Δέησης των αγίων
The Intercession (Diesis)
The concept of the intercession of the saints
It is important for us to begin this research through study the texts of the holy bible,
which lead us to the true, that because we are Christians and our fundamental sources come from the bible.
For that, we will refer direct to the texts that indicated to the subject of our research “the intercession”.
Revelation chapter 5th number:8 (Αποκάλυψη 5:8)
καὶ ὅτε ἔλαβεν τὸ βιβλίον, τὰ τέσσαρα ζῷα καὶ οἱ εἴκοσι τέσσαρες πρεσβύτεροι ἔπεσαν ἐνώπιον τοῦ ἀρνίου,
ἔχοντες ἕκαστος κιθάραν καὶ φιάλας χρυσᾶς γεμούσας θυμιαμάτων, αἵ εἰσιν αἱ προσευχαὶ τῶν ἁγίων
having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints. (Rev 5:8)
1st Timothy chapter 2nd number : 1-3:
2:1 Παρακαλῶ οὖν πρῶτον πάντων ποιεῖσθαι δεήσεις, προσευχάς, ἐντεύξεις, εὐχαριστίας, ὑπὲρπάν των ἀνθρώπων,
2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks,
be made for all men;
2:2 for kings and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all
godliness and honesty.
2:3 for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;
(1st Timo 2: 1-3)
8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer;
and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with
the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
8:4 καὶ ἀνέβη ὁ καπνὸς τῶν θυμιαμάτων ταῖς προσευχαῖς τῶν ἁγίων ἐκ χειρὸς τοῦ ἀγγέλου ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ.
8:4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up
before God out of the angel's hand. (Rev 8:3-4)
There is a big question come from the people
How God accept the prayers of the saints who are dead?
Saints who moved from this life are not dead, So the lord Jesus Christ had said:
LUKE chapter 20th Number 36-38
20:36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God,
being the children of the resurrection.
20:37 ὅτι δὲ ἐγείρονται οἱ νεκροὶ καὶ Μωϋσῆς ἐμήνυσεν ἐπὶ τῆς βάτου, ὡς λέγει κύριον τὸν θεὸν Ἀβραὰμ καὶ θεὸν Ἰσαὰκκαὶ
θεὸν Ἰακώβ:
20:37 Now that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he called the Lord
the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
20:38 θεὸς δὲ οὐκ ἔστιν νεκρῶν ἀλλὰ ζώντων, πάντες γὰρ αὐτῷ ζῶσιν.
20:38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.
(Luk 20:36-38)
And to confirmation that “Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels” so we refer to the Transfiguration on the mount
LUKE chapter 9th Number 29-33
9:29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
9:30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
9:31 Who appeared in glory, and spoke of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem
9:32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
9:33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. ( Luk 9: 29-33).
In a short conclusion and summary
In the Transfiguration on the mount, we see Moses and Elijah still alive and they had appeared in glory on the earth, weared like angels.
This was confirmed categorically that the saints are not dead, but they are living in the glory of God, and it was also confirmation about what has wrote in the Revelation about the prayers and intercessions of the saints that they are giving before the throne of God.
Editor: Rev.Spyridon Tanous
Diocese of Leesburg Orthodox Patristic Church- Sweden
www.christ-prayer.org
