Sorokoust is a prayer commemoration performed in the church over 40 consecutive Divine Liturgies.
During each Liturgy, at the Proskomedia, a piece of prosphora is taken out while the priest commemorates the name of the living or deceased. At the end of the Liturgy, with the prayer:
"Wash away, Lord, the sins of those commemorated here by Your precious blood, through the prayers of Your saints,"
the priest places this particle into the Chalice with the Blood of Christ. This is repeated forty times during the 40 Divine Liturgies.
Sorokousts can be ordered “For Health” or “For Repose.”
Sorokoust for Health:
Traditionally, a Sorokoust "For Health" is ordered not only for improving the physical condition of loved ones. The concept of "health" also includes the spiritual state of a person, peace of mind, and even material well-being. Such a prayer can also be a request to God to help change the intentions of an ill-wisher, restoring love and harmony in their heart.
Sorokoust for Repose:
Holy Scripture teaches that at the moment of death, the human soul leaves the body and enters the other world, where it stands before the Lord. Many trials await the soul, often very difficult ones. However, living people can help the soul of the deceased face these ordeals through prayers.
One of the special Orthodox funeral prayers is the Sorokoust for repose. Sorokoust has great spiritual power and can positively influence the fate of the newly departed soul, helping prepare it for a merciful verdict at God’s judgment.
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