Sorokoust about Health: what is it? Priest's Answer

See section LIFE AFTER DEATH

• Sorokoust Handbook of an Orthodox Person
• On the remembrance of the dead Rest with the saints

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Sorokoust is a church prayer commemoration of a Christian for forty days. The Church prays for the health of the living and for the repose of the dead, because... “Everyone is alive with God.”

Sorokousts are ordered to perform forty days of church prayer: at the Liturgy, at prayer services and during the reading of the Psalter.

The number forty is significant, often found in the Holy Scriptures. The Jewish people wandered in the desert for forty years, the prophet Moses fasted for forty days, the Savior after His Baptism spent forty days in the desert, and after His Resurrection, for forty days he taught the Apostles the secrets of the Kingdom of God.

The first Apostles legitimized in the Church of Christ the Old Testament custom of mourning the dead for forty days. According to tradition, for 40 days the Church prays not only for the dead, but also for the living.

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For whom can and cannot be given magpie?

We must proceed from the fact that the Church prays for the members of the Church. Therefore, of course, it is advisable to give for those who participate or participated during their lifetime in the Church Sacraments, confessed and received communion. This is a must. The lines of the priestly prayer read before the Liturgy for those who will be remembered at the Liturgy contain the following words addressed to the Lord: “For them you have provided with Your honorable Blood.” But based on our weakness, the Church is lenient and accepts notes about people who are at least baptized, so that we can pray for them. Of course, you cannot give magpie for unbaptized people and for those whom we know for sure that he is a blasphemer and an atheist, who does not believe in God at all. For people who have left this life without permission, who have given up this gift of life to the Lord, that is, for suicides, magpies cannot be given. Unless the bishop blesses otherwise: there are cases when a person was not himself, he had a psychiatric diagnosis.

Prayer as a connection with God

Sorokoust about health is a type of Orthodox prayer. It is impossible to imagine the life of Christian believers without prayer. Believers resort to prayer under various circumstances, be it sorrow or joy. According to the works of Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov (1807-1867), prayer is “the offering of our petitions to God,” “the greatest virtue, a means of uniting a person with God,” “communion of life,” “the door to all spiritual gifts,” “the highest exercise for the mind.” ", "head, source, mother of all virtues"; she is the “food”, “book”, “science”, “life” of all Christians.

The need for prayer (communication with God) lies in the desire to find lost bliss as a result of the Fall.

Proskomedia - part of the service when the magpie is read

Thus, prayer is “the turning of a fallen and repentant person to God. Prayer is the cry of a fallen and repentant person before God. Prayer is the outpouring of heartfelt desires, petitions, sighs of a fallen man killed by sin before God... We need prayer: it assimilates man to God. Without it, man is a stranger to God. And the more one practices prayer, the more one approaches God” (St. Ignatius Brianchaninov).

This is the principle of spiritual life, on which St. John Climacus (579-649) wrote:

“When you remain in prayer for a long time and do not see fruit, do not say: I have gained nothing. For the very stay in prayer is already an acquisition; and what good is greater than this - to cleave to the Lord and remain unceasingly in union with Him.”

What should I do if I ordered a magpie in a church where services are not held every day?

If they serve in the church every day, then the magpie will live up to its name, that is, for forty days this person will be remembered at the Liturgy. But if, for example, the Liturgy in the church is not celebrated every day (this is especially true for rural churches), then these 40 Liturgies can stretch over six months, depending on how many days a week the Liturgy is celebrated in the church. In any case, these forty Liturgies will be served, and prayer will be offered to God for this person. You can also go to a monastery and order a magpie there - in monasteries, services are held daily. In addition, it is worth taking into account the peculiarities of the church circle of services throughout the year. For example, if Lent begins, when the Liturgy is celebrated only on Saturday and Sunday, 40 Liturgies in a row do not coincide with 40 days after death.

What is magpie?

In Orthodox practice, there is a special daily prayerful commemoration for a certain period (40 days, 6 months, a year), which is carried out during the Liturgy. The common people call it magpie. An explanation of the historical origin of this name can be found in the work of Professor of the Moscow Theological Academy Evgeniy Evsigneevich Golubinsky, “History of the Russian Church,” Volume 2. In ancient times in Rus', church parishes in cities were divided into “magpies.” It was an analogue of modern dean districts of 40 churches. There was a folk tradition of ordering commemoration in the entire “forty” (40 churches). This is how the unofficial term “magpie” appeared. You can order such a commemoration both for health and for repose.

Prayerful remembrance (for the living or the dead) occurs during proskomedia. Proskomedia is the first part of the liturgical service, when the “substance” for Communion is prepared. At this time, a particle is taken from the prosphora (special liturgical bread). Then the priest, with a special prayer, lowers it into the Chalice with the Blood of Christ.

“Sorokoust is the most important remembrance of the Orthodox Church, both living and dead. After all, our greatest shrine is the Body and Blood of Christ, which, out of His ineffable mercy for the human race, the Lord creates at every Liturgy from simple substances (wine, water and prosphora). Therefore, one contact with such a terrible and powerful shrine is saving for the human soul. And as a result of this, the magpie can be called the main remembrance for a person - both living and deceased. After all, it is not for nothing that the clergyman prays, pouring out particles taken from the prosphora, remembering the name. So that the Lord, for the sake of His Most Pure Body and Blood, would wash, that is, forgive the sins of the people remembered here. And we – Orthodox Christians – believe that this is how it happens” (Priest Andrei Chizhenko).

What are the features of the magpie about repose?

The forty-day commemoration of a deceased Christian includes both church commemoration, performed during the Liturgy, and private home commemoration. Church commemoration takes place during the proskomedia; For a deceased Christian, the clergyman takes out a piece of prosphora, while saying: “Remember, Lord, (the name we wrote is indicated).” Private commemoration in the first forty days after death consists of reading the Psalter and is usually performed by relatives, people close to the deceased.

How to submit correctly and what to write in a note about health in church

Often in church I see how shy people are and don’t know how and where to properly submit a note for health, or what to write in it. Let's look into this issue together.

Firstly

, I always try to emphasize in my articles the fact that in church there is no need to be embarrassed if you don’t know something or are not sure about something. You can always safely contact the saleswoman at the church store so that she can help you figure it out. Generally, a polite kind attitude will be met with a polite and understandable response. If something went wrong somewhere, they answered you in the wrong tone or looked at you the wrong way, don’t get upset and take it personally. The main thing is that you get the information you need.

But secondly

Fortunately, now there is the Internet and you can get information about all your questions here in advance. I’m talking about the basic, in my opinion, rules for submitting health notes.

What does the magpie give to the deceased and to ourselves?

Sorokoust gives us the opportunity to walk with the deceased on his path to a private trial, prayerfully help him along this path and share with him the joy of meeting Christ. These are very important days not only for him, but also for us. But we not only pray at home ourselves, in the morning and evening during the rule, remembering the newly deceased. During this special period, we try to participate more often in the Divine Liturgy, not missing the opportunity to pray in church in the evening - on Sunday or a holiday. We cleanse our soul with repentance, give out alms, and perform funeral services on the ninth, twentieth and fortieth day.

Answers to frequently asked questions

• Can you submit notes for anyone? No, the Church prays for everyone: both the baptized and the unbaptized, but at the Eucharist, when pieces of the prosphora are taken out, only members of the Church are remembered, that is, the baptized.
• If you submitted a note about commemoration, but did not know that the person was not baptized. What will happen? If they did this not intentionally, but thinking that the person was baptized, then nothing will happen: neither to the person whose name was written down, nor to the one who submitted the note.
• What will happen if you remember an unbaptized person, knowing this? Nothing will happen to the one you remember. The one who did this intentionally needs to repent to the priest so as not to burden the soul with sin (otherwise, he may have to endure some kind of temptation, that is, trouble. For example, someone will deceive).
• What happens if I accidentally wrote down the name of a living person in remembrance as a deceased person? If this happened by accident, without malicious intent, do not worry. The Lord knows the intentions and deeds that they wanted to do the opposite. Therefore, it will be so: He will correct the mistake - He will remember for the health of the one who is alive.
• If, when doing magic, they deliberately remember the living for their repose? Nothing will happen to anyone against whom evil is plotted if he trusts in the Lord. Christ is stronger than demonic tricks. If a person wears a cross and prays, albeit briefly, for example, with the Jesus Prayer, then evil will return to the one who conjured it. Believe God, and nothing bad can be done to you.

Conclusion: Imagine the human soul as a vessel filled with bitter water, 40 liters. They prayed for him and replaced a liter of bitter water with the same amount of sweet water. After praying forty times, all the liquid in the vessel will be replaced by sweet liquid. But we have much more sins, and we commit them constantly, so we do not receive complete replacement of the sinful component with the given Grace. The more measures are taken to cleanse the soul, and there are many of them, the faster the effect occurs. Wanting to help someone:

• get out of trouble;
• receive healing;
• tame an evil temper;
• improve family relationships;
• To protect you from all evil, you must pray constantly.

“Sorokoust” is an intensified commemoration, that is, the Heavenly Powers are invoked 40 times (either by day or by church). But it should be remembered that the Sacrament is not magic. If a person himself hates the church, or his loved ones do not want to pray for him, but rely only on the priest, then there may not be quick results.

In what situations is it appropriate to order a magpie about yourself?

It is appropriate to order a magpie about yourself when you are facing a difficult expedition or he is going to the front, you are going to an orbital station, or you are about to undergo a serious operation (not only for the patient, but also for the surgeon). It is appropriate to order a magpie about yourself in important cases when we cannot vouch for the possibility of prayer in the future. For example, on the eve of a trial, when there is a possibility that a person will be deprived of his freedom and it is unknown whether he will have the opportunity to participate in the life of the Church in a pre-trial detention center. Or, for example, a woman goes to the maternity hospital, she has to give birth and for some time she will not be able to come to church herself. In such situations, you can order yourself a magpie for health, ask for the prayers of the Church.

Basic Rules

In order to cleanse yourself of negative energy, you should order the Sorokoust prayer in three different churches. The number three symbolizes the Holy Trinity. Choose churches that are nearby. In normal cases, only one temple can be used. In severe cases, for example, with a long-term illness, a triple ritual is necessary.

When preparing for the Liturgy, you need to dress properly. Your clothing should be modest. At the end of the service, you must write a note and submit it to the church shop.

The note submitted must indicate the name given to the believer at baptism. At the very beginning it is worth writing “for peace” or “for health.” You can give a donation at church. If you have the opportunity, then you need to give alms to people in need.

While reading the prayer service, you should fast. It is necessary to exclude meat dishes and dairy products from your diet. You should regularly attend church and attend services.

Note! Only baptized people can order magpie.

While you pronounce sacred words, you cleanse your energy shell on a spiritual level. Physical illnesses are directly related to human spirituality. When reading the magpie and using the triple rite, the power of the prayer intensifies.

Were there Magpies in ancient Rus' or did they appear later?

In ancient Rus', in large cities, parishes were divided into so-called “magpies”, similar to modern dean districts. In each such “forty” there were forty churches, counting all the side-chapels, which had their own special clergy, “side-altar priests.” In such a forty, on one day it was possible to perform the entire forty, all forty liturgies, serving them in all churches of a given forty. As the historian of the Russian Church, Professor E.E. Golubinsky (1834–1912) points out, “Sorokoust actually means service in forty churches on the day of remembrance” (3rd, 9th, 40th after death) (see E. Golubinsky ., prof., History of the Russian Church, second period, vol. II).

Is there a practice of forty-day commemoration in other Orthodox Churches besides the Russian?

Currently, Sorokoust in the form of commemoration at the Liturgy for forty days exists only in Orthodox Churches leading the tradition from Kievan Rus (for example, the Russian Orthodox Church, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church), while among the Greeks it is not customary to submit names for commemoration on long term: they submit one note for one Liturgy or a note read at miraculous icons or relics.

Misconceptions and myths about Magpies

The widespread dissemination of church requirements has led to the fact that they have become the object of various misconceptions, and sometimes deliberate blasphemous use. You need to monitor your life very carefully and under no circumstances allow an irreverent attitude towards any church prayer.

Thus, people firmly believe that if you order magpie in three churches, the effect will be stronger. Sometimes you can still find a recommendation to order the required food in seven churches. This pursuit of external ritual is more like some kind of magical action than Orthodox prayer.

Indeed, the Gospel says that “Where two or three are gathered in My Name, there am I in the midst of them.” It is on these words of our Lord Jesus Christ that the experience of church conciliar prayer is based. And the commemoration of the same person on the altar of several churches at once has great spiritual significance. But at the same time, we should not forget that in Christianity the form is never more important than the inner meaning.

When ordering a magpie in one or more churches, it is worth remembering that church prayer does not at all cancel out personal repentance and striving for God. Only if a person himself makes an effort to change his lifestyle, if he strives to live like a Christian, then he will benefit from submitting notes to the temple.

Another common misconception associated specifically with the magpie is prayer for enemies. Indeed, the Lord commanded us to pray for our enemies and offenders and honor them with our virtues. But very often there is an opinion that if you order a magpie about the health of your enemy, then all the evil done to the person will return to him like a boomerang. Those. Church demands in this case are used as a kind of instrument of revenge. Of course, such an attitude is unacceptable. You need and can pray for your enemies only by forgiving them and not holding any grudge in your heart. Moreover, one cannot ask the Lord for retribution for the insults caused.

And finally, it is worth mentioning the deliberate blasphemy when using prayers. Many sorcerers and magicians, of whom there are now a great many, specifically use Orthodox prayers or paraphernalia in their practices. This can mislead ignorant Christians - if a person prays and has icons at home, then he is Orthodox. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Therefore, you should avoid people who practice various occult or magical rituals, even if they use icons or calls to visit the temple. Such practices not only are not beneficial, but can very seriously damage a person’s soul, and the consequences will have to be atoned for the rest of his life.

Source of the article: https://molitva-info.ru/molitvoslov/sorokoust-o-zdravii.html

Is it possible to order Sorokoust online?

Nowadays, the practice of ordering the magpie, commemorating it during the Liturgy, at prayer services, memorial services and other services through rapidly developing means of communication and Internet technologies has indeed become widespread. But, like everything that makes our life easier, saves our time and energy, if not approached wisely, it can lead to some form of physical and spiritual relaxation. If a person has the opportunity to come to church, pray the conciliar prayer during the Divine service, work in the Temple (and in many, especially rural parishes, such help is very much needed) and submit notes in the candle box, then, of course, this is more useful both for ourselves and for those for whom we pray. Another question is when such an opportunity is not possible due to illness or the fact that the temple or monastery where we want to order a commemoration is located quite far from us. In this case, the so-called online option is quite possible, however, it must be taken into account that with the development of Internet technologies and forms of communication between people, there are also frequent cases of fraud when sites for accepting notes to churches and monasteries have nothing to do with the latter. In such a situation, it may be advisable to send names for commemoration online through priests and people whom you personally know and who can transfer them to where you would like to commemorate your family and friends. Let us also remind you that you should be careful not to become a victim of scammers allegedly representing certain temples and monasteries, so it is best to submit notes through the official website of a temple or monastery known to you.

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See DEATH, REMEMBRANCE OF THE DECEASED, BURIAL, FUNERAL SERVICE, WAKE-UP

Restrictions

To pronounce the Sorokoust prayer, you must remember:

1. the church does not accept prayers from unbaptized people;
2. Suicides, heretics and atheists are prohibited;
3. persons who profess a different faith cannot order magpie.

Prayer service is used for such cases:

• it is advisable for a pregnant woman to use the sacred text before the birth of the baby;
• spiritual communication helps to gain good luck, improve well-being and financial situation;
• The sacred text helps seriously ill people; it is used for chronic diseases. Reading immediately before surgery helps a person calm down and find peace of mind;
• order a prayer service for children and the elderly;
• You should order magpie before starting a new business if it is of great importance to a person;
• prayer is ordered in order to pacify the warring parties.

In the latter case, there is a change in people's attitudes, they become more friendly. When praying for healing of physical and spiritual illnesses, the believer observes positive changes. Christians often describe their feelings as changed; they find long-awaited spiritual harmony.

For similar purposes, you can use regular prayer for the health of the Mother of God.

You should read the text of the Sorokoust prayer for forty days:

“O Most Merciful God, Father, Son and Holy Soul, worshiped and glorified in the inseparable Trinity, look with compassion on Your servant (name), who is overcome by illness; forgive him all his sins; give him healing from his illness; restore his health and bodily strength;

Grant him a long and prosperous life, Your peaceful and worldly blessings, so that together with us he may bring grateful prayers to You, the All-Bountiful God and my Creator.

Most Holy Theotokos, through Your omnipotent intercession, help me to beg Your Son, my God, for the healing of God’s servant (name). All saints and angels of the Lord, pray to God for His sick servant (name). Amen".

Single people ask for family ties. Young couples turn to Higher powers in the hope of conceiving a healthy child, strengthening relationships, and minimizing discord and conflict situations.

How to place people's names in a note

If you have church ministers in your family, write their names first and be sure to indicate their rank. Well, then you can write people by age, starting from oldest to youngest.

Also, do not forget to refer to children under 7 years old as “infant”, and under 14 years old as “adolescent”.

But in fact, these are general, not mandatory recommendations. Therefore, you can write people in your note as their names come to your mind. Of course, the arrangement of names on the note does not make the amount of God’s grace any greater or less.