panikhida

Panikhida is a memorial service for the dead in the Eastern Orthodox and some Eastern Catholic churches. It is observed in Russian, Ukrainian, Greek, and other Orthodox traditions and is used to pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased. The service can be held after a funeral or on designated memorial days, such as anniversaries and special anniversaries of death, commonly including the 3rd, 9th, and 40th days after death, and on periodic remembrance days throughout the year. It is typically conducted by a priest, though lay participation may occur in some communities.

The Panikhida consists of prayers, psalms, liturgical petitions, and hymns requesting God to grant rest to the departed. The name of the deceased is read aloud during the service, and the faithful ask for mercy and eternal memory for their loved one. The service includes the invocation of the saints, the reading of specific prayers from liturgical books, and the chanting of phrases such as “Memory Eternal” in traditional languages. There are two main forms: a longer Great Panikhida and a shorter form used in various contexts, both anchored in fixed text and structure.

Cultural practice varies by region. In many Slavic communities, a Panikhida may be followed by a memorial meal or the serving of koliva (a dish of boiled wheat) as a symbol of the resurrection and remembrance. The Panikhida remains a central rite for the remembrance of the dead, distinct from other funeral ceremonies yet closely connected to the broader tradition of commemorating the deceased within the church.