www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Praying for the dead

//There are a variety of explanations of exactly what happens during this "purification" process. None of these are considered to be official teaching. Orthodox also have differing understandings.

Joe's statement....//

Well if it helps any, it sure was official enough to teach in Roman Catholic elementary and High School classrooms. I know, I was there and it was part of the Religious instruction. In fact, the fire in Purgatory was suppposed to be more painful than hell because of the anticipation of the saved souls that were there for purification. They knew they were saved an couldnt wait to get out off that "place".
When did all this change, VatII?

JoeS

//...to get out off that "place".//

Sorry, this should have read of not off.

JoeS

Nuns have vivid imaginations, so I'm told. I guess Dante did as well.

Dan L

Dan, I do appreciate your posting the following:
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[What do Protestants do? They ignore those who have died physically and thus deprive themselves of the Communion of Saints and the blessed communion of most people who have eternal life.]
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Dan,

Thanks. That is such a positive way of viewing what most Protestants consider a non-entity.

About the nuns - it is true, but they don't push purgatory the way they used to....And.... I am so glad. As for Dante...I won't go there.

Blessings,

Porter aka Mary Jo

//Nuns have vivid imaginations, so I'm told. I guess Dante did as well.

Dan L //

And our high school teachers who were diocesan priests, where they dillusional too?

JoeS

Joe,

I didn't grow up Catholic so I should have not made the comment about the nuns. I really don't know how to answer your question.

Dan L

Chaplain,

Welcome to the Forum. Check the main site, which has much info and many links to other sites. We love answering queries here as well; we're an incredibly diverse group and certainly, this board is one place that you can get answers (and opinions) to many questions about the Byzantine Catholic Church (or Churches). (And, never think any question is too basic or inconsequential - sometimes, when you're tired, you're overjoyed to have a chance to answer one of those ).

Many years,

Neil

I was raised Southern Baptist and worked through all of this in my conversion. All to often as protestants we bypass those Scriptures that are very evident since we were told this was not a reality. However, as I experienced they are all there in front of us. The first one was referred to earlier. Here are some Scriptures that will help...

"For if he were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Therefore he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin" (2 Macc. 12:44-45).

"Make friends quickly with your accuser, while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison; truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you have paid the last penny" (Matt. 5:25-26).

"Each man�s work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man�s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire" (1 Cor. 3:13-15).

"For Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit; in which he went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly did not obey . . ." (1 Peter 3:18-20).

"But nothing unclean shall enter it [heaven] . . ." (Rev. 21:27).

Pani Rose

Also, another tought, as for praying to the saints here are a few Scriptures for that too.

"�And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God said to him, "I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob"? He is not God of the dead, but of the living . . .�" (Mark 12:26-27)

"Pray at all times in the Spirit with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me . . ." (Eph. 6:18).

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely . . ." (Heb. 12:1).

"And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints . . ." (Rev. 5:8).

Pani Rose

Pani,

In addition we have a great host of witnesses cheering us on, Hebrews 12. We also have the martyrs who are praying for us now in heaven at the throne of God, Revelation 6 and 7.

Dan L