tinople the
great church in honor of the Apostles, so that after his death the
faithful might there remember him.(286)

St. Cyril of Jerusalem, fourth century, writes: "We commemorate the Holy
Fathers, and Bishops, and all who have fallen asleep from amongst us,
believing that the supplications which we present will be of great
assistance to their souls, while the holy and tremendous Sacrifice is
offered up." He answers by an illustration those that might be disposed to
doubt the efficacy of prayers for the dead: "If a king had banished
certain persons who had offended him, and their relations, having woven a
crown, should offer it to him in behalf of those under his vengeance,
would he not grant a respite to their punishments? So we, in offering up a
crown of prayers in behalf of those who have fallen asleep, will obtain
for them forgiveness through the merits of Christ."(287)

St. Ephrem, in the same century, says: "I conjure you, my brethren and
friends, in the name of that God who commands me to leave you, to remember
me when you assemble to pray. Do not bury me with perfumes. Give them not
to me, but to God. Me, conceived in sorrows, bury with lamentations, and
instead of perfumes assist me with your prayers; for the dead are
benefited by the prayers of living Saints."(288)

St. Ambrose (same century), on the death of the Emperors Gratian and
Valentinian, says: "Blessed shall both of you be (Gratian and
Valentinian), if my prayers can avail anything. No day shall pass you over
in silence. No prayer of mine shall omit to honor you. No night shall
hurry by without bestowing on you a mention in my prayers. In every one of
the oblations will I remember you." On the death of the Emperor Theodosius
he offers the following prayer: "Give perfect rest to Thy servant
Theodosius, that rest which Thou hast prepared for Thy Saints. May his
soul return thither whence it descended, where it cannot feel the sting of
death.... I loved him and therefore will I follow him, even unto the land
of the living. Nor will I leave him until, by tears and prayers, I shall
lead him ... unto the holy mountain of the Lord, where is life undying,
where corruption is not, nor sighing nor mourning."(289)

St. Jerome, in the same century, in a letter of condolence to Pammachius,
on the death of his wife Paulina, writes: "Other husbands strew violets
and roses on the graves of their wives. Our Pammachius bedews the hallowed
dust of Paulina with ba