Resteth With the Saints - the Hymn Sung at Ipatiev House

[carkuczyn]

In several of the accounts of the last church services that the imperial family attended before their execution, it is mentioned that when the prayer or song entitled Resteth With the Saints was said that they fell to their knees and one of the grand duchesses began to cry.  Are the words and/or music to this ancient psalm available anywhere?  It sounds like it would be beautiful.

[carkuczyn]

I can't believe that I have stumped the panel for once!.....LOL.  I thought for sure that one of my Orthodox friends out there would be able to give me more on this.  I would appreciate any input even if you don't have the exact words to this psalm/prayer.  I just think that knowing the spirituality of the Imperial Family......especially in the final weeks of their lives....this psalm/prayer would have to be something deep and beautiful.  I always appreciate all and any of your insights and thoughts no matter what they are!

[Azarias]

"With the saints give rest, 0 Christ, to the soul of Thy servant where sickness and sorrow are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting. "

These are the simple words to the Orthodox kontakion (hymn) for the dead. Regarding the story of the Imperial Family and this hymn at the Ipatiev House, it wasn't so much the words of the kontakion that were incredible...  it was the circumstances!

The Liturgy at which this all happened was a Sunday Liturgy. Normally the Orthodox do not have requiems on Sundays, prefering to celebrate Sunday as the day of Resurrection. It was a "mistake" of the Deacon to begin singing this kontakion, and the priest just went along with it so as not to interrupt the flow of things. The Imperial Family went to their knees out of reverent custom.

Perhaps everyone in the room at the Liturgy that day had some level of understanding, conscious or subconscious, of the events about to take place there a couple of days later.

[carkuczyn]

thank you azarias.....i did not realize that this was in the mass that day by mistake........or maybe i did but just had forgotten.  it is very ironic that it happened so shortly before their executions.  it is these kind of things that make the story of the romanovs so intriguing and so very sad.  also so sad that the imperial children, all in the "springtime" of their lives chronologically speaking, could not be carefree youths looking to the future but instead were faced with realizing that life could be over for them.  again....thanks for the info.