COMMEMORATION LISTS: WHY AND HOW SHOULD I USE THEM?

There is perhaps no more powerful intercession among those faithful on earth than the commemoration at the Preparation for the Divine Liturgy of people in need. Orthodox Christians, both living and departed, should be commemorated as often as possible, calling on God's grace at the time it is given in abundance, through the Holy Mysteries of Communion.


Many people are unfamiliar with the best way to offer such commemorative lists for prayers.


• Titles should not be used. Instead of titles like "Father" or "Mother" or "Sister", clerical and monastic designations should be used: Priest, Monk, or Nun.


• Surnames should not be included.


• Full, baptismal names should be used. Avoid nicknames or diminutives: James should not be shortened to "Jack", nor Catherine shortened to "Cathy". Similarly, family references such as "Aunt Jean" or "Uncle John" should be avoided, instead simply including the name.


• Each individual name should be included, even if the list is long. Avoid the use of "the Smith family". In our parish, since there exist so many friends and family who are non-Orthodox Christians (as well as non-Christians), our commemoration lists include places for the names of these loved ones, to be commemorated apart from the Divine Liturgy itself, for all those not in Communion with the Orthodox Church (commemorations at the chalice assume people can receive Communion in the Church). +