I noticed that it is very popular or common where I live in the US that people often refer to the death of someone as in, "passed away" or, "she has passed" or "he passed away". Yet the Orthodox I have heard speaking use the term "Repose".
Repose means
"to lie at rest." Of course, I also use "passed away" colloquially.
I began picking up this term and using it. Recently my Grandfather died in the hospital on 11 Dec 2008 (last week).
My sincere condolences; May He Rest in Peace.
I was with him when he took his last breath. And I was there to pray for him before and after he died. As soon as he took his last breath I put my head on his chest and heard the last heartbeat.
I then said, to the others in the room, "He has reposed". They looked at me and said' "what do you mean"? I said, "he's dead".
Because my Grandfather was a Jehovah's Witness and the other 3 family members who were with me were as well, they did not pray after he died.
Sorry for going off topic, do JW's have funeral services?
I called my brother in law, that is Catholic and asked if he would pray for my Grandfather. He said he would pray and light a candle for him. I then went to the chapel at the hospital alone to pray there because the others would not, since he had allready died. Among the many prayers, I asked the Holy Theotokos through her intercessory prayers to help his soul. Lord may his soul rest in peace.
Amen!
I have wondered about a few things here. Did I do the right thing to pray after death and to call on others that I knew would pray after his death? I was told that this helps the soul in a prejudgement? He was by all standards....
You absolutely did the right thing.
Also why do Orthodox use the term Reposed? Where did the terms, Passed away come from?. And what is the meaning of lighting of candles? Do Orthodox light candles?
Christ called Himself the Light of the World. Orthodox light candles to symbolize the eternal presence of that Uncreated Light of the World. In Orthodoxy, Death signifies that the body is in rest awaiting the Final Judgment. "Passed away" is simply a colloquialism which has nothing to do with Orthodoxy and sounds better than saying "so and so died" or "so and so is deceased."
My first orthodox visit to a church is coming up this weekend and so until now this forum is the only Orthodox people contact I have. From there I will begin to seek a spiritual father to guide me but for now maybe someone can give me their viewpoints.
Since I was never a convert, all I can suggest is observe the Divine Liturgy and make mental notes for the Priest, other parishioners or anyone else. Please forgive me for suggesting that you travel to SLC in a past thread.
If you search for my posts, I mention a disfellowshipped JW who's friends with my estranged wife. I have zero tolerance for the preachings of JW's and I must endure this gentleman like Paul endured the thorn in his flesh. Ironically, my wife can't stand the teachings of JW's although she believes in Christ and does not have any denominational affiliation.
