Death is not the end of the road. This is only the line that everyone passes, but nobody knows what is behind this. Today, there are many elements of cultural heritage associated with death that have been passed down from generation to generation. Some of them serve as a boon for the deceased and his living relatives. So, the remembrance of the dead in Orthodoxy is carried out on the ninth, and subsequently on the fortieth day after the lethal outcome. This raises several questions at once: why is this happening and how to count 9 days after death? The best answer, probably, will be that given by many clergymen. Today we’ll talk about this in detail.
First nine days after death
The time from the end to the ninth day is called the formation of the so-called body of eternity. It was then that the soul of the deceased is taken to places of paradise, and in our world, various memorial rites are held.
These days, the deceased are still in the world of the living, they watch people, hear and see them. Thus the soul says goodbye to the world of the living. So, 9 days, 40 days after death are the boundaries that every human soul must go through.
Forty days after death
Nine days after the death, the soul of a person flies to hell to look at the torment of sinners. She still does not know about her future fate, and those torments that she sees should shock her and frighten her. Not everyone has such a chance. Before counting 9 days after death, the relatives of the deceased must ask for repentance for his sins, because when there are too many of them, the soul immediately goes to hell (three days after the death of a person), where it remains until the Last Judgment. Relatives are encouraged to order commemoration in the church to mitigate the fate of the deceased.
Show the soul and all the delights of paradise. Saints say that true Happiness dwells here, inaccessible to man in earthly life. In this place all wishes and dreams are fulfilled. Once in heaven, a person becomes more than one; he is surrounded by angels, as well as other souls. And in hell, the soul remains alone with itself, experiencing terrible torment that never ends. Maybe you need to think about it today, so as not to commit sins in the future?..
On the fortieth day after the death, the soul of the deceased appears before the Last Judgment, where her fate is decided. She leaves the world of the living forever. At this time, it is also customary to remember the deceased with prayers.
How to count 9 days after death?
The countdown of nine days from the death of a person begins on the day when he died: until twelve o'clock in the morning one day is considered, and after this time - the next. It does not depend on when the church day begins (six to seven in the evening) and when the service is conducted. Counting should be done according to the usual calendar.
It is important that on the ninth day it is necessary to commemorate the deceased. First of all, you need to read the prayer at home and in the church. Usually relatives visit the temple, where they order a requiem. If it is not performed every day in this church, you can order it on the eve of the memorial day.
Funeral feast
For a long time, relatives of a deceased person made a memorial meal for 9 days after his death. Once these were dinners for homeless or impoverished people, like begging on behalf of the deceased and for his repose. Now they give alms in a cemetery or in a church, while at home they set a table for relatives and relatives. It must be remembered that at the beginning and at the end of the memorial dinner it is necessary to say a prayer for who has left the earthly world. To this end, they read "Our Father."
The main dish to try is kutia. It represents boiled wheat grains with raisins and honey. Before eating, it is sprinkled with holy water. Then you can drink a small glass of wine, but this is not mandatory at the funeral.
In Orthodoxy, it is customary to be the first to sit at the table for the poor, as well as the elderly and children. Distribute on the ninth day after the death of a person and his clothes or savings. This is done in order to help the soul of the deceased to be cleansed of all sins and go to heaven.
At the table on this day you can’t swear, find out any questions. It is necessary to recall the good events associated with the deceased, speaking positively of him.
If commemoration falls on the post, you must adhere to its rules. In this case, meals should be lean, alcohol should be discarded.
