Sometimes you will notice an extra service in the parish, typically following the Divine Liturgy, called a panikhida (from the Greek meaning, “all the dead”). Generally we do these on the 3rd, 9th, and 40th days after death, and then again on an annual basis. You’ll notice that when we do these there is a bowl of something with a cross on the top, and a candle in it. This bowl contains the kolliva - a boiled wheat berry dish seasoned with spices and decorated with fruits and nuts. The candle is lit at the beginning of the panikhida, extinguished at the end, and symbolizes the light that Christ illumined us with at our baptism. If you would like to learn how to make this to memorialize your own family faithful departed, please ask Fr. Iggy and he’ll be delighted to show you.
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