AKATHIST FOR THE ROPOSE OF THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP..

A cyber friend ask me this question -
Is this an orthodox sentiment and is it possible for our prayers to illuminate the infernal caverns?

It is from this Akathist and the second kontakion:

Enlightened by the illumination of the Most High, Saint Macarius heard a voice from a pagan skull: “When you pray for those suffering in Hell, there is relief for the heathen.” O wonderful power of Christian prayer, by which even the infernal regions are illumined! Both believers and unbelievers receive comfort when we cry for the whole world: ALLELUIA.

Abba Macarius the Great

Abba Macarius said, 'Walking in the desert one day, I found the skull of a dead man, lying on the ground. As I was moving it with my stick, the skull spoke to me. I said to it, "Who are you?" The skull replied, "I was high priest of the idols and of the pagans who dwelt in this place; but you are Macanus, the Spirit-bearer. Whenever you take pity on those who are in torments, and pray for them, they feel a little respite." The old man said to him, "What is this alleviation, and what is this torment?" He said to him, "As far as the sky is removed from the earth, so great is the fire beneath us; we are ourselves standing in the midst of the fire, from the feet up to the head. It is not possible to see anyone face to face, but the face of one is fixed to the back of another. Yet when you pray for us, each of us can see the other's face a little. Such is our respite." The old man in tears said, "Alas the day when that man was born!" He said to the skull, "Are there any punishments which are more pain-ful than this?" The skull said to him, "There is a more grievous punishment down below us." The old man said, "Who are the people down there?" The skull said to him: "We have received a little mercy since we did not know God, but those who know God and denied Him are down below us." Then, picking up the skull, the old man buried it.'

Link to the Akathist http://users.sisqtel.net/williams/akathist-repose.html

Desert Stories
http://www.etss.edu/hts/MAPM/info1.htm

I emailed the local orthodox priest here to ask about this. He is going to copy me some relevant material, but it sounds like the Orthodox may believe in universal salvation but dont want he catholics to know. Personally I like the idea of everyone eventually making it, but I would like to know if any church believes it now days.

Pani Rose:

This story is in The Desert Fathers, translated by Helen Waddell in the mid-1930s. I'm sure that it is in some other translations as well. BTW, this translation is back in print after many years.

I was especially edified to read the prayer at the end that mentions a petition I've had for many years: for those who have no one to pray for them.

In Christ,

BOB