thisnewday

The Greek Orthodox have a tradition of periodic memorial services for the dead. The first is at the gravesite at the time of burial followed by another gravesite service 40 days later. Then, at the one- and three-year anniversaries, the memorial is incorporated into the Divine Litergy, the Sunday morning service which is similar to the Roman Catholic Mass.

Although I'm not of the Orthodox faith, or even a practicing Christian, I have participated in these services for my wife whose family was and, at least nominally, still is. And this coming Sunday, her one-year memorial will be observed, celebrated, remembered in the Divine Litergy at St. Sophia's Greek Orthodox Church.

Fortunately, her Godparents are handling the arrangements because our connection with the church and our knowledge of its traditions have all but disappeared with the passing of the older generations of her family. In fact, I believe that her Godparents, Johnny and Elaine, may be the very last of them.

Still, those of us who can make it to the service on Sunday will do so, although illness and serious concerns about the weather may limit our number to myself, my grandson, my daughter and son-in-law, and the Godparents.

We will be there to remember her and to honor what she meant to each of our lives.

And I will be there to acknowledge the renewal of our love in those difficult last days of her life on this Earth... 

LPK
Dreamwidth
1.12.2018