[Kolokotronis]

No Orthodox uses the word “purgatory” to describe anything we believe in, K58. We do indeed pray for the souls of the dead in that we ask God to show mercy on them, to forgive their every sin because there is no man who lives and does not sin and to establish them where the Righteous repose, but there is absolutely nothing that the souls themselves can do or go through to alter their eternal situation.

[bdeaner]

We do indeed pray for the souls of the dead in that we ask God to show mercy on them, to forgive their every sin because there is no man who lives and does not sin and to establish them where the Righteous repose, but there is absolutely nothing that the souls themselves can do or go through to alter their eternal situation.

Nothing you have said above contradicts the Catholic doctrine of purgatory. Purgatory is not a place for souls to redeem themselves after death -- it is a process of cleansing performed by God, and not anything by which the soul itself can participate in. More on this in my reply to boatbums, coming up.

[Mr Rogers]

Can you recommend any books on Orthodox history or beliefs?

[bdeaner]

We do indeed pray for the souls of the dead in that we ask God to show mercy on them,

An additional comment: If there is no purgatory, per Orthodox doctrine, there is no reason to pray for the dead. They would be in Hell without possibility of redemption, or in Heaven, without need of redemption. Praying for the dead implies the doctrine of purgatory, it seems to me, whether or not one rejects the term.