{within this week}... a Matuska's passing and final place of rest

Yesterday I was honoured to go to a funeral

of an elderly Matuska who I visited 

at times in a local nursing home;

she was a joy to visit and I will miss 

seeing her and showing her my knitting :)

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After emailing a friend this morning,

I realized I wanted to write about this before

it fades in the memory of our busy days.

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It was wonderful to just be in this small little white walled

church with older 19th century icons along with

more traditional Byzantine ones.

It was just the daughter of the Matuska (priest's wife), 

two priests and myself.

Liturgy and then the funeral.

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Orthodox funeral liturgies and funerals 

(panihidas) are very moving.

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One of the final things the priest who was

the person's last spiritual father and confessor does

is a final absolution of sins.

When this prayer was said,

I sensed this lightness of the relief of the newly absolved;

even the dear elderly Matuska face in departed repose

seemed to brighten somehow.

I was very moved and must think on this

and the wonder of God's redemption and forgiveness.

You can just see the priest in the very back of 

this picture; we must never underestimate what 

God can do through His priests!

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The departed's body was blessed afterwards with Holy Water,

the paper (symbolizing the confession and release of sins,

an old traditional way) was placed in the casket

and it was with true hope in Christ and His Resurrection

that we went with Matuska T.'s final resting place on early,

the church cemetery. 

Prayers are done at the grave site as well

and the grave is blessed and sealed, waiting for 

Christ's Resurrection.

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It was a wonderful event that way,

though many get uncomfortable by funerals,

I have always loved the Orthodox funeral service and burial.

There is so much hope,

so much connection with one's spiritual father's prayers,

and that we can pray for the departed is a sure comfort.

It was an honour to be there on that beautiful autumn day...

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Please in your charity pray for the newly departed

and also her only daughter who is now

bereft of both parents.