“The Departed” is the phrase we Christians generally
call those who have died. It is because we do not believe that they are
dead. To be dead means to cease to exist. The Orthodox position is that
our beloved ones who die after their course on earth do not cease to
exist; on the other hand death is only a threshold to enter another life
which is relatively eternal. Death merely changes the address of human
beings, unlike that of irrational animals. Hence it is only right and
just that we call them “departed”.
The Departed Continue to Adore and Pray to God
The Protestant position is that the dead are “silent”
until the last judgment. This means that they are not active souls, in a
way they are in their perennial sleep until Jesus comes and wakes them
up! But Metropolitan Barnabas emphatically denies this position without
doubt, and proves the contrary from the Holy Scriptures. He goes to the
Book of Apocalypsis (Revelation) to prove his point. Referring to the
departed the Holy Apostle John the Divine testifies based on his vision:
“Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple
(emphasis mine). And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.
They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not
strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the
throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters.
And God will wipe way every tear from their eyes” (Revelation: 7:15-
17)
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