Meaning of Memorial services

The memorial service consists of a series of short hymns, petitions, and prayer for the soul of a departed Orthodox Christian. When performed as part of the Divine Liturgy or Vespers, we usually refer to these prayers as a mnēmosyno (memorial), while Trisagion is the term normally used when speaking of the same prayers recited as a stand-alone service.

During the mnēmosyna, a plate of kóllyva (boiled wheat symbolising the resurrection) is blessed and distributed to those present in memory of the departed. This practice has its origins in the words of the Lord in the Gospels: ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain’ (John 12:24).

When are memorial services held?

Memorial services can be held every Sunday at the end of the Divine Liturgy.

Memorial services are ideally held on the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 40th days after death. It is also customary to mark the 3rd, 6th, and 9th month during the first year. After this, memorial services are held once a year, on the anniversary of a person’s repose.

General memorial services — Psychosavvata (Soul Sabbaths) —, where all the departed are remembered and prayed for, are held twice a year: on the Saturday before Great Lent and the Saturday before Pentecost.

When can memorial services not be held?

Memorial service/ Mnēmosyna cannot be held during Holy Week, Bright Week, a period just before Christmas until the day after Theophany, nor on great feasts of the Lord and the Mother of God, nor the feast of the patron saint of the parish, including:

• From the Saturday of Lazarus until and including the Sunday of Thomas

• From 18th December until 7th January

• 2nd February, Presentation of our Lord and Saviour in the Temple

• Palm Sunday

• Thursday of Holy Ascension

• Sunday of Holy Pentecost

• Monday of the Holy Spirit

• 6th August, Transfiguration of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

• 14th September, Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross

• 25th March, Annunciation of the Virgin Mary

• 2nd July, Deposition of the Precious Robe of the Theotokos in Blachernae

• 15th August, Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin

• 31st August, Placing of the Honourable Sash of the Most Holy Theotokos

• 8th September, Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin

  Mary

• 28th October, Holy Protection of the Theotokos

• 21st November, Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

• 17th January, Feast of St Anthony the Great