We read for various reasons: to obtain a variety of information, to relax, to broaden our horizons. Reading books in our time is very useful because of the large number of stressful situations in life, and while reading we are carried away to other worlds, eras, distracted from problems and worries.
Why should you read books?
Such a simple question “Why do you need to read books?”, in fact, has a logical answer - to be smart, educated, successful. Everyone knows this, but in fact only a few read books. Since childhood, it has been known that this activity is extremely useful, but recently this issue has had to be raised again and again.
Is it necessary to read ? Definitely yes. From childhood, reading books actively develops creative thinking. You are not just a reader, you are the creator of the work. After all, your vision of the plot is different from how the author imagined it. You create your world, your characters. Creative thinking is needed not only for artists or designers, we need it more often than it seems.
Books allow us to keep our brain “clean” without being littered with politics or negative events that are happening in the world. Today almost everyarticlein a newspaper or on the Internet has its own hidden meaning - to make us believe in something that is not really there. We are being programmed for an artificial world. Classical works do not do this, they will affect the spiritual and intellectual sides of the personality.
Returning to the imagination, it should be noted that it is extremely necessary for those who want to be an interesting conversationalist. The most important value is not that you shine with jokes from popular TV shows, but your thoughts that arise during a conversation with an interlocutor. Without imagination, you simply cannot keep up the conversation with advice, questions, thoughts.
Another reason to read books is a happy family life. For several years, the spouses get to know each other thoroughly, and it just gets boring. People who read a lot, have an excellent imagination, always come up with something, make life active and vibrant. In such a family will never be bored.
Books make you think, analyze, guess. These qualities are important in order to cope with life's problems and worries, to find solutions to even the most difficult tasks.
Unfortunately, people are arranged in such a way that they lose interest in the most accessible things. Previously, when books were in short supply, they were literally chased, read to holes. Today, you can download any book from the Internet in a couple of minutes, but this is of little interest to anyone.
More reasons to read books
You can talk about reading forever. Everyone knows about its benefits, but often all this remains just in words. Here are some more reasons why you need to read books:
- people are divided into two categories: those who read and those who listen to those who read. Now think about which category you belong to;
- people who read will always be in leadership positions. Good literature not only affects the personal development of a person, but is also capable of radically, and most importantly, for the better, changing the world;
- reading helps to be individual, not like everyone else;
- Today, many works are filmed, and many prefer the film to reading a book. So you will not develop the imagination. Indeed, those who first read the book and then watched the film often say that the book is much better, because special effects are powerless before the human imagination.
How much to read?
It's not the quantity that matters, but the quality. You have to live by the book, absorbing everything that is written in it. It doesn't matter if it's a romance novel or non-fiction. Each work has a certain meaning, which the author wants to convey to readers. You must make the most of your reading.
You don't have to focus on how many books you need to read per month, and strictly adhere to this bar. One reading is not enough. It is important to understand what you read and be able to put it into practice.
Books and children
From early childhood, books were read to us, and we also read to our children. The works help kids to fantasize, develop, and also understand what good and evil, justice, courage, friendship are.
The child puts himself in the place of the main characters, becomes a participant in the fairy tale. For very young children, the work should be as simple and understandable as possible, and most importantly, competent.
The older child begins to take an active part in reading. He finds familiar letters, solves riddles, guesses what will happen next. It is during this period that the baby develops a love of reading and a craving for knowledge in general.
Who reads how much: Survey of 100 settlements of the Russian Federation, people over 18 years old
Should children read books?
Of course, if you want your child to be a creative, comprehensively developed, literate and intelligent person.
Everyone at school is given a list of literature for the summer, but many neglect it, believing that children should be allowed to rest in the summer, and not spend all their time studying. Many do not understand why reading books in the summer . Reading is a pleasant and useful pastime, it is not necessary for a child to sit for hours at a book that is not interesting to him. Reading should be fun and rewarding. If you present this correctly to the baby, he will devote time to reading, even if a little, even if not all books will be read, but he will definitely have knowledge, impressions that will help him cope with life's difficulties in the future.
Books are life
Nobody doubts that books should be read, but few people do it, especially in today's world with a crazy pace of life. Books help to distract, relax, learn something new and useful for yourself. Find what you like or what you have been wanting to read for a long time. Just 30 minutes of reading is enough to become richer and more literate.
No time, fatigue - all these are excuses, not real reasons not to read. After all, you can even listen to audiobooks on the road.
Reading is self-improvement, development and becoming a smart, literate and interesting person.
Many well-known conspiracies are read on an empty stomach, in a wide field, on the threshold, on the waning moon, standing east to the sun, preferably on Wednesday, Tuesday or Saturday, if such are read for good.
If under the conspiracy the subordination of the will of the subject is supposed, then it is read on "black" days, of which there are 33 in a year, and on which magicians perform magical actions.
The list of such dates also in our time came from ancient eras:
- January -20, 19, 12, 11, 6, 4, 2, 1;
- February -28, 17, 11;
- March -24, 14, 4, 1;
- April -18, 17, 3;
- May -8, 7;
- June - 17;
- July - 21, 17;
- August -21, 20;
- September -18, 10;
- October - 4;
- November - 7, 6;
- December -18, 12, 6.
The so-called "equinoctial" days are also considered the ideal time for magical actions. The last and first quarter of the moon are especially revered as a time convenient for enterprises of any kind of orientation, and the new moon and full moon are considered less suitable for casting spells and conspiracies.
Almost every plot can be conditionally divided into 5 parts. Most often, the first part of our conspiracy lists the actions performed by the healer. At the next stage, the goals and desires of the conspiracy words are indicated. Part three tells what must happen when the conspiracy takes effect. The fourth part is mythological. It deals with spiritualized natural forces or some fantastic creatures that can influence a person's life. 5 - the final part, “closing” - “I close, I close my words with a thousand locks, and I throw the keys under a white-flammable stone into deep water.” Similar expressions also serve as closing words: “Be strong my words”, “there is no negotiation and agreement for my words”, “my words are stronger than sea stone, red-hot iron”. The closure can be considered as a part that is pronounced to strengthen the first four parts, this is the most important feature of Slavic spells and conspiracies.
Remove the evil eye
Speak water and drink it at dawn:
“Like salt is salt, black is coal, bitter is ash. Whisper and say my water in a bowl for (explaining exactly what is required) business. You, sweeten, salt, you, ash, grieve, you, denigrate, coal. My hall is bitter, the salt is strong; whoever eats my salt, all diseases will be pumped out of him; whoever licks my ashes, all dashing troubles will run away from him; whoever wipes coal with his teeth, patterns will fly off from him with all the ghosts.
The next conspiracy needs to be read in the cemetery, so they finish it there. We stand at the cemetery gates at the time when the deceased is being buried. They wipe their face and hands with a handkerchief (you have to steal a handkerchief from someone), read on it, and immediately throw the handkerchief. You should read only for a waning month, so that the disease does not add, but leaves. It is better not to stand outside the gate, but right in front of the entrance.
“I did not come to visit, I brought my death. I received it here, and I'm returning it here. And you, dead sleep of the dead, guard my illness, lock the damage to the locks, sleep in the coffin, do not get up, do not return illness and grief. Goy!"
Such conspiracies and rituals from envious people and envy can perfectly help you protect yourself from ill-wishers. After all, literally the entire energy space that surrounds a person is permeated with envy, which means hold on - arrows of envy constantly “sting” you painfully from all sides. Many do not even suspect that it is largely thanks to envious people, their flattering, laudatory speeches addressed to you, that the foundations of happiness and material well-being of many people are inexorably (but very true) undermined. If you "in your own skin" feel pricks of envy, then do the following.
Spend a ritual of envy during the period when the moon is waning:
Early in the morning go (just on foot) to the nearest garbage dump from your home. As a rule, in such places there are a lot of crows, and the main thing to do when you get to the place is to bow to all 4 cardinal points, you need to start from the east.
After that, looking at flocks of noisy birds, say quietly a conspiracy from envious people:
“The crows are full of black, everywhere they are screened: from fierce envy, from a dashing eye, induced, early, predetermined, noon and midnight. I came, (say the name), protection is taken from each feather, avert a poisonous attack, give it to the Raven Chief Chrome, sharpening his huge eye. With what came, and without moreover left. As I commanded, so everything is done.
Then pick up a small pebble from the ground (only with your left hand) and throw it lightly towards the landfill (crows) with the words:
“I turn the envious eye into this stone, and I forgive everyone who is visible to me and not visible to me. »
“The lame crow, the huge eye, the threshold (never upholster the name of your envious person) should not be here. So be it!”
Try to feed the next three days of wild birds: tits, sparrows, pigeons with anything, the main thing is not bread crumbs (crumb). During this period, it is better not to give anything from home, in any case not to borrow money, to refrain from "going" to visit, and not to allow erotic contacts.
Another ritual of envy
When the moon is waning (from sunset to the very beginning of a new day), hold a few black elderberry berries in your right palm and head to the nearest intersection from the apartment (house). Crossing this place (slowly walking in order to have time to pronounce the words that are in the conspiracy from black envy), rub the fruits as much as possible with your fingers and mentally read at the same time:
“Angry, my truth. He will lead you to the grave, and me to the Garden of Eden. If you don’t stop harming me, you don’t walk around the world (name of a neighbor), you don’t live normally. My word is strong."
At the very last word of this conspiracy, throw the berries in front of you and turning over your left shoulder, move away from this place in the opposite direction.
The good custom of praying for the dead appeared at the dawn of Christianity. Already in the liturgy of the Apostle James, brother of the Lord, a prayer was raised for the dead. Many Holy Fathers and teachers of the church testify to their saving benefits.
In prayerful memory, love for the deceased is manifested, the desire to save his soul, cleanse him from sin. The deceased no longer needs earthly material goods. Hearty commemoration and expensive monuments are not help for the deceased. The soul cannot free itself from the bitter fate and receive the Grace of God. Only in the tireless prayers of relatives and friends is the care for the deceased, spiritual help to him manifested.
An akathist for the one who died will help the restless soul find peace in the next world. Prayer for the deceased is a prayer for yourself. The Savior, for mercy to the deceased, sends his mercy to the one who prays. No good, even the most secret, is wasted. The afterlife of the deceased also depends on the diligence of the living.
Commemoration of the dead
Sorrow and sadness come to the house of the deceased. Death in Orthodoxy is a great sacrament, the end of earthly life. The soul, leaving the body, goes on a new journey. She goes through 3 states - from the womb to earthly life and the afterlife.
Repentance before death will help the soul to be cleansed of sins. After death, the dead also need charity for their souls. Prayers for the deceased will help not only his soul. They will bring calm, peace in the hearts of loved ones and relatives. There is a special prayer - an akathist for the one who died (or the one who died). Reading it will help to find peace for the soul of the deceased.
Prayers for the one who died are prayers for only one person. The clergy recommend reading the Psalter - it is the word of God. While the akathist is folk art. Relatives and loved ones in home commemorations rely on their feelings during prayer. The Akathist for the one who died are heartfelt words that will help comfort the living and reconcile them with the death of a loved one.
What is an akathist
Akathist - a hymn, a hymn that is read while standing. The very first akathist in Christianity is dedicated to the Theotokos. It was created in the 7th century in gratitude to the Mother of God for the liberation of Constantinople from the Persian army. It is this akathist that is called the Great. According to the Charter, it is included in church services.
All other akathists (translations or original Slavic expositions) appeared everywhere throughout Russia. Later, entire collections of such texts began to be published. They are hymns of praise to the saints, the Savior, the Mother of God. The authors are clergymen, spiritual writers or teachers of theological schools, seminaries.
In order for an akathist to enter into worship, it is sent for consideration to the Committee of Spiritual Censorship. The decision of the Committee is redirected to After which a hymn that meets the requirements may enter the worship service and thus be printed in the official spiritual collection.
The structure of the akathist about the deceased
The structure of the anthem consists of 25 songs - 13 kontakia and 12 ikos. They alternate. Unpaired, the 13th kontakion will be worn out three times. After it, the first ikos is read and again the first kontakion.
The word "akathist" in Greek means "nonsaddle song". That is, during the performance of the anthem, you can not sit.
The first kontakion and all ikos end with the call "Rejoice." The remaining 12 kontakia end with the word hallelujah. The hymn is read most often at home. Therefore, it is quite possible to pronounce it without the special blessing of the priest.
Ordeals of the soul after death
According to church tradition, the ordeal begins. They last 40 days, so prayers for the one who died at this time are considered the most effective.
After death, in the first 3 days, the soul is at the coffin, next to its relatives. From the 3rd to the 9th day, she flies around the heavenly abodes. From the 9th to the 40th day, she contemplates hell and torment in it. All material goods become unnecessary for the soul - an expensive coffin, a monument. It connects with the world of spirits, where purification from earthly sinfulness is more important.
Repentance before death helps to start a new path. The prayerful help of loved ones, their good deeds in memory of the deceased is a necessary spiritual, sacrificial work. The Holy Fathers say that the receptacle of passions is the soul, not the body. No one knows what sufferings are prepared for this immortal substance after earthly life, what passions will torment it. That is why it is worth asking for the remission of sins and the forgiveness of the deceased.
In earthly life we encounter small temptations and do not always strive to overcome them. Ordeals are a test of the strength of the soul, a test of good and evil. Repentance before death can change the inner mood of a person. Prayers after his death will help the soul pass the test.
Why read an akathist?
The deceased can no longer pray for themselves. Therefore, relatives and relatives should pray for the forgiveness of the sins of those who have departed to another world. Only on the 40th day the ordeals of the soul end. All this time, close people should constantly ask the Almighty for mercy on the deceased. Relatives often ask the clergy: “Where can I find an akathist for a fellow deceased? When to read it?
There are no established canons for reading prayers for the dead. It is not known for certain whether the soul will go to heaven if relatives tirelessly ask for forgiveness of the sins of the deceased. Prayer cannot buy the grace of God. But it is possible with good deeds, words, alms to commemorate the deceased or the deceased.
Prayer help for suicides, unbaptized people is allowed only in personal prayer. The text of the akathist, as already mentioned, can be found in church literature. There are different words of the anthem. It is best to choose the option that will appeal to you and will match your inner mood.
How to read an akathist
The parishioners are often interested in the clergy: “Akathist for the same-dead… How to read it? Is it necessary to stand while praying?
Akathist is a self-sufficient prayer. It can be read in church at a prayer service or at home. In some cases, it is combined with the canon to the saint or combined with a funeral litia. But most often the clergy advise reading the akathist itself and the prayer after it. A headscarf for women is required only when visiting the temple. At home, prayer reading without covering the head is allowed.
Prayers before the akathist for the one who died are read at the discretion of the relatives. For example:
- "Our Father" 3 times;
- "Lord, have mercy" 12 times;
- "Come, let's bow";
- psalm 50;
- the akathist himself;
- prayer after akathist;
- "It's worth eating."
It is not necessary to stand while the hymn is being recited. If there are health problems, then it is allowed to pronounce words while sitting or even lying down. Prayers at home are read at the request of the laity.
What days is the akathist read?
The akathist for the one who died reads:
- within 40 days after death;
- within 40 days before the anniversary.
One deceased is one deceased, for whom prayer words are pronounced. The entire text of the anthem is presented in the singular.
Another common question: "Is it necessary to read an akathist for one who died on Easter?" Since the holiday falls on Bright Week (it lasts from the Resurrection of the Lord to Saturday inclusive), the mentioned prayer is not offered. But you can pronounce the words of the Paschal Canon or read the Acts of the Holy Apostles all week - this is the same prayerful help to the deceased, like a hymn.
How to read an akathist for a one who died at home?
Prayers at home are read at the request of the laity. It is not necessary to stand in front of the iconostasis. Akathist allows reading without images. In this case, the inner attitude is more important. A lazy, relaxed state of mind will not benefit the deceased. A pious, humble attitude to prayer will be evidence of love for the remembered. Diligence in reading is comforting both for the soul of the deceased and for the soul of the one who remembers.
How to read an akathist for a dead house? The Charter does not give clear definitions in this case. It all depends on personal attitude and diligence. The Akathist is read in full, from beginning to end, followed by a special prayer.
We repeat once again: if there is no iconostasis in the house, it does not matter. It is allowed to read prayers in front of a window or with closed eyes. The posture of the suppliant depends on the state of health. If it is difficult to stand on your feet or kneel for a long time, you can pray while sitting.
The reading of the akathist for the one who died at home can be timed to coincide with daily appeals to the Lord. For example, read the field of it - the akathist itself, then the prayer after the akathist. By the same principle, evening church texts are read.
Relatives of the deceased, worrying, ask the clergy: “Is it possible to write an akathist for a deceased woman on a piece of paper? How to read it - aloud or silently? The anthem can be read from a book or by heart. There are even special audio and video recordings - it is permissible to turn them on during home prayer. As for the question of how to pray - out loud or in a whisper, the answer to it is determined by each person independently. As you prefer.
It is allowed to pray for the deceased in your own words. It is not necessary to look into the brochure or learn the akathist by heart. If the words come from the heart, they will be heard.
How to help the deceased?
Dead relatives, friends need the help of the living. The clergy assure that with sincere and constant appeals to the Heavenly Father, one can beg a soul even from hell.
No one knows where the soul will be found after death until the Last Judgment. Therefore, the spiritual help of loved ones and relatives will always be relevant. At the liturgy in the temple, all the baptized deceased are commemorated (for this, a note with the name of the deceased should be submitted). You can order a magpie - then all 40 days at the service he will be commemorated. It is optimal for 3, 9, 40 days to order a memorial service in the temple.
Good deeds are the same intercession for the deceased. Almsgiving, helping the sick or the needy is charity that will contribute to the atonement of sins and the acquisition of grace. Righteous John of Kronstadt warned that if there is no love for one's neighbor, then almsgiving will be in vain. Only with kindness and a sincere heart, with regret for poverty or illness, is it worth doing works of mercy. Almsgiving is a boon, first of all, for the one who gives it.
The amounts for donations or the number of memorial services ordered are not fundamental. Only the feeling with which a person asks for the deceased is important.
An akathist for the one who died is also a petition. When to read it? Immediately in a row and 40 days before the anniversary. Prayers make it easier Good memory of the deceased should be accompanied by deeds. Clean up the grave, plant flowers, put up a cross. Such simple actions are not always performed by relatives. The loss of a loved one is a great grief. Good deeds will help overcome despair. Daily prayers will calm the hearts of those who remember and benefit the deceased.
spiritual charity
Relatives and friends of the deceased do not always have the opportunity to donate to the temple, give alms, order a memorial service. There is such a thing as spiritual charity. It does not require financial investments. At the same time, it can bring tangible benefits to the soul of both the living and the deceased. What is its essence?
This is spiritual help to another person. It can consist in kind words of support and encouragement in difficult times. Or free distribution of spiritual books.
If one of the acquaintances is in grief or sadness, even the most insignificant words of consolation can be beneficial. Thus, the spiritual support of the grieving is also a sacrifice for the sake of the soul of the deceased.
Works of mercy, prayers with love - this is a huge power that will help to atone for the sins of the deceased and return God's grace to him.
Is it possible to read an akathist on a grave?
Visiting the cemetery is the duty of friends and relatives of the deceased. But do not go to the grave against your will. A sincere desire to help the deceased should be the reason for visiting the cemetery or praying for the deceased.
It is impossible to arrange a commemoration at the grave - only prayers, kind words about the deceased are optimal for Christians. You can light candles, clean up. Relatives are sometimes interested in the Holy Fathers: “How to pronounce an akathist in a cemetery for a one who died? Is it possible to read it on the grave?
If there are a lot of people in the cemetery, then reading an akathist is unlikely to be beneficial. Do not be distracted from prayer by worldly concerns. Therefore, it is better to come to the cemetery on a day when there will be no one nearby. In silence and calm, prayer words should sound. Then intercession for the deceased will do him good. You can light candles, bring a small icon.
The clergy especially insist that there should be no wreaths or artificial flowers on the graves of Christians. Fresh flowers are a symbol of life and Resurrection. Therefore, it is better to bring one living flower to the grave than to cover it with artificial wreaths.
The grave in Orthodoxy is considered the place of the future ascension. It must be kept clean and tidy. The immortal soul feels the need for constant prayer, since it cannot ask for itself. Reading an akathist and prayers at the grave of the deceased is the duty of a Christian.
Opinions of the clergy about the akathist
The Holy Fathers do not always welcome the reading of akathists about one who died. Some of them admit that the commemoration of the dead can be combined with this hymn. The essence of the akathist is a joyful, laudatory song. In Orthodoxy there is no death as such. And there is the transformation of the soul into eternal life. The victory of the Savior over death, and its union with the Lord, is a joy for a Christian. Therefore, the akathist for the one who died should be read with such an attitude.
There is another opinion on this matter. So, some clergy claim that the akathist for the one who died (one who died) is of dubious origin. This statement is based on some facts.
- The inner meaning of the anthem is contradictory. This is a praise of the Lord, the Mother of God or saints, and not an intercession for the dead.
- Akathist does not have the permission of His Holiness the Patriarch or the liturgical commission.
- Replacing the reading of the Psalter with an akathist will not bring peace of mind to either the living or the deceased.
Therefore, the solution of the question of the laity on how to correctly read the akathist for the one who died, one should begin by agreeing it with his father. Only with his approval is it permissible to read this hymn.
The good custom of praying for the dead appeared at the dawn of Christianity. Already in the liturgy of the Apostle James, brother of the Lord, a prayer was raised for the dead. Many Holy Fathers and teachers of the church testify to their saving benefits.
In prayerful memory, love for the deceased is manifested, the desire to save his soul, cleanse him from sin. The deceased no longer needs earthly material goods. Hearty commemoration and expensive monuments are not help for the deceased. The soul cannot free itself from the bitter fate and receive the Grace of God. Only in the tireless prayers of relatives and friends is the care for the deceased, spiritual help to him manifested.
An akathist for the one who died will help the restless soul find peace in the next world. Prayer for the deceased is also a prayer for yourself. The Savior, for mercy to the deceased, sends his mercy to the one who prays. No good, even the most secret, is wasted. The afterlife of the deceased also depends on the diligence of the living.
Sorrow and sadness come to the house of the deceased. Death in Orthodoxy is a great sacrament, the end of earthly life. The soul, leaving the body, goes on a new journey. She goes through 3 states - from the womb to earthly life and the afterlife.
Repentance before death, the funeral of the deceased will help the soul to be cleansed of sins. After death, the dead also need charity for their souls. Prayers for the deceased will help not only his soul. They will bring calm, peace in the hearts of loved ones and relatives. There is a special prayer - an akathist for the one who died (or the one who died). Reading it will help to find peace for the soul of the deceased.
Prayers for one who died are prayers for one person only. The clergy recommend reading the Psalter - it is the word of God. While the akathist is folk art. Relatives and loved ones in home commemorations rely on their feelings during prayer. The Akathist for the one who died are heartfelt words that will help comfort the living and reconcile them with the death of a loved one.
What is an akathist
Akathist - a hymn, a hymn that is read while standing. The very first akathist in Christianity is dedicated to the Theotokos. It was created in the 7th century in gratitude to the Mother of God for the liberation of Constantinople from the Persian army. It is this akathist that is called the Great. According to the Charter, it is included in church services.
All other akathists (translations or original Slavic expositions) appeared everywhere throughout the history of Christianity in Russia. Later, entire collections of such texts began to be published. They are hymns of praise to the saints, the Savior, the Mother of God. The authors are clergymen, spiritual writers or teachers of theological schools, seminaries.
In order for an akathist to enter into worship, it is sent for consideration to the Committee of Spiritual Censorship. The decision of the Committee is forwarded to the Holy Synod. After that, a hymn that meets the requirements can enter into worship and, thus, will be printed in the official spiritual collection.
The structure of the akathist about the deceased
The structure of the hymn consists of 25 songs - 13 kontakia and 12 ikos. They alternate. Unpaired, the 13th kontakion will be worn out three times. After it, the first ikos is read and again the first kontakion.
The word "akathist" in Greek means "nonsaddle song". That is, during the performance of the anthem, you can not sit.
The first kontakion and all ikos end with the call "Rejoice." The remaining 12 kontakia end with the word hallelujah. The hymn is read most often at home. Therefore, it is quite possible to pronounce it without the special blessing of the priest.
Ordeals of the soul after death
According to church tradition, the soul after death begins ordeals. They last 40 days, so prayers for the one who died at this time are considered the most effective.
After death, in the first 3 days, the soul is at the coffin, next to its relatives. From the 3rd to the 9th day, she flies around the heavenly abodes. From the 9th to the 40th day, she contemplates hell and torment in it. All material goods become unnecessary for the soul - an expensive coffin, a monument. It connects with the world of spirits, where purification from earthly sinfulness is more important.
Repentance before death helps to start a new path. The prayerful help of loved ones, their good deeds in memory of the deceased is a necessary spiritual, sacrificial work. The Holy Fathers say that the receptacle of passions is the soul, not the body. No one knows what sufferings are prepared for this immortal substance after earthly life, what passions will torment it. That is why it is worth asking for the remission of sins and the forgiveness of the deceased.
In earthly life we encounter small temptations and do not always strive to overcome them. Ordeals are a test of the strength of the soul, a test of good and evil. Repentance before death can change the inner mood of a person. Prayers after his death will help the soul pass the test.
Why read an akathist?
The deceased can no longer pray for themselves. Therefore, relatives and relatives should pray for the forgiveness of the sins of those who have departed to another world. Only on the 40th day the ordeals of the soul end. All this time, close people should constantly ask the Almighty for mercy on the deceased. Relatives often ask the clergy: “Where can I find an akathist for a fellow deceased? When to read it?
There are no established canons for reading prayers for the dead. It is not known for certain whether the soul will go to heaven if relatives tirelessly ask for forgiveness of the sins of the deceased. Prayer cannot buy the grace of God. But it is possible with good deeds, words, alms to commemorate the deceased or the deceased.
Prayer help for suicides, unbaptized people is allowed only in personal prayer. The text of the akathist, as already mentioned, can be found in church literature. There are different words of the anthem. It is best to choose the option that will appeal to you and will match your inner mood.
How to read an akathist
The parishioners are often interested in the clergy: “Akathist for the same-dead… How to read it? Is it necessary to stand while praying?
Akathist is a self-sufficient prayer. It can be read in church at a prayer service or at home. In some cases, it is combined with the canon to the saint or combined with a funeral litia. But most often the clergy advise reading the akathist itself and the prayer after it. A headscarf for women is required only when visiting the temple. At home, prayer reading without covering the head is allowed.
Prayers before the akathist for the one who died are read at the discretion of the relatives. For example:
- "Our Father" 3 times;
- "Lord, have mercy" 12 times;
- "Come, let's bow";
- psalm 50;
- the akathist himself;
- prayer after akathist;
- "It's worth eating."
It is not necessary to stand while the hymn is being recited. If there are health problems, then it is allowed to pronounce words while sitting or even lying down. Prayers at home are read at the request of the laity.
What days is the akathist read?
The akathist for the one who died reads:
- within 40 days after death;
- within 40 days before the anniversary.
One deceased is one deceased, for whom prayer words are pronounced. The entire text of the anthem is presented in the singular.
Another common question: “Is it necessary to read an akathist for one who died on Easter?” Since the holiday falls on Bright Week (it lasts from the Resurrection of the Lord to Saturday inclusive), the mentioned prayer is not offered. But you can pronounce the words of the Paschal Canon or read the Acts of the Holy Apostles all week - this is the same prayerful help to the deceased, like a hymn.
How to read an akathist for a one who died at home?
Prayers at home are read at the request of the laity. It is not necessary to stand in front of the iconostasis. Akathist allows reading without images. In this case, the inner attitude is more important. A lazy, relaxed state of mind will not benefit the deceased. A pious, humble attitude to prayer will be evidence of love for the remembered. Diligence in reading is comforting both for the soul of the deceased and for the soul of the one who remembers.
How to read an akathist for a dead house? The Charter does not give clear definitions in this case. It all depends on personal attitude and diligence. The Akathist is read in full, from beginning to end, followed by a special prayer.
We repeat once again: if there is no iconostasis in the house, it does not matter. It is allowed to read prayers in front of a window or with closed eyes. The posture of the suppliant depends on the state of health. If it is difficult to stand on your feet or kneel for a long time, you can pray while sitting.
The reading of the akathist for the one who died at home can be timed to coincide with daily appeals to the Lord. For example, read the morning prayer, the field of it is the akathist itself, then the prayer after the akathist. By the same principle, evening church texts are read.
Relatives of the deceased, worrying, ask the clergy: “Is it possible to write an akathist for a deceased woman on a piece of paper? How to read it - aloud or silently? The anthem can be read from a book or by heart. There are even special audio and video recordings - it is permissible to turn them on during home prayer. As for the question of how to pray - out loud or in a whisper, the answer to it is determined by each person independently. As you prefer.
It is allowed to pray for the deceased in your own words. It is not necessary to look into the brochure or learn the akathist by heart. If the words come from the heart, they will be heard.
How to help the deceased?
Dead relatives, friends need the help of the living. The clergy assure that with sincere and constant appeals to the Heavenly Father, one can beg a soul even from hell.
No one knows where the soul will be found after death until the Last Judgment. Therefore, the spiritual help of loved ones and relatives will always be relevant. At the liturgy in the temple, all the baptized deceased are commemorated (for this, a note with the name of the deceased should be submitted). You can order a magpie - then all 40 days at the service he will be commemorated. It is optimal for 3, 9, 40 days to order a memorial service in the temple.
Good deeds are the same intercession for the deceased. Almsgiving, helping the sick or the needy is charity that will contribute to the atonement of sins and the acquisition of grace. Righteous John of Kronstadt warned that if there is no love for one's neighbor, then almsgiving will be in vain. Only with kindness and a sincere heart, with regret for poverty or illness, is it worth doing works of mercy. Almsgiving is a boon primarily for the one who gives it.
The amounts for donations or the number of memorial services ordered are not fundamental. Only the feeling with which a person asks for the deceased is important.
An akathist for the one who died is also a petition. When to read it? Immediately after death 40 consecutive days and 40 days before the anniversary. Prayer facilitates the afterlife. Good memory of the deceased should be accompanied by deeds. Clean up the grave, plant flowers, put up a cross. Such simple actions are not always performed by relatives. The loss of a loved one is a great grief. Good deeds will help overcome despair. Daily prayers will calm the hearts of those who remember and benefit the deceased.
spiritual charity
Relatives and friends of the deceased do not always have the opportunity to donate to the temple, give alms, order a memorial service. There is such a thing as spiritual charity. It does not require financial investments. At the same time, it can bring tangible benefits to the soul of both the living and the deceased. What is its essence?
This is spiritual help to another person. It can consist in kind words of support and encouragement in difficult times. Or free distribution of spiritual books.
If one of the acquaintances is in grief or sadness, even the most insignificant words of consolation can be beneficial. Thus, the spiritual support of the grieving is also a sacrifice for the sake of the soul of the deceased.
Works of mercy, prayers with love - this is a huge power that will help to atone for the sins of the deceased and return God's grace to him.
Is it possible to read an akathist on a grave?
Visiting the cemetery is the duty of friends and relatives of the deceased. But do not go to the grave against your will. A sincere desire to help the deceased should be the reason for visiting the cemetery or praying for the deceased.
It is impossible to arrange a commemoration at the grave - only prayers, kind words about the deceased are optimal for Christians. You can light candles, clean up. Relatives are sometimes interested in the Holy Fathers: “How to pronounce an akathist in a cemetery for a one who died? Is it possible to read it on the grave?
If there are a lot of people in the cemetery, then reading an akathist is unlikely to be beneficial. Do not be distracted from prayer by worldly concerns. Therefore, it is better to come to the cemetery on a day when there will be no one nearby. In silence and calm, prayer words should sound. Then intercession for the deceased will do him good. You can light candles, bring a small icon.
The clergy especially insist that there should be no wreaths or artificial flowers on the graves of Christians. Fresh flowers are a symbol of life and Resurrection. Therefore, it is better to bring one living flower to the grave than to cover it with artificial wreaths.
The grave in Orthodoxy is considered the place of the future ascension. It must be kept clean and tidy. The immortal soul feels the need for constant prayer, since it cannot ask for itself. Reading an akathist and prayers at the grave of the deceased is the duty of a Christian.
Opinions of the clergy about the akathist
The Holy Fathers do not always welcome the reading of akathists about one who died. Some of them admit that the commemoration of the dead can be combined with this hymn. The essence of the akathist is a joyful, laudatory song. In Orthodoxy there is no death as such. And there is the transformation of the soul into eternal life. The victory of the Savior over death, the immortality of the soul and its union with the Lord is a joy for a Christian. Therefore, the akathist for the one who died should be read with such an attitude.
There is another opinion on this matter. So, some clergy claim that the akathist for the one who died (one who died) is of dubious origin. This statement is based on some facts.
- The inner meaning of the anthem is contradictory. This is a praise of the Lord, the Mother of God or saints, and not an intercession for the dead.
- Akathist does not have the permission of His Holiness the Patriarch or the liturgical commission.
- Replacing the reading of the Psalter with an akathist will not bring peace of mind to either the living or the deceased.
Therefore, the solution of the question of the laity on how to correctly read the akathist for the one who died, one should begin by agreeing it with his father. Only with his approval is it permissible to read this hymn.
It occupies a special place. Written long before the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is the only one of the books of the Old Testament that has completely entered the liturgical charter of the Christian Church and occupies a prominent place in it.
The special value of the Psalter is that it depicts the movements of the human soul striving for God, it gives a high example of prayerful opposition to sorrows and temptations and glorification of God. “In the words of this book, all human life, all states of the soul, all movements of thought are measured and embraced, so that nothing more can be found in a person than what is depicted in it,” says St. Athanasius the Great. The grace of the Holy Spirit, penetrating every word of the Psalter, sanctifies, purifies, supports those who pray with these sacred words, drives away demons and attracts Angels.
The first Christians deeply revered and loved the Psalter. They memorized all the psalms by heart. Already in apostolic times, the Psalter was widely used in Christian worship. In the modern liturgical charter of the Orthodox Church, the Psalter is divided into 20 sections - kathisma. The Psalms are read in the temple daily at every morning and evening service. During the week, the book of Psalms is read in full, and Great Lent is read twice during the week. Psalms are also included in the prayer rule prescribed for the laity.
For a simple reading of the psalms, if a Christian does not take some kind of vow or a permanent addition to the generally accepted rule, there is no need to take a blessing from the confessor.
Hieromonk Job (Gumerov) explains:
"There is no need to take a special blessing from the priest for reading the Psalter. The Church has blessed us for this: be filled with the Spirit, building up yourselves with psalms and doxologies and spiritual hymns (Eph. 5:18-19)."
But it is absolutely necessary to take a blessing from the priest if a layman imposes on himself some special constant prayer rule or some kind of vow.
Priest Vladimir Shlykov says why this is necessary:
“Before you take on any prayer rules, you need to consult with your confessor or with the priest with whom you regularly confess. Having assessed your life situation and the measure of spiritual progress, the priest will bless (or not bless) to read. It often happens that a person takes on an unbearable burden, and in connection with this, he has spiritual problems. If you pray in obedience and with blessing, then such problems can be avoided.” “The priest is the conductor of the grace of God. Therefore, when they take a blessing, they are applied not to the hand of the priest, but to the Hand of the Lord. Let's say we want to receive God's blessing, but how do we know if He has blessed or not? For this, the Lord left a priest on earth, gave him special authority, and the grace of God descends on the believers through the priest. In addition, during personal communication, you will be able to ask the priest all your questions about what you are taking the blessing for. And the priest will advise what will be useful for you. Through the Internet, you can only give general advice, but you can receive grace, as well as hear something specific from the priest, only in the temple.”
St. Ignatius (Bryanchaninov) writes: “Say the words a little aloud when you pray in private, and this helps to maintain attention.”
Rev. Seraphim of Sarov advised that it was necessary to read prayers in an undertone or quieter, so that not only the mind, but also the ear would listen to the words of the prayer (“Give joy and joy to my hearing”).
The titles of the psalms are not to be read. You can read the psalms both standing and sitting (the word “kathisma” translated into Russian is “what is read while sitting”, in contrast to the word “akathist” - “not sitting”). It is imperative to get up when reading the opening and closing prayers, as well as at the Glory.
There is no need to lose heart and be embarrassed if at first the meaning of the psalms is sometimes incomprehensible. You can always look at incomprehensible expressions in . As we read and our spiritual maturation, the deep meaning of the psalms will open deeper and brighter.
Priest Anthony Ignatiev advises those who wish to read the Psalter: “To read the Psalter at home, it is advisable to take a blessing from the priest. When reading a strict rule at home, how to read no, it is much more important to tune in to prayer. There are different practices for reading the Psalms. It seems to me that reading is most acceptable when you do not depend on the volume of what you read, i.e. are not required to read kathisma or two a day. If there is time and a spiritual need for prayer, you start reading from the place where you left off last time, having made a bookmark.
If the laity add one or several selected psalms to the cell prayer rule, they read only their text, as, for example, the fiftieth psalm in the morning rule. If a kathisma, or several kathismas, is read, then special prayers are added before and after them.
Before reading a kathisma or several kathismas
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Heavenly King, Comforter, Soul of Truth, Who is everywhere and fills everything, Treasury of good things and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from all filth, and save, O Blessed, our souls.
Trisagion
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.(Three times)
Prayer to the Holy Trinity
Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse our sins; Lord, forgive our iniquities; Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Your name's sake.
Lord have mercy. (Thrice).
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.
Lord's Prayer
Lord have mercy (12 times)
Come, let us worship our King God. (Bow)
Come, let us bow down and bow down to Christ, our King God. (Bow)
Come, let us bow down and bow down to Christ Himself, the King and our God.(Bow)
On "Glory"
Where the kathisma is interrupted by the mark "Glory", the following prayers are read:
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, glory to Thee, O God! (3 times)
Lord have mercy. (3 times)
Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit
Prayers for health and repose in Glory:
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on my spiritual father name), my parents ( names), relatives ( names), bosses, mentors, benefactors ( names) and all Orthodox Christians.
Give rest, O Lord, to the souls of the departed Thy servants ( names) and all Orthodox Christians, and forgive them all their sins, voluntary and involuntary, and grant them the Kingdom of Heaven.]
And now, and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.
After reading the kathisma, they read the prayers and troparia indicated in the kathisma.
Prayer « Lord have mercy» read 40 times.
Sometimes, at will, between the second and third ten (between 20 and 21 prayers “Lord, have mercy!”), A believer’s personal prayer is said for the closest people, for the most urgent.
