To comprehend what happens beyond life and death, according to Orthodox ideas, a person is not given. However, the Church has always preserved and keeps various kinds of symbols and some facts, by which, albeit indirectly, it is still possible to judge the journey of people's souls beyond the grave. So, for example, not everyone knows what the 9th and 40th days after death mean, and why it is necessary to carry out the corresponding memorial rites at this time.
According to the views of Orthodox Christians, a person is in the material world during his lifetime. After death, his soul passes into another, more sublime, unknowable spiritual world. Here you can find, for example, your guardian angel, the souls of relatives and friends who have already passed away, etc.
What happens on the third day
Traditionally, it is believed that in the first three days after death, the soul, not yet accustomed to its new state, stays next to the body. In addition, she visits those places that were dear to a person during his lifetime, as well as those people to whom the deceased was attached. After the third day, the human soul gradually begins to move away from the mortal material world.
That is why the dead should be buried only on the third day after death, but not earlier. This rule is, of course, not rigid. However, observing it, according to Orthodox believers, is still worth it.
From the very moment of death, the soul is accompanied by the guardian angel of the deceased. Until the ninth day, he shows the departed man the palaces of paradise.
What does 9 days after death mean?
On the ninth day, a new, crucial stage begins in the posthumous history of the deceased. At this time, his soul begins its ascent to Paradise. However, on the way there, according to church ideas, she encounters many obstacles, which are very difficult to overcome without support. According to Orthodox Christians, on the way to heaven, the soul is greeted by all sorts of dark forces that remind her of her sins. At the same time, their main task is to hold back the soul of the departed on the path to bliss. It is believed that absolutely all the dead go through such a test. Indeed, according to church tradition, there are simply no sinless people.
The prayers of relatives and friends should help the soul overcome all obstacles and achieve bliss. It is for this reason that commemorations are held on the ninth day after death. In this case, the ceremony is, as it were, called upon to conduct the soul, to give it strength for a long and difficult path of ordeal.
What happens on the fortieth day
So, we found out what 9 days after death means. But why is the commemoration also held on the fortieth day? This tradition is connected, of course, also with traditional Orthodox ideas. On the 40th day, the soul, having overcome all obstacles, as the Church teaches, appears before the Lord. This important point in church literature is called the Private Court. The deceased must decide for himself whether he can live in paradise with God or not. And therefore, on this very day, his soul needs special support from friends and relatives who have remained in the material world.
On the 40th day, according to church Orthodox traditions, a person is remembered for the last time as a newly reposed one. From that day on, the deceased becomes completely and completely part of the spiritual world. His ascent to God ends.
3, 9 and 40 days after death: the legend of Christ
Thus, according to church ideas, on the third day, a person's soul begins to move away from the material world. At 9, her ordeals and the path to the Lord begin. On the 40th, she appears before God and becomes part of the spiritual world. It is this explanation that gives the Church the tradition of holding commemorations on the 9th and 40th days officially.
However, there is another reason why the deceased is commemorated on these days. According to legend, Christ was resurrected after the crucifixion on the third day. On the 40th, he ascended to heaven, for the last time he appeared before his disciples.
