In the Orthodox Church, it is common to hear litanies and prayers for the dead. In these prayers, the Church as the Body of Christ existing in time manifests the relationship between our temporal life in this world and our eternal life to come. There is no distinction between the Church here in the world and the Church in the next life; they are in perfect communion and harmony with each other.
“For this reason, those of us in this world benefit from the prayers and intercessions of the saints and the righteous who have preceded us. The reverse is true, as well: those who have preceded us into the next life may benefit from our prayers in this world.
St. Athanasius of Alexandria spoke about this saying, “As it happens with wine inside a barrel which, when the vineyard blooms in the field, senses it and the wine itself blossoms together with it, so it is with the souls of sinners. They receive some relief from the Bloodless Sacrifice offered for them and from charity. So, when we offer Divine Liturgies and charitable deeds in the name of those who have departed, their souls rejoice if they were righteous and receive some relief if they were wicked.
No related posts.