Aspecte istorico-liturgice, pastorale și muzicale privitoare la Slujba înmormântării mirenilor
Historical, liturgical, pastoral and musical aspects regarding the Office for the burial of a layman

Summary/Abstract: Similarly to the Holy Sacraments, the funeral service used to be celebrated within the Eucharist, as witnessed by ancient testimonies. The current service is the result of the merging of elements proper to the Constantinopolitan Studite tradition and the monastic Sabaite practice. Gradually, the structure of the Matins incorporated elements of the studite hymnography (Antiphons and Hymns) and elements of the sabaite hymnography (the Kanon), so that between the 10th-12th centuries, the funeral office gained an unique form. Prayers and hymnography (such as Kanons) were added according to the different types of the dead: laymen, infants, celebrants, monks and bishops. During the time of St. Symeon of Thessalonika, the funeral service for laymen was structured close the the rite known today. Full of theological meaning, the funeral rite emanates both a catechetical and educative character, as well as a pastoral one, focusing on the importance of living an earthly life which is guided by the evangelical spirit, as a preparation for the Great Passing towards the highest step of eternal holiness and communion with the Holy Trinity. One feature of this office is that it is sung. The purpose is to offer hope, spiritual strength and comfort to the sorrowful. Therefore, some of the most famous Romanian precentors and church music professors have composed the music for the funeral office of a layman, in order to enrich this liturgical order and to support the missionary work of our Church among its spiritual sons. In the context of the pandemic, addressing the theme of funeral is indisputable, because it can help us rediscover the real meaning of life, which unfortunately, many have left behind.

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