September 11, 2001

Ps 112:6-7 (KJV)
Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.

Prov 10:7 (KJV)
The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

On sept 11, 2001, two jets crashed into the twin towers in New York city, one into the Pentagon, and another was hijacked but failed to reach its inteded target, crashing in a field in Pennsylvania. Many were killed in the plane crashes and the detruction of the buildings that were destroyed, and gave their lives in response to the tragedies that had occurred. Police, firmen, and paramedics scrambled to the scenes of the devastation while our nation's entire military was immediately put on high alert.

Just as Paul expressed in writing a prayer for the departed Onesiphorous, "The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day", and the thief on the cross asked of Christ "Lord, remember me when thou comest ino thy kingdom", we Orthodox ask the Lord to remember those departed this life. We do this out of faith in the Lord and out of love for the departed. Here is the litany for the departed as found on the OCF* web site:


Priest: Have mercy upon us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we beseech Thee: hear us, and have mercy.

People: Lord, have mercy. (three times)

Priest: Furthermore we pray for the repose of the soul(s) of the servant(s) of God (name-s of the deceased), departed from this life, and that Thou wilt pardon all his (or her or their) sins, both voluntary and involuntary.

People: Lord, have mercy. (three times)

Priest: That the Lord God will establish his (or her or their) soul(s) where the just repose.

People: Lord, have mercy. (three times)

Priest: The mercies of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, and the remission of his (or her or their) sins, we ask of Christ, or King Immortal and our God.

People: Grant this, O Lord.

Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy. (one time)

Priest: O God of spirits, and of all flesh, Who hast trampled down death by death, and overthrown the Devil, and hast bestowed life upon Thy world: do Thou Thyself, O Lord, grant rest to the soul(s) of Thy departed servant(s), (name-s of the deceased), in a place of brightness, a place of verdure, a place of repose, whence all sickness, sorrow and sighing have fled away. As the gracious God, Who lovest mankind, pardon every transgression which he (or she or they) has (or have) committed, whether by word, or deed, or thought. For Thou alone art without sin, and Thy righteousness is to all eternity, and Thy word is truth. For Thou art the Resurrection, and the Life, and the Repose of Thy departed servant(s) (name-s of the deceased). O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, together with Thy Father, Who is from everlasting, and Thine All-Holy, and Good and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

People: Amen.


May the Lord God remember those who died in the attacks and in response to those attacks, and may their memory be eternal.

*http://www.ocf.org/OrthodoxPage/liturgy/liturgy.html