Memorial

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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) ARE NOT conducted on the following days because on them we commemorate only our Lord Jesus Christ and our Lady Theotokos in our prayers:

• on January 6 (Epiphany).

• on February 2 (Presentation of our Lord).

• on Sunday of the Holy Cross (3rd Sunday of Great Lent -varies each year).

• 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:
  • Mid-Pentecost.
  • Leave-taking of Pascha.
  • Ascension of our Lord.
  • Pentecost.
  • Monday of the Holy Spirit.

• on August 6 (Transfiguration of our Lord).

• on August 15 (Dormition of the Most-Holy Virgin).

• on September 8 (Nativity of the Theotokos). 

• on September 14 (Exaltation of the Holy Cross).

• on November 21 (Entrance of the Virgin Mary to the Temple).

• on December 25 (Nativity).

Also, Memorial Services are not to be held:

• on the Feast Day of st. Demetrios (October 26).

• on October 28 ("OXI" DAY).

• 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 Fr Bohdan on 905 926 7040