…be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

~Ephesians 18-20

 

Reading the Book of Psalms for the departed is an ancient tradition of the Church; a result of the care she has for her children, ordering their salvation from birth to death, and not leaving them after death. It serves as a prayer to the Lord for the deceased, and provides consolation and instruction for the living. Through the psalms' sacred poetry, the human heart is shown in triumph, desolation, repentance, and even the mundane affairs of ordinary life. They contain prayers that teach piety, strengthen faith, and help Christians to trust God in any circumstance. The continuous reading also serves to protect the body’s newly separated soul. One elder, when told by his novice that he was struggling to understand the Psalter, told him, “Do not worry, and continue reading it. You may not understand, but the demons do and they tremble.”

The Church reads through the entire Psalter weekly; during Great Lent, twice a week. The Psalm Reading team of the St. Joanna Myrrhbearers also reads through the Psalter weekly, following the same Kathisma schedule as the Church. When we pray for a family member who has fallen asleep in the Lord, we add an extra Prayer for the Departed at the end of each Kathisma that week, mentioning the loved one by name. During other weeks, the team prays for anyone who will have a memorial service following Divine Liturgy on the upcoming Sunday.

Psalter reading for the departed is offered for the following family members of a St John parishioner:

—Spouse
—Children / step-children / children-in-law
—Siblings/ step-siblings / siblings-in-law
—Parents / step-parents / parents-in-law
—Grandparents / step-grandparents  /  grandparents-in-law

If you would like the Psalter read for a departed relative:

  1. Please ensure they fall under the family member list noted above.

  2. Email the following information to:

    myrrhbearers(at)the forerunner.org

    • Your name (must be a St. John parishioner)

    • Family member name and relationship to you

    • Date of death

We hope this brings comfort to you and your family.