The wake (9 days) is the next obligatory stage after the burial. Although it originated in the Christian religion, everyone adheres to this tradition. So how to spend a wake for 9 days? What are the features of the ritual?

If the deceased was a Christian, then you definitely need to go to church. It is believed that at this time the soul can still visit its earthly habitat. She completes the work that a person did not have time to do during his lifetime. He says goodbye to someone, asks for forgiveness from someone. A prayer service held at this time for all church traditions, helps to calm the soul, its union with God.

It is advisable that the wake (9 days) and relatives begin with an appeal to the Lord. In a short prayer, you should ask the Almighty to forgive all the sins of the deceased and place him in the Kingdom of Heaven. This has always been part of the ritual. In the temple they light candles for the remembrance of the soul. There is a special place for this. If you don’t know, then consult a temple minister. But usually you can determine it yourself. The platform for funeral candles has rectangular shape(all others are round). Nearby there is a printed text of the prayer. Don't be lazy, read it.

What do 9 days of commemoration mean?

In Christianity, the path of the soul to the Lord is described in sufficient detail. So, in the first days, the Angels show her what life is like in Paradise. The ninth is the time, so to speak, of the exam. The soul appears before the Lord, who determines its future fate. It is believed that sinners are afraid and tormented, finally realizing how ineptly they wasted their energy. The righteous may also suffer from not knowing whether they will be life path approved by the Lord. Help for the soul of the deceased is extremely necessary during this period. Relatives with their prayers can help her cleanse herself and receive a “pass” to Paradise.

In Christian traditions, 9 days of commemoration are considered very important, since this is the last duty, the final stage of the earthly existence of the soul. After the Lord assigns her to Heaven or Hell, the living will be practically unable to help her. The clergy say that 9 days is almost a holiday! Because at this time the soul finds its shelter. It is imperative to pray that her stay in that world will be comfortable.

Funeral dinner

A church service, a trip to the cemetery - this is mainly for those closest to you. And those who want to express their respect to the deceased and his family members are invited to a memorial dinner. They spend it modestly. The first, second and compote are prepared. In Christianity, neither all kinds of snacks and salads, nor alcohol are accepted. Traditions with a hundred grams and a piece of bread arose in very difficult times, when there was no other way to relieve stress. Nowadays there is no need to drink alcohol at funerals, and the church does not welcome it.

Of the “excesses,” only baking is allowed. So, they usually make pies or buns and serve them to the table. Everything should take place calmly and modestly. This is not an indicator of poverty. Rather, this demonstrates the recognition of the frailty of everything physical before the spiritual. At the table, everyone is given the floor to express their grief, share the confidence that the soul will go to Heaven, and simply remember the person who recently left this world.

Funeral feast

But not everyone has lunch these days. Some people don't have enough time, others don't want to. unnecessary hassle. The Church does not insist on strict adherence to this particular tradition.

It is quite permissible to replace a shared meal with a treat. What it is? You need to prepare such food that it is appropriate and convenient to serve to people without an invitation to the house, and so hold the funeral for 9 days. What are they giving away? Usually cookies and sweets. The easiest option is to buy what you need in a store. It is recommended to bake pies or cookies yourself. It is believed that by such actions you express greater respect to the deceased. You can distribute what you have prepared at work, in the yard to grandmothers and children.

How to calculate the required period?

People often get confused with this. It is best to contact the Father who performed the funeral service for the deceased. He will help you figure out the deadlines and tell you on what day to celebrate what. Due to its importance to the soul, you need to know exactly when to hold a wake for 9 days. How to count on your own? The first day is the day the person died. It is from this that we must count. From the moment of death, the soul begins its journey through the Kingdom of Angels. She needs help on the ninth day (and before that). Do not miss any deadlines, even if the death occurred before midnight. The first day is the date of death. The third, ninth and fortieth days are then important. You need to calculate them immediately and write them down so as not to forget. These are the dates that definitely need to be celebrated.

Who is invited to the funeral?

Family members and friends are the people who should be included in the sad meal. They themselves know this. Souls demand to meet and support each other in grief. But a wake 9 days after death is an event to which people come without an invitation. It is not customary to drive away someone who wanted to take part in it, even if they are complete strangers. The logic is this: the more people pray for the salvation of the soul of the deceased, the easier it is for it to get to Heaven. Therefore, driving someone away is unacceptable, even sinful.

Try to treat as much as possible more people. And if it is not necessary to invite everyone to the funeral dinner, then you can give out sweets to everyone you meet on this day. Strictly speaking, it is not accepted to invite people to the event. People themselves should ask when it will take place (and in general, whether it is planned or not). For convenience, organizers most often take responsibility themselves and call everyone who has expressed a desire to remember the deceased.

Is it necessary to go to the cemetery?

Strictly speaking, a 9-day funeral does not include such a trip in the list of essential events. The Church believes that the graveyard contains mortal remains that have no special significance. Going to church and praying are welcome. But usually people themselves want to visit the final resting place of a dear person. They bring flowers and sweets there. Thus, as it were, a tribute is paid to the deceased. But this is more important for the living than for the deceased.

Under no circumstances should you bring alcohol to the cemetery. This is strictly prohibited by the Church! If you decide that you definitely need to visit the cemetery on this day, then take care of the appropriate clothing. Outfits should be modest and not flashy. The presence of mourning symbols is also desirable. Women tie mourning scarves. Men can wear dark jackets. If it’s hot, black scarves are tied to the left forearm.

How to prepare a house for a funeral?

On this day, lamps are lit and a photograph of the deceased with a mourning ribbon is placed in a prominent place. There is no need to cover mirrors anymore. This is done only while the body is in the house. Naturally, on this day it is not customary to turn on music or watch funny films and programs.

You can place a glass of water and bread in front of the icon as a sign of help to a soul traveling through an as yet unknown world. It is desirable that an atmosphere of severity reign in the house. If you invite people to dinner, then worry about their comfort. Usually carpets are removed from the floor so that you can walk around the house in shoes. You also need to place a small vase or plate near the photograph of the deceased. This is where the money will be put. This is done when a lot of people come, including strangers to the household. They may express a desire to donate some amount to the monument. And giving money to relatives is not always convenient.

Death is not the end of the road. This is just a milestone that everyone passes, but no one alive knows what lies behind it. Today there are many elements cultural heritage, associated with death, which were passed down from generation to generation. Some of them are beneficial for the deceased and his living relatives. Thus, the commemoration of the dead in Orthodoxy is carried out on the ninth, and subsequently on the fortieth day after death. Several questions arise here: why does this happen and how to count? The best answer will probably be the one given by many clergy. Today we will talk about this in detail.

The first nine days after death

The time from the moment of death to the ninth day is called the formation of the so-called body of eternity. It is then that the soul of the deceased is taken to the 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 are milestones that every human soul must pass.

Forty days after death

Nine days after the death, he flies to hell to watch the torment of sinners. She still does not know about her future fate, and the torment that she sees should shock 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 the person), where it remains until the Last Judgment. Relatives are advised to order a memorial service in the church to mitigate the fate of the deceased.

They show the soul all the delights of heaven. The saints say that true Happiness lives here, inaccessible to man in earthly life. In this place all wishes and dreams come true. Getting to heaven, a person is not alone, he is surrounded by angels, as well as other souls. And in hell the soul is left alone with itself, experiencing terrible torment that never ends. Maybe you need to think about this today, so as not to commit sins in the future?..

On the fortieth day after death, the soul of the deceased appears before 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 counting of nine days from the death of a person begins on the day he died: one day is counted before twelve o’clock at night, and after this time the next one is counted. This does not depend on the moment at which the church day begins (six to seven o’clock in the evening) and when the service is held. The countdown must be carried out 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 a prayer at home and in church. Usually relatives visit the temple, where they order a memorial service. If it is not performed in a given church every day, you can order it on the eve of the memorial day.

Funeral meals

Since ancient times, the relatives of a deceased person held a memorial meal for 9 days after his death. Once upon a time these were dinners for homeless or poor people, as almsgiving on behalf of the deceased and for his repose. Now alms are given at a cemetery or in a church, and at home they set a table for loved ones and relatives. It must be remembered that at the beginning and at the end you need to say a prayer for the one who has left the earthly world. For this purpose, the “Our Father” is read.

The main dish to try is kutia. It consists of boiled wheat grains with raisins and honey. Before eating, she is sprinkled with holy water. Next, you can drink a small glass of wine, but this is not mandatory at the wake.

In Orthodoxy, it is customary for the beggars, as well as the elderly and children, to be seated first at the table. On the ninth day after the death of a person, his clothes or savings are distributed. 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 cannot swear or clarify any issues. Need to remember good events associated with the deceased, speaking positively about him.

If a wake falls on a post, you must adhere to its rules. In this case, meals should be lean, and alcohol should be avoided.

Orthodoxy

Loss of a loved one or loved one can change one’s worldview and help a person take the first step towards the Lord. Having considered how to count 9 days after death and what happens during this period, you can understand that everyone will be rewarded for their sins in Therefore, in order for only good deeds to prevail in the world of the dead, it is necessary to confess and cleanse your soul now, while living in this world.

Orthodoxy teaches that there is life after death. The soul itself is immortal; it leaves its body and walks the earth until its fate is decided. This is indicated by ancient scriptures and treatises, religious teachings and the practice of Tibetan studies. Be that as it may, to this day we observe all the customs and rituals associated with the death of a person.

IN Lately on our portal, people increasingly began to read about funeral traditions, and articles about the wake on the 40th day were already read by more than one hundred thousand people, so we could not ignore the funeral rites and beliefs of the ninth day of the wake, especially since all these dates and traditions are quite strong connected to each other.

Why are funerals held for 9 days?

Accordingly, it was these dates that gradually passed from the pagan rites of remembrance, called “funeral funerals,” into the Christian tradition without much change, and many people have already forgotten what exactly they meant and mean.

Although, naturally, this day also has its own religious, and not just calendar, justification. It is believed that the memorial feast of the ninth day should be dedicated to the nine “ranks of angels,” that is, angels who, in turn, should ask God for mercy and leniency over a sinful soul.

What does the soul of the deceased do on the ninth day?

The fact is that on the third day (the day of the funeral), the soul of the deceased must go to the angels, who will take it to heaven and show it the heavenly beauty of the afterlife. And they show it all 6 days, until the most important 9th day comes. The day when the soul appears before the Almighty, accompanied by angels. And to give her confidence and make it as easy as possible to go through this process, a wake is held.

Further, it is believed that from the 9th to the fortieth day the soul must wander through “ordeals” (various obstacles in the form of sins, through which the soul must pass, accompanied by two angels, where good deeds a person must be outweighed by the evil ones) and then, having passed all the tests, the soul again appears before God, this time to make the final “verdict.”

Funeral ritual for the 9th day (nine)

Christians most often reduce this funeral rite for 9 days, which is sometimes called “nine” for a funeral dinner in honor of the deceased. And most often, everyone is not invited to the nine days of commemoration, but only the closest friends and relatives are present.

Naturally, this is not just a dinner, but a whole ritual, the purpose of which is to gather people who knew the deceased and remember his good deeds, thereby paying tribute and helping to accompany his immortal soul to another world with these “good memories” and their prayers.

Also on the ninth day, you can visit the grave of the deceased again, put things in order, tidy up, straighten the flowers, and say goodbye, releasing and even possibly “directing” his soul to God.

Sometimes on the ninth day they distribute various treats and alms in a cemetery or in a church, asking that the deceased be remembered for this. In fact, earlier funerals as treats were held mainly for the poor, and not for one’s family or simply to feed hungry relatives.

After all, the prayer of people who need food and who are very close to God is worth a lot. And if relatives just come to your house for dinner, eat and go home, then this, on the contrary, will not mean at all that they remembered the deceased.

By the way, the church, on the contrary, believes that the richer the food on the funeral table, the more it distracts those gathered from the necessary thoughts, so it is better to make funeral meals not from incredible delicacies, but from simple food, which precisely gives the appropriate “needed mood.”

And the money saved can be given away in charity. And naturally, the fact that you invited everyone, spent a lot of money, cooked food all day, also cannot replace prayers and kind words.

Should I go to church on the 9th day after death?

Therefore, at the wake on the ninth day from the day of death, you can go to church to pray. The most powerful prayer on all memorial days is considered to be prayer with observance church sacraments. That is, ideally you should confess and receive communion before praying for the deceased.

More strong prayer It’s hard to imagine, because after reconciliation with God and the remission of our personal sins, we become closer to God than ever. It is believed that this kind of prayer can help the soul the most and bring it maximum joy.

You can also order a church memorial service or light candles and pray yourself, sometimes they just do it at home with their family or even invite a priest to the house.

How to conduct a wake on the ninth day

Well, the most important thing is that, as on all memorial days, on the ninth day you should not be sad, suffer and be in a depressed state of mind.

Moreover, grief and sadness are one of the mortal sins and a complete denial of the Christian faith, because the soul of the deceased goes to " better world" and it must be carried out in " last way"with a pure heart, good mood and a smile. At a minimum, so that the soul of the deceased itself does not suffer due to the fact that close and beloved people suffer because of it.

It is natural to rejoice too much and hold all sorts of unusual entertainment events, fairs and competitions on this occasion, or get drunk, as the pagan Slavs did in their rituals. According to representatives of Christianity and the church, it is also not worth it, but grief is also inappropriate.

Funeral mood, clothing and good deeds

Here it is rather necessary to observe golden mean, showing at the same time respect for the soul, letting it go in peace, and not starting lavish parties for yourself. After all, the main point of a wake for 9 days, and for any other date, is not a party with drinking and gluttony, but a prayerful remembrance.

Moreover, many priests believe that in honor of this day, it is better for relatives to abstain from any sin for at least 40 days. Do it, as they say. A good deed for the benefit of the soul of the one walking, for example, stop drinking or smoking and the like. Then such an act can be counted as prayer.

Better yet, even stop watching TV, because it will definitely distract you from the desired prayerful mood. And also, do not wear too lush, bright and beautiful outfits, which will also take you out of this “correct state” of spiritual connection with the deceased.

It is also natural that at a wake you cannot remember the deceased with “unflattering words”; moreover, according to the ritual at the funeral table, you should not even begin to communicate on abstract and everyday topics. After all, this day is dedicated to seeing off the soul of this person, and you should not be distracted by various “worldly discussions”, forgetting about the most important thing, about why everyone has gathered.

Everything about nine days after death: what this period means, what customs are and what the relatives of the deceased should do. Based on beliefs and religious scriptures, non-compliance with traditions will deprive the deceased of heavenly life after death, and the relatives will suffer grave sin.

In the article:

9 days after death - the meaning of the date in Orthodoxy

Orthodox Christians usually designate the third, ninth and fortieth day after the death of a person. There is an anniversary, or in some regions, six months, of the death. These are the days of a person’s post-death, each one has a sacred meaning. Relatives should know and observe the traditions and customs associated with commemoration.

The ordeal of the soul of Blessed Fedora, a fragment of a painting in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra

In nine days, the soul completes the path begun during life, seeks its way to new world. If the third day is considered the beginning of the afterlife, and the fortieth day is the end, the ninth is the only one important stages posthumous journey.

Number 9 is one of the sacred numbers. IN angelic hierarchy There are nine orders of angels. The ninth day after death is celebrated in honor of the deceased, and in their honor - angels will be protectors on Heavenly Court. They act as lawyers, asking God for mercy for each person.

After death and until the third day, the soul of the deceased is not far from the living. She is accompanied by a guardian angel. On the fourth day, an angel escorts the deceased through the gates of heaven. Until the ninth day, the deceased is busy exploring Paradise. Not yet knowing the verdict that God will pronounce on the fortieth day, the soul learns what awaits it in Heaven or Hell. In Eden, a person will find rest from the pain that was in earthly life and the torments of conscience for the sins committed.

On the ninth day, the Lord commands the angels to bring the deceased to his throne. This is the day on which a person first appears before the Almighty with fear and trembling. After a conversation with God, the spirit will go to Hell - until the fortieth day. After completing the journey through the afterlife, the soul awaits the Heavenly Court.

From the ninth to the fortieth day, the ordeal of the soul occurs. Together with the guardian angel, the spirit overcomes trials that represent sinful temptations. If the soul will pass checks, the good half will overcome the evil one, and all lifetime sins will be forgiven at the Heavenly Court.

Nine days after death - meaning for the deceased

Souls contain everything that is in heaven. (Balmont K.D.)

The meaning of tithing after death is important for the soul of the deceased. At this time, the spirit is busy searching for a path to follow. Some believe in . Judging by the literature about reincarnation, in the period from the third day to the fortieth, the soul is busy reviewing and analyzing life’s mistakes. There is a theory that the soul itself makes a decision about what its subsequent incarnation will be.

If we are guided by Christian sources, the righteous are destined for Paradise, and sinners are destined for torment in Hell. The soul of the deceased on the ninth day is still busy searching for a continuation of the path. At this time, the relatives of the deceased should try to release him. It is impossible to completely forget about pain and suffering - any loss is saturated with these feelings. But calming the souls of the living will bring meaning to the deceased: it is better to bring benefit through prayers, not tears. The person will find peace, stop worrying about the living and go where he belongs.

IN Orthodox tradition They believe that from the fourth to the ninth days the soul is shown Heaven, and then, from the ninth to the fortieth days, Hell. On nine days, the deceased completely forgets about all the sorrow that he felt during earthly life, and does not remember physical pain. Sinful souls at this time begin to experience true repentance. The prayers of family and friends are important at this moment - the deceased will need the support of relatives.

At this time, the spirit appears before God for the first time. It is customary to order prayer services, arrange funeral services, read prayers, and help the deceased pass afterlife tests in other ways. During church services, you should ask for your soul to join the ranks of the angels. A relative can become a personal guardian angel. Pagans believe that deceased ancestors are nearby and ready to help.

The custom of commemoration on the 9th day after death

An obligatory component of any funeral - kutya, a traditional ritual dish without which holidays are incomplete. For a funeral meal, the food is supposed to be prepared from wheat and sugar or honey. Kutya is made from rice. This is not just a sweet dish for a feast, but with sacred meaning.

Seeds signify the birth of a new life, symbolize the resurrection of a person in the afterlife, possibly in the next incarnation. Sugar, honey or jam symbolize the sweetness of life after death. The finished dish should be blessed in the church, if possible. It is considered sufficient to sprinkle the kutya with holy water.

Mandatory drink at the funeral table - compote or jelly, sometimes kvass is served. They serve any porridge except kutya. Pancakes are prepared for funerals, and pies are less common. sweet filling. Fish dishes are not prohibited: sandwiches with sprats, pies, herring, cold appetizers. Roast and noodles with poultry, cutlets are found on funeral tables. The first dish is borscht.

The wake on the 9th day after death is uninvited. It is not customary to invite guests; people come to remember the deceased themselves. Any person who wishes to remember the deceased can come. According to tradition, relatives must be present, the people who washed the deceased, made the coffin and dug the grave. In the old days, this was done by neighbors, family friends and colleagues, but now people from the funeral home do it, so the tradition has lost its meaning.

The feast on a sad occasion begins with the reading of the “Our Father” prayer. You can read aloud, repeating after the relatives of the deceased, pray in a whisper or silently. After the prayer, the first dish is served - kutia.

Regarding foods and drinks that need to be placed on the table: there are few rules, but they are easy to remember. Alcohol is prohibited: vodka is served at most wakes, but this should not be done. Drunkenness is a crime, and at a wake, indulging in sin can seriously harm the soul of the deceased. Signs about cemeteries do not advise bringing alcohol to graves.

You can't overdo it with dishes. 9 days after the death of a person - preparation for the Heavenly Court and consideration of the lifetime sins of the deceased. Gluttony is one of the offenses, so do not sin in honor of the deceased - this will negatively affect his posthumous existence. The table should be modest, without frills. The fact of eating does not matter. It is important that people gathered to remember the deceased and support relatives.

Despite the desire to rid the funeral table of luxury, it is difficult to calculate the number of products so that nothing remains. It is impossible to predict the number of guests at Deventy - people come uninvited, at will. If there are any food left after the funeral feast, they are distributed to the poor: they cannot be thrown away.

It is forbidden to laugh, have fun, or have choral singing at the table. You cannot remember bad deeds, negative addictions and habits, or character traits of the deceased. Before the fortieth day, a decision will be made whether the soul will be in Heaven or Hell. Negative memories expressed out loud will tip the scales towards a terrible verdict.

It has great importance appearance people who are going to honor the memory of the deceased. Women are supposed to cover their heads with scarves when collecting their hair. Men are not allowed to wear hats in the memorial room; they must be removed upon entry. Nowadays, relatives cover their heads during funerals with black mourning scarves.

What do the relatives of the deceased do for 9 days after death?

What they do with destinies after death is the work of relatives, which will benefit the deceased in the afterlife. It is not only his actions that determine where the soul of the deceased will end up - in Heaven or Hell. What does the ninth day after death mean? During this period, people and angels unite to help the deceased get to Paradise. Can't be treated memorial days as a formality: this is the time when the living are able to help the soul in the afterlife.

For a believer, going to church on the 9th day after the death of a loved one is mandatory. You need to order a prayer service and light a candle for the repose. Be sure to pray near the icons for the mercy of God and the help of angels at the Heavenly Court. You can ask for a relative of the deceased at home, but a funeral service is ordered with a trip to church.

Prayers for the repose of the soul, so that God will be merciful and allow one to be in Paradise, can be read by everyone. The more people pray for the soul of the deceased, the higher the likelihood of a positive verdict at the Heavenly Court. You can turn to God, and to angels, and to Saints.

Closer to noon, you need to visit the grave: clean up the mess, remove the trash, bring flowers and wreaths, light a candle in the lamp. You can invite a priest to lithium- a service held over the grave. If this is not possible, you can read the prayer yourself. You must refrain from talking about extraneous topics. When visiting a grave, it is better to remember the deceased - out loud or mentally.

It is forbidden to arrange a funeral in a cemetery - it is prohibited ancient signs about the funeral. Priests do not recommend doing this either. It is forbidden to leave alcohol in a glass near the grave; you cannot pour alcohol on the mound. You can leave “lunch” - sweets and other treats. Most often they bring what is given at the wake. Sweets and baked goods are distributed to strangers at the cemetery to remember the deceased.

X good or nothing

At wakes and in conversations, one is supposed to remember the good actions of the deceased. During this period, God is attentive to all the bad deeds of the deceased and must hear that the living have a positive opinion of this person. A bad word spoken at the wrong time or a negative memory will ruin everything.

On this day you need to give alms to the poor, but money or food does not matter.

In the house, as in the cemetery, you should light a lamp in honor of the deceased, put a glass of water and bread. These signs of attention are located near the portrait of the deceased with a black mourning ribbon. On the ninth day, you can remove the curtains from the mirrors in all rooms except the bedroom.

How is nine counted after death?

According to medical statistics, most deaths occur between 3 and 4 am. This time is called time "between the wolf and the fox".

Find out everything about 9 days after death - what this period means, what the customs are regarding it and what the relatives of the deceased need to do. Based on beliefs and religious scriptures, non-compliance with traditions can deprive the deceased of heavenly life after death, and inflict grave sin on his relatives.

In the article:

9 days after death - what does this date mean in Orthodoxy

It is known that in Orthodoxy it is customary to celebrate the third, ninth and fortieth day after the death of a person. The anniversary is also celebrated, and in some regions even six months after death. This special days afterlife of a person, and each of them has its own sacred meaning. Relatives should know and observe the traditions and customs that are associated with them.

The ordeal of the soul of Blessed Fedora, a fragment of a painting in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra

In these nine days, the soul still completes its journey begun during life. She is looking for a way to a new world. If the third day is considered the beginning of the afterlife, and the fortieth is its end, then the ninth is one of the most important stages of the posthumous journey.

The number 9 is one of the sacred numbers. It is known that there are nine ranks of angels in the angelic hierarchy. The ninth day after death is celebrated not only in honor of the deceased, but also in their honor - after all, it is the angels who will be the defenders at the Heavenly Court. They act as lawyers, asking God for mercy for each person.

After death and until the third day, the soul of the deceased is not far from the living. She is accompanied by a guardian angel. On the fourth, he escorts the deceased through the gates of heaven. Until the ninth day he is busy exploring Paradise. Without yet knowing its verdict, which God will pronounce on the fortieth day, the soul can find out what awaits it in Heaven or Hell. In Paradise, a person will find rest from the pain that he has tasted during his earthly life, as well as the pangs of conscience for the sins he has committed.

On the ninth day, the Lord commands the angels to bring the deceased to his throne. This is the day on which a person first appears before the Almighty with fear and trembling. After talking with God, he will go to Hell - until the fortieth day. Only after this journey through the afterlife does the Heavenly Judgment await the soul.

In addition, from the ninth to the fortieth day, the so-called ordeals of the soul occur. Together with her guardian angel, she must go through trials that may represent sinful temptations. If the soul passes the tests, the good half of his soul will overcome the evil one, and all lifetime sins will be forgiven to her at the Heavenly Court.

Nine days after death - meaning for the deceased

Souls contain everything that is in heaven, and much more (Balmont K.D.)

The meaning of 9 days after death is very important for the soul of the deceased. At this time, he is busy searching for the path he has to follow. It's hard to say what it will be like. Some believe in the rebirth of the soul after death. Judging by the literature on reincarnation, from the third day to the fortieth day, she is busy reviewing and analyzing her life mistakes. In addition, there is a theory that the soul itself makes a decision about what its next incarnation will be.

If you follow Christian sources, the righteous are destined for Paradise, and sinners are destined for torment in Hell. But, one way or another, the soul of the deceased on the ninth day is still busy searching for the continuation of its path. At this time, the relatives of the deceased should try to release him. Of course, it is impossible to completely forget about pain and suffering - any loss is saturated with these feelings. But calming the souls of the living will benefit the deceased; try to benefit him with prayers, not tears. He will be able to find peace, stop worrying about the living and go to where he now belongs.

In the Orthodox tradition, it is generally accepted that from the fourth to the ninth days the soul is shown Heaven, and then, from the ninth to the fortieth days - Hell. On the ninth day, the deceased completely forgets about all the sorrow that he felt during earthly life. He also forgets about bodily pain. Sinful souls at this time begin to experience true repentance. That is why the prayers of family and friends are important on this day - the deceased will need the support of relatives.

In addition, they will also come in handy because at this time he appears before God for the first time. That is why it is customary to order prayer services, arrange funeral services, read prayers, and also help the deceased pass afterlife tests in other ways. During church services, it is also customary to pray for the soul to join the number of angels. This way your relative can become your guardian angel. Pagans believe that deceased ancestors are always nearby and ready to help.

Tradition of commemoration on the 9th day after death

An obligatory component of any wake is kutia, a traditional ritual dish, which even some holidays cannot do without. For a funeral meal, it is supposed to be prepared from wheat and sugar or honey. Sometimes kutya is cooked from rice. This is not just a sweet dish for a feast. It has a sacred meaning.

Seeds mean the birth of new life. They symbolize the resurrection of a person in the afterlife, and possibly in the next incarnation. Sugar, honey or jam symbolize the sweetness of life after death. It is advisable to consecrate the finished dish in the church, but this is not always possible. Therefore, it is considered sufficient to sprinkle it with holy water.

Compote or jelly must be on the funeral table; sometimes kvass is served. They also serve any porridge except kutya. Sometimes pancakes are prepared for funerals; more often you can see pies with sweet filling. Fish dishes are not prohibited - sandwiches with sprats, fish pies, herring and other cold snacks. Roast and noodles with poultry, cutlets are also often found on funeral tables. Borscht is usually served as a first course.

The wake on the 9th day after death is uninvited. It is not customary to invite guests to them; they come on their own, uninvited. Any person who wishes to remember the deceased can appear. According to tradition, the closest relatives must be present, as well as the people who washed the deceased, made the coffin and dug the grave. In the old days, this was done by neighbors, family friends and co-workers. Now people from funeral bureaus are doing this, so the tradition has lost its meaning. It is much better to entrust this matter to specialists than to make a mistake at a funeral. If you believe the signs, some of them can cost your life.

The feast on a sad occasion begins with the reading of the “Our Father” prayer. You can read aloud, repeating after the closest relatives of the deceased, or you can pray in a whisper or to yourself. Only after prayer can the first course be served. It should be kutya.

There are few rules regarding the dishes and drinks that should be served on the table, and they are very easy to remember. Alcohol is prohibited. Vodka is served at most wakes, but this is not allowed. Drunkenness is a sin. At a wake, indulging in this sin can seriously harm the soul of the deceased. That is why signs about cemeteries do not advise bringing alcohol to graves.

You should not overdo it with dishes. Among the things that 9 days after the death of a person mean is preparation for the Heavenly Court and, accordingly, the consideration of all his sins. Gluttony is one of the sins. Therefore, you should not sin in honor of the deceased, this will negatively affect his posthumous existence. The table should be modest, without frills. The fact of eating does not matter. The only important thing is that people gathered to remember the deceased and support his relatives.

Despite the desire to rid the funeral table of luxury, it is extremely difficult to calculate the amount of food so that nothing is left. In addition, for 9 days the number of guests cannot be predicted - they come uninvited, at will. If there is food or groceries left after the funeral feast, they should be distributed to the poor. In any case, you cannot throw them away.

As at the very first wake, it is forbidden to laugh or have fun at the table, much less organize choral singing. You cannot remember bad deeds, negative addictions and habits, as well as character traits of the deceased. Until the fortieth day, a decision will be made about where his soul will be - in Heaven or Hell. Negative memories expressed out loud will tip the scales towards a terrible verdict.

The appearance of the people who are going to honor the memory of the deceased is of great importance. Women are supposed to cover their heads with scarves, collecting their hair underneath. Men are not allowed to wear hats in the memorial room; they must be removed upon entry. Nowadays, only close relatives cover their heads during funerals; as a rule, these are black mourning scarves.

What do the relatives of the deceased do for 9 days after death?

What they do for 9 days after death is the work of relatives, which will benefit the deceased in the afterlife. Whether he ends up in Heaven or Hell depends not only on his actions. Relatives and close friends also play a role. What does the ninth day after death mean? In fact, on this day people and angels unite in order to help the deceased get to Heaven. Therefore, you cannot treat memorial days as a formality. This is the time when the living are able to help the soul that is in the afterlife.

For a believer, going to church on the 9th day after the death of a loved one is mandatory. There you need not only to order a prayer service and light a candle for the repose. You should pray near the icons for the mercy of God and the help of angels at the Heavenly Court. You can pray at home, but in most cases a service for the repose is ordered - which in any case is associated with going to church.

Prayers for the repose of the soul and for God to be merciful to it and allow it to be in Paradise can be read not only by relatives. The more people pray for the soul of the deceased, the greater the likelihood of a positive verdict at the Heavenly Court. You can turn to God, and to angels, and to Saints.

In addition, closer to noon you should visit the grave of the deceased. Put things in order, remove the trash, bring flowers and wreaths. Light a candle in the lamp. You can invite a priest to perform a litia - a special service that is held over the grave. If this is not possible, read the prayer yourself. Refrain from talking about unrelated topics. When visiting a grave, it is better to remember the deceased - out loud or mentally.

It is forbidden to hold a wake in a cemetery - this is prohibited by ancient superstitions about funerals and cemeteries. Priests do not recommend doing this either. They attract special attention to drinking alcoholic drinks. Do not harm the soul of the deceased, wait for the wake. You cannot leave alcohol in a glass near the grave, much less pour it on the mound. You can leave a “lunch”, which may include sweets and other treats. Most often, what is left is what is served at the wake on the same day. Sweets and baked goods are also distributed to strangers at the cemetery so that they remember the deceased.

Both at wakes and in conversations, one is supposed to remember only good deeds deceased. Now God is especially attentive to all his bad deeds, and he must hear that the living have an extremely positive opinion of this person. A bad word said at the wrong time or a negative memory can ruin everything.

It is advisable to give alms to the poor on this day. It could be money or food - it's up to you. As mentioned above, you can donate food that is left after the funeral.

In the house, as in the cemetery, you can put a lamp in honor of the deceased, as well as a glass of water and bread. Usually these signs of attention are located near his portrait, decorated with a black mourning ribbon. On the ninth day, you can remove the curtains from the mirrors in all rooms except the bedroom of the deceased.

How are 9 days counted after death?

Calculating nine days after death is very simple. The first day is the day of death. Even if a person died late in the evening or at night, provided that the death occurred before midnight. This same day will subsequently become the anniversary of death.

According to medical statistics, most deaths occur between 3 and 4 am. This time is called the time “between the wolf and the fox.” You should know that when calculating days, you should take into account the same date that can be seen on the calendar at this time - as in all other date calculations, the new day in the case of death begins after midnight.

However, the mathematical addition of the number 9 to the date of death is incorrect. Let's assume that a person died on January 18, and add 9 to this date:

But in fact, nine days for this deceased come not on January 27, but on January 26. This date does not depend on the date of the funeral. According to tradition, they are buried three days after death. But it also happens that the funeral takes place on the fifth or even sixth day after death. The onset of the ninth or fortieth day does not depend on this; it is counted only by the day of death.

How are 9 days after death counted if a person died during Lent? Such calculations are needed only by believers who fast. At this time, if nineteen falls on a weekday, it must be moved to the next weekend.

In general, every person should know funeral and memorial traditions. This knowledge cannot be called desirable, and hardly anyone will want to learn this without special need. But, as sad as it is to realize, every person will sooner or later have to bury their relatives and friends. This means that you will have to deal with funerals and wakes. Knowing what relatives should do on nine days and what the wake should be like, you will help the soul of the deceased in the next world. Remember that it is not easy for him there either - it is at this time that the ordeals of the soul begin. His future in the afterlife depends on how he proves himself during these trials.