THINE IS THE POWER AND THE GLORY - Church of the Virgin ...

For this reason, a general prayer for the departed is heldafter Palm Sunday Mass, for the souls of those who passaway during the Holy Pascha. The priest prays on somewater for this purpose, and not for blessing the palms as somemay think.During these prayers we have to confess our sins to the Lord intrue repentance, as we never know when our life will end...After this funeral mass and the dismissing of the congregation,prayers are carried forth outside the camp.Outside the Camp:Under the Law of the Old Testament, sin offering was to beburnt outside the camp (Lev. 4:12,21), so it would not. defilethe camp with the congregation's sins.Thus the Lord Christ who took away the sins of the wholeworld, suffered outside the Holy City. They considered Him asinner, sent Him outside the Camp and crucified Him. St. Paulexplained, and referred to this matter by saying:"Let us go forth therefore to Him outside the camp, bearingHis reproach." (Heb. 13:13).The Holy Church follows the Lord's steps during the PaschaWeek and goes with Him outside the camp, closing the veil.The Church also leaves the first Chancel, the Chancel of Saints,and moves the Lectern to the second Chancel to pray away11