The Prayers for the Dead

§ On the third, ninth and fortieth day after the repose of a believer and on the anniversary of the repose every year thereafter, the friends and relatives who remember should say these prayers, joining them to the end of Evening Prayer, just before the Doxology at the end of the Second Qauma.

The Proper

O GOD of spirits and all flesh, Who by Thy death did trample down upon death and give life to those in the tomb; do Thou, that selfsame Lord, grant rest to the soul of Thy servant (Name) in a place of light, of refreshment, of rest, where pain and grief and sighing are no more. Grant to Thy servant pardon and remission of sins, for no one lives and sins not except Thee alone. For Thou are the resurrection and the life of Thy servant (Name), and to Thee do we ascribe glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, One God, in both worlds unto the Aeon of aeons.
Amen.

Psalm 51

Be gracious unto me, O God, according to Thy kindness;
according to the abundance of Thy compassion, blot out my rebelliousness.
Then ask sacrifices of righteousness, burnt offering and whole burnt-offering;
then shall they offer gifts upon Thine altar.

Be gracious unto me, O God, according to Thy kindness;
according to the abundance of Thy compassion, blot out my rebelliousness.
Thoroughly wash me from my crookedness;
and from my offences cleanse me.
For I know my rebelliousness;
and my offence is constantly before my face.
Against Thee and Thee only have I sinned, and done evil before Thine eyes;
so that Thy words are right and Thy judgment pure.
Listen! Into crookedness I was born;
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Look! Thou hast desired truth in the inmost thoughts;
and in the hidden thoughts Thou causest me to see wisdom.
Purify me with hyssop and I am clean;
wash me and I am whiter than snow.
Cause me to hear joy and gladness;
make joyful the bones Thou hast bruised.
Hide Thy face from my offence;
and blot out all my crookedness.
A clean heart prepare for me, O God;
and a right spirit renew within me.
Cast me not forth from Thy presence;
and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation;
and with a generous spirit support me.
I shall teach the rebellious Thy ways;
and sinners shall return to Thee.
Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God, Thou God of my salvation;
and my tongue shall sing Thy righteousness.
O Lord, open Thou my lips;
and my mouth shall declare Thy praise.
For Thou desirest not sacrifice, or I would give it;
burnt offering Thou acceptest not.
The sacrifices to God are a broken spirit;
a heart broken and bruised, O God, dost Thou not despise.
Do good in Thy good pleasure unto Zion;
build the walls of Jerusalem.
Then ask sacrifices of righteousness, burnt offering and whole burnt-offering;
then shall they offer gifts upon Thine altar.

Be gracious unto me, O God, according to Thy kindness;
according to the abundance of Thy compassion, blot out my rebelliousness.
Then ask sacrifices of righteousness, burnt offering and whole burnt-offering;
then shall they offer gifts upon Thine altar.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, One God,
in both worlds unto the Aeon of aeons. Amen.

Prayer of Commendation

O LORD Messiah, Who didst arise from the dead, place the soul of Thy servant (Name) in the tabernacles of the just, granting to Thy servant rest in the bosom of Abraham among the righteous who have pleased Thee from the foundation of the world.
Amen.
MAY GOD keep thee in everlasting remembrance, beloved friend.
Everlasting remembrance. Everlasting remembrance. Everlasting remembrance.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, One God,
in both worlds unto the Aeon of aeons. Amen.

§ And resume with Evening Prayer at the Supplication of St Ephraim.

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