An Overview of the Orthodox Divine Liturgy

Summary

This transcript offers a detailed description of the Orthodox Christian Divine Liturgy, guiding viewers through each step of the Sunday worship service. It explains the various prayers, hymns, and rituals, including the little and great entrances, scripture readings, the kiss of peace, the Nicene Creed, and the communion process. It highlights the spiritual significance of actions like making the sign of the cross, bowing, and receiving communion with a spoon. The service reflects a deep connection with ancient traditions and emphasizes community and unity among the faithful.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Divine Liturgy in an Orthodox Church begins with preliminary services like hours or matins, which vary in length from 15 minutes to over an hour.
• 😀 Worshippers often arrive late to the service, which leads to people trickling in during the opening prayers and hymns.
• 😀 Early in the service, anthems are sung to allow people still arriving to join in the worship, and the little entrance ceremony takes place.
• 😀 The appointed hymn is sung, focusing on the patron saint or theme of the church, such as St. Paul or the Holy Cross.
• 😀 The Trisagion hymn ('Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal') is sung, during which worshippers make the sign of the cross and bow or touch the ground in reverence.
• 😀 A scripture reading from the epistle follows, usually read by a parishioner from a large, ornate book known as the epistle book.
• 😀 The Gospel reading is followed by either a sermon or an immediate continuation of the service, depending on the church's tradition.
• 😀 A prayer is said over those preparing to join the Orthodox Church, known as the 'candidates.'
• 😀 The cherubic hymn is sung, symbolizing the cherubim and seraphim crying 'Holy, Holy, Holy' before the Great Entrance, where the priest and altar servers process around the church.
• 😀 The Kiss of Peace is exchanged among worshippers, emphasizing unity in faith, before reciting the Nicene Creed to affirm belief in the Holy Trinity.
• 😀 Communion involves the priest delivering consecrated bread dipped in wine to the faithful, with bread placed in wine and served using a spoon. Afterward, blessed bread, called 'antidoron,' is given to those not taking communion.

Q & A

Why do some Orthodox Christians arrive late to the Divine Liturgy?

Orthodox Christians are often not very punctual for worship. Although the service is scheduled to start at a specific time, worshippers tend to trickle in during the early stages of the service, often due to personal or cultural reasons.

What is the purpose of the preliminary service before the Divine Liturgy?

The preliminary service, which lasts 15-20 minutes, is known as 'hours.' In some churches, there may be a longer service called 'matens' or 'orthos,' which can last up to an hour, and it serves as preparation for the main Divine Liturgy.

What is the 'Little Entrance' in Orthodox worship?

The 'Little Entrance' is a ceremony during the Divine Liturgy where the priest and altar servers leave the altar, walk out in front of the iconostasis, and then return through the Royal doors. It marks the point where Sunday worship officially begins.

What is the significance of the hymn 'Tragan' during the service?

'Tragan' is a hymn sung during the Divine Liturgy that represents the seraphim in Isaiah's vision, who cry 'Holy, holy, holy.' It is a declaration of the holiness of God, and worshippers often make the sign of the cross and bow as they sing it.

What is a 'Matana' and how is it performed?

A 'Matana' is a gesture made during the Divine Liturgy where worshippers make the sign of the cross and then bow or reach down to touch the ground. This can symbolize humility and acceptance of the cross.

How is the scripture reading conducted during the service?

The scripture reading is typically from the Epistle and is often read by a parishioner. The reading is done from a large, ornate book called the 'Epistle' and is followed by a Gospel reading, which may involve a procession by the altar boys.

Why is the kiss of peace important in Orthodox worship?

The kiss of peace symbolizes the unity of the congregation in faith. Worshippers greet each other with a 'holy kiss,' exchanging a sign of peace, often saying 'Christ is in our midst' and responding 'He is and ever shall be.'

What is the Nicene Creed, and why is it recited during the service?

The Nicene Creed, written in the 4th century, is a statement of belief in the Holy Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit). It was formulated to counter heretical ideas and clarify the orthodox Christian faith.

What happens during the communion prayers?

During the communion prayers, the priest recounts God's actions, including the sending of His Son for salvation, and consecrates the bread and wine, transforming them into the body and blood of Christ through the Holy Spirit.

How is communion distributed during the Divine Liturgy?

Communion is distributed by placing consecrated bread into wine, using a spoon to deliver it to the person receiving communion. They stand before the priest with their mouth open, and altar boys hold a red cloth beneath their chin to catch any drips.