Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center Memorial Service / Jennaz

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the priest leads the faithful in a Memorial Service / Jennaz. The Memorial Service / Jennaz generally is celebrated before a table on which is placed the Kolyva / Kollyva or Ameh, and / or the Antidoron, and sometimes a picture of the departed. These prayers ask for the forgiveness of the sins of the departed servant(s) of God and ask the Lord to admit his or her soul into the heavenly mansions. Also, the Kolyva and / or the Antidoron is blessed in remembrance of the departed. Then, these foods are distributed immediately following the Memorial Service / Jennaz. This food is eaten by the people.

Prayer

The "Evlogitaria of the Dead" is said on Monday thru Saturday. The "Evlogitaria of the Dead" is said on All Souls Saturdays.

The "Evlogitaria of the Resurrection" is said on Sundays during Memorial Services. The "Evlogitaria of the Resurrection" is said because Memorial Services on Sundays are celebrations of the Resurrection or Pascha.
Also, the "Evlogitaria of the Resurrection" can be chanted at Orthros on Sundays.

The Antidoron

Antidoron is remainder of the Qurban Holy Bread which was not consecrated or another loat of unconsecratedQurban.

The Kolyva / Kollyva or Ameh

Please click Kolyva for more information

First Year

It is customary to remember those who have fallen alseep in the Lord with a Memorial Service on the 3rd day, 9th day, 40th day, and 1 year of their death.

3rd day - 3 represents the Holy Trinity and Jesus Christ rose on the 3rd day
9th day - Rememberance of the nine choirs of holy angels
40th day - Biblical sign of purification and completion
- Joseph mourned his father Jacob for Forty Days.
- Israelites mourned his Moses for Forty Days.
- Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ Ascended into Heaven Forty Days after His resurrection.
1 year - It is the consummation.

Second Year

It is not uncommon to remember those who have fallen alseep in the Lord with a Memorial Service on the 2 year anniversary.

Third Year and Following Years

In the following years, it is not uncommon to remember those who have fallen asleep in the Lord during the Great Entrance.

A Memorial Service / Jennaz not a Funeral Service.

More Information

Primer for Melkite Worship and Ritual Please click on 40 Day Memorial for the Dead. Melkite Greek Catholic Church Eparchy of Newton, Roslindale, Massachusetts, United States. Material prepared by Fr. Philaret Littlefield for inclusion in the St. George (Milwaukee, WI) Melkite Sunday Bulletin.

His Excellency, Bishop John Elya Answers

Why is it that we pray for the dead? What is the Eastern view of Indulgences?
The Bishop Answers Eparchy of Newton, (Our Lady of the Annunciation (Al Bisharah) in Roslindale, Massachusetts, United States) Click on Questions related to worship and ritual W4

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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center
Martha Liles
Web URL address: Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center or http://www.mliles.com/melkite/
E-mail: mliles@mliles.com or mliles@mliles.com

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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center is dedicated to my cousins: Bucky (Richard C. Liles) and Shirley (Shirley Jean Liles Buck). Bucky fell asleep in the Lord on Dec. 12, 2000 and Shirley fell asleep in the Lord on Nov. 8, 2001.
O God of all spirits and of all flesh, who have destroyed death, overcome the devil, and given life to the world: grant, O Lord, to the souls of your servants Bucky and Shirley, who has departed from this life, that it may rest in a place of light, in a place of happiness, in a place of peace, where there is no pain, no grief, no sighing. And since You are a gracious God and the Lover of Mankind, forgive him/her every sin he/she has committed by thought, or word, or deed, for there is not a man who lives and does not sin : You alone are without sin, your righteousness is everlasting, and your word is true. You are the Resurrection and the Life, and the repose of your departed servants Bucky and Shirley. O Christ our God, and we send up glory to You, together with your eternal Father and your all-holy, good and life-givng Spirit, now and always and for ages upon ages. Amen.

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Last Updated: Sunday, March 02, 2008, 16:37:34, PST
The current date and time is: Monday, September 08, 2008, 11:35:56, PDT or Monday, September 08, 2008, 18:35:56, GMT