Sacraments

 This service consists of penitential yet uplifting prayers for the Orthodox faithful to pray for the repose of those who have departed from this life. The 40th day service is celebrated in the memory of the Savior’s Ascension 40 days after His Resurrection and that the reposed one, when he is resurrected, may be taken up in the clouds to meet the Judge, our Savior and Master, and thus be with Him forever (1Thes. 4:17). During the anniversary of the passing, families observe the Memorial of the departed to demonstrate that he or she lives and is immortal of soul and that he or she shall be restored when the Creator raises up his or her body. 

 Remembering our loved ones who have fallen asleep in prayer to God is an important expression of our love and faith. The Trisagion Service can be done at the time of death or on the third day (in honor of the Holy Trinity and Christ’s three day burial). The third day service is celebrated for the reason that the reposed one received his being through the Holy Trinity, and having been translated, he or she hopes to be changed back to the ancient beauty in which humanity was first made before the fall, or one better at the Resurrection. The ninth day service is celebrated that his or her spirit may dwell together with the Holy Spirit, the Angels, since it is immaterial as is their nature. They are ranked according to nine orders, and in three trinities they proclaim and praise God in Trinity.