Prayers of Eastern Christian Churches at the Papal Funeral

Washington Post ^ | 4/8/2005 | n/a

[Pyro7480]

Click on the link above the watch and hear the Prayers by the Eastern Churches at the funeral of Pope John Paul II.

[Grey Ghost II]

While the Orthodox are not in union with Rome, the Orthodox Churches certainly can trace their apostolic succession back to the Holy Apostles.

If you're going to go "ecumenical", Dude, go all the way. Where are the chief rabbis and imams in that photo? They, too, supposedly believe in the God of Abraham.

[Romulus]

When I noticed that the wind had closed the book I was (and continue to be) filled with a mixture of holy awe and fear.

In the rubrics of the old rite, the closing of the book formally signifies the end of the liturgy. In iconography, the depiction of the Lord with closed book frequently signifies the Last Judgment, when the time for evangelisation will be over.

[Romulus]

In one part you hear the words "en topo fotino etc." There they are praying that God will give rest "...to your servant John Paul, the Pope and Bishop of Rome in a place of light, in a place of refreshment, where there is no pain, sorrow or suffering...."

The same prayer appeared in the Latin tex of yesterday's funeral, after the Consecration, in the Commemoration of the Dead:

Ipsis, domine, et omnibus in Christo quiescentibus, locum refrigerii, lucis et pacis, ut indulgeas, deprecamur.

May these, and all who sleep in Christ, find in your presence light, happiness, and peace.

[Kolokotronis]

" The same prayer appeared in the Latin text of yesterday's funeral, after the Consecration, in the Commemoration of the Dead:"

Nice, even if it appeared in a corrupted fashion in a base and coarse tongue. :) Just Kidding, Rom!!!!!!!

[Siobhan]

If you find an mp3 ping me. I was trying to sing it to Máiréad and somehow drifted into a Gaelic hymn and now I can't get either quite clear in my mind...

[Romulus]

Rabbis and imams don't have valid orders. Only a heretic would deny this of the Orthodox. Their apostolic succession's every bit as authentic as Rome's, and has always been considered so. How can you not know this and call yourself Catholic?

[lightman]

Those feelings have intensified upon reading your post.

[Kolokotronis]

The above is a modern icon of Christ at the Last Judgment by Nicholas Pappas and is in Saint Michael's Orthodox Church in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Note the closed Gospel Book.

[Pyro7480]

A picture, similar to the one below, was one the front page of the Washington Post today, above the fold. I was very glad to see it. The Eastern Christians, both Orthodox and Catholic, deserve the visibility!

PS - Though I think I know the answer to the question, I want to be sure. What is the significance of the deacon holding his stole up, mirroring the bishop with the censor? I know that in the traditional Latin rite of exorcism, the stole can be used to bless an oppressed person, so I guess this is something similar. Also, one of the TV commentators said something about the Eastern bishops using incense instead of holy water, though they failed to mention that Cardinal Ratzinger also blessed the coffin with incense. That whole comment brought to my mind whether or not water is blessed in a similar way in the East (I would assume so). Please pardon me if I this sounds wrong, but I don't know too much about such things.

[Kolokotronis]

In Orthodoxy, the deacon's stole is representative of the wings of an angel. When chanting or reading, the deacon holds up the end of the stole to symbolize the spreading on an angles wings.

We do indeed use holy water, just as it is used in the West. There is a special and quite beautiful service for the blessing of water called an "agiasmo".

[Pyro7480]

In Orthodoxy, the deacon's stole is representative of the wings of an angel.

What beautiful symbolism and imagery! Thanks Kolo! :-)

[NYer]

A picture, similar to the one below, was one the front page of the Washington Post today, above the fold. I was very glad to see it. The Eastern Christians, both Orthodox and Catholic, deserve the visibility!

Just curious; did the Washington Post reporter indicate that these were Eastern Catholics, as opposed to Orthodox Christians (no intent at malignment), which was misreported by several in the MSM. I'm sure the Orthodox Churches are also being bombarded with questions about their 'participation' at the Funeral for Pope John Paul II.

It is truly a conundrum for so many in the media who, like the majority of Catholics, have no concept of the Eastern (Oriental) Churches.

Thank you, Pyro, for this post! Here's one for you.

[Pyro7480]

I saw that pic. Thanks!

The Washington Post caption states, A Greek Catholic prelate burn incense over the coffin of Pope John Paul II as other Eastern Rite bishops offer prayers toward the end of the funeral Mass at St. Peter's Square in Vatican City.

The term "Greek Catholic" can be seen as an old generic term for Eastern Rite Catholics, though it isn't 100% accurate.

[NYer]

The term "Greek Catholic" can be seen as an old generic term for Eastern Rite Catholics, though it isn't 100% accurate.

That's good enough for me; at least they got the catholic right. Here is my personal offering for our Holy Father.

Father of Truth

(The Last Prayer of Saint Charbel before he died)

 

Father of truth,

Here is your Son,

The sacrifice in which you are well pleased.

Accept him for he died for me.

So through him I shall be pardoned.

Here is the offering.

Take it from my hands

And so I shall be reconciled with you.

Remember not the sins that I have committed

In front of your Majesty.

Here is the blood which flowered on Golgotha

For my salvation and prays for me.

Out of consideration for this,

Accept my supplication.

I have committed many sins

But your mercy is great.

If you put them in the balance,

Your goodness will have more weight

Than the most mighty mountains.

Look not upon my sins,

But rather on what is offered for them,

For the offering and the sacrifice

Are even greater than the offences.

Because I have sinned,

Your beloved bore the nails and the spear.

His sufferings are enough to satisfy you.

By them I shall live.

Glory be to the Father who sent His Son for us.

Adoration be to the Son who has freed us and ensured our salvation.

Blessed be he who by his love has given life to all.

To him be the glory.

 

from the Maronite Liturgy.

[Kolokotronis]

"I'm sure the Orthodox Churches are also being bombarded with questions about their 'participation' at the Funeral for Pope John Paul II."

I'll bet I got half a dozen calls at the office and even my secretary, a good Roman Catholic asked me. At breakfast this am at my koumbaros' restaurant, a reporter wanted me to explain why the EP was participating in the funeral liturgy!

[Siobhan]

Bump

St. Maron, pray for the Church.
St. Charbel, pray for the Church.
St. Rafqa, pray for the Church.
St. Nimatullah, pray for the Church.
O Blessed Three Massabki Brothers, pray for the Church.

[FormerNavyBrat]

Excellent! Thanks, I've bookmarked for later reading.

[lainde]

Thank you for the Eastern church link!

[lainde]

BTTT

[McGavin999]

There is something there that makes your soul go very still.