Memory eternal[a] is an exclamation, anencomium like thepolychronion, used at the end of aByzantine Ritefuneral ormemorial service, as followed by theEastern Orthodox andEastern Catholic Churches. It is the liturgical counterpart to theWestern Rite prayer "Eternal Rest."
The "memory eternal" mentioned in the prayer mainly refers to remembrance by God, rather than by the living, and is another way of praying that the soul has entered heaven and enjoys eternal life. It has been connected to the thief on the cross who asks Jesus to remember him when the kingdom is established, where Jesus responds that the thief would be in paradise (Luke 23:42–43). Hence to be remembered by God, in eternal memory, is to be in eternal existence in paradise.[1]
This chant is parallel to "Many years" which is chanted for living members of the Church (and occasionally for national or local authorities, even though they may not be Orthodox).[citation needed] "Memory eternal" is not chanted for those who have been officiallyglorified (canonized) as saints. As part of the glorification process for new saints, on the eve of the day before their glorification, "memory eternal" will be chanted for them at the end of a solemn service known as the "LastRequiem."[citation needed]
The chanting of "memory eternal" is introduced by adeacon, as follows:
It concludes with the line "with the saints, grant her/him rest o Lord, memory eternal!"[2]
"Memory Eternal" is chanted at the end of services onSaturdays of the Dead, though not for an individual, but for all of the faithful departed.
"Memory Eternal" is intoned by the deacon and then chanted by all in response three times during theliturgy on theSunday of Orthodoxy to commemorate church hierarchs, Orthodox monarchs, Orthodox patriarchs and clergy, and all deceased Orthodox Christians.[3]
In theRussian Orthodox Church, "memory Eternal" is chanted on theSunday of Orthodoxy for all of the departedrulers of Russia.[citation needed]
