Request a Commemoration
Поминання
For as long as there has been a Divine Liturgy, Christians have brought the names of the people they love and asked that they be remembered at the altar. This is the same slip of paper you have handed in at the candle desk, only you can now fill it in from home.
At the Proskomedia, before the Liturgy begins, Fr. Stephen reads the names quietly and takes out a particle of bread for each one. At the end of the Liturgy those particles are placed into the chalice with the prayer that God would wash away the sins of all those remembered here, by His precious Blood. The living and the departed are held together in the same cup. That is the whole of it, and it is not a small thing.
Before you fill it in
- Baptismal names only. First names, no surnames. The names given at Holy Baptism are what the Church uses.
- Please write in Latin letters, not Cyrillic. Fr. Stephen reads every name aloud at the Proskomedia and reads them in English, so write Maria rather than Марія. If you type in Cyrillic the form will offer to convert it for you.
- Orthodox Christians are commemorated at the Proskomedia. Those who are not Orthodox are held in our prayers too, and Fr. Stephen will pray for them gladly; simply add a note below so he knows.
- Clergy and monastics first, with their rank: Archpriest Bohdan, Deacon Andriy, Nun Olha.
- For a child, you may write "infant" or "child" before the name.
- For someone who has died within the last forty days, tick the box. The Church prays for the newly departed in a particular way through those forty days.
- For a Panakhyda, tick "Also request a Panakhyda" below the lists. It has its own list, and because it is served with the family present, please plan to be there in person.
If you would rather hand your list in on paper, that is entirely welcome. The slips are at the candle desk every Sunday, and Fr. Stephen will take them from your hand before the Liturgy. Nothing here replaces that.
Your list has been received. It is saved and will be given to Fr. Stephen, who will read the names at the Proskomedia on the Sunday you chose. Reference
Panakhyda. We will contact you to confirm the day of the Panakhyda. Please plan to be there in person.
An offering, if you wish
It is an old custom to offer something along with the names. Offerings keep the lights on, the candles lit, and the roof over the altar. There is no set amount and never has been; people give what they are able.
A commemoration is never withheld for want of an offering. The prayer is the point.
Make an offeringEntirely voluntary. Your list is already sent, and the names will be read whether or not you give anything.
We use Zeffy, a free donation platform. At checkout Zeffy adds a suggested contribution for itself, about 17%, already selected. This is entirely optional. To decline it, open that dropdown and choose "Other" — the box empties on its own, nothing to type. 100% of your offering goes to our parish.
What happens next
- The parish receives your list by email straight away, and it is printed for Fr. Stephen before the Liturgy.
- The names are read quietly at the Proskomedia, before the Liturgy begins, and a particle is taken out for each one.
- At the end of the Liturgy those particles are placed into the chalice.
Please write the names in Latin letters
Fr. Stephen reads every name aloud at the Proskomedia, and he reads them in English. Cyrillic spelling would leave him guessing at the pronunciation of someone's name, which is the last thing anyone wants. Write Maria rather than Марія, Andrii rather than Андрій.
Converted. Please check the spelling before you send, especially for names you care about.
If it is urgent
For someone gravely ill, for a death in the family, or for anything that should not wait for a form, please call Fr. Stephen directly at 727-777-4450. He would far rather be woken by a phone call than find out on Sunday.