life," "Memory eternal," and "May their memory exist eternal." Antiochian Orthodox expressions of sympathy include "May God give you the strength to comport your loss," and "May his [or her] memory be eternal."

At graveside, there is a cursory prayer anniversary. The officiating priest or bishop usually puts soil on top of the casket formed in the shape of a cross and each person present places i bloom on the casket or spreads the soil. The flowers usually come from those sent to the church for the funeral and then conveyed to the cemetery with the casket.

It is appropriate to briefly visit the bereaved at home afterward the funeral. Religious objects that a visitor may meet there are icons (two-dimensional artistic images of saints), a lighted candle, and called-for incense.

A "Repast of Mercy," as well called a makaria, is provided by members of the family unit or the deceased's congregation. This reception may exist held in the church hall, a restaurant, or the dwelling house of the deceased presently afterward the burial. Antiochian Orthodox Church funeral receptions ordinarily characteristic coffee, pastries, and/or fruit.

The bereaved usually stays at home from work for ane week. In some cases, widows may avoid social events for a full year. Mourners commonly avert social gatherings for the first xl days after the death and may also clothing only black vesture during that time period. Greek Orthodox widows may wear black up to two years. A memorial service is held on the Sun closest to the fortieth day after the decease. A memorial service is then held annually on the anniversary of the expiry.

Father Conan Gill with the St. George Greek Orthodox Church did an interview on A Proficient Goodbye Radio where he talked these and many other aspects of the church'south funeral traditions. Click to download a costless podcast MP3 file of the interview.

You can read a description of a Trisagion Service and Greek Orthodox funeral in the 30 Funerals in 30 Days postal service nigh Angelo James Gineris or take a peek at this report from this funeral.

Further information:

Do's and Don'ts: Sign the invitee book. Ushers volition advise where to sit down. If arriving late, enter quietly. Information technology is not appropriate to accept pictures or record the service (both audio and video). Stand when the congregation stands upwardly and pay your respects to the bereaved family unit. When viewing the torso, which is optional, approach and intermission briefly in front of the catafalque. Greek Orthodox traditionally bow before the catafalque and osculation an icon or a cross placed on the chest of the deceased. Limited your condolences to the family. It is advisable to briefly visit the bereaved at home after the funeral.

Gifts: Upon learning almost the death, telephone, ship a card, or visit the family to offering condolences. Traditional Greek Orthodox sayings are "May you have an abundant life" and "May their retention be eternal." Flowers may be sent, or the family may propose memorial contributions be made in lieu of flowers. It is not appropriate to transport food.

Notes: Funerals may not exist scheduled on a Lord's day or on Holy Sabbatum.

This information is included in A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don't Programme to Die by Gail Rubin, writer of The Family unit Plot Blog. The book, which includes funeral traditions for many major faiths, is available in impress and ebook formats at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and at AGoodGoodbye.com.

Please mail a comment to permit me know if yous find this information helpful, or if in that location are specific details you were looking for that this post did non address.

When Can One Have A Memorial Service In The Greek Churcg,

Source: https://agoodgoodbye.com/religious-traditions/greek-orthodox-funeral-traditions/

Posted by: stephenscarn1954.blogspot.com

Share this post