The first Saturday of Souls of the year comes as a sacred reminder of the unity between the living and the departed within the body of the Church. It is the day when the souls of those who have gone before us—our parents, siblings, and friends—return to us, not in the silence of forgetfulness but in the voice of prayer and remembrance.
The Mount Athos Approach
On Mount Athos, where the memory of the departed remains alive through the daily prayers of the monks, the Saturday of Souls holds special significance. In every monastery and every hermitage, the commemoration of souls is performed with deep reverence. The monks, in the silence of their prayers, mention the names of their departed brothers, relatives, and benefactors, illuminating the path of remembrance with the unquenchable light of faith.
The services in Mount Athos monasteries begin before dawn with the Trisagion and supplications, accompanied by incense rising as a plea to heaven. Kollyva, the symbol of resurrection, is prepared with devotion, blessed, and distributed among the faithful, reminding us of the words of the Apostle Paul: “It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body” (1 Corinthians 15:42).
The Meaning of the Saturday of Souls
The Saturday of Souls is an invitation to love. It is the moment when time bridges the gap, and earth meets heaven. It is not merely a ritual reminder but a tangible manifestation of our hope in eternal life. The oil lamp we light, the candle that slowly melts, and the psalms echoing in the church all become a common dialogue between the living and the departed.
In the Mount Athos tradition, prayer for the departed does not end with the Saturday of Souls but continues unceasingly through monastic vigils. Mount Athos carries this spiritual torch, teaching that love does not forget, and prayer is never lost but, like the flame of a vigil lamp, remains alive, illuminating souls and filling hearts with peace and hope.
Let this Saturday of Souls be an opportunity to pause in the silence of prayer and offer a heartfelt prayer request for those we have loved, for those who await our remembrance and our love: “Lord, grant them rest.”
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