Parastas Courses

Parastas is a traditional Eastern Orthodox funeral held in honor of the deceased. The Parastas, also known as the Panikhida, is a religious service typically conducted in a Church, often with a meal shared by friends and family following the service. The purpose of the Parastas is to commemorate the deceased, both physically and spiritually, and to also provide consolation to the grieving family and friends. The Parastas begins with the Memorial Prayers, which include Biblical and liturgical verses, prayers for the deceased, and petitions to the Lord for mercy, love and peace for the departed. The priest then reads the “Trisagion Prayers”, a liturgical service of prayer and remembrance of the life of the deceased. During this part of the service, the priest symbolically places a lit candle in the hands of the deceased, signifying the afterlife. Following the Trisagion Prayers, a list of the departed's virtues is read aloud, and the priest bestows a blessing upon the family members. The service then concludes with the singing of the “Memory Eternal”, a hymn of praise honoring the departed. During this concluding prayer, family members are encouraged to share memories of their loved one. After the Parastas concludes with a prayer, there is often a small meal shared among family and friends, as a sign of respect for the deceased. This meal is typically served with traditional Slavic dishes such as kasha, borscht, and pierogi. The Parastas is not only an important part of the Eastern Orthodox faith, but also a traditional cultural event held in honor of the deceased, ensuring that the individual will not be forgotten. The service provides a time for family and friends to express their love and admiration of the departed, and to receive solace from sharing memories and expressing grief.