The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much....James 5:16

Your request for prayers is being offered as you asked. Also, you and all you asked for, will be remembered and commemorated during all the services here at the monastery.

In the tradition of monastic service, the Monastery of the Holy Martyrs offers prayers for both the living and those who have fallen asleep. We love to pray. We pray long and we pray hard.

Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy upon me a sinner.

The Syriac Orthodox Church believes that prayer is very important in faithful Christian life. In prayer, a person transcends oneself to be in communion with God while praising and glorifying Him. The person is engaged in a relationship with God whom he encounters in prayer as a personal reality.

Christ is the focus of that relationship, for in Christ, God the Father is accessible to us. The value of prayer in our lives should not be underestimated. It is said that our praise here on earth is related to the praise we will sing in heaven, for there cannot be among the heavenly host anybody who has not learned to sing praises while on earth

Molieben

A molieben is an intercessory prayer service for a specific intention (healing, wisdom, reconciliation, employment, safety, general well-being, etc.).

Prayers for the Departed

Prayer for the souls of the departed is an essential element of Orthodox Church tradition and service. The panachida is the traditional memorial service for the souls of departed loved ones. It may be offered at any time after physical death but is most often offered at the time of passing as well as the 3rd, 9th, and 40th days after passing and the yearly anniversary of the date.

Commemoration of the living and the departed at Divine Liturgy is an abundant source of grace for souls in need. The names of Orthodox Christians submitted to us are mentioned in the Service of Proskomedia (Prothesis) when the gifts of bread and wine are prepared. Please specify if the person is Orthodox or Non-Orthodox. Also please note that during Lent and Holy Week we are not able to schedule weekday Liturgy commemorations.

Something to Consider

In today's society, whether because of a subconscious desire to avoid 'thinking about' death or to just 'do something', attention is focused on helping the family at the time of a loved one's passing through flowers, visits, cards, and other tangible efforts. Some families try to channel expressions of support into something useful like donations to a church or charity.

But, aside from prayers for the departed in Orthodox and Catholic services, nothing is usually done to help the soul of the departed when he or she needs it most. When a family member or friend passes, submit their name to the monastery. Commemorations for the departed are normally done for the traditional 40 days. Then, send a card to the family with a short note saying (in your own words): "We have arranged for prayers for the soul of 'NAME' for at Holy Martyrs Monastery.As Orthodox Christians, we believe that prayers are of great help to those who have departed this life." Then, add personal comments of your own. This will serve as a reminder to Orthodox Christians to remember to pray for the departed and to hopefully motivate them to help others in the same way.

For non-Orthodox, it can open a door to discuss the Faith with them and perhaps lead to their eventual conversion.

Is it necessary to donate when requesting commemorations?

Though not a requirement, it is a pious custom in the Orthodox Church to donate when requesting commemorations at the Divine Liturgy.

Saint John the Wonderworker of San Francisco writes,

"Therefore, panikhidas [memorial services for the dead] and prayer at home for the dead are beneficial for them, as are good deeds done in their memory, such as alms or contributions to the Church. But especially beneficial for them is commemoration at the Divine Liturgy. … Use your money not for outward adornment of the coffin and grave, but to help those in need, in memory of your close ones who have died, [and] for the churches where prayers for them are offered."

While we greatly appreciate any financial donation you would like to offer, there is no specific charge for this important service to the Church. Be sure to include the person's name you want prayed for and the reason. They will be in our prayers and remembered during the services here at the monastery.

Guideline for Submitting Names for Commemoration of the Living or Departed:

* Specify whether the name(s) submitted are of people living or departed.
* Submit baptismal names only—do not include last names/surnames.
* Please do not use nicknames. For example, write Alexander rather than Alex, Katherine rather than Kathy, and Nicholas rather than Nick.

* Do not use double names such as Anna Maria or John Michael
* Specify the titles of clergy and monastics. Do not use ambiguous titles such as “Father,” “Mother,” etc.

For hierarchs use Patriarch, Metropolitan, Archbishop, or Bishop.
For clergy and monks use Archimandrite, Abbot, Archpriest, Hieromonk, Priest, Archdeacon, Protodeacon, Hierodeacon, Deacon, Schema Monk, Rassaphore Monk, Novice, Subdeacon or Reader.
For nuns use Abbess, Schema Nun, Rassaphore Nun, or Novice.

By living the Orthodox Life you put Christ’s commandments and way of life deep into your consciousness. You learn to deal more effectively with stress. You release reserves of untapped energies. You transform anger. You heal relationships. You leave behind painful memories and live a life fully in the present. You develop unsuspected capacities for insight and understanding. You learn to love more fully than you thought possible. You discover your unique contribution to life. You walk a path toward eternal life in Paradise.

Orthodox Workers
Monastery of the Holy Martyrs - Syriac Orthodox

Prayers for the Living and the Departed

By Orthodox Worker / Monastery of the Holy Martyrs

Prayers for the Living and the Departed

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much....James 5:16