The Greek Orthodox believe that when an individual dies,
the soul and body are separated
. The body is returned to the earth and decomposes but is not lost to the soul. The soul does not “return” to heaven, it meets God for the first time and awaits the body’s resurrection.
What does the Orthodox Church believe about death?
The Orthodox Church views death as evil, symbolic of all forces opposing God-given life and its fulfillment. The Church categorically rejects euthanasia and the
belief that humans have the right to hasten their own death
.
Do Orthodox believe in life after death?
For Greek Orthodox Christians, our central feast is the Resurrection of Christ (Pascha or Easter). This is Christ’s triumph over death. … In our understanding of existence for human beings, going to heaven
is not life after death
, but rather the General Resurrection of us all at the end times will reunite body and soul.
What happens when someone dies in Greek Orthodox?
Orthodox burial
Cremation is forbidden
in Orthodox funerals. … However, embalming is allowed in preparation for burial. After the service, family and friends approach the casket to pay their last respects before the closing of the casket. A procession to the cemetery will begin as the Trisagion Hymn is sung again.
What happens when a Greek person dies?
When someone died in Ancient Greece,
they would be washed
. A coin would be placed in their mouth, to pay the ferrymen who took the dead across the rivers in the different parts of the Underworld. … They used simple boxes for burying their dead or the deceased would be burned, and their ashes buried in a special pot.
Where does the soul go after death Greek Orthodox?
The Greek Orthodox believe that when an individual dies, the soul and body are separated. The body is
returned to the earth
and decomposes but is not lost to the soul. The soul does not “return” to heaven, it meets God for the first time and awaits the body’s resurrection.
Does Greek Orthodox believe in purgatory?
The Orthodox Church does not believe in purgatory
(a place of purging), that is, the inter-mediate state after death in which the souls of the saved (those who have not received temporal punishment for their sins) are purified of all taint preparatory to entering into Heaven, where every soul is perfect and fit to see …
What is the difference between Christianity and Greek Orthodox?
Essentially the Orthodox Church shares much with the other
Christian Churches in the belief that God revealed himself in Jesus Christ
, and a belief in the incarnation of Christ, his crucifixion and resurrection.
What is an Orthodox life?
Eastern Christianity stresses
a way of life and belief that is expressed particularly through worship
. By maintaining the correct form of worshipping God, passed on from the very beginnings of Christianity. Eastern Christians believe that they confess the true doctrine of God in the right (orthodox) way.
What book is read at a Greek Orthodox funeral?
The wake will last until the body is brought to the church for the funeral service. Traditionally, the wake lasts three days, though it has come to last only one. During the wake,
the Psalter (Book of Psalms)
is read aloud by family and friends and subsequent Panikhidas are performed.
How do Greek Orthodox bury their dead?
The funeral service, to take place at a funeral home or Greek Orthodox Church will include hymns, prayers, and readings from the bible. … According to tradition, the
casket will face east with feet toward the altar
.At the funeral service, guests can greet the family with the phrase, “Memory Eternal” or offer condolences.
Do Greek Orthodox pray for the dead?
Orthodox Christians offer particularly
fervent prayers for the departed on the first 40 days after death
. Traditionally, in addition to the service on the day of death, the memorial service is performed at the request of the relatives of an individual departed person on the following occasions: Third day after death.
Why do Greek Orthodox celebrate 40 days after death?
The 40 days is
an opportunity for judgment before God
. It’s believed in Eastern Orthodox religions that the soul completes many obstacles known as the aerial toll houses. The soul passes through the aerial realm, which is home to evil spirits.
How long does a Greek funeral last?
Q: How long does the funeral usually last? A bit longer than the average funeral length, A Greek Orthodox funeral service is
about 90 minutes long
. The church ceremony is about one hour and the burial is about 30 minutes. A luncheon is optional and lasts around one to three hours.
What should I bring to a Greek funeral?
Those
attending dress in dark, modest clothing
. Typically, men wear suits and women wear dresses, as the church encourages everyone to cover their arms and legs. A traditional Greek Orthodox funeral includes five parts, beginning with a brief prayer service, or Trisagion, typically held the night before the funeral.
Do you have to wear black to a Greek funeral?
Only wear black for the first 40 days
. Avoid social events for the first 40 days. Only wear black for 2 years (in the case of Greek Orthodox widows)
