Why do Orthodox mourn for 40 days?
The observation of the fortieth day after death occurs in the Eastern Orthodox tradition. The rituals represent spiritual intercession on the part of the dead, who are believed to collectively await the Day of Judgment.
What do Greek Orthodox do when someone dies?
The funeral service, to take place at a funeral home or Greek Orthodox Church will include hymns, prayers, and readings from the bible. The priest may also offer a sermon and speak about the deceased. The casket will likely be open with a viewing of the deceased optional.
How long is the period of mourning?
The traditional period of mourning was nominally 3 years, but usually 25–27 lunar months in practice, and even shorter in the case of necessary officers; the emperor, for example, typically remained in seclusion for just 27 days.
What is the purpose of nine night?
The wake involved people staying awake all night mainly to offer emotional and material support to the deceased’s relatives and friends, while sometimes a ‘nine-night’ was observed nine days after the burial. This was an important night, when the spirit of the deceased was given an ‘official’ final farewell.
What is the significance of nine night?
Purpose. The main intention of Nine Night is to aid the “duppy” or shadow spirit in leaving. It isn’t until the ninth night after death; the spirit leaves for their African homeland permanently. If friends and family don’t celebrate the deceased properly, then the spirit will haunt the community forever.
What is a good mourning period?
A spouse should spend a year and a day in mourning. Parents or children of the deceased are encouraged to spend six months in mourning, with the heavy mourning period lasting 30 days. Grandparents and siblings are to spend three months in mourning, with the heavy mourning time lasting 30 days.
What do Orthodox do on the ninth day after death?
The ninth day after death – an Orthodox Priest prays a Trisagion Service to acknowledge the fact that as Eastern Orthodox Christians, we believe the spirit of the deceased has now joined the nine (9) choirs of holy angels.
How long does mourning last in Eastern Orthodox Church?
The mourning period for Eastern Orthodox Christians lasts for forty days. Within those forty days, the third day, the ninth day, and the fortieth day all have special significance. After forty days, memorials are celebrated at three months, six months, nine months, one year, and on the anniversary of the death for at least seven years.
What to do when an Eastern Orthodox Christian dies?
When Death Is Imminent. When an Eastern Orthodox Christian is approaching death, a priest should be brought in to hear the final confession and administer Holy Communion to the dying person.
When do Orthodox Christians celebrate the anniversary of death?
On the sixth month anniversary of death and the annual anniversary of death: A “Panikhida” is usually celebrated at these times. Many Orthodox Christians offer a “Panikhida” every year on the anniversary of a loved one’s death, celebrating in a certain sense their “birthday” into life eternal.