Most everyone in the Orthodox communities of North America has heard by now that our beloved Metropolitan Philip has passed away. I saw news of his death on FaceBook last night and today. I keep seeing kind messages from all my Orthodox friends and family. Many of them brought me to tears. However, one message, which has been repeated by nearly everyone posting about the Metropolitan, has given me joy. Memory Eternal. We say it so often in regards to the ones who have departed, yet rarely have I stopped to think about the words themselves. How simple they are, but yet powerful and beautiful.
Memory. We have little, if anything, so valuable as our memories. When someone we love passes away, it is our memories that let us hold onto them. What a beautiful thing, and even more beautiful is that the Church recognizes the strength of our memories of a loved one. We can be comforted by our memories of our loved ones. We carry them with us in spirit through remembrance.
Now, take that beautiful memory and add eternity. May their memory be eternal! What a beautiful statement that is. Not only should we keep them in our memory, but we should do it forever. Forever. Seems impossible, but not to the Church in the name of the Trinity. We can remember our departed for eternity, and that is the most beautifully comforting thing I have ever heard. It is the best way to carry someone with you, eternally.
Two words have never had such a large effect on me so easily. I do not cry easily, nor often, but say those two words and it's like a waterfall. Memory Eternal. Individually those words are powerful. Together they are invincible. So, during this time of the passing of His Eminence Metropolitan Philip- to whom I am forever grateful and owe my life as an Orthodox Christian (as do countless others)- let us all be comforted and say, May thy memory be eternal!
