The Orthodox Funeral Rite

Who is the Orthodox Church governed by?

an independent Council of Bishops, called a synod

The Orthodox Church is a family of?

independent, flexible auto-cephalus (self-governing) churches

The word Orthodoxy means?

"right belief" and "right worship"

The claim by the Orthodox Church is that they teach:

the true belief about God and glorify Him with right worship

How many Orthodox groups are there with a total population of between 4 and 5 million members in the US today?

15

Notification of Clergy

not necessary that funeral director contact priest of Orthodox member unless requested by family; no "last rites" administered

Removal of Remains

no restrictions concerning removal of remains

Preparation of Remains

no restrictions as to preparation of body; look to family to determine method of prep; embalming will usually be method

Dressing and Casketing of Remains

European custom to shroud body, United States deceased dressed in own clothing; casket left up to family to choose, any style and material

The rites begin with the:

Trisagion

Trisagion is held:

in the funeral home the evening before the funeral service and again the following day immediately prior to the funeral service

Religious equipment for Trisagion:

candles placed at each end of casket, cross behind casket, icon at foot end of casket

Who attends Trisagion before funeral service?

members of family and pallbearers

How long does the Trisagion last?

5 or 10 minutes

Who leads the procession down the aisle of the church?

the priest, after blessing the casket with holy water

How is the casket led down the aisle?

feet first

How is the casket placed in the Solea?

foot end of casket nearest the altar

Is the casket open or closed during the funeral service?

open

Parastas (Great Panachida)

readings, prayers, and hymns

After the eulogy, the casket is turned so that it is ______ to the Iconostasis

parallel

the priest anoints the body with:

earth or sand and olive oil

When the Icon is placed on the foot end of casket:

those seated on the right side of church may pass casket, stop to kiss the Icon (ceremony of the last kissing) on their way

When the Icon is placed on the head end of the casket:

those seated on the left side of the church may stop and kiss the Icon before passing by the casket

After the ceremony of the last kissing:

friends exit church, family has opportunity for final viewing before casket is closed

some guidelines generally followed:

holding funeral service in Church, not having funerals on Sundays and certain Holy Days

cremation?

objectionable

most methods of disposition will involve:

earth burial or entombment

Committal Service:

Priest will lead casket in procession to burial site, includes a litany of readings and prayers by the Priest and Cantor, closing prayer

Cantor

a person who accompanies the priest in chanting hymns pertaining to the liturgical service

Funeral Service

The proper name given to the Orthodox church service conducted for the dead

Icon

holy pictures, usually of Christ, the Mother of God and the Saints, found covering the walls, Iconostasis, and special shrines around the church

Iconostasis

A solid screen, covered with icons, at the front of the church, dividing the sanctuary from the body of the building

Solea

the open area before the altar in an Orthodox Church

Taper

A wax candle lit in the narthex of the Orthodox Church, signifying prayers and petitions being offered up to God

Trisagion

Three short services or blessings, conducted at the funeral home the evening before the funeral service, on the day of the funeral service before leaving the funeral home for the church and at the cemetery, following the funeral service