The Orthodox Contradiction: Praying for Souls Without Purgatory

From Totus Catholica

The Orthodox Church rejects the Catholic doctrine of purgatory, yet prayer for the dead remains a vital practice across Eastern liturgies—from Divine Liturgies to soul Saturdays. How can this be? If purgatory doesn’t exist, why pray for the dead at all? This video unpacks the deep mystery and unity in diversity between East and West regarding life after death and the power of prayer.saintjohnchurch+1​ 📌 We explore what the Orthodox actually believe, their liturgical practices, and how these align with Catholic teaching on purification after death. We unpack scriptural foundations, ancient Church Fathers, and magisterial explanations clarifying that while the term purgatory may be rejected, the reality of post-mortem purification and growth toward God is widely embraced.oca+2​ ✨ What You’ll Discover: 📖 2 Maccabees 12;44-46 – Judas Maccabeus’s prayers for fallen soldiers to free them from sin ✝️ 1 Corinthians 3;13-15 – Paul’s teaching on works tested by fire, saved through fire 🕊️ Matthew 12;32 – Jesus stating some sins can be forgiven “in the age to come” 📜 St. John Chrysostom & St. Cyril of Jerusalem – Early Church evidence of praying for the dead’s forgiveness and strengthening 🔥 Council of Florence 1439 – Dogmatic teaching on purgatorial purification, not punishment 🛡️ CCC 1030-1032 – Purgatory as a merciful cleansing process, not eternal torment 💬 Answering Objections – Why purgatory does not undermine Christ’s perfect sacrifice and why it's not a medieval invention ⏳ Chapters: 0:00 – Orthodox Rejection of “Purgatory” Term—But Not the Practice 1:34 – Why Orthodox Pray for the Dead 3:07 – Biblical & Patristic Foundations for Prayer for the Dead 5:13 – Catholic Doctrine on Purgatory Explained 6:30 – Responding to Common Objections 8:00 – Pastoral Guidance for Those Struggling with Fear or Guilt 9:01 – How We Can Pray and Hope for Our Loved Ones 📖 Key Teaching & References: 2 Maccabees 12;44-46 – Prayer for the dead as a holy and wholesome thought 1 Corinthians 3;13-15 – Testing works by fire; loss of impurity, not salvation Matthew 12;32 – Some sins forgiven in the “age to come” Revelation 21;27 – Nothing unclean shall enter heaven St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 Corinthians – Urges prayer for the dead so sins may be forgiven St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures 23;10 – Praying during Eucharist for patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and all departed Council of Florence (1439) – Affirmation of cleansing punishments for souls before entering heaven CCC 1030-1032 – Purgatory as final purification, not a second chance or earning salvation Romans 8;38-39 – Nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus