BISHOP'S COMPOSITION TEMPLE OF THE HOLY APOSTLES PETER AND PAUL

Funeral table (“canon” or “eve”) in the temple

The appearance of a canon table in the temple indicates a certain impoverishment of piety and a cooling of Christians towards observing ancient paternal traditions. Kutia began to be brought less and less to memorial services, which could not be performed in front of an “empty” table, due to the absence of sacred images on it.

Cemetery with cemetery church

In particular, incense and other sacred rites and prayers could not be performed in front of him. Therefore, there was a need to decorate this table with a sacred image. And since the services that were to be performed here were funeral services, the images had to correspond to the nature of the required sacred rites. Therefore, the symbolic gravestone became part of the canon table.

The funeral “eve” is kutia and honey. From this word the name of the funeral table was formed: “eve”. In modern usage, “eve” sounds like “eve” or “canon”.

a hill and a holy cross established on it with the image of the Crucified Jesus Christ.

Since candles must be lit in front of the shrine during the service, shandals became an integral part of the funeral table. During funeral services, a canon table is placed in the middle of the church and those present at the service light candles on it in memory of the deceased. In addition, candles on the canon are also lit during non-liturgical times for private commemoration of the dead.

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For many people, it doesn’t matter where to sleep with your head correctly, but experts say that a person’s well-being in the morning depends on the position of the body during sleep. It is important to pay attention not only to the organization of the sleeping area, but also to ensuring a favorable atmosphere.

Offering table

Photo bolshoevoznesenie.ru
table for offerings near the eve

- products that people bring to the temple to remember the dead. This is an echo of the ancient tradition of giving alms in memory of the deceased. Products from this table are most often used to prepare food for temple servants and the needy.

Tips for choosing the best option

To determine which position is best to sleep in, you should experiment a little, observe your own well-being and health. Usually the answer is prompted by intuition. Some experts argue that there is a compass inside a person that determines how and where to rest. It is recommended to adhere to the canons that apply to a particular country or religion. But if you like Eastern practice, you can safely experiment.

There is not much difference in what position you sleep. The main thing is that after sleep you feel cheerful. If you feel comfortable resting with your head to the north, then no one will forbid it.

Most Orthodox Christians wonder how to properly place candles in a church. These wax attributes emit the divine radiance that Our Savior brought to the sinful earth. Only the Son of God is able to dispel the darkness and ignorance of the common people.

Pure wax is a symbol of a person’s complete repentance for his own crimes before the world. This attribute can be a direct guide towards God’s consciousness.

Memorial service

Before the eve, memorial services are served.

Memorial Service -

(
Greek
- all-night prayer) - a short service with prayers for the departed.

Previously, it was performed in the evening, hence the name.

In addition to memorial services for individual dead, the annual cycle of services includes so-called parental Saturdays

, when all deceased Orthodox Christians are remembered.

Such commemorations take place seven times a year.

:

• Meat Saturday (the Saturday before Maslenitsa, a week before the start of Lent),

• 2nd Saturday of Lent

• 3rd Saturday of Lent

• 4th Saturday of Lent.

• Radonitsa - unlike others, it is celebrated on Tuesday in the second week after Easter,

• Trinity Parents' Saturday (Saturday before the holiday of Trinity),

• Demetrius Parent Saturday (the closest Saturday before November 8, the day of remembrance of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica).

Which way should you sleep with your head?

Different peoples have their own opinions regarding which direction to fall asleep, where to place the bed, and in what position to wake up.

From a scientific point of view

Scientists at the University of Missouri have proven in their work that people who sleep with their heads facing east fall asleep worse and wake up earlier. Those who want to fill their body with energy and have a good rest are recommended to lay their heads to the north. As for other scientific works, their goal is to determine the position of the entire body during night rest. Scientists clearly recommend sleeping on your side, but which one exactly is still being debated.

According to the Orthodox

For Orthodox Christians there are no prohibitions or advice on how to sleep properly. Religion rejects superstitions, all kinds of sciences and practices like Feng Shui. A Christian should be more concerned about the state of the soul rather than the body. But the Orthodox believe that you cannot sleep when the sun sets, and it is also forbidden to place your bed opposite the door. It is recommended to place your head towards the window, but do not place your legs towards the door. The deceased is placed in this position in the coffin, and this is how they take him out of the house. Sleeping in this position is a bad sign, foreshadowing trouble.

According to the teachings of Feng Shui

Taoist practice studies effective methods of attracting good luck, prosperity, prosperity, love and health to the home. If all things in the house are put in their places, then complete harmony will begin in life. Proper arrangement of the bedroom ensures good sleep. Feng Shui recommends organizing your space correctly.

Science divides the space of the house and people into two types - Western and Eastern. What type a person belongs to must be calculated using a certain formula. With this in mind, he needs to sleep in the direction he belongs to.

In addition, you should adhere to certain rules regarding head position:

• do not fall asleep with your feet in the direction of the door;
• do not sleep with your head towards the windows;
• Do not place your sleeping place in front of a mirror.

If you follow these rules, then it becomes unclear where to put the bed and how to fall asleep on it. Feng Shui sources indicate that in the cold season it is better to sleep with your head to the north, and in the warm season - to the east. Creative people should lay in the direction of the west, careerists - in the south.

Ayurvedic interpretation

Ayurveda came to us from India. She helps to improve, tells how to acquire internal and external harmony. The technique is intertwined with the teachings of yoga. Ayurveda provides the correct nutritional system, tells you how best to relax and where. The Vedas recommend sleeping with your head facing east. However, you should not sleep in the kitchen or store food in the bedroom. To get a good night's sleep, there must be a flow of fresh air into the room.

Yogis claim that energy associated with the Universe constantly circulates in the human body. It forms a biofield, which is very easy to damage through wrong actions or actions. Energy circulates from south to north, that is, from head to feet. Therefore, in order to enter into harmony with the Universe and replenish energy reserves, you should sleep with your head facing the northeast. Otherwise, a person will lose strength during sleep.

According to Vastu followers

Indian science is studying how to attract positive energy into the home and direct the flow in the right direction. According to Vastu teachings, an apartment or house is divided into several sectors.

In each of them, certain processes occur that are responsible for one or another aspect of human life, health, and well-being:

1. The eastern sector influences social activity, creativity, and prosperity. Energy is replenished thanks to the Sun.
2. The northern sector is under the patronage of Mercury. Business, studies, intelligence, finances, partners and guests are in his power.
3. The northeast is considered the most important sector in the house. It is run by Jupiter. In this zone you cannot swear, make trouble, start or even think about doing bad things.
4. The southeastern sector is responsible for love, harmony, and mutual understanding. Venus patronizes him.
5. South. This part of the house is under the protection of Mars. Here it is better to play sports, make plans, and start implementing your plans.
6. The southwest is responsible for dreams and desires. Everything here happens secretly. Experts call it severe.
7. The western part of the apartment is under the influence of Saturn. It is recommended to arrange work rooms and places for training here.
8. The North-West is ruled by the Moon. She is responsible for the birth of children, favorable changes, and travel. Whether it is worth setting up a bedroom in this place, there is no definite answer. Whoever did this travels a lot and is practically never at home.

A person’s well-being, health and success in life depend on where he rests, works, receives guests, and also on the position of his head during sleep:

1. East. Attracts harmony, is responsible for self-development, and activates potential.
2. South. Strengthens health, prolongs life.
3. West. Makes a person selfish and narcissistic.
4. North. Adds rigidity, commercialism, selfishness.

Some Vastu followers say that you should not sleep with your head facing north, northeast, northwest. A person wastes even more energy and does not regain strength during rest. However, if you have low self-esteem, too soft a character and defenselessness, you need to go to bed in the northern part of the house and head in this direction.

In addition, there are some other recommendations regarding the position of the head according to the cardinal directions:

• the northeast will help you find your purpose in life and make the right decision;
• the north-west gives good sleep and recovery;
• the southeast will relieve nervous worries, complexes, and fears;
• the southwest will help you find harmony.

The west side is suitable for creative people.

As the ancient Slavs believed

Our ancestors considered the door to be the entrance to the afterlife. For a living person, it does not pose a danger while awake, but for a sleeping person, having his feet towards the passage is harmful. During sleep, the soul leaves the body and may walk through a doorway and not return. Hence the tradition of carrying the dead feet first. In Rus' they strictly adhered to this rule. Currently, the old traditions are almost forgotten.

According to Muslims

Sleeping with your head facing north is a bad omen! This is what Islam says. A Muslim should go to bed anywhere with his head facing east or south. The direction of southeast is allowed. It is necessary to sleep on your side and back, but do not roll over onto your stomach. The requirements are the same for women and men. Muslim people consider it a good sign to have a low bed or sleep on the ground.

How to light candles in a church

The basis for the correct process is the sincere faith of the individual. It is necessary to place these church attributes with love and a real awareness of the purpose of this action. By buying candles in a church, you are already demonstrating these qualities before the Lord, and a pure heart allows you to achieve what you want. Before visiting a sacred place, you should carefully prepare for Confession and the necessary Communion. These rituals are part of the mandatory routine of any worship service.

On a note! The number of candles that a person wishes to put in the monastery does not affect the fact that the wish will certainly come true.

The ritual of establishing a wax attribute is a voluntary action that should not be considered as a magical rite. Neither the cost nor the number of candles provides an absolute chance of fulfilling hopes and desires. It is recommended to purchase them in church shops. Any monetary donations for candles are used to pay utility bills, repairs and support the activities of social ministries.

This small sacrifice is obligatory for worship. When a person lights a candle, he needs to read a prayer. It is possible to turn to the Lord through your own words, but sincerity is required.

The order of lighting candles during services is as follows:

• Approaching the candlestick, a person needs to cross himself, bow and put the candle in an empty place;
• Candles are lit from other candles that are already burning.
• It is not recommended to use matches in monasteries and churches.
• Candles are not lit from a lamp, since wax can extinguish the fire of the latter.

Church candles

You can read the canon on the eve of the holiday or on the day of celebration

When are the canons read to the saints? You can read them at any time, for example, on the day of a holiday or the day before, at any time convenient for you. Let's look at the canon of John the Baptist as an example.

The Canon of John the Baptist is best read in front of his icon. Photo: kaze.cerkov.ru

Canon to John the Baptist, tone 2:

Song 1

In the depths of the post, sometimes the Pharaoh's all-armed force is transformed into power, but the incarnate Word consumed all-evil sin: glorified Lord, gloriously be glorified.

Chorus: Great Holy John the Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.

To the Baptist and Forerunner of Christ, always immersed in bodily sweets, guide my mind and tame the waves of passions, as if I were in the silence of the Divine, I will sing songs to you.

Perplexed, having been enlightened by enlightenment, like a multi-bright star, you were foreshadowed by the mental East, and pray to my heart, the Baptist, darkened by all demonic applications.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, O All-Wise One, you sank the abyss into the river, creating a flood with the grace of all crime. But I pray, O blessed one, dry up my sins through your Divine intercession.

And now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. Pure, Virgin, God incarnate, you were a relative, blessed Forerunner, with Her we honor and pray, who now lives in your Divine temple, create temples for us of the Holy Spirit.

Song 3

Having established me on the rock of faith, you have enlarged my mouth against my enemies, for my spirit has rejoiced, always singing: there is nothing holy like our God, and nothing is more righteous than Thee, O Lord.

Heal the scabs of my soul and my mind, darkened by negligence, illuminate with your Divine intercession, Lord Forerunner, and deliver me from every opposing situation, I pray.

You resolved barrenness, having been born by God's providence, the wise prophet; Now make my barren heart fruitful, O Lord Forerunner, through your intercession, to bring virtues to vegetation.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Through your love, who creates the Divine House, pray to enhance the life on high: and those who serve your temple by faith, create temples of the Divine Spirit, the Baptist and the Forerunner, through your intercessions.

And now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. Rejoicing, Forerunner, we carry mothers in our wombs, and worshiping the Lord, we carry them in Thy wombs, O Blessed One, pray to Him to deliver me from the spirit of sorrow.

Sedalen, voice 2

For the sake of mercy, O blessed Thy creation, O Christ, art thou who have come, bow the heavens with Thy descent. Moreover, Your terrible look, singing, we cry out to You: through the prayers of Your Forerunner, grant us the cleansing of sins, for the only One is gracious.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokos: Warm representative of Christians, always pray to Your Son, Mother of God, to deliver us from all villainy and grief and give us forgiveness for those who have sinned, for the mercy of generosity, through Your prayers, Mother of the Virgin.

Song 4

You came from the Virgin, not an intercessor, not an angel, but the Lord Himself, who became incarnate and saved me as a whole man. Thus I call to Thee: glory to Thy power, O Lord.

To him who bowed to heaven and conversed with man, you bowed your head with your right hand, you who are rich; Keep me by it, keeping my heart in humility.

The impenetrable desert of a citizen is named after you, blessed Forerunner, and I cry to you: empty my soul of every divine act, make it fruitful.

Governing the Divine Law, you were slain lawlessly. The same I pray to you: correct me, who am always lawless and deceived by demonic excesses.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having created for yourself a temple to the Lord King, you have now come to the Divine village, Forerunner: even if you pray for it, you have erected the most holy house.

And now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. Look at me who is ill, O All-Immaculate One, and resolve my fierce and intractable passions, as I magnify Thee, who has magnified all mankind.

Song 5

Enlightenment of those lying in darkness, salvation of the desperate, Christ my Savior, to You in the morning, King of the world, enlighten me with Your radiance: for do I know no other God for You.

During the currents of the Jordan stream of incorruption, the Forerunner, having baptized Christ, pray to dry up the flow of my passions, and to inherit the streams of sweet and righteous red joy.

I am already weeping, and shuddering with fear, and always containing bewilderment, thinking about what I have done and the terrible judgment to come: O Lord, gracious, spare me Thy Baptist with your prayers.

Establish salvation for people, Forerunner, in the repentance of sins, you became in the midst of law and grace. For this reason, we pray to you, enlighten us with the image of repentance.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Give us the time of repentance, which sadly passed everything, to the benefactor, having prayed for this to You, the Word, John the Great, the Forerunner and the universal preacher of repentance.

And now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. Slanders and catching the flattering dead, O Lady of the All-Immaculate, revive me, who gave birth to the Life of all, O Mother of God, hypostatic, so that I may also sing to You piously, O All-Immaculate.

What is customary to bring to the funeral table - what products

First of all, you should clarify whether the day on which you want to order a service for the deceased is a day during Lent. If this is so, then food is brought as directed by the church - only lean foods, that is, no products of animal origin (no milk or eggs). It is generally not customary to carry meat into temples, since it carries death, which should not be present in the house of the Lord.

As a rule, pieces of paper with the name of the deceased are attached to the brought food, so that later those who eat it can pray for him. Such people are clergy, parish workers, large families or families who find themselves in difficult living conditions and are also under the care of the temple, as well as the disabled and homeless people attached to it.

Is it possible to drink alcohol at a funeral?

Since sincere prayer performed in a sound mind and an intoxicated state are incompatible concepts, the church denies drinking alcoholic beverages when commemorating the dead. After all, the essence of the wake is precisely to pray for the repose of the soul of the deceased . However, among our people, refusal of alcohol at a wake, including on the day of a funeral, is extremely rare. In any case, whether to serve wine and vodka to the table or not - the choice is yours.

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It is still worth considering that if it is customary to drink alcohol during a wake, then the whole process should not become a noisy and cheerful feast. Of course, it’s not without reason that there is an opinion that people don’t say bad things about the dead, and often people gathered who are close to the deceased person begin to remember good or cheerful moments from his life. There is nothing wrong with this, but the main thing is moderation. The most important thing in this process is prayer.

Drinks for the funeral table

The funeral meal can be accompanied by various kinds of drinks. You can make them yourself, such as homemade lemonade from ginger and lemon, for which you need:

• 3 liters of water;
• 6 lemons;
• 75 g sugar;
• 75 g ginger.

Peeled ginger should be grated and boiled in water together with sugar. After this, you need to add lemon juice and let the lemonade brew. This drink will also be very useful.

You can make berry juice or sbiten. To prepare the latter use:

• 2 liters of water;
• 200 g sugar;
• 2 pinches of cinnamon;
• 10 dry cloves;
• 10 g ginger;
• 400 g honey.

According to this calculation, the drink should be enough for a considerable number of people.

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You can also cook uzvar or other regular compote from fresh or dried fruits. If there is no opportunity, time or desire to prepare drinks, then store-bought juices and mineral water are perfect for this purpose, which it is preferable to take not only carbonated, but also still.

History of tradition

For most people, any church is associated with lighting a fire. When Christianity was just emerging, secret meetings, which were hidden from persecution in catacombs and dungeons, were illuminated only by oil lamps.

Fire was often used in paganism. The use of such products in worship was first mentioned in the pages of the life of the martyr Cyprian.

The state of affairs changed radically under Constantine, when Christian rituals began to penetrate Roman culture. Gradually, candles acquired the status of a permanent attribute in divine services. From the 4th century they are lit near the bodies of the dead; they were also accompanied on their “last journey.” In the 5th century, candles were used everywhere.

The candle has its own symbolism:

• Soft and pliable wax was always associated by the founders of the Orthodox Church with a soul melting with repentance.
• It symbolizes obedience to the will of the Almighty Father.
• Wax has good plasticity, this demonstrates how the human soul is naturally reborn in Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church.
• The fire on the candle openly symbolizes warm hope in serving God.