Memorial services in the Orthodox Church are prayers offered for the departed, asking God to grant them rest and forgiveness. These services, held on specific days and anniversaries after death, express the Church’s belief in the power of prayer and God’s mercy upon our souls. It also provides the opportunity for grieving families to receive prayerful and social support from family friends and the wider worshiping community.
A key element is kollyva, a dish of boiled wheat and other ingredients, symbolising the hope of the soul’s resurrection into eternal life. Just as a seed is buried and brings new life, so the departed will rise again in Christ. Sweetened with sugar, kollyva represents the joy of eternal life and the hope for the living in anticipation of this joy.
Through these services, the Church affirms the communion of the living and the departed in Christ. Memorials are normally conducted at the end of the Divine Liturgy.
The Orthodox Church, understanding the importance of praying for the souls of the departed, has set aside two major Psychosavata (Saturdays of the Souls) each year. These special days are dedicated to remembering all those who have fallen asleep in the Lord, offering the faithful a meaningful opportunity to pray for their eternal rest and salvation. Please visit our Events and Programs page to find out more.
To arrange kollyva for a memorial service, please call the office Monday – Friday between 9am – 2pm on 07 5574 0434. There is no need to book the church in advance.
