Memorial

The Memorial Service is a prayer of the living for those who have fallen asleep. Those have been part of the tradition of the Church since the earliest centuries of Christianity. Ecclesiastical writers and Church Fathers who have spoken of them are Tertullian, st. Cyprian, st. Augustine, st. John Chrysostom, st. Gregory the Theologian, st. Gregory of Nyssa, st. Dionysios the Aeropagite, st. John of Damascus and many others. 

Under no condition, should the highly symbolic tray of Kollyva (boiled wheat) be omitted in the Memorial Services. 

Memorial Services are not conducted for those who have been excommunicated or have committed suicide. 

Memorial Services (with Kollyva) MAY NOT be conducted on the following days because on them we commemorate only our Lord Jesus Christ and our Lady Theotokos in our prayers:

•  from December 25 to January 6 (Nativity-Epiphany period)
•  on February 2 (Presentation of our Lord)
•  from the Saturday of st. Lazarus to the Sunday of st. Thomas inclusive 
•  on all the movable feast days of our Lord that are celebrated during the Paschal period (Orthodox Easter period). These are the following:
  •  Ascension of our Lord
  •  Pentecost
• on August 6 (Transfiguration of our Lord)
•  on August 15 (Dormition of the Most-Holy Virgin)
• Also, Memorial Services are not to be held on the Feast Day of st. Demetrios (October 26), on October 28 (OXI DAY) and on March 25 (Annunciation & Greek Independence Day).

On all the above days the Service of Trisagion can be chanted separately, with no Kollyva.

To book a memorial service, please contact the priest. This can be done through the contact form below.