I have a friend that I graduated from high school with two years ago, named Jeff. Yesterday, he died in a motorcycle accident. Please pray for his soul and for his family, this will be hard for them.
I will miss him.
JLR247:
The following is a hymn some orthodox brothers sent me after our failed attempt to save the life of Teresa Schindler Schiavo.
**
AKATHIST for the REPOSE**** of
Those Who have FALLEN ASLEEP**
KONTAKION 1
Code:
*O Thou Who by Thy inscrutable Providence didst prepare the world for eternal beatitude and Who appointest times and seasons and the manner of our end: Forgive, O Lord, those who have died in past ages all their sins, receive them into the realms of light and joy, hasten to open Thy Fatherly arms to them, and hear us who celebrate their memory and sing:**O Lord of unutterable Love, remember
*
Thy servants who have fallen asleep.
IKOS 1
Code:
*O Thou Who savest Adam and the whole human race from eternal perdition, Thou didst send Thy Son into the world, O Good God, and by His Cross and Resurrection Thou hast granted us also eternal life. Trusting to Thy infinite mercy, we look for the deathless Kingdom of Thy Glory, we implore Thee to grant it to those who have fallen asleep, and we pray: Gladden, O Lord, souls wearied by the storms of life, that earth’s sorrows and signings may not bury them in oblivion. Hear them, O Lord, in Thy bosom, as a mother responds to her children, and say to them: Your sins are forgiven you. Receive them, O Lord, into Thy calm and blessed haven that they may rejoice in Thy divine glory.* *O Lord of unutterable Love, remember
*
Thy servants who have fallen asleep.
KONTAKION 2
Code:
*Enlightened by the illumination of the Most High, Saint Macarius heard a voice from a pagan skull: “When you pray for those suffering in Hell, there is relief for the heathen.” O wonderful power of Christian prayer, by which even the infernal regions are illumined! Both believers and unbelievers receive comfort when we cry for the whole world: **ALLELUIA.***
**IKOS 2**
*Saint Isaac the Syrian once said: “A merciful heart is one that burns with love for men and animals and for the whole of creation, and at all times offers prayers with tears that they may be purified and kept.” Likewise we all boldly ask the Lord for help for all the dead from the beginning of time and cry: Send down to us, O Lord, the gift of fervent prayer for the dead. Remember, O Lord, all who have charged us, unworthy as we are, to pray for them, and pardon the sins they have forgotten. Remember, O Lord, all who have been buried without prayer. Receive, O Lord, into Thy dwellings all who have died of sorrow or joy by a sudden or untimely death.*
*O Lord of unutterable Love, remember
*
Thy servants who have fallen asleep.
There’s more here at this website:
http://users.sisqtel.net/williams/akathist-repose.html
It’s a very long involved psalm of grief. I’ve found it to of great comfort when I’ve prayed it. Try praying or singing it with a friend or two.
And try reading this which I read during the Requiem right after my mother died:
*But the righteous man, though he die early, **will be at rest.
For old age is not honored for length of time,
nor measured by number of years;
but understanding is gray hair for men,
and a blameless life is ripe old age.
There was one who pleased God **and was loved by him,
and while living among sinners he was taken up.
He was caught up lest evil change his understanding
or guile deceive his soul.
*
*For the fascination of wickedness obscures
what is good,
and roving desire perverts the innocent mind.
Being perfected in a short time,
*
he fulfilled long years;
for his soul was pleasing to the Lord,
therefore he took him quickly from the midst of wickedness.
Yet the peoples saw and did not understand,
nor take such a thing to heart,
that God’s grace and mercy are with his elect,
and he watches over his holy ones.
**
Wisdom 4:4-15 RSV
I hope this provides some comfort.
The LORD bless you and keep you:
*The LORD make his face to shine upon you, **and be gracious to you:
The LORD lift up his countenance upon you, *
and give you peace.
Amen
Numbers 6:24-26 RSV
Your Brother in Christ, Michael
