www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology 40 Days memorial service

Dear Miller, thank you for sharing that. $50.00 is fairly steep though, is it not? I try to give from my heart whenever possible.

I applaud that fact that you mentioned the cantor. All to often, the cantor is overlooked and cantoring is an important part of the Panachida or Parastas.

In Christ,

Michael

I appreciate your comments. Maybe you should clarify what you want and in which church.
For example, I know that where I live, Ukrainian Catholics rarely have a panakhyda for their departed. They simply phone the church secretary and ask that their departed loved one be commemorated during the liturgy. That costs a minimum of $10. Also, usually the name is mentioned in the church bulletin with a caption such as �40 day repose�. You can choose this option and attend that liturgy.

However, where I live, in the Orthodox Church, whether Greek or Russian or Ukrainian, the minimum going rate for a panakhyda is $50. So no that fee is not expensive.

You can make the choice of only paying the priest who will then pass on to the cantor whatever he thinks is appropriate, which may mean nothing. That is why my family always pays the cantor directly. Most families also have a family annual panakhyda during which all the departed family members are commemorated and a meal or tea afterwards. With us we go to a relative�s house afterwards for a meal. $50 is not a lot of money if you consider the cost of a meal in a restaurant today or a show etc.

This fee for a panakhyda comes under the term of �Treba� which is in addition to the priest�s regular salary.

If you still want to proceed with a panakhyda, may I suggest when you are booking the date with the priest, mention your financial problems.

I can only speak for the Russian Church Tradition, but in the Church Abroad, when a parishoner dies, we perform a pannykhida every Saturday for the first 40 days, at the gravesite, weather permitting, or if not, in the Church. Then on the 40th day, if it is not a Sunday, the Veliki Pannikhida would be a scheduled Church Service, followed by Kolivo. Every year on the day of their repose, their names are sent up to the priest before the Liturgy with a prosphora, for his and everyone's prayers. I have never heard of a set fee for a priest to perform anything from the Trebnik. Usually a donation is made, but I am unfamiliar with a price list.

It is pretty routine after a weekday liturgy to perform pannikhidi after liturgy at the memorial table.

One custom that I have noticed seems to be missing on the American scene is the reading of the Psalter over the deceased until internment, and the use of venchiki, the headband for the deceased.

Alexandr

Thank you all for your replies, & the private message [couldn't thank you via pvt msg, your mailbox is full]. They are very much appreciated. I passed the info. on to the concerned party and all is well.