Prayers for the deceased

Mariarosa · May 2012

In his sermon about repentance, in addition to his books on the subject matter, Pope Shenouda mentioned that no chances are left after death.

If there were no futher chances after death (which makes sense to me), then why do we still pray for our deceased? On the other hand, if our prayers for the dead do make a difference, then why did Pope Shenouda affirm on several occasions that "there is no chance after death?"

Thanks:)

christ_rose · May 2012

There are 2 reasons.
The first is that we believe that our church is a community between the heavenly and the earthly. Just as we pray for those alive and next to us we pray for those deceased always by mentioning them in the liturgy etc.

From what I've heard the funeral prayers are for the forgiveness of the sins that they never were able to confess about . The small mistakes and sins that the person does without even realizing.

Mariarosa · May 2012

So this means there's still a chance after death!! Are there verses in the Bible that may indicate this is the case?....to me the subject is somehow fuzzy (although I pray for the dead and wholeheartedly hope that they stand another chance!)

peterfarrington · May 2012

You may find these two podcasts useful...

http://orthodoxfaith.podbean.com/2012/01/27/the-intermediate-state-of-the-soul-after-death/

http://orthodoxfaith.podbean.com/2012/04/09/the-intermediate-state-of-the-soul-after-death-in-st-severus/

peter_saad · May 2012

Pope Shenouda said that since God already knows what's going to happen before it happens, he takes account of those prayers before the person dies

Mariarosa · May 2012

Fr. Peter, the podcasts are awesome. I still need to listen to them again as they are quite rich with valuable information :)

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

Prayers for the deceased

Comments