The Orthodox Funeral Rite

Question 1

What else is the Orthodox church called?

Answer 1

Greek Orthodox
Russian Orthodox
Eastern Orthodox
Orthodox Catholic Church

Question 2

In reality, the orthodox church is a family of _______________________ churches

Answer 2

Independent, flexible, autocephalus

Question 3

Each orthodox church is governed by an independent

Answer 3

Council of Bishops

Question 4

The independent council of Bishops is called a

Answer 4

Synod

Question 5

Meaning the right belief and right worship

Answer 5

Orthodoxy

Question 6

There are approximately __ Orthodox groups

Answer 6

15

Question 7

There are a total of _________ members in the US today

Answer 7

4-5 million

Question 8

Of the 4-5 million members in the US today, how many are part of the Greek Orthodox?

Answer 8

1.5 million

Question 9

None of these are administered to members of the Orthodox Church when death is imminent

Answer 9

Last Rites

Question 10

It is not necessary to do this unless requested to do so by the family

Answer 10

Contact the priest

Question 11

There are no restrictions concerning

Answer 11

Removal, preparation

Question 12

This will usually be the method of preparation chosen

Answer 12

Embalming

Question 13

The European custom is to

Answer 13

Shroud the body

Question 14

In the US, the deceased is usually dressed in what?

Answer 14

Their own clothing or the clothing purchased by the family specifically for the funeral service

Question 15

In most cases the rites of a member of an Orthodox Church begin with the

Answer 15

Trisagion

Question 16

Who is in attendance at the Trisagion?

Answer 16

Family, pallbearers

Question 17

After the Trisagion, those attending will move in procession to where?

Answer 17

Church

Question 18

Before leading the procession down the aisle of the church, what will the priest do?

Answer 18

Bless the casket with holy water

Question 19

The casket is led feet first down the aisle and placed in the _____ with the foot end of the casket nearest the altar

Answer 19

Solea

Question 20

The casket is usually left ____ during the service

Answer 20

Open

Question 21

The service will follow a liturgical order with readings prayers, and hymns from a special booklet titled the

Answer 21

Parastas or Great Panachida

Question 22

The final portion of the service may include this

Answer 22

Eulogy

Question 23

After the eulogy, the casket is turned so that it is parallel to the

Answer 23

Iconostasis

Question 24

The Priest annoints the body with

Answer 24

earth or sand and olive oil

Question 25

This is placed at the foot end

Answer 25

An Icon

Question 26

While the Icon is at the foot end, those seated on the right side may pass the casket, stopping to kiss the Icon on their way. This is called

Answer 26

Ceremony of the Last Kissing

Question 27

The Icon is moved to the head end of the casket, and those seated on the left side may stop and

Answer 27

kiss the Icon

Question 28

After the final viewing and kissing the icon, the friends exit the church and return to their automobiles, and their family has an opportunity for

Answer 28

A final viewing

Question 29

Funeral services may not be held on

Answer 29

Sundays and certain Holy Days

Question 30

Cremation is considered ___________

Answer 30

Objectionable

Question 31

Most methods of disposition will involve

Answer 31

Earth burial or entombment

Question 32

Who leads the casket in procession to the burial site?

Answer 32

Priest

Question 33

The committal service will include

Answer 33

A litany of readings and prayers

Question 34

This signals the end of the committal service

Answer 34

A closing prayer