One only has to visit other Orthodox Churches to see a variety of differences and practices, even beyond the noticeable stuff, like language or music. With Thanksgiving to God, I have been blessed to experience all these differences, over my 20 years of service.
One such difference I experienced when I moved to Manitoba was the timing of Grave blessings. I grew up with the blessing of the graves happening on Thomas Sunday, or the Tuesday after Thomas Sunday (“day of rejoicing” -Ра́доница, Проводи) and through the Paschal season. Truly there is significance in blessing the graves of our departed loved ones on those “bright” days; confronting the sadness of loss and death, with the Paschal proclamation “Christ is Risen”! Yet I came to understand the beauty and significance of blessing graves, even after the Paschal season has ended.
Last year when I was serving with Archbishops Irenee, Nathaniel, and Bishop Andrei in Leonard MB over the feast of the Ascension, (a Romanian tradition) and blessing hundreds of graves, I was struck by the significance of commemorating the departed in the context of the feast of the Ascension. Indeed we are consoled by the words of the Lord in this “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you,.” (Jn.14:1-3). Among many Ukrainian communities (especially rural ones) these grave blessings generally happen after Pentecost, on what are called the “Green Holidays” (Зелені свята). Again there is something significant in connecting the grave blessings and those commemorations of the departed, with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit “the treasury of blessings and Giver of life”, manifested even as trees and gardens truly come to life, and the beige and browns of an early spring, give way to the green in the leaves and grasses.
Indeed there are differences between various Orthodox Churches and traditions about when is the proper time to bless the graves and commemorate our departed loved ones; yet despite these differences, they all express the saving love of God for humanity, that not even death can skew or cover.
Normally we would bless the graves (in the cemetery behind our Church) of our founders during the Paschal season, but given the fickle weather of an early Manitoba spring, and unforeseen scheduling issues, it was agreed that the most appropriate time to bless our graveyard would be on the Sunday after the Ascension
On Sunday morning following the Liturgy our parish made a small procession to the graveyard and served a Trisagion (shorter memorial) for our founders, starting at grave of our blessed friends, John and Sophie Barchyn. At the conclusion of the Trisagion, the Choir sang “Christ is Risen” and Fr. Serhii, Fr. Stephen, and myself started to work our way through the cemetery, commemorating our founders, and blessing the graves with Holy Water.
Indeed this was a beautiful affirmation of our love for those who have departed this life, and an affirmation of our faith and hope, in the Lord’s saving love for us; manifested in His Resurrection, Ascension into heaven, and sending of the Holy Spirit, regardless of any differences, that we might experience. May their memories be eternal! Вічна Пам’ять!
Very appropriate and affirming our people’s local tradition.