By: Archpriest John D. Bohush
Woke up this morning at 6 AM as usual, turned on the TV and watched the remembrance of those killed in the 9/11 terrorist attack on America. Moved by listening to the heartfelt thoughts, commemorations and remembrances of the tragic loss of loved ones, and how difficult it was for them to continue on with their lives. It brings tears to my eyes not only for their loss but how important it is to never forget to pray for them, especially since they did not have the opportunity to seek forgiveness, to say their goodbyes nor to be reconciled for their sins. May our good and forgiving God be merciful to them and to open those golden doors of heaven for them and may they live in all eternity in heavenly bliss.
It reminded me of one of my overseas trips, serving in a beautiful church in Belarus, where our Orthodox Christian have seen so many devastating wars and invasions, horrendous persecutions and suffered so much death at the hands of their enemies. So many thousands of their loved ones who were killed because of their Faith. Those families left behind continuously remember their tragic loss, but always keep their names in blessed memory, pray for them always, because they no longer can pray for themselves.
At all the liturgies celebrated in that church, not only are their names generically commemorated, but a dozen senior altar boys stand circling the altar with Grammata Books in hand reading the names of all those killed in their parish and are remembered, that their memories are eternally remembered. It was a touching experience, as touching as it is to hear those individual souls remembered of those 9/11 terrorist attack victims killed on the site of the World Trade Center attack.
When I was ordained some 55 years ago, I celebrated Divine Liturgy every morning for 16 years as was the custom of what was called “Requiem Liturgies”, always family members were in attendance. Even on my small parish, we had books of requests and gratuities from people requesting liturgies on the anniversary dates of deaths, birthdays and some specials days. All of a sudden you could see this practice dwindling until today it is gone. It might be time for us to rethink losing being ones of praying and practicing our faith and the church it once was, to being a church of theology. Theology doesn’t save souls, praying, practicing and living our faith does.
How easily and quickly we lost such an import and responsibility and part of our lives and faith. We sing ‘memory eternal’, but we neglect remembering them. How easily in America this has happened in today’s busy and full lives. I have difficulty understanding how easily we faithful Orthodox Christians have allowed this for whatever reason, not to pray for our loved ones. How easily we brush aside one of our important cherished Orthodox Christian responsibilities, to pray to our eternal God to be ever merciful, compassionate and forgiving.
May their souls dwell with the blessed in His Eternal Kingdom. And so shall we be with them. Memory Eternal!
Archpriest John D. Bohush
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