Just as Easter is the main event of the year, for which the people of God prepare themselves with a special, Great Lent, the Liturgy is the central divine service, different from all other services.
The following of the Divine Liturgy for the choir, the following for the laity with explanations are published today in large numbers. They are convenient for navigating through the service.
Liturgy is the central and special divine service of the Church, because after it the Bloodless Sacrifice is performed
What is Liturgy
Translated, the word “Liturgy” means “public service.” The greatest sacrament of the Church takes place here - the Eucharist (translated as “thanksgiving”). Who does the Christian community thank and for what?
The Sacrament of Flesh and Blood - God's Sacrifice
The Liturgy reveals the reality of the Kingdom of Heaven. In the sacrament of the Eucharist, bread and wine are mysteriously transformed into the Flesh and Blood of Christ, and every believer, partaking of this Heavenly Gift, becomes involved in God and unites with Him.
He literally eats and drinks Flesh and Blood under the guise of bread and wine, as Jesus Christ, God and Man, directly commanded. Is it worth further discussing why and to whom Christians give thanks for this greatest treasure on Earth.
During the Liturgy, Orthodox Christians touch the Kingdom of Heaven, finding the strength to be Christians.
Victim of Praise
But those who pray gather at the Divine Table not only to receive. A heart that loves God also wants to give. But what to give to the One who Himself is the cause, Creator and Giver of all goods?
Let us answer with the words of the prayer of the Liturgy of John Chrysostom: “Mercy of peace, sacrifice of praise.” According to the explanation of St. Nicholas Kavasila, this means offering “mercy to the One who said: I want mercy, not sacrifice.”
“The mercy of the world” does not mean “mercy from the whole universe,” but “the fruit of the purest and strongest peace, when the soul is not aroused by any passions and when nothing prevents it from being filled with mercy and the sacrifice of praise.”
Let's imagine a child and a loving father. A child has nothing of his own, and will a gift bought by a child at his own expense touch the father’s heart? But a pencil drawing, carefully executed by a child’s hand, or simply a sincere child’s “thank you” touches a father’s heart to tears.
Simple heartfelt gratitude moves a loving father to give his child even more than the child has. From this simple image, let us learn to constantly bring sincere gratitude to God for everything that he has given us out of his love, explicitly and implicitly, consciously and unknown to us.
In the Communion of the Flesh and Blood of Christ, divine grace illuminates the whole person, and the one who receives communion worthily clearly touches for himself the happiness of union with God in His Kingdom. Photo: azbyka.ru
History of origin
The first Liturgy on Earth was celebrated by Jesus Christ surrounded by 12 apostles. This event is remembered on Maundy Thursday. Since apostolic times, the rite of the Liturgy has been modified, spreading throughout the Christian world. But the essence and main content remain the same.
In the 4th century. The following of the contemporary liturgy was recorded by Saint Basil the Great. Saint John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, somewhat shortened the prayers. This is how two rites of the liturgy, very similar to each other, were formed and have come down to our times.
Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is celebrated throughout the year, while the liturgy of St. Basil the Great - on Sundays during Great Lent and on some holidays.
Holy Thursday services, April 29
Remembrance of the Last Supper and the establishment of the sacrament of the Eucharist by Jesus Christ.
In the morning Vespers is served with the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great and reserve Gifts are being prepared for the communion of the sick. At its end, during the bishop's service, the rite of Washing the Feet is performed.
In the evening, Matins is served with the reading of 12 passages from the Gospels dedicated to the Passion (suffering) of the Lord. There is an old Russian custom of bringing home burning candles from this service.
Brief rites
John Chrysostom
For ease of understanding, the liturgy is divided into 3 parts:
- Making bread and wine.
- Prayerful preparation of the faithful for participation in the sacrament.
- Performing the sacrament.
According to the commandment of the Lord, the liturgy is celebrated in remembrance of Christ. Therefore, actions and prayers during the service correspond to the events of the Savior’s life:
- Proskomedia. It is performed by the priest in the silence of the altar; it is not visible to the laity in the church. Here the bread and wine for the Sacrament are prepared. The clergy remember the birth of Christ, and at the same time the sacrifice he made on the cross. Proskomedia - the memory of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and the Nativity. The Lamb (in the center on the paten) is Christ. Paten is a manger and together the Holy Sepulcher. Spear - the spear with which the Roman centurion pierced the Crucified One. The star (left) is the star of Bethlehem. Pokrovtsy are the shrouds with which the Mother of God swaddled the Child.
Proskomedia is performed in the altar, followed by the preparation of bread and wine for the subsequent Sacrament. Photo: ashanet.ru
- The Liturgy of the Catechumens was so named because those preparing to receive holy baptism, i.e., the catechumens, were allowed to attend it. In ancient times, such preparation could last for years. I remember Christ’s appearance to preach and the subsequent events in the history of God’s salvation of man.
- Liturgy of the Faithful. Only Christians are present behind it. They thank God for the greatest happiness on Earth of life with God, the gift of faith in Him, His countless benefits. Here the terrible and great Sacrament of the offering of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, and the subsequent Communion, is performed.
“The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci depicted in colors the first Liturgy celebrated by Jesus Christ surrounded by the Apostles.
Order of rites
The opening cry of the liturgy is familiar to all Christians. “Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages,” proclaims the primate. “Amen,” the praying community replies to him in the choir.
Liturgy of the Catechumens
Then follow litanies - prayer requests. The priest pronounces them loudly, for example: “Let us pray to the Lord in peace...” Standing before the Throne, he asks God on behalf of the entire community, calling us to pray “in peace” - that is, in a peaceful dispensation of the spirit, making peace with everyone and leaving the everyday bustle.
The litanies alternate with the antiphons “Bless, my soul, the Lord” and Praise, my soul, the Lord. This is followed by the hymn “The Only Begotten Son.”
Translated from Church Slavonic, it reads like this: “The only begotten Son and Word of God, immortally existing, who for the sake of our salvation deigned to be incarnate from the Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, invariably became human, gave Himself to be crucified, Christ God, having trampled death by death, one of the Persons Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit, save us!”
Then follows the small litany, the so-called “blessed” are sung - the beatitudes that guide Christians in their earthly life on the way to the Kingdom of Heaven.
The priest at the altar brings prayers to God, called “secret” prayers.
There is no secret in their content, they are simply pronounced quietly or silently, in parallel with the singing of the choir, and are not heard by those praying.
Having brought litany requests to God, while singing the Beatitudes, the priest prays “with our entrance, the entrance of Your holy angels will also be accomplished, so that together we may concelebrate and glorify Your Glory. For it is fitting for everyone to give glory, honor and worship to You - the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and forever and ever! Amen".
A “small entrance” is made. The deacon solemnly carries the Gospel, showing it to all those praying. He is preceded by a candle bearer. The last to go is the priest. The procession leaves the northern one and enters the Royal Doors.
Small entrance: in the Gospel, those praying see, as it were, Christ Himself coming out to preach publicly; the candle is the grace of the Holy Spirit.” Photo: images54.fotki.com
The deacon raises the Gospel in front of the Royal Doors and makes the sign of the cross in the air. This means that through the efforts of the Savior on the cross, the entrance to the Kingdom of Heaven was opened for His followers. The procession of the clergy enters the altar and moves to its eastern part.
This means the Ascension of the Savior to the Heavenly Father after the Resurrection.
The “trisagion” is performed - a short prayer, according to legend, revealed to people by angels. The priest in prayer calls to join the angelic forces to glorify God.
The Apostle and the Gospel are read.
The Apostle is read in the middle of the temple, symbolizing the apostolic preaching among the people.
Christians try to listen to Scripture with extreme concentration, because it is the inspired word of God, with which the Lord speaks to us.
The priest pronounces the special (“strengthened, special”) litany, and then the litany about the catechumens. After her, the deacon loudly announces that the catechumens should leave the company of the faithful: “The Elits (all those who) were catechumens, go out. Release the announcement! Yes, none of the catechumens, the faithful ones, again and again (more and more) let us pray to the Lord in peace.”
Liturgy of the Faithful
The liturgy of the faithful begins, that is, those who have received holy baptism. The choir sings on behalf of the worshipers: “Lord, have mercy.” Deacon: “Intercede, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Your grace.”
The priest in the altar prays, as Christ prayed before suffering on the cross in the Garden of Gethsemane.
The short litany ends with the exclamation: “As we always keep under Your power, we send glory to You, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.”
The Royal Doors open, and the choir begins to sing the Cherubic Song, one of the most beautiful and highest prayer chants.
Mixed church choir at the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
“Even as the cherubim secretly form, and the life-giving Trinity sings the Trisagion, let us now put aside all worldly cares, so that we will raise up the King of all, invisibly carried by the angels. Hallelujah.
In Russian it sounds like this: We, mysteriously depicting cherubim and singing the Trisagion hymn to the life-giving Trinity, will now put aside all everyday worries in order to accept the King of all, Who is invisibly accompanied by the ranks of angels. Hallelujah.
The great entrance takes place - the procession of Christ to Golgotha. The Holy Gifts are transferred from the altar to the altar. The Primate with the Chalice and paten in his hands, standing on the salt, commemorates the First Hierarch, the Ruling Bishop, his Eminence metropolitans, archbishops and bishops, as well as all those present in the church with the words “may the Lord God remember in His Kingdom, always now and ever and unto the ages of ages.” "
Having entered the altar, the priest places the cup and paten on the Throne, which signifies the position of Christ in the tomb.
Immediately the Royal Doors are closed - this is the Savior descending into hell to the souls of people who died before His coming.
The altar curtain is drawn - this is the stone being rolled onto the tomb of the Savior, as described in the Gospel.
The priest proclaims a litany called a petition. Her petitions end with “We ask the Lord,” and the choir no longer sings “Lord, have mercy,” but “Give, Lord.”
This request is bolder than the previous ones, because God became a man and was crucified for us, giving us the opportunity to ask Him - and receive what we asked.
After the litany, the veil is pulled back - this means that Christ has risen. The mystery of our salvation has been accomplished! By the death of Christ, death was trampled upon, hell was destroyed, eternal life was returned to people, the inevitable doom of a dark hell no longer hangs over the souls of even the righteous.
The worshipers sing the Creed. This is how we testify to what we believe.
Performing the Sacrament
Then the culminating part of the Liturgy is performed. The bread and wine prepared at the proskomedia are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ the Savior. The priest raises his hands in prayer to God so that this terrible and greatest Sacrament may be accomplished.
The choir sings on behalf of all those praying: “We sing to You, we bless You, we thank You and we pray to You, our God.”
Eucharistic canon. The priest raises his hands, praying for the sending of the Holy Spirit on the praying Christians, on the bread and wine that is presented. Photo: nikolskij-hrampamyatnik.ru
During the performance of “It is Worthy to Eat,” a prayer of thanksgiving to the Mother of God, one can remember deceased and living Christians.
A petitionary litany is performed and the “Our Father” is publicly performed - a prayer commanded by Jesus Christ. The priest loudly proclaims: “Holy to holies!” This cry is addressed to us, the unholy saints.
After all, the Lord wants us to be holy and will give us His Eternal Kingdom. There is one Holy One, one Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen,” the worshipers answer.
Communions at the liturgy are sung by the choir depending on the event being celebrated.
In anticipation of the happiness of receiving the Holy Mysteries, Christians usually listen to prayers before Holy Communion and the teachings of the saints.
Finally, the primate, who has already received communion at the altar, exclaims: “Come with the fear of God and faith!”
The chorus answers: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! God is the Lord and appear to us!” These words grow joy about the tangible appearance of Christ and the possibility of man’s communion with the Divine nature.
After Christian Communion
Having given communion to the people, the priest will immerse the pieces of prosphora he had previously taken out for the living and deceased Christians into the Chalice with the Blood of Christ. This commemoration is the highest possible. The Holy Gifts are transferred to the altar.
Holy Gifts on the altar
“May our lips be filled with Thy praise, O Lord, for we sing Thy glory, for Thou hast made us worthy to partake of Thy Holy, Divine, Immortal and Life-giving Mysteries; keep us in Thy sanctuary all day long, so that we may learn Thy righteousness. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia,” the choir sings, thanking the Lord for Communion.
A litany of thanksgiving is read. Exalting the Gospel, the priest proclaims: “For you are our sanctification, and to you we send glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.”
Christians, sanctified by Heavenly Gifts, go out into the world in order to now demonstrate Christ with themselves, with their lives.
The priest reads a prayer, standing in front of the pulpit, showing the unworthiness of the sinner and the weak.
Having said a prayer, he enters the altar.
So for us, unworthy and weak people, the Kingdom of God is accessible and open through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.
Termination of service
After the dismissal (a parting prayer addressed to those praying), the choir performs a multiyear, the composition of which may vary:
Our Great Lord and Father Kirill, His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', and our Most Reverend Lord (name), bishop (diocese),
God-protected our Russian Fatherland,/ the rector, brethren and parishioners of this holy temple and all Orthodox Christians,
Lord, keep them for many years to come!
Text for many years on the name day: “A prosperous and peaceful life, health and salvation, and good haste in everything, (and abundance of earthly fruits) grant, Lord, (name) and preserve him (her, them) for MANY YEARS!
Then Christians venerate the cross.
They read prayers for Holy Communion.
Here is what St. John Chrysostom himself writes about the greatness of the Eucharist:
“How pure must be the one who enjoys this sacrifice! How purer than all the rays of the sun must be the hand that crushes this Flesh, the mouth filled with spiritual fire, the tongue stained with terrible Blood! Think about what honor you have received, what kind of meal you enjoy!
What the angels look at with trepidation, and do not dare to look at without fear, because of the radiance emanating from here, with this we are nourished, with this we communicate and become one body and one blood with Christ. Whoever proclaims the mighty powers of the Lord will all His praises be heard?
What kind of shepherd feeds the sheep with his own members? But what am I saying – shepherd? There are often mothers who give their newborn babies to wet nurses. But Christ did not tolerate this. He feeds us with His blood and through this unites us with Himself.”
(Psalm XV, 2)
An icon of St. John Chrysostom, who in the 4th century composed the rite of the Liturgy, which is still celebrated today. Photo: ruicon.ru
Let us think about it, because to this day the small flock of Christ partakes of God’s highest Gift to man on Earth.
To do this, you do not need to have a special education or social status, a large sum of money or secret knowledge. For some, the words of the Savior sound like a temptation, but for others, they sound like great consolation through the centuries:
“He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My Flesh is truly food, and My Blood is truly drink.”
(John 6:54-6:55)
They will sound until the end, according to His promise.
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Liturgy according to the rite of St. Basil the Great
Priest's secret prayerSaint John the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, the holy and all-praised Apostle, whose holy name we commemorate, and all Your saints, whose prayers visit us, O God.
And remember all those who have fallen asleep before about the hope of the resurrection of eternal life. About salvation, visitation, forgiveness of sins of God's servants (names are called). For the peace and remission of sins of the souls of Thy servant (names are called), in a place of light, from where sorrow and sighing have fled, rest, O our God.
And their peace, where the light of Your face is present. We also pray to Thee, remember, O Lord, Thy holy catholic and apostolic Church, from the end even to the end of the universe, and die, which Thou hast established with the honorable blood of Thy Christ, and establish this holy temple even to the end of the age.
Remember, Lord, those who brought these gifts to You, and about them, and in their image, and for them, you brought this. Remember, Lord, those who bear fruit and do good in Your holy churches, and who remember the poor: reward them with Your rich and heavenly gifts, grant them heavenly gifts instead of earthly ones, eternal ones instead of temporary ones, and incorruptible ones instead of perishable ones. Remember, O Lord, those who are in the deserts and mountains, and the dens, and the abysses of the earth. Remember, Lord, those who remain in virginity and reverence, and fasting, and in pure living. Remember, Lord, our God-protected Russian country and its faithful people, grant us deep and inalienable peace, say in the hearts of all who are in power good things about Your Church and all Your people, so that in the silence of their quiet and silent life we will live in every piety and purity. Remember, Lord, every principality and power, and our brethren in the chamber and all the army. Keep the good in goodness, create the evil with your goodness. Remember, O Lord, the people ahead, and for the sake of the blessed wines of those left behind, and have mercy on them and us according to the multitude of Your mercy: fill their treasures with every good thing, keep their marriages in peace and unanimity, raise babies, instruct youth, support old age, comfort the cowardly, squandered gather, convert the deceived, and gather together the saints of Your congregation and the apostles of the Church. Free those who are cold from unclean spirits, go to those who swim, go to those who travel, stand before widows, protect the orphans, deliver the captives, heal the sick. In judgment, and in ordeals, and in imprisonment, and in bitter labor, and in all sorrows, and in need, and in the circumstances of life, remember, O God. And all those who demand Thy great compassion, and those who love us, and those who hate us, and who commanded us, the unworthy, to pray for them, and all Thy people remember, O Lord our God, and pour out Thy rich mercy upon all, granting to all the same petitions for salvation. And those we have not remembered, through ignorance, or oblivion, or through many names, remember them yourself, O God, who knew each one’s age and name, who knew each one from his mother’s womb. For you are, Lord, help to the helpless, hope to the hopeless, savior to the overwhelmed, refuge to the floating, physician to the ailing. You yourself will be everything to everyone, knowing everything, and his request, the house and I will demand it. Deliver, Lord, this city (or this whole city, or this holy monastery), and every city and country from famine, destruction, cowardice, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare.
First of all, remember, Lord, our Great Lord and Father (name), His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, and our Lord, His Most Reverend Metropolitan (or: archbishop, or: bishop osprey; title of diocesan bishop), and also grant to Your Holy Churches in the world, whole , honest, healthy, long-living, rightly administering Your word of truth.
