Saints Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church
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Prayer and Almsgiving for the Deceased

St. Nikolai Velilmirovic
Through their prayers and almsgiving for the deceased, Christians show forth the relationship between this world and the world to come. The Church in this world and the Church in the other world are one and the same— one body, one being— as the root of a tree beneath the earth comprises one organism with the trunk and the branches of the tree above the earth. It is clear from this how we, who comprise the Church on earth, can receive help from the saints and the righteous ones in the Heavenly Church, just as the deceased sinners in the other world can receive help from us on earth. St. Athanasius says, “As it happens with wine inside a barrel— that when the vineyard blooms in the field, the wine somehow senses it, and blossoms in fragrance itself— so it is with the souls of sinners. They receive some relief from the Bloodless Sacrifice offered for them in charity,” performed for their repose. St. Ephraim the Syrian cites that same example with wine and the vineyard and concludes: “And so, when there exists such mutual sensitivity even among plants, are not prayer and sacrifice felt even more so by the departed ones?”

Velimirovic, Saint Nikolai. The Prologue of Ohrid (Kindle Locations 13562-13570). Sebastian Press Publishing House. Kindle Edition.

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Saints Peter and Paul ​Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church

​​2516 SW Huntoon Street,  Topeka, KS  66604
785-217-5457            E-Mail Fr. Nikolai


​His Eminence Met. JOSEPH, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America
His Grace Bishop BASIL, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America
Reverend Father Nikolai Meyers, Pastor    |    Deacon Michael DeHaven

​A Parish of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America
​Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
  • Home
  • Orthodox Life & Resources
  • Schedule
  • Photos
    • 10th Anniversary Celebration
    • 25th Anniversary Celebration
    • Bishop's Visits
    • Fall Family Nights-Oct. 31st
    • Food Festivals
    • Heartland Orthodox Museum Blessing
    • Ordinations
    • Hosting a Parish Life Conference
    • Pysanky Egg Class
    • Woodcutting at Mother Cassiana's
  • About Us
    • Interested In Visiting? FAQs
    • Map to the Church
    • E-Mail Newsletter Signup
    • Lives of SS Peter and Paul
    • History of SS Peter and Paul
  • Contact Us
  • Donations