Don't be deceived! The "Mystical" Amissa Service Isn't What You Think It Is - Victor Akpojotor

Candles used during Amissa

The amissa service is a unique service. It is the only service in the Church where a good number of Celestians do not love attending. Although, no one knows which language is the word amissa coined from, but the word amissa has a Latin term, known as requiem. Requiem is a mass (service) for the repose of the soul of the dead. Thus the reason why many in the fold decline to attend an amissa service.

The ideology behind the amissa service is seen from a wrong perspective by members. This grey area was touched by Victor Akpojotor in an article titled, a review into amissa in Celestial Church of Christ.

In the article, Akpojotor explained that it is a wrong notion to believed that the service is meant for anyone who is dead. He stated it is not just the dead but the righteous dead.

"There is nothing interesting in remembering someone who died a sinner. Remembrance is only meant for the righteous dead because of their good work on earth" he said.

He warned that the amissa service does not serve as a purgatory. A purgatory is a state after death according to Roman Catholic belief in which the souls of people who die are made pure through suffering before going to heaven.

"The belief of some in Celestial Church of Christ that amissa is to appease the wrath of God on the unrighteous dead to transfer them from hell to heaven is not different from the believe in purgatory.

"Brethren, this is a false view. There is no forgiveness in the grave. Once man dies, then comes judgement. If man dies in sin, no heaven at all. That person will be condemned into eternal condemnation on the day of judgement in the lake of fire" he stressed.