SAK Stefan - Acta Patristica, volume 7, issue 14/2016
WAY TO THE ETERNITY
/CESTA DO VEČNOSTI/
Stefan SAK
lecturer, Faculty of Orthodox Theology, University of Prešov, Masarykova 15, 08001 Prešov, Slovakia, stefan.sak@unipo.sk, 00421517724729
Abstract
This brief article deals with the prayers and liturgical rituals, which are used in relation to a person who is dying or has already died. The prayers and canons, that we discuss here, relate to people who have not yet attained the peace, which is offered in the heavenly kingdom and to those that have yet to struggle with death during their final moments. The Greek word agonia describes a sporting contest or in theological terms a spiritual combat and race. This word is also used in relation to a person who is dying, but still displays signs of life. The dying person is thus in agony and is struggling with death. During this period, the Church offers help, in the form of the sacraments, such as the eucharist, repentance, and prayers. The sacraments and prayers offer hope for eternal life and life in the Kingdom of God.
Keywords
Jesus Christ, Mother of God, prayer canon, death, spirit, body, illness, life, soteriology, euchologion, sin, final judgement, life on earth, eternal life, peace, abundance, sorrow, pain
SUMMARY
Death is tool against of evil and it's development so the evil couldn't establish in the world. At the moment of death father is forgetting about his child, man about woman, brother about brother, friend about friend, everybody are forgetting about everybody. He remembers only goodness and good deeds which he did to take the weight on scales of the court in front of the Creator. Church doesn't limit care about her children only to the time of their earthly life. Her care doesn't stop even at the time of the death, she comes to her child, she gives him holy sacraments of repentance and Eucharist and at very moment before death, in very critical minutes of the life of the man, when soul goes away to Creator, she prays special prayers for soul's departure. Believer doesn't fear of the death but of the sins which are reason of the fear and torture in the time of the death, when the soul at its departure is leaving the body. This is the reason why believer, which is led by saint mother Church, is preparing for departure of soul from this world during whole life.
(Language: slovak)