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Joined: Nov 2001
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As many of you know from my request for prayers for her, I have a close friend who is nearing the end of her earthly journey. I am spending a lot of time with her and doing what I can to make her last days more comfortable. What prayers would be suitable to praying with/for her in these last days? I know the Roman Ritual has appropriate prayers and a Litany at the time of death, is there something similar in the Byzantine tradition? My friend is a very devout Ukie Catholic and I know would appreciate having me pray with/for her when the time comes. Any suggestions from our liturgical experts? Unfortunately, it will have to be in English as my Ukrainian is limited to "Slava Isusu Christu" and "Hospody pomyiluy". Thanks in advance. Don
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Joined: Nov 2001
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Bless, Father Don! In the Ukrainian tradition, it is appropriate to light a candle in the room of someone nearing death (ideally, the candle that is blessed at the Feast of the Meeting of our Lord in the Temple)and to pray the Psalms continuously over them. They can be read in English, if absolutely necessary (  ). There are also Canons for those approaching death and these are in English in the Old Rite Orthodox Prayerbook from Erie, Penn. Alex
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Joined: Mar 2002
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The Canon of Supplication at the Parting of the Soul is in the Trebnik. I can drop it off at Stephanie's on my way out of town here in an hour or so if you like. I assume you have a Psalter.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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it is appropriate to ... pray the Psalms continuously over them. I did that for my dear husband, but I didn't realize it was the "rite" thing to do...  I just knew it was the right thing to do.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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Dear Father Don, We have found Chaplet of Divine Mercy most appropriate for praying with or for the dying. A copy and diagram (using a rosary) of the chaplet can be found here: http://www.ainglkiss.com/mc/mcp.htm In Christ and the Theotokos, Mary Jo
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Joined: Nov 2001
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Dear Pentha,
Yes indeed!
And the psalter is read as continuously as possible for the 40 day period after death as well, especially the 17th Kathisma or Psalm 118/119.
In Old England, it was customary for family and friends to take turns reciting the Psalter over the body of a reposed one four times throughout the first night, and then again on the morning of the day of burial.
One English penitential listed the recitation of the Psalter 600 TIMES for the soul of a reposed bishop - this was, of course, done by monks who fulfilled assigned Psalters.
The Anglican holy one, Nicholas Ferrar at Little Gidding in England, had his family take turns reciting the Psalter, 12 psalms at the beginning of each hour, day and night, as the Coptic monks did.
So they recited the Psalter TWICE in every 24 hour period.
Alex
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