like that of traditional Roman Catholicism. Bulgakov cautions that the Orthodox do not recognise a place of purgation, but they do acknowledge the possibility of a state of purification after death.16 Naturally, this conviction that continued progress is possible after death leads to the belief that prayers for believers who have died can help them to complete the process of theosis. Such prayers are a major part of popular Orthodox piety and occupy a significant place in the liturgy.