Prayers for the dead

[“Paisios”]

Is it fitting and appropriate for laity to privately say the prayers for the dead for a bishop who has reposed?

 

[All4Christ]

Is it fitting and appropriate for laity to privately say the prayers for the dead for a bishop who has reposed?

We are to pray for everyone, so I would think it is fine. The back of one of my Psalters has a readers version of it.

 

[“Paisios”]

We are to pray for everyone, so I would think it is fine. The back of one of my Psalters has a readers version of it.

Thank you.

 

[Monk Brendan]

Is it fitting and appropriate for laity to privately say the prayers for the dead for a bishop who has reposed?

The most important spiritual work of mercy is to pray for the living and the dead.

 

[ArmyMatt]

yes, as I was told by an abbot, if you remember the departed, they will remember you.

 

[“Paisios”]

The most important spiritual work of mercy is to pray for the living and the dead.

yes, as I was told by an abbot, if you remember the departed, they will remember you.

Thank you for the replies.

My question involved specifically the appropriateness of the laity praying for a reposed member of the clergy (specifically a bishop), not the dead in general. But it seems this would be considered fitting and not presumptuous?

 

[All4Christ]

Thank you for the replies.

My question involved specifically the appropriateness of the laity praying for a reposed member of the clergy (specifically a bishop), not the dead in general. But it seems this would be considered fitting and not presumptuous?

I don’t think it changes due to the level of ordination.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Thank you for the replies.

My question involved specifically the appropriateness of the laity praying for a reposed member of the clergy (specifically a bishop), not the dead in general. But it seems this would be considered fitting and not presumptuous?

I know many times if I think to pray for a priest, or a monk, or an abbess, or even a pious layperson who has reposed - it feels rather presumptuous (if that's a good word?) in that what are my prayers for them? I think rather I should be asking them to pray for me? But it is what we do - we pray for everyone. So for that reason I do. But it still feels like it should be the other way around. If that makes sense.

 

[All4Christ]

I know many times if I think to pray for a priest, or a monk, or an abbess, or even a pious layperson who has reposed - it feels rather presumptuous (if that's a good word?) in that what are my prayers for them? I think rather I should be asking them to pray for me? But it is what we do - we pray for everyone. So for that reason I do. But it still feels like it should be the other way around. If that makes sense.

I can see what you mean. At the same time though, if no one prays for them because they are clergy or monastics, then it is a detriment to them imho. Someone hasn’t necessarily achieved theosis already just because they are monastics or clergy. Even if they have, which we as humans don’t know, we pray out of love.

(I’m not saying you believe they already achieved theosis just because of their position - I’m just reflecting on some thoughts regarding it).

 

[ArmyMatt]

Thank you for the replies.

My question involved specifically the appropriateness of the laity praying for a reposed member of the clergy (specifically a bishop), not the dead in general. But it seems this would be considered fitting and not presumptuous?

it is absolutely appropriate for the laity to pray for a departed bishop.

 

[“Paisios”]

I know many times if I think to pray for a priest, or a monk, or an abbess, or even a pious layperson who has reposed - it feels rather presumptuous (if that's a good word?) in that what are my prayers for them? I think rather I should be asking them to pray for me? But it is what we do - we pray for everyone. So for that reason I do. But it still feels like it should be the other way around. If that makes sense.

That is exactly how I feel and the reason for the question. Thank you.

 

[“Paisios”]

I don’t think it changes due to the level of ordination.

I can see what you mean. At the same time though, if no one prays for them because they are clergy or monastics, then it is a detriment to them imho. Someone hasn’t necessarily achieved theosis already just because they are monastics or clergy. Even if they have, which we as humans don’t know, we pray out of love.

(I’m not saying you believe they already achieved theosis just because of their position - I’m just reflecting on some thoughts regarding it).

it is absolutely appropriate for the laity to pray for a departed bishop.

Thank you all for the helpful replies. As usual, I appreciate it.

 

[archer75]

I can see what you mean. At the same time though, if no one prays for them because they are clergy or monastics, then it is a detriment to them imho. Someone hasn’t necessarily achieved theosis already just because they are monastics or clergy. Even if they have, which we as humans don’t know, we pray out of love.

(I’m not saying you believe they already achieved theosis just because of their position - I’m just reflecting on some thoughts regarding it).

Also, who knows, God might reply / have replied to our prayers for that person before they achieved theosis, or when they were particularly tempted or suffering.

 

[prodromos]

The priest who was our spiritual father in Greece passed away last year. We remember him in our prayers always.