Grace Thompson
May his memory be eternal is a phrase used by the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches. It is used as a blessing when someone dies, similar to my sympathies or my prayers are with you and your family. The phrase is also used in a liturgical context, as an exclamation at the end of a Byzantine Rite funeral or memorial service. It is the liturgical counterpart to the Western Rite prayer Eternal Rest. The phrase is said to refer to remembrance by God, rather than by the living, and is another way of praying that the soul has entered heaven and enjoys eternal life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Used by | Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches |
| Used for | The deceased |
| Meaning | Praying for God to save the deceased and bring them into His Kingdom |
| Alternative phrases | "My sympathies", "My prayers are with you and your family", "I'm sorry for your loss" |
| Who can be prayed for? | Some believe only the Orthodox can be prayed for, others believe prayers should be offered for everyone |
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What You'll Learn
- The phrase is used at the end of Byzantine Rite funerals or memorial services
- It is used by the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches
- It is a liturgical counterpart to the Western Rite prayer Eternal Rest
- It is chanted at the end of services on Saturdays of the Dead
- It is used to commemorate church hierarchs, Orthodox monarchs, patriarchs, clergy and all deceased Orthodox Christians
The phrase is used at the end of Byzantine Rite funerals or memorial services
The phrase "May his memory be eternal" is a common expression used in the Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Churches. It is used as a blessing or expression of condolences, similar to "my sympathies" or "my prayers are with you and your family". It is also used in funeral or memorial services, specifically in the Byzantine Rite, as a liturgical counterpart to the Western Rite prayer "Eternal Rest".
The phrase is a way of asking God to save the deceased and bring them into His Kingdom, reflecting the belief that to be remembered eternally by God is to be in His Kingdom. This idea is connected to the biblical story of the thief on the cross, who asks Jesus to remember him when the kingdom is established, to which Jesus responds that the thief will be in paradise (Luke 23:42-43). Thus, the phrase "May his memory be eternal" expresses the hope that the soul of the deceased has entered heaven and is enjoying eternal life.
In funeral or memorial services, the phrase is often chanted or sung as a hymn, evoking emotion and providing comfort to the bereaved. It is also used as a greeting between attendees at funeral services, reflecting the belief that the deceased's memory will live on and that their life was worthy of remembrance.
While traditionally associated with Orthodox Christianity, some Christians, including Catholics, may use this phrase to express their hope for the eternal life of the deceased, regardless of their religious affiliation. This sentiment reflects a compassionate character and the belief that all people, regardless of their faith, can attain salvation.
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It is used by the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches
The phrase "May his memory be eternal" is used by the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches. It is an exclamation or encomium, similar to the polychronion, used at the end of a Byzantine Rite funeral or memorial service. It is the liturgical equivalent of the Western Rite prayer "Eternal Rest".
The phrase is used to express the wish that the deceased person's memory will be eternal. It is not a request for God to remember them, but rather, it is a prayer asking God to save them and bring them into His Kingdom. This idea is based on the biblical story of the thief on the cross who asks Jesus to remember him when the kingdom is established, to which Jesus replies that the thief will be in paradise (Luke 23:42-43). Thus, the phrase reflects the belief that to be remembered by God is to exist eternally in paradise.
The phrase is also used more generally to convey condolences and offer blessings of eternal life to the bereaved. In Greek, for example, it is customary to say "Zoi se mas," which translates literally as "life to us." This phrase can be interpreted in different ways depending on the context. If it refers to life on earth, it can be considered a negative expression, implying gratitude for one's own life and a sense of separation from the deceased. However, if it refers to eternal life, it becomes a positive expression, conveying hope for eternal life for both the living and the departed.
"Memory Eternal" is also chanted at the end of services on Saturdays of the Dead, commemorating all the faithful departed. In the Russian Orthodox Church, it is chanted on the Sunday of Orthodoxy for all the departed rulers of Russia. It is a powerful expression of faith and a way to honour the deceased, reflecting the belief in the importance of remembrance and the continuity of life.
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It is a liturgical counterpart to the Western Rite prayer Eternal Rest
"Memory Eternal" is an exclamation used at the end of a Byzantine Rite funeral or memorial service, as followed by the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches. It is the liturgical counterpart to the Western Rite prayer "Eternal Rest".
The "memory eternal" mentioned in the prayer refers to remembrance by God, rather than by the living. It is another way of praying that the soul has entered heaven and enjoys eternal life. It is connected to the thief on the cross who asks Jesus to remember him when the kingdom is established, to which Jesus responds that the thief would be in paradise (Luke 23:42-43). Hence, to be remembered by God, in eternal memory, is to be in eternal existence in paradise.
"Memory Eternal" is chanted at the end of services on Saturdays of the Dead, not for an individual, but for all the faithful departed. It is intoned by the deacon and then chanted by all in response three times during the liturgy on the Sunday of Orthodoxy to commemorate church hierarchs, Orthodox monarchs, Orthodox patriarchs and clergy, and all deceased Orthodox Christians.
The "Eternal Rest" prayer is used in the Roman Catholic Church and asks God to hasten the progression of the souls of the faithful departed in Purgatory to their place in Heaven. It is also used in Catholicism, Lutheranism, Anglicanism, and Methodism to ask God to rest in the love of God the souls of the faithful departed in Paradise until the resurrection of the dead and Last Judgement.
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It is chanted at the end of services on Saturdays of the Dead
"Memory Eternal" is a chant used at the end of services on Saturdays of the Dead. It is a tradition observed by the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches. The chant is not for an individual but for all the faithful departed. It is led by a deacon who intones "Memory Eternal", which is then repeated thrice by the congregation in response.
The phrase "Memory Eternal" is also used as a blessing by Greek people when someone dies, instead of saying "my sympathies" or "my prayers are with you and your family". It is believed that when we ask for someone's memory to be eternal, we are not simply asking God to think about them, but we are asking Him to save them and bring them into His Kingdom. This chant is also comparable to "Many years", which is chanted for living members of the Church.
The phrase is also reminiscent of the story of the thief on the cross who asks Jesus to remember him when the kingdom is established, to which Jesus replies that the thief would be in paradise (Luke 23:42-43). Thus, to be remembered by God is to be in paradise.
While some believe that it is sinful to pray for the deceased who were not Orthodox, others argue that we should hope that all people make it to heaven and that our prayers for them reflect a compassionate character.
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It is used to commemorate church hierarchs, Orthodox monarchs, patriarchs, clergy and all deceased Orthodox Christians
"Memory Eternal" is an expression used by the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches. It is a liturgical counterpart to the Western Rite prayer "Eternal Rest". The expression is used to commemorate church hierarchs, Orthodox monarchs, patriarchs, clergy, and all deceased Orthodox Christians. It is often said in response to death and is used to comfort those who are grieving.
The phrase "memory eternal" refers to remembrance by God, rather than by the living. It is another way of praying that the soul has entered heaven and enjoys eternal life. This idea is connected to the thief on the cross who asks Jesus to remember him when the kingdom is established, to which Jesus responds that the thief would be in paradise (Luke 23:42-43). Thus, to be remembered by God is to be in paradise.
The expression is often used in funeral services and memorials. It is chanted at the end of services on Saturdays of the Dead, not for an individual but for all the faithful departed. It is also intoned by the deacon and then chanted by all in response three times during the liturgy on the Sunday of Orthodoxy.
The phrase is also used more generally to express condolences and sympathy for the deceased. In Greek, it is customary to say "Zoi se mas," which translates to "life to us." This phrase can be interpreted in different ways, depending on whether it refers to life on earth or eternal life. If it refers to eternal life, it is considered a positive expression, as it conveys hope for eternal life for both the living and the deceased.
While the expression "Memory Eternal" is traditionally associated with Orthodox Christianity, some people question whether it is appropriate to use it for non-Orthodox deceased individuals. However, others argue that as Christians, we should hope that all people can attain heaven, and praying for the souls of non-believers reflects that hope.
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Frequently asked questions
It is a blessing used to express condolences, similar to "my sympathies" or "my prayers are with you and your family". It is also a liturgical chant used in Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches.
The phrase is derived from the Bible verse Luke 23:42–43, where the thief on the cross asks Jesus to remember him when the kingdom is established, and Jesus responds that the thief would be in paradise.
This phrase is typically said at the end of a Byzantine Rite funeral or memorial service in the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches. It can also be used as a general expression of condolences when someone dies.
There is some debate on this topic. Some people believe it is only appropriate to say this for deceased members of the Eastern Orthodox Church. However, others argue that it can be said for anyone, regardless of their religious affiliation, as an expression of compassion and hope that they have entered heaven and are enjoying eternal life.
The Greek phrase that conveys a similar sentiment is "Zoi se mas", which translates to "life to us". This phrase can be interpreted in a positive or negative light depending on the context. If it refers to eternal life, it expresses hope for the deceased to attain eternal life in paradise.
