Burial Customs (Teachings of the Orthodox Church) Christianity. Orthodoxy. Catholicism. Sense of life. Articles for Christians.
I tell you, my friends, don't be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.                But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him, who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him.                Aren't five sparrows sold for two assaria coins? Not one of them is forgotten by God.                But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore don't be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.                I tell you, everyone who confesses me before men, him will the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God;                but he who denies me in the presence of men will be denied in the presence of the angels of God.               
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Burial Customs (Teachings of the Orthodox Church)
   

QUESTION:

I attended an Orthodox funeral Today. I noticed that the deceased person had a piece of paper on his forehead with lettering on it. The deceased person also had some type of prayer written on it. After the priest blessed and annointed the body, he folded up the paper prayer and put it in the deceased's left hand. What do these two customs mean during a funeral ceremony?

ANSWER:

The paper band on the forehead signifies a crown of glory or victory; just as a runner in the ancient Olympics received a crown of victory for completing the race successfully, so too the departed are crowned in victory for completing life's ourse. The lettering is usually the prayer, "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us."

The prayer written on the piece of paper you observed in the casket is knownas the "Prayer of Absolution." The priest reads this prayer at theend of the funeral service, during which he proclaims that the sins of the departedare forgiven.

These two customs are not universal among all Orthodox Christians, however. In some places, depending on the origins of the parish, they are observed; in others they are not. In every instance, however, the Prayer of Absolution is read, either from the separate sheet sometimes placed in the coffin or from the service book.






Published in January 2011.









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