Liturgy and the Holy Eucharist
"We knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth, for surely there is no such splendor or beauty anywhere on earth. We cannot describe it to you; we only know that God dwells there among men and that their Service surpasses the worship of all other places..."
These words were spoken in the late 10th century by envoys from Prince Vladimir of Kiev, who traveled to Constantinople to witness Christian worship. Upon experiencing the celebration of the Eucharist in the Great Church of Holy Wisdom, they were struck by its beauty and awe. This profound encounter with the Divine Liturgy has been shared by many over the centuries, and remains the cornerstone of Orthodox Christian worship.
The Meaning of the Holy Eucharist
The Holy Eucharist, or Divine Liturgy, is the oldest and most distinctive form of Christian worship. The word Eucharist comes from the Greek word meaning "thanksgiving." It is a profound expression of the Church's attitude toward God and all of life. The origins of the Eucharist trace back to the Last Supper, when Christ instructed His disciples to break bread and drink wine in remembrance of Him.
In the Orthodox Church, the Eucharist is not merely a symbolic memorial; it is a living mystery where the Church gathers to remember and celebrate the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. Through the Eucharist, we are invited to participate in the mystery of salvation, where the bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ, bringing us into communion with the Living God.
The Eucharist as the Heart of Worship
The Eucharist is at the heart of Orthodox worship and is considered the principal means of spiritual development, both for the individual and for the Church as a whole. It is not a text to be studied, but an experience—an experience of communion with God, where prayer, music, art, and even architecture come together in a sacred harmony. Through the Eucharist, the faithful engage not just their intellect, but also their emotions and senses.
The Church recognizes many dimensions to the Eucharist. It has been called the Holy Offering, the Holy Mysteries, the Mystic Supper, and Holy Communion. These titles reflect the depth of its meaning and the richness of its experience. Orthodoxy does not reduce the Eucharist to a mere remembrance of the Last Supper. Instead, it affirms the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, where the bread and wine are transfigured into His Body and Blood, the first fruits of the New Creation.
Three Forms of the Divine Liturgy
The Divine Liturgy has developed over the centuries, with the core of the service rooted in the practices of Christ and the early Church. By the 9th century, the Liturgy had taken its current form, with additional prayers, hymns, and gestures added throughout the ages. Today, there are three main forms of the Divine Liturgy in use:
- The Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom—the most commonly celebrated form.
- The Liturgy of St. Basil the Great—celebrated on select feast days throughout the year.
- The Liturgy of St. James—celebrated on October 23, the feast day of St. James.
Though these liturgies differ in some hymns and prayers, the structure and core elements are the same. Additionally, there is the Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts, celebrated during Lent and Holy Week, where the Eucharistic gifts are reserved from the previous Sunday and distributed on days when a full celebration of the Eucharist is not permitted.
The Eucharist: A Community Celebration
The Divine Liturgy is always a communal act. The Eucharist is not celebrated privately. The Church gathers as a community of believers to worship the Holy Trinity, with the Eucharist at its center. It is a communal meal, not just a personal devotion.
Traditionally, the Divine Liturgy is celebrated once a day, with Sunday and Holy Days being the primary occasions for the Eucharist. However, with the Bishop's blessing, the Liturgy can also be celebrated in the evening, particularly after Vespers on the eve of major feasts or saints' days.
The Structure of the Divine Liturgy
The Divine Liturgy is divided into two major parts: The Liturgy of the Catechumens and The Liturgy of the Faithful. Before the Liturgy begins, there is a preparatory service known as the Proskomide (Preparation), where the priest prepares the bread and wine for the Eucharist.
The Service of Preparation
Before the service begins, the priest prepares himself in prayer and vesting. The vestments symbolize his role as the representative of Christ. He then goes to the Proskomide Table, where he prepares the bread and wine that will be offered during the service. The congregation offers these elements along with the names of those they wish to remember—both living and deceased. This offering symbolizes the entire Church gathered around Christ, the Lamb of God.
The Liturgy of the Catechumens
The service begins with the Entrance with the Holy Gospel. As the priest carries the Gospel Book into the nave (the main part of the church), the congregation is reminded of the presence of Christ in the Scriptures. The first part of the Liturgy is instructional, intended to deepen the faith of those who are preparing for baptism (the catechumens). It includes hymns, prayers, and readings from the Bible, culminating in the Sermon.
The Liturgy of the Faithful
The second part of the Divine Liturgy, the Liturgy of the Faithful, begins with the Great Entrance. In this procession, the priest carries the prepared bread and wine from the preparation table to the altar, symbolizing the offering of our lives to God. This is followed by a call to love one another so that we can confess our faith in unity.
At this point, the congregation publicly professes their belief through the Nicene Creed, affirming their faith in the Holy Trinity.
Next, the Eucharistic offering is made. The priest offers the bread and wine to God, invoking the Holy Spirit to transform them into the Body and Blood of Christ. This is the moment of great joy, as we remember the mighty actions of God in salvation, especially Christ’s Life, Death, and Resurrection.
The Communion
The Eucharistic Gifts—the Body and Blood of Christ—are distributed to the faithful. The priest invites the congregation to approach with reverence, faith, and love, and the gifts are given by means of a communion spoon. In the Orthodox Church, only baptized, chrismated (anointed), and practicing members of the Orthodox faith are invited to receive Holy Communion, which symbolizes full communion with the Church.
The Liturgy concludes with a prayer of thanksgiving and the benediction, after which the congregation may approach the altar to receive a portion of the blessed bread that was not used in the offering.
