How are unbaptized dead people

If a person was not baptized during his life, did not want to unite himself with the Church of Christ, he is not remembered in the Church. But this does not mean that there is nothing we can do for the dead unbaptized. They can be remembered by praying in private (that is, at home or in church, but silently) and doing deeds of mercy for them. The Holy Fathers spoke about the permissibility of the private commemoration of the dead, who cannot be remembered in the Church.

The Monk Theodore the Studite, who lived many centuries ago, urged people to pray in secret: "unless everyone in his soul prays for such and does alms for them." The Reverend Elder Lev Optinsky, our compatriot of the 19th century, did not allow us to commemorate those who died outside the Church (suicides, unbaptized, heretics), but blessed them to pray for such unfortunate ones in private: “Seek, O Lord, the lost soul of my father: if it is possible, have mercy. Your destinies are invisible. Do not make this my prayer a sin, but Thy holy will be done. "

Relatives are upset because of the inability to order a kolyva or a memorial service for their relatives who died unbaptized. But do not forget that the most important thing that we can do for our deceased loved one, wishing to help him in some way, is to change ourselves. It is for this that Christians come to the temple of God, so that, by participating in the sacraments (primarily by confessing and receiving communion), they work on the most important thing for which we have been given life - the salvation of our souls. And with this effort we can help not only ourselves and living relatives, but also the deceased. This idea resounds in the Church. The Monk Seraphim of Sarov said: acquire a peaceful spirit and thousands will be saved around you. This means that by making efforts to save our own souls, we help those who are dear, whom we love. If we can change ourselves, be reborn spiritually, then we will most fully be able to help another person, both living and dead. God has no dead - everyone is alive with him.

Priest Alexander Savin, cleric of the Church of the Holy Blessed Tsarevich Demetrius, Moscow