This coming Wednesday, September 17th will be 40 days since the passing of our beloved John.
Next Sunday, September 21st, we will celebrate the 'home-coming' of John.
As I sit here reflecting on what has happened in the past year and what the future might hold, I wondered (even after 17+ years as a convert) exactly 'what' does the 40 day Memorial mean and why do we 'do it'?
I know I am not the only one that follows what the church teaches us with faith. I also know that we are called to prayer, reflection and growth in that faith. So I want to share with my fellow christians the 'why'. So in case you are as curious as I am, here goes......
The 40-day and One-Year Memorial Services
(excerpt from: http://www.groca.org/Pages/ortholessons.html )
On the Sunday closest to the fortieth day of the death of your loved one (usually the Sunday before, but not mandatory) a Memorial Service is held, when family and friends are invited to Church. The Kolyva (KO leave ah) or boiled wheat placed in a mound on a tray and covered with powdered sugar is another reinforcement of the belief in the resurrection.“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” (John 12:24) Just as a seed must be planted in the ground in order for it to emerge later as a large tree bearing fruit, greater and far different than the insignificant seed, so too, our bodies will be buried. After a period of time, they will emerge as something entirely different than they were. They will be sown a physical body, but will be raised a spiritual body. “The body is sown in incorruption, it is raised in incorruption. “ It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory….” (1 Corinthians 15:42-49)The sugar, pomegranate seeds, nuts, spices symbolize the sweetness of paradise. Family, friends and community taste and eat the Kolyva , and in so doing, the bitter taste of death is replaced by the sweetness of the resurrection.
Some other great informational sites:
1) http://www.orthodox.net/articles/excerpts-from-on-end-of-our-life-st-symeon-thessaloniki.html
2) http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/searchresults.aspx?kw=40%20day%20memorial
3) http://files.schwebster.org/weeklybulletin/memorialservices.doc
(excerpt from: http://www.groca.org/Pages/ortholessons.html )
On the Sunday closest to the fortieth day of the death of your loved one (usually the Sunday before, but not mandatory) a Memorial Service is held, when family and friends are invited to Church. The Kolyva (KO leave ah) or boiled wheat placed in a mound on a tray and covered with powdered sugar is another reinforcement of the belief in the resurrection.“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” (John 12:24) Just as a seed must be planted in the ground in order for it to emerge later as a large tree bearing fruit, greater and far different than the insignificant seed, so too, our bodies will be buried. After a period of time, they will emerge as something entirely different than they were. They will be sown a physical body, but will be raised a spiritual body. “The body is sown in incorruption, it is raised in incorruption. “ It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory….” (1 Corinthians 15:42-49)The sugar, pomegranate seeds, nuts, spices symbolize the sweetness of paradise. Family, friends and community taste and eat the Kolyva , and in so doing, the bitter taste of death is replaced by the sweetness of the resurrection.
Some other great informational sites:
1) http://www.orthodox.net/articles/excerpts-from-on-end-of-our-life-st-symeon-thessaloniki.html
2) http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/searchresults.aspx?kw=40%20day%20memorial
3) http://files.schwebster.org/weeklybulletin/memorialservices.doc
1 comment:
I look forward to the day Bishop Basil consecrates that altar he made.
Into paradise may the angels lead thee:
At thy coming may the Martyrs receive thee,
And bring thee into the holy city Jerusalem.
May the Choir of Angels receive thee,
And with Lazarus, once poor, mayest thou have eternal rest.
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