"Ascent of the Blessed" by Hieronymus Bosch By Your resurrection from the dead, O Christ, death no longer has dominion over those who die in holiness. So, we beseech You, give rest to Your servants in Your sanctuary and in Abraham's bosom. Grant it to those, who from Adam until now have adored You with purity, to our ancestors, brothers and sisters, to our kinspeople and friends, to all those who have lived by faith and passed on their road to You, by a thousand ways, and in all conditions, and make them worthy of the heavenly kingdom.
-- from the Byzantine Divine Liturgy
I've nicked this prayer Ellie. Many thanks
ReplyDeleteIt's a quite wonderful prayer, isn't it, Cathy? I was quite pleased to have found it.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely prayer. I love Bosch, too :-)
ReplyDeleteHow can you "make them worthy"? Are you suggesting that they don't get out of Purgatory until you light enough candles?
ReplyDeleteThis life is all we have. That's it. Game over.
Worrying about people who are gone makes about as much sense as worrying about life on other planets; you can't change anything either way.
You clearly have a great deal of mis-used free time on your hands.