What action do congregants perform at the conclusion of a Greek Orthodox funeral service?

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At the conclusion of a Greek Orthodox funeral service, congregants perform the action of kissing the icon, which is a traditional gesture of respect and reverence in the Orthodox Christian faith. This act symbolizes a connection to the divine and an expression of love for the departed. Icons in the Orthodox tradition are highly venerated as they represent holy figures, and kissing them is a way for congregants to honor both their faith and the memory of the deceased.

The other options, while they may reflect aspects of Orthodox practices or funeral customs in general, do not encapsulate the specific tradition that concludes the funeral service. Offering prayers is a part of many religious services, including Greek Orthodox funerals, but it does not specifically represent the closing action performed by congregants in this setting. Presenting flowers may occur at various funerals, yet it is not a ritualistic element exclusive to or emphasized at the conclusion of the Greek Orthodox service. Similarly, bowing in respect is a gesture that can be made in various contexts but is not a signature action associated with the conclusion of a Greek Orthodox funeral service in the same way kissing the icon is.

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