What is the forty-hour and when it is ordered?

In the Orthodox tradition, there are many ministries, the meaning and content of which are not always understood by ordinary people. For example, a lot of questions arise about what is sorokoust and when it is ordered.

Sorokoust is considered a very powerful service. It is held about the health or the repose of the soul of the dead. Historians say that initially the sorokoust was called the ministry, which was held simultaneously in forty churches, located not far from each other. Now, under the sorokoust, one understands the mention of a person's name during the forty prayers.

What is the forty-hour repose?

Sorokoust of repose is recommended to order a newly-disbanded, that is, a man whose death did not pass 40 days. In the Orthodox tradition, it is believed that after death, the human soul has no opportunity to pray for itself, so it can not repent of sins. In this case, the soul of the deceased can only hope for the prayers of close people and intercessors.

Sorokoust is effective only for forty days, while the soul of the deceased passes through trials. On the fortieth day the court passes, and the eternal fate of the soul is decided, after which the intercessionary prayer of sorokoust is not needed.

Is it possible to order the sorocaust about health?

The main condition for a person to pray by praying sorokoust is that a person should be baptized. A note on the request to pray can be submitted both about other people and about oneself. Sorokoust of health order for six months or a year with a request to pray for health or peace of mind.

The impact of sorokoust on a person will be the higher, the more people pray. Therefore, it is better to submit a note about the sorokoust at once to several churches.

How to order a sorokoust correctly?

Sorokoust is booked on any day, except the period of Lent . In Lent, it's better to just write notes about health or rest.

A note for sorokoust is given in the evening or early in the morning. If there is no worship on that day, then they are transferred to the altar.

The note indicates what you should pray about: health or rest. In the column write the names of all baptized, who are asked to pray. It is necessary to write legibly. Next to the names write clarifications:

• about children from birth to seven years: "baby";
• about children over the age of seven: "child";
• about servicemen: "warrior";
• about the deceased up to the fortieth day: "newly-banished";
• about the patient write "aching" or "suffering";
• about the murdered: "killed."