July 14, Pravmir. The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church has approved the rite of the burial of unbaptized infants during their meeting on July 14, 2018. It was reported by Priest Alexander Volkov, Press Secretary of His Holiness, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. According to Fr. Alexander, this rite will become mandatory … Continue reading Russian Orthodox Church approves rite of burial for unbaptized infants
Some Updates
As I mentioned previously, the Assembly of Bishops was to consider our proposal of a miscarriage/stillbirth booklet for clergy when they met in mid-September. As it turns out, time was too short for it to make it to the agenda. This is disappointing, of course, but our subcommittee is considering publishing it independently. When I … Continue reading Some Updates
Encouraging news from Russia
In Russia, Fr. Daniel Goryachev is insisting that mothers and other family members be given a chance to see their stillborn babies and bury them. At the current time they are not shown to the families and are disposed of as medical waste, regardless of gestational age.“Even if abortions are finally outlawed, the public conscience … Continue reading Encouraging news from Russia
In the news…
(Source, and additional photos) A subcommittee of the Committee for Pastoral Practice of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops was convened from March 12-14 in Antiochian Village in Pennsylvania for the purpose of addressing the current lack of a common service for miscarried or stillborn infants and associated pastoral guidance. In attendance were: (L-R) Mat. … Continue reading In the news…
Upcoming meeting…
Next week I will fly to Pennsylvania and stay at Antiochian Village for a few days. I was invited to work with some other Orthodox Christians to help draft a memorial service for miscarried and stillborn babies and put together resources for priests and parishes to use to assist grieving families. Other than having put … Continue reading Upcoming meeting…
Services approved for preborn infants by the Holy Synod of the OCA
Good news from the Holy Synod!![October 18, 2013 Syosset, NY] The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America concluded its fall session on Thursday, October 17, 2013. His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, chaired the session, which opened two days earlier. According to Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, OCA Secretary, in addition to hearing the … Continue reading Services approved for preborn infants by the Holy Synod of the OCA
Another resource
Thank you to Kyra for pointing out the existence of a pregnancy loss resource page on the site of Holy Trinity OCA church in East Meadow, NY. It includes services for memorial and burial of miscarried and stillborn infants. I have added this to the Prayers and Liturgics page.
Change can happen
I'm cross posting this from my other site. This was an amazing comment made by willfulmina this evening on this post (about Fr. Peter Gilquist's miscarriage paper):I just wanted to let you know that after reading this post, I had a long discussion on the subject with my husband, who is a seminarian at Jordanville. … Continue reading Change can happen
Review of "An Orthodox Pastoral Approach to Miscarriage" by Fr. Peter J. Gillquist
I have been very privileged to read a copy of Fr. Peter Jon Gillquist's thesis entitled, “An Orthodox Pastoral Approach to Miscarriage”*. With his permission I would like to share parts of it with you here. How came Fr. Peter to write on this topic? From the introduction:“On the morning of Holy Thursday, 2003, following … Continue reading Review of "An Orthodox Pastoral Approach to Miscarriage" by Fr. Peter J. Gillquist
Query:
I came across this article in Scribd and it referenced a work by Fr. Peter Gillquist. Here is the footnote:"Fr. Peter J. Gillquist, An Orthodox Pastoral Approach to Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss p. 28"Has anyone heard of this article, pamphlet or book? I currently have feelers out at St. Tikhon's to see if someone can … Continue reading Query:
Lost Innocents 