Here are the words of the Russian Kontakion for the departed: ‘Give rest, O Christ, to thy servant with thy Saints: where sorrow and pain are no more; neither sighing, but life everlasting. Thou only art immortal, the Creator and Maker of Man: and we are mortal, formed of the earth, and unto earth shall we return: for so thou didst ordain, when thou createdst me, saying “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return”. All we go down to the dust; and, weeping o’er the grave, we make our song: alleluia, alleluia, alleluia’.

After the joy of the Solemnity of All Saints, we turn now to remember those who in the purification of Purgatory await their transition into the full company of the saints. As we pray for them, let us also ask their prayers for ourselves.

May God bless you this day.