Armodoxy for Today: Muiron beyond the Grave

Is there communication beyond the grave? We talk about an afterlife. Certainly, life after this one is part of the Christian Gospel message but seldom do we discuss it (especially in mixed company) for fear of being ridiculed, but even more because we think it not possible.

A few years back one of my clergy brothers passed away. Different from a lay person’s funeral, the priest’s body is anointed one last time in Church and then later the body is committed to the earth. This is the Sacrament of Unction in which the presiding bishop consecrates the lifeless body of the priest. I remember having objections to this service: Why would they place something as holy as Muiron on a dead body? It seemed like a waste of such a precious and sacred commodity. After all we believe that the soul lives on, why consecrate the body?

That day at the funeral, I served at the holy altar. The priest’s body was brought before the holy alter in his casket. During celebration of the Divine Liturgy, just before the Kiss of Peace was to be given, the archbishop offered the prayers and the gospel passage written for this service. He then knelt before the coffin and consecrated the priest’s body, putting the seal of Church – the Holy Muiron – on his forehead and next his hands.

In the solemnity of the moment, the archbishop chanted a beautiful hymn of the Armenian Church beginning with the words, Greetings, Holy Church,  greetings to you reverend clergy, I am journeying to my Creator. The words of the hymn were as if they were coming from the priest’s body. He continued, Greetings children of the church, brothers and sisters in Christ, people of the world, I am journeying to Christ, the Hope of all. I say farewell to the Holy Church, behold I leave my holy brothers and sisters to the calling of the Renewer, Christ.

At that moment, things became very clear to me and I’m sure to many others in the sanctuary. The priest’s body, which was the shell of his soul, had served its purpose. It had brought the community of believers together. It had accomplished its calling of helping people enter the Kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit had taken charge of the sanctuary and was talking via the Muiron, talking for this priest, telling us that there is hope beyond the grave. It was such a moving moment and many of us teared up as the Liturgy continued with the Kiss of Peace. The greeting of Christ’s Love was shared from beyond the grave with us all.

Following Christ’s Crucifixion and Burial the “Oil Bearing Women” as they are called in our Tradition, brought fragrant oils to anoint Christ’s body. Instead, they found the Empty Tomb. The Holy Muiron is life giving and keeps our attention on the Empty Tomb and the words of the angel, “He is not here. He has risen!”  (Matthew 28)

We pray, Hear me, Benevolent Lord, let me be worthy of the Upper Room to join in prayer those who adore You and speak unceasingly of Your Godliness on earth and in heaven. Amen.

Cover Photo: Luna & Gregory Beylerian, 2023