Funeral services of the Ecumenical parental Saturday held at the Academy
On March 6, the Church commemorates all departed Orthodox Christians called Ecumenial parental Saturday.
On the days of commemoration the dead the clergy dresses in white sacerdotal gowns. The death defeated by the Savior on the cross has no power, since then it has been just a way to meet with Christ. The believers pray to the Lord for the good rest of their Christian brothers and sisters in Heaven, where there are no sorrows, diseases, but endless joy and a life with the Creator.
Rest with the saints, Christ, Thy servant souls, where there is no pain, no sorrow, no groaning, but endless life».
On parental Saturday, the structure of the divine service changes. In the evening believers pray at a funeral service called Parastasis and in the morning, after the Divine Liturgy there is one more funeral service.
On March 5, Hegumen Nikiphor (Kirzin) headed the Parastasis at the Intercession Academic Church. During the funeral all-night vigil he and the clergy of the church read the 17th Kathisma.
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart! They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways. You have commanded us To keep Your precepts diligently».
On March 6, Archimandrite Benedict (Knyazev) performed the Divine Liturgy and the funeral service at the Intercession Academic Church co-served by teachers and students in the priesthood.
After singing the sacrament verse, a first-year Master's student Reader Oleg Tatsiy delivered a sermon about mortal memory:
Everyone, regardless their religious views, knows that death comes sooner or later. At the same time a modern society is often afraid of this topic. Being the Christians, should we fall into superstitious fear of death? No, we shouldn't. Only our conscience and bringing worthy fruit of repentance let us follow an example given by saints who awaited for the death not in horror of the end but in joy of eternity and entering their Fatherland
Background information:
Chanting performed by a male choir under the conduct of Hieromonk Nestor (Volkov) and a male choir led by Kirill Babanin.
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