St. Irene Chrysovalantou | The Psychosavatta

THE SATURDAYS OF SOULS

(PSYCHOSAVATA)

Too often our thoughts are far from our blessed ones who have departed from this world. Even less are our prayers as time wanes.

But there comes a special time during the year when we have a unique opportunity to honor them.

For three consecutive Saturdays:

That is, on the two Saturdays prior to the beginning of Great Lent and the first Saturday of Lent the Orthodox Church commemorates the lives of those who have "Fallen Asleep" with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and a Memorial Service on what has become know as the Saturdays of the Souls (Psychosavata).

At Saint Irene Chrysovalantou these services are typically well attended and this year should be no exception, as hundreds of faithful parishioners gather in prayer during the three Services. It is during memorial services that we commemorate the souls of all Orthodox Christians who have gone before us into eternal rest. In praying for those who have "fallen asleep in the Lord", we continue to ask that God may have mercy on them in His divine judgment so they may gain the inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven.

In preparation of the Memorial Service, it is customary for the family of the deceased to bring a dish of boiled wheat to the Church (Kollyva). The boiled wheat is placed on a table in the center of the nave during the Service. Kollyva, is a symbol of the Resurrection. When speaking of the Resurrection, our Lord said: "Unless the grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies it bears much fruit." (John 12:24).