✟ The never-ending psalter - an unceasing prayer for the repose of the deceased ☦

What is the “Indestructible Psalter” about the repose of the dead?

This is a book containing 150 verses (psalms). It is believed that the author of most of them was King David; he lived long before the appearance of Christ. One of the psalms was written by Moses (numbered 89). However, in the Jewish tradition it is believed that the next verse (90) also came from the hand of the prophet, despite the fact that this text is not signed. There are also prayers in the Psalter, but by a different author.

The peculiarity of the sacred texts is the need to continuously say prayer over a certain period of time. All texts in this book are divided into 3 groups:

instructive;
laudatory;
repentant.

The sleepless prayer is called because of the long reading of the texts,
no breaks are taken.

The complexity of the process of reading without stopping does not allow church ministers to pronounce the text. For this reason, you can only order a prayer of remembrance at the monastery. The need to carry out such a complex ritual is due to voluntary sacrifice: monks, reading texts, renounce earthly things, rushing to God, they fulfill their main function - they glorify the Almighty.

In the same way, the angels of the Lord glorify the Heavenly Father. Taking this into account, one day a clergyman (the abbot of one of the monasteries) suggested that a person would also be able to continuously glorify God. No later than the 5th century, such an obligation was included in the monastery charter. However, the abbot of the monastery did not dare to oblige the ministers to continuously read the Psalter. Then he turned to the Lord, begging for understanding of what to do.

For three years he turned to God, after which he received the answer:
“Start what you have in mind - it pleases me.”

This was the beginning of the readings of the Unending Prayer. The monastery received the same name. He began the spread of this tradition throughout the world. The name “unsleepless” means that the text is pronounced without interruption for sleep.

Broadcast of the Undying Psalter

For everyone who wants “with one mouth and one heart” to offer up their prayers with the Valaam brethren, a weekly broadcast of the reading of the Indestructible Psalter was organized on Wednesdays from 19.00 to 20.00 (if this time falls on the eve of a holiday, the broadcast is postponed to the next day). The broadcast is carried out on the monastery YouTube channel. An archive of broadcast recordings is available in this playlist.

Reading the Incessant Psalter joins us to the incessant angelic choir praising God together with the saints. The power of this continuous monastic prayer is confirmed by the experience of past centuries and our contemporaries.

Reading order of the Indestructible Psalter

Today, many monasteries function this way: sacred texts are continuously recited. You can order a prayer for remembrance; the reader needs to provide the name of the person for whom the service is being held. Previously, only monks who knew by heart all the texts that needed to be recited were allowed to perform it.

John Chrysostom said,
that the psalms mean the verbs of the Holy Spirit.

These are sacred texts, which is why when read, there is a strong impact on those who read, as well as on the souls of the dead, for whom the Incessant Prayer is said. In addition, the words of prayer offered up also affect the holy monastery. General reading order:

shifts are assigned, the monks take turns pronouncing prayer texts;
when reading, it is important to feel reverence, peace, tranquility, and also to remain in silence;
when one shift ends, the next monk steps in, and you need to pronounce the name of the person/people who are commemorated, this is done three times - after each glory (there are 3 of them for each kathisma);
While the Incessant Prayer is being read, taxes are distributed to those in need.

As a result, reading helps in various cases:

the soul of the person for whom the prayer service is performed is cleansed;
protection from evil spirits is provided;
demons are defeated;
sinners rise from hell.

There are also recommendations for reading,
for example, one should recite sacred texts in a peaceful voice.

Moreover, it is important to avoid distracted attention and tense intonations. The effectiveness of the prayer service is determined by how harmonious the monk’s state was when he pronounced the sacred texts. Other features and rules for reading the Unending Prayer:

when praying, it is advisable to sit, this is due to the significant duration of the period of reciting the sacred text;
the speed of pronouncing the prayer depends on the number of readers, and there are cases when the Indestructible Psalter was recited in 2 days;
It is recommended to repeat the prayer text 40 times.

There are rules that help you better cope with the loss of a loved one:

The Psalter is recited continuously, this is done over the body until the funeral;
then they continue to read the Psalter, but after burial this must be done once a day, and 1 kathisma is enough;
The reading of kathismas should last until the 40th day.

At home, the Indestructible Psalter is read while standing; the psalms are divided into several groups, which makes it easier to pray. Everyone reads a certain number of kathismas. It is not forbidden to hold a prayer service while at home, but you need to divide the texts into groups. Each of the relatives will be able to participate in prayer for the Mother of God.

The commemoration lasts up to 40 days after the death of a person. This tradition provides help to the soul: it helps to cleanse it from sins and accelerates its ascension to God. You need to understand how the services at which the Psalter is read differ. For example, when pronouncing a prayer text for health or peace, the period of prayer in the monastery is long.

In the temple
Only individual psalms from the book can be read.

A number of factors are noted that help to understand why only the ministers of the holy monastery should recite the Indestructible Psalter:

monks are as close to the Lord as possible and are cut off from worldly problems and burdens, so they will recite the text with greater efficiency;
when reading the Never-Sleeping Psalter, the power of prayer is manifested: a pillar of fire appears at the energy level, which the elders also wrote about;
monks make sacrifices for the souls of the deceased, because they voluntarily expose themselves to severe discomfort and refuse comforts.

In addition to the spiritual component, you need to take into account the physical, material and economic. Thus, monasteries are autonomous units, and therefore require donations from people who order plants online.

SOROKOST AND THE UNFORTUNATE PSALTERY. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

Let's look at these two types of church commemoration of the living and the dead and give a definition to each of them.
Write down everyone to whom you wish health, salvation and prosperity.

1) and to you, since this is a matter of mercy.

2) to the monastery, since this is support for the monastery as a whole.

3) monks, because they participate in this ceremony; they feel that they are benefiting and feel that their prayer is being conveyed.

4) by your example you can also inspire someone nearby, if they suddenly find themselves or in a spiritual conversation with someone (without revealing your alms and its size)

5) when you see the result (and there will definitely be one), you will strengthen your faith

The Inexhaustible Psalter about Repose listen online

The text contained in the Old and New Testament books will help in any situation, because this is one of the most effective prayers. When it is not possible to order the reading of a continuous prayer, they turn to audio recordings. However, in this case, the prayer text will help less, since the personal presence of the monks is not ensured, the soul is not invested, and the digital recording is cleared of extraneous noise.

Kathisma 17 (funeral or memorial) listen online

Listen to prayers for the deceased up to 40 days online

Prayer “Lord rest the souls of your departed servants” listen online

Read the indefatigable psalter about repose at home

When it is not possible to order a prayer service performed with the participation of standing monks, reading of sacred texts at home is organized. Moreover, you need to share this responsibility with someone close to you, since it is impossible to recite the Psalter on your own without interruptions: you will still need to take time off for meals and other household things.