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That's an extraordinary amount of time for a layman to devote to prayer daily. I wonder if these prayers are indulgenced? It just makes sense that people who pray a lot would choose prayers which gain indulgences and assist the Holy Souls.

Bless Father,

I apologise for revealing that - I really should not have, I've probably committed the sin of pride. Just wanted to underline that the Theotokos Rule need not replace anything from one's daily prayer rule.

Since you brought it up, the prayers mentioned really aren't a burden at all if one divides them up throughout the day into seven separate periods. A kathisma, an akathist, 300 Jesus Prayers in one of seven such periods - one can readily get used to the rhythm and it doesn't feel like a lot at all. To say everything at once - now that would be a problem!

I pray for the souls of the faithful departed, although must confess that I haven't felt the need to be concerned with indulgences.

As you know, St Peter Mohyla insisted on keeping the teaching on Purgatory in his original Orthodox Catechism for his Metropolia of Kiev and Halych, even after that part of his work was edited out at Jassy. I wonder if he also had some sort of system of indulgences? Was it St Nicodemos Hagioritis who mentioned a Greek form of an indulgence somewhere?

I must say that our conversation here has truly enriched me. I apologise for anything I may have said that would be offensive to you, Holy and Venerable Father, in any way.

By reading your posts, I sense that you are someone who has suffered a great deal for the Lord's cause throughout your life and you bring the wisdom that that suffering has imparted to you to others.

You are truly a man totally immersed in our Lord, God and Saviour, Jesus Christ!

Kissing your right hand, I implore your blessing,

your sinful servant, Alex

All prayers done with a spirit of contrition are indulgenced, especially those done with an object of piety blessed by a priest. So rejoice you have unwittingly helped numerous Holy Souls.

Under Latin influence the Greeks were selling not so much Indulgences but certificates of absolution. If I remember rightly Saint Nikodemus wrote of purchasing a couple for his friends.

http://orthodoxwiki.org/Absolution_Certificates

Father Lance, it's a nice thought but I am not sure the Holy Father opens his treasury of merits for non-Catholics. Plus I couldn't really fulfil one of the necessary conditions of praying for his intentions. Plus we don't really believe in Purgatory.

Well Orthodox Catholics aren't non-Catholics and praying an Our Father and Hail Mary for the Pope's intention is only required for a plenary indulgence not a partial indulgence. Purgatory, Fore-court of Hell, they're good for both. Good to see you back in health Fr. Ambrose.

Dear Father Deacon,

Certainly, plenary indulgences would be most welcomed by the holy souls.

The main practices that are so indulgenced, half hour reading of Scripture, the rosary said in Church, the Way of the Cross in Church or with a specially blessed Cross, are all excellent means to adapt to one's prayer life and do frequently!

In my case, it is just that the "Orthodox in communion with Rome" crowd has apparently done me some damage in that department.

But you are absolutely right. And we need to pray and do penance throughout our lives as a form of extended "epitimia" to heal our sinfulness and the damage our sins do.

Purgatory is simply how the "sinful residuals" of our lives are dealt with before we may enter the Kingdom of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Cheers, Father Deacon!

Alex

Bless Father!

I've sometimes thought that I can follow the practices and beliefs of a certain group of Orthodos saints and define myself as a true Orthodox Christian on that foundation!

I ask for your indulgence . . .

Alex

The foundation of Purgatory is the belief that, while Christ was the expiation on the Cross for the eternal punishment due to our sins, there remains a temporal punishment which we must expiate in person, either here on earth or in Purgatory.

This forms no part of Orthodox belief.

What of our Byzcath brothers? I do not know if you have accepted Roman Catholic beliefs in this matter?

Bless, Father Ambrose,

Pick an answer - yes or no - you'll be right on either count, although I've no idea which is the more prevalent conclusion among my brethren.

Many years,

Neil

I believe one can die in need of purification. I believe those that need this can be helped by our prayers.

I never much cared for accounting, I refuse to add it to my prayer life. I pray prayers I like and find helpful.

Bless Father Ambrose!

Perhaps this should have its own thread . . .

But did not one of the Orthodox Confessions affirm that souls that did not perform sufficient acts of penance before death would stand in need of the prayer of the Church afterwards?

And with St Peter Mohyla, the Orthodox Metropolitan of Kiev, I accept Purgatory!

John Meyendorff also mentions Orthodox theologians who accepted Purgatory.

And with St Nicodemos Hagioritis, I can also accept certain indulgences . . .

Alex

I believe we can offer 17 Church Fathers who taught apokatastasis (universal salvation for humankind and demonkind.) Unfortunately the bishops disagreed with the Holy Fathers and the belief disappeared from the Church.

That the Fathers are not infallible and may err is demonstrated by the above. You mention Saint Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain, a reputable theologian - but still able to erroneously believe he could hand over cash to Constantinople and purchase Certificates of Absolution for his friends as Christmas presents. A rather abominable idea to us today but the Saint was deluded in this matter.

I agree with you on that. Thank God the Catholic Church also stopped selling indulgences.