Prayers for Non-Orthodox Dead

[Hermit76]

As a convert all of my reposed loves ones are not Orthodox. What is the proper way to remember them in prayers? Can we use the common prayers found in prayer books? Are there differences between the departed that were pious protestants and those who were unbelievers?

I am looking for Eastern Orthodox input only. If you would like to discuss the efficacy of prayers for the dead, please post in the St. Justins forum. Thank you.

 

[All4Christ]

I include them in the personal prayer book prayers. Also, the Trisagion for the Dead is a normal prayer service to remember our non-Orthodox reposed loved ones.

After my grandfather and grandmother died, my priest agreed to pray this after the Liturgy was over. He also remembered them in the prayers for the reposed.

Trisagion Service - Liturgical Texts of the Orthodox Church - Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

 

[FenderTL5]

fwiw, I asked my priest the same question after some time after my Chrismation.
I was told that the Trisagion prayers can be said for anyone. On days like Memorial Day he has been known to visit cemeteries and pray for all.

 

[~Anastasia~]

St. John Maximovich used to visit cemeteries and walk past graves, praying for each person there, whether Christian, Jewish, or unable to recognize any affiliation at all by the markers.

As to which prayers, others would know better. I usually simply pray mercy upon them, as I do for people still in this life, regardless if they are Christian or not, Orthodox or not. Sometimes I pray some of the lines from the memorial service for them - that God have mercy on them, forgive them of any sins, and grant them rest in a good place.

 

[FenderTL5]

btw, I asked the same question as it applies to using the Orthodox prayers in the prayer book for those who are sick.. like non-Orthodox family members or praying for non-Orthodox friends in person or on FB..
Same answer. The prayers are for anyone.

The services may be different.

 

[ArmyMatt]

As a convert all of my reposed loves ones are not Orthodox. What is the proper way to remember them in prayers? Can we use the common prayers found in prayer books? Are there differences between the departed that were pious protestants and those who were unbelievers?

I am looking for Eastern Orthodox input only. If you would like to discuss the efficacy of prayers for the dead, please post in the St. Justins forum. Thank you.

personal prayers you can basically do what you want. you can also remember them on prayer slips just make sure to mention they are not Orthodox on the slip.

 

[BoLeVi]

Dead are dead, no need to pray for people who are happy. If somebody die and go to hell then he will meet his saviour there.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Dead are dead, no need to pray for people who are happy. If somebody die and go to hell then he will meet his saviour there.

St Paul prays for the dead.

 

[BoLeVi]

There is not need. Dead people can't be affected by people from earth.
There is many kinds of dead people and no one need prayers from people from earth.
For example people in heaven are:

Seraphims, angels, saints and righteous people.

People in hell are:

Fallen angels, gods, devils, demons, fallen souls and sinners.

How one could be affected by prayers? Can prayers release somebody from the prison in hell if is of sinners?

Or can prayers allow righteous people visit earth?

 

[ArmyMatt]

There is not need. Dead people can't be affected by people from earth.
There is many kinds of dead people and no one need prayers from people from earth.
For example people in heaven are:

Seraphims, angels, saints and righteous people.

People in hell are:

Fallen angels, gods, devils, demons, fallen souls and sinners.

How one could be affected by prayers? Can prayers release somebody from the prison in hell if is of sinners?

Or can prayers allow righteous people visit earth?

whether there is a need or not is irrelevant. St Paul does it. to say we shouldn't do it because there is no need is to say we know more than Paul.

and the righteous dead are alive in Christ.

 

[ttcmacro]

Prayers for the dead are an ancient teaching of the church. As mentioned, St Paul prayed for the dead. Christ would have as well as that was Jewish practice. The early liturgies of the church have prayers for the dead in them. That is a big hint that we should pray for the dead as well.

The question of "what good would such prayers do?" is more complicated. We do believe they are of benefit, however.

 

[Hermit76]

There is not need. Dead people can't be affected by people from earth.
There is many kinds of dead people and no one need prayers from people from earth.
For example people in heaven are:

Seraphims, angels, saints and righteous people.

People in hell are:

Fallen angels, gods, devils, demons, fallen souls and sinners.

How one could be affected by prayers? Can prayers release somebody from the prison in hell if is of sinners?

Or can prayers allow righteous people visit earth?

I wonder where you got these lodging lists for heaven and hell.

 

[All4Christ]

Just a friendly reminder to our guests to review the Statement of Purpose and avoid teaching against canonical Orthodox teachings. All are welcome here, but posts that actively promote unOrthodox beliefs (or debate them) belong in a different forum such as St Justin Martyr.