Sermon Given at the Funeral of Matushka Tamara Kotar

Bishop THEODOSY of Seattle

“Blessed is the way in which thou shalt walk to-day, O soul; for a place of rest is prepared for thee.” (Prokeimenon from the services for the Burial of the Dead).

These words from the funeral prokeimenon end the reading of the apostle during the burial service of the Orthodox Christian. “Blessed” is the term used to describe the journey taken by the soul once it has left its body. The deceased is separated from his dear ones on earth for a short time. But he will not be alone in eternity. The soul rests from its earthly duties, and sees what God has prepared for those who love Him.

“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (I Cor. 2, 9)

Acting as eternal witnesses are those who were “taken up” into the Heavenly Bridechamber and heard the “unspeakable words of God” while they were still alive. For us, these words remain unexplained. The Apostle Paul, who was proficient in many languages, could not find the words to describe what he witnessed when he was in the Heavenly Kingdom. But in one of his most profound statements, he wrote:

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1, 21)

These words of the Apostle Paul were realized in the life of Tamara Grigorievna. From her youth, she dedicated her life to the Savior. Born into the family of a priest and having lost her mother during childhood, Tamara Grigorievna placed all her hope in God. She had a good voice, and being well acquainted with the order of church services, she became an active participant of kliros in the church of her father, Priest Gregory.

She carried out this obedience here, in the choir of our church, the Cathedral of the Joy of All Who Sorrow, until the end of her virtuous life. Matushka Tamara was a loyal helper to her husband, the Archpriest Nicholas. As a person of profound faith, she raised two pastors of Christ’s Church and two pious daughters. Her efforts as a teacher throughout many years played a significant role in the existence of the Saints Cyrill and Methodius Russian School. Many of the graduates of this school owe their knowledge of their native tongue to Tamara Grigorievna. She worked in this academic institution until the end of her days.

Matushka bore her cross of sorrows and illnesses without complaint. She constantly looked after the health, affairs, and wellbeing of those whom she met throughout her life, dutifully fulfilling the words of the apostle:

“To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”

In the psalm, the Prophet David writes the following about worldly life:

“The years of our life are threescore and ten, or even by reason of strength fourscore; yet their span is but toil and trouble.” (Ps. 90,10)

The Almighty found Tamara Grigorievna worthy to live 86 years. I believe that through God’s Wisdom, many of the virtuous live longer, so that the younger generation may have before them the living example of a person who lives a life pleasing to God, and so that through their peaceful end, they may illustrate the ideal Christian’s passing into eternity.

During her brief illness, Tamara Grigorievna was able to partake of Confession and Holy Communion several times; she received the mystery of Holy Unction, venerated the miracle-working Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, and quietly departed unto the Lord. What could be better than such a repose? It is well known that every death is unique. The Holy Fathers determined the virtue of various ascetics by the manner of their death, which served as evidence of a righteous life. A Christian death always graces those who have put Christ first and foremost in the foundation of their lives.

Today, God has gathered us together in this holy church in order to accompany the servant of God Tamara in her final earthly journey with our unified prayer. Translated to its new life through death, her soul goes forth to join the ranks of the righteous. Now she is especially in need of our prayers: they will help her to complete this journey. Through prayer, we are perpetually connected to those who have reposed in the Lord. Today, our entire church sends its prayers to the Almighty. We ask the Lord to lay to rest the soul of one who has recently joined the dwelling of the righteous. And so the prayer of every person present in church becomes a prayer for all, and the prayer of all becomes a prayer for every person.

We look back on the good works of the reposed. Now that she has passed into eternal life, our conscience chides us for everything we did not do for her. We ask her fogiveness for any wrongs committed unto her.

It is especially difficult for family to part with those who have reposed. For the family of the departed, it seems as if a part of their soul is buried together with the body lying in the coffin. Our Church Fathers describe this feeling in their writing. It is a feeling profoundly experienced by all who give away their loved ones to eternal life. Only prayer can serve as consolation during this time.

We must not forget what the Scriptures tells us:

“But the righteous live for ever, and their reward is with the Lord.” (Sol. 5, 15)

In continuing to pray for the rest of the souls of the departed, we do not lose our spiritual connection to those who have passed into eternal life; on the contrary, we acquire someone who will pray for us in the Victorious Church.

I would like to share with all who are present for the burial of Tamara Grigorievna these verses, recently composed by a person of profound faith:

“I will close my eyes and go to sleep.
I’ll hold back the tears for this life.
I love you all as I did before,
But my foremost need is Christ.
I will close my eyes and go away…
Approaching the distant heights…
I will leave behind all things of this world –
And for me you must pray.”
– Nun Lyudmilla, December 2009

May the merciful Lord our God lay to rest the recently departed soul of the servant of God Tamara in the dwelling of the righteous, and may He have mercy on us, for He is Good and loves mankind. Amen.

December 16/29, 2009.

Translated from the Russian by Alexandra Kotar.