“Since Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, conquering death for us, there is no reason why we cannot ask those in heaven to pray for us just as we ask those still living on earth for their prayers. After all, in Christ all are alive. Therefore we ask the Ever-Virgin Nary to pray to her Son for us, just as we also ask the angels, the saints  and all faithful believers here on earth to pray on our behalf…”
(Deacon J Smolin sited in Orthodox Word Issue 12)