In the Armenian Church, a Requiem Service (or Hokehankisd in Armenian) is a special prayer service held for the souls of the departed. It is performed to ask for God’s mercy and rest for the souls of the deceased and typically follows the Divine Liturgy (Holy Badarak). The service includes prayers, hymns, and readings from the Bible, all of which focus on interceding for the peace of the soul, expressing the hope of resurrection, and reaffirming the Christian belief in eternal life.
Family members often request the Requiem Service on specific occasions, such as the 40th day after death, anniversaries, or other important days of remembrance. During the service, the names of the deceased are read aloud, and the congregation joins in prayer for them.
The service reflects the Armenian Church’s belief in the communion of saints, where the living and the dead remain connected through prayer. It also emphasizes hope in Christ’s resurrection, which is central to the faith, and the eventual reunification of the faithful's souls with God in eternity.
These services are a time for the community to support the grieving family, showing solidarity through collective prayer and remembrance.
How do I request a requiem service at St. Sarkis Church?
To request a requiem service for your beloved's soul, please fill out the form below or call the church office at (718) 224-2275 no later than Friday at noon so we can print your request in the Sunday Bulletin. You may donate online, mail it, or drop it off at the church office.
Please note that no requiem services could be held in our church on Daghavar Days (major Holidays): Christmas, Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday, Sunday of Transfiguration, The Feast of Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and The Feast of Holy Cross.