On this Saturday of the Souls, Fr. Gregory addresses the question of why Orthodox Christians pray for the reposed. He explains that we are comfortable with both the idea that life is for repentance, not death, but also that prayers for the reposed are effective. He gives the example of St. Gregory the Dialogus and the story of Luke 18 to demonstrate the power of consistent prayer.
He continues, giving more reasons why we pray for the reposed, including our beliefs that the reposed are still alive and awaiting the resurrection and that death has been overcome in Christ.
Finally, Fr. Gregory points out that there are three times in the Gospels that Christ resurrects someone from the dead, and each time, he immediately restores them to the grieving family. This is our hope, that we will be reunited in Paradise with those who have gone before us.
