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Mar 25th, 2025
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 14
Junior Member
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 14 |
In Byzantine Catholic funerals when the body is laid to rest in the cemetery, the priest seals the grave."This grave is sealed until the second coming of Christ..."
Does anyone know the significance of the sealing?
Also, if a body is exhumed and then re-interred, be it in the same location or elsewhere, is the grave sealed again?
Is the sealing of the grave a 'faculty' of priests, or can deacons be granted that faculty?
I would appreciate any insight into this.
Thanks
Yurij
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 26,405 Likes: 38
Member
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Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 26,405 Likes: 38 |
Dear Yurij,
As I understand it, only a priest may do the formal sealing.
It deeply reflects the teaching of the Second Coming of Christ and it is sobering that the grave is only to be opened by Christ at His next Coming.
Unless there is a reason to open the grave, but I don't believe it is sealed again. I could be wrong.
Saints' who are exhumed and then have their relics placed in Arks for public veneration don't have these sealed.
Alex
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9
Junior Member
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9 |
We had my grandmother's remains exhumed and placed in a vault. (she was buried in the 1940's, no vault and wooden casket) Our priest said there was no official re-interrment prayers, but came to the original gravesite, blessed the remains in the vault and sealed it. He had a very moving ceremony. She was then moved to her new resting place.
I do not believe that this is a very common occurance and so there might not be any "formal" ceremony. (at least in our case)
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