What term is associated with a vigil service in Eastern Orthodox funerals?

The term associated with a vigil service in Eastern Orthodox funerals is "Great Panachida." This service is traditionally held for the repose of the soul of the deceased and encompasses prayers, hymns, and scripture reading. The Great Panachida is integral to the Eastern Orthodox funeral rite, reflecting the community's beliefs about the afterlife and the importance of commemorating and praying for deceased loved ones.

This vigil typically occurs on the night before the funeral and may also be repeated on subsequent anniversaries of the individual's death, highlighting the continued remembrance within the faith. By engaging in this ritual, the community expresses its solidarity with the grieving family and honors the memory of the departed. The depth and significance of the prayers offered during the Great Panachida facilitate the spiritual connection between the living and the deceased, demonstrating the Eastern Orthodox understanding of death not as an end, but as a transition.