The zealous ascetics by their God-pleasing labors and intense prayer were granted the gift of wonderworking by God. Saint Theophylactus, a gifted disciple of Saint Tarasius, with the blessing of the Patriarch, went to a monastery on the coast of the Black Sea with Saint Michael (May 23). A relatively peaceful time began for the Church, and monasteries again began to fill with monks. Under the supervision of the new Patriarch the Seventh Ecumenical Council (787) was convened to condemn the Iconoclast heresy. At that time, he was an eminent imperial counselor. Saint Tarasius (February 25) was chosen in his place. At the same time, the holy Patriarch Paul (August 30), not having the strength to continue guiding the flock in the face of iconoclasm, voluntarily resigned his office (784). After the death of the iconoclast emperor Leo IV the Khazar (775-780), Emperor Constantine VI (780-797) ascended the throne. Saint Theophylactus lived at Constantinople in the eighth century during the time of the Iconoclast heresy. Saint John Chrysostom, Saint Gregory the Theologian, and other patristic writers concur with Saint Basil’s statement.īy praying for others, we bring benefit to them, and also to ourselves, because “God is not so unjust as to forget your work and the love which you showed for His sake in serving the saints.” (Heb. Saint Basil the Great points out that the time for repentance and forgiveness of sins is during the present life, while the future life is a time for righteous judgment and retribution (Moralia 1). It is not possible, however, for the Church’s prayer to transfer a soul from a state of evil and condemnation to a state of holiness and blessedness. Although both the righteous and those who have not repented and corrected themselves may receive benefit and consolation from the Church’s prayer, it has not been revealed to what extent the unrighteous can receive this solace. The holy Fathers also testify to the benefit of offering prayers, memorial services, Liturgies, and alms for the dead (Saint John Chrysostom, Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, Saint John of Damascus, etc.). Saint Cyprian of Carthage (Letter 37) also speaks of our duty to remember the martyrs. Saint John Chrysostom mentions the service for the dead in one of his homilies on Philippians, and says that it was established by the Apostles. It also contains a beautiful prayer for the departed, asking that their voluntary and involuntary sins be pardoned, that they be given rest with the Patriarchs, Prophets, and Apostles in a place where sorrow, suffering, and sighing have fled away (Isaiah 35:10). Chapter 8 of the Apostolic Constitutions recommends memorial services with Psalms for the dead. ![]() Memorial services for the dead may be traced back to ancient times. The angel who spoke to Cornelius testifies to the efficacy of almsgiving, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God” (Acts 10:4). It is customary to give alms in memory of the dead in addition to the prayers we offer for their souls. As Saint Simeon of Thessalonica (September 15) says, man is also a seed which is planted in the ground after death, and will be raised up again by God’s power. The kollyva reminds us of the Lord’s words, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24).The kollyva symbolizes the future resurrection of all the dead. In addition to the Liturgy, kollyva (wheat or rice cooked with honey and mixed with raisins, figs, nuts, sesame, etc.) is blessed in church on these Saturdays. Since the Divine Liturgy cannot be served on weekdays during Great Lent, the second, third, and fourth Saturdays of the Fast are appointed as Soul Saturdays when the departed are remembered at Liturgy. Saturday is the day which the Church has set aside for the commemoration of faithful Orthodox Christians departed this life in the hope of resurrection to eternal life. Lives of the Saints / Lives of all saints commemorated on March 8Ģnd Saturday of Great Lent: Memorial Saturday Work of the Church Liturgical Music & Texts, News, Media, Reflections, Publications.Directories Dioceses, Parishes, Clergy, Monasteries, Seminaries.The Orthodox Faith Feasts & Saints, Readings, Q&A, Prayers.Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America.About the OCA Holy Synod, Administration, Organizations, Archives.
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