How long is the Sunday service. What time does the liturgy and other services in the temple begin? What is the liturgy in the church

Proskomedia, the Liturgy of the Catechumens, the antiphon and the litany - what do all these words mean, says Archimandrite Nazariy (Omelyanenko), a teacher at the Kyiv Theological Academy.

—Father, the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is celebrated in the Orthodox Church throughout the year, except for Great Lent, when it is served on Saturdays, on the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos and on the Sunday of Vai. When did the Liturgy of John Chrysostom appear? And what does the word "liturgy" mean?

– The word “Liturgy” is translated from Greek as “common cause”. This is the most important divine service of the daily circle, during which the Eucharist is celebrated. After the Lord ascended to Heaven, the apostles began to celebrate the Sacrament of Communion every day, while reading prayers, psalms and Holy Scripture. The first rite of the Liturgy was composed by the Apostle James, the brother of the Lord. In the Ancient Church, there were many rites of the Liturgy on the territory of the Roman Empire, which were unified during the 4th-7th centuries and are now used in the same form in the Orthodox Church. The Liturgy of John Chrysostom, which is performed more often than others, is an independent creation of the saint based on the text of the Anaphora of the Apostle James. The Liturgy of Basil the Great is served only 10 times a year (5 Sundays of Great Lent, Great Thursday, Holy Saturday, Christmas Eve and Epiphany Eve, the day of memory of the saint) and is an abridged version of the Liturgy of James. The Third Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, the edition of which is attributed to St. Gregory the Dialogist, Bishop of Rome. This Liturgy is celebrated only in Great Lent: on Wednesday and Friday, on Thursday of the fifth week, on the first three days of Passion Week.

– The liturgy consists of three parts. The first part is proskomedia. What happens during the proskomedia in the temple?

- "Proskomedia" is translated as "offering". This is the first part of the Liturgy, in which the preparation of bread and wine for the celebration of the Sacrament of the Eucharist is carried out. Initially, proskomidia consisted of a procedure for choosing the best bread and dissolving wine with water. It should be noted that these substances were brought to perform the Sacrament by Christians themselves. Since the 4th century, there has been the circumcision of the Lamb - the Eucharistic bread. From the 7th-9th centuries, proskomidia gradually formed as a complex rite with the removal of many particles. Accordingly, the location of the proskomedia during the service in historical retrospect changed. At first, it was performed in front of the Great Entrance, later, with the development of the rite, it was brought to the beginning of the Liturgy for reverent celebration. Bread for proskomidia should be fresh, clean, wheaten, well mixed and prepared with sourdough. After the church reform of Patriarch Nikon, five prosphora began to be used for the proskomedia (before the reform, the Liturgy was served on seven prosphora) in remembrance of the Gospel miracle of the feeding of five thousand people by Christ with five loaves. In appearance, the prosphora should be round and two-part, in commemoration of the two natures of Jesus Christ. To remove the Lamb, a prosphora is used with a special seal on top in the form of a sign of a cross that separates the inscription: ΙС ХС NI КА - “Jesus Christ conquers”. Wine for proskomidia should be natural grape, without impurities, red.

During the removal of the Lamb and the pouring of dissolved wine into the chalice, the priest pronounces the words of prophecies and gospel quotations about the passions and death of the Savior on the Cross. Next comes the removal of particles for the Mother of God, the saints, the living and the departed. All particles are placed on the diskos in such a way as to visibly indicate the fullness of the Church of Christ (earthly and heavenly), of which Christ is the head.

– The second part of the Liturgy is called the Liturgy of the catechumens. Where did such a name come from?

—The Liturgy of the catechumens is indeed the second part of the Liturgy. This part got such a name because at that moment they could pray in the temple together with the faithful and the catechumens - people who were preparing to receive Baptism and underwent catechesis. In ancient times, catechumens stood in the porch and gradually got used to Christian worship. This part is also called the Liturgy of the word, since the central point is the reading of the Holy Scriptures and the sermon. The reading of the Apostle and the Gospel conveys to believers the life and teachings of Christ about God, and incense between readings symbolizes the spread of grace on earth after the preaching of Christ and the apostles.

When are the antiphons sung? What it is?

– During the service of the Orthodox Church, prayers can be performed antiphonally, that is, alternately. The principle of singing psalms antiphonally in the Eastern Church was introduced by Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer, and in the Western Church by St. Ambrose of Milan. There are two types of antiphons, which are performed at Matins and at the Liturgy. The degree antiphons at Matins are used only at the All-Night Vigil; they are written based on the 18th kathisma in imitation of Old Testament singing on the steps when ascending to the Jerusalem temple. At the Liturgy, antiphons are divided into everyday ones (91st, 92nd, 94th psalms), which got their name from their use during the daily service; pictorial (102nd, 145th psalms, blessed) are called so because they are taken from the Succession of the pictorial; and festive, which are used on the Lord's Twelve Feasts and Easter and consisting of verses from selected psalms. According to the Typicon, there is also the concept of the antiphons of the Psalter, i.e., the division of the kathisma into three "glories", which are called antiphons.

– What is a litany and what are they?

– Litany, translated from Greek, means “long-drawn prayer”, represents the petitions of the deacon with the singing of the choir alternately and the final exclamation of the priest. There are the following types of litanies: great (peaceful), special, small, petitionary, funeral, catechumens, lithium, final (at the end of Compline and Midnight Office). There are also litanies at various prayer services, sacraments, trebs, monastic tonsures, and ordinations. In fact, they have the structure of the above litanies, only they have additional petitions.

– The third part of the Liturgy is the Liturgy of the Faithful. Is this the most important part?

– The Liturgy of the Faithful is so called because only the faithful can attend it. Another name is the Liturgy of the Sacrifice, since the central place is the offering of the Bloodless Sacrifice, the celebration of the Eucharist. This is the most important part of the Liturgy. At the beginning of this part, the singing of the Cherubic Hymn and the Great Entrance are performed, during which the Holy Gifts are transferred from the altar to the throne. Further, before the Anaphora (Eucharistic Prayer), all believers together pronounce the Creed, testifying to the unity of confession of the Orthodox faith. During the Anaphora, the priest recites sacramental prayers with the invocation of the Holy Spirit to sanctify those who pray and offer the Holy Gifts. The Liturgy of the Faithful ends with the communion of the clergy and the faithful, in which the catholicity and unity of Christ's Church is visibly testified.

Interviewed by Natalya Goroshkova

The word "Liturgy" first appeared in Greece and meant a work done together. During the Divine service, the Sacrament of Communion is performed, when, after repentance and confession, the Orthodox partake of the Body and Blood of Jesus through the acceptance of pieces of prosphora and grape wine.

Christian Foundations of the Eucharist

Two thousand years ago, at the Last Supper, Christ left the commandment to take communion in memory of Him, eating bread and wine. Modern Christians partake of His Blood through this Sacrament performed during the Divine Liturgy.

The Divine Liturgy is the most important service

In former times, the Great Divine Liturgy was called mass, Catholics spend communion at Mass.

The first Christians in Jewish society were perceived as a sect, and therefore were persecuted. Bringing the gospel of Christ to the world, talking about the meaning of the Eucharist, the disciples of Jesus were constantly attacked by society, so often their services were held under the cloak of secrecy.

After ministering to the Gentiles, the Apostle Paul defended the proposal to admit newly converted Gentiles to communion without observing the Law of Moses on circumcision. At the first services, psalms were read almost daily, sermons were spoken, prayers were sung, and all services ended with the remembrance of the Last Supper. At common prayers, Christians broke bread every day and took wine, remembering the earthly life of the Savior.

Later this action will be called the Eucharist, which is the central part of the Divine service. Unlike Jews, Christians:

• renounced bloody sacrifices, accepting the only and final sacrifice, God's Lamb, Jesus Christ;
• can ordain any person on earth who has accepted Christianity, and not just Aaron's descendants;
• the whole world is chosen as the place of service;
• prayer services can be held both during the day and at night;
• introduced hours during the service.

liturgical hours

Prayers whose reading time is determined by the time of day are called hours. During these prayers, which last only a quarter of an hour, the maximum concentration of attention is required from those present in order to escape from the worldly bustle and feel God's presence in its entirety.

The Liturgical Hours is a special rite of prayers, which is read in the temple at a certain

After hours, which begin at six in the evening, there is a regular service.

Divine service begins with Vespers and Vespers, which begin at 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm respectively.

The night service ends at midnight, followed by Matins, beginning at 7 a.m., with the First Hour Prayer. The third hour is read at 9 a.m., the Sixth at 12.00, and the Ninth hour ends at 3 p.m. The Divine Liturgy is served from the Third to the Ninth Hour, although each church has its own schedule.

Fasts, holidays and special dates make their own adjustments to the schedule of prayer hours. For example, before the Holy Resurrection, the night vigil combines such services as Vespers, Compline, and Midnight Office.

Important! Divine Liturgy and Eucharist are not held on Good Friday.

Sequence of the Divine Liturgy

The sacrament of Communion in Orthodoxy is called the Eucharist, the service at which Communion is performed is the Liturgy. This word in Greek consists of two components, the first means public, comes from part of the word "lithos", the second - "ergos" in translation means service.

The liturgy, as a rule, is performed before dinner and consists of three parts:

• Proskomedia;
• Liturgy of the catechumens;
• Liturgy of the Faithful.

The origins of the great ministry began in early Christianity, changes occurred in the church itself, but both the foundation and the symbolism remained unchanged.

Items for the Liturgy

Divine services, during which the Eucharist is celebrated, take place almost daily, with the exception of some days during Great Lent, Christmas, on Wednesday and Friday of the week preceding Paschal abstinence and a few days, you can find out about them in the church schedule.

During the great divine service, the life of the Savior is remembered, starting from the Annunciation to His Resurrection.

Proskomedia

During the reading of the salutary and requiem prayer, the doors of the altar are closed, behind them the priest prepares bread and grape wine for the Eucharist.

When the Great Gifts are ready, the Third and Sixth Hours are read, recalling all the prophecies from the Old Testament about the birth of the Messiah and the Nativity of Jesus itself. During the Proskomedia, the Saints, prophets and apostles who have gone to God are remembered.

Liturgy of the catechumens

The unusual name of this service comes from the fact that not only people who converted to Orthodoxy through Baptism were admitted to it, but also those who are preparing to do this, catechumens. This part of the Divine service is called upon to prepare those present to receive the Holy Gifts.

Antiphonal singing begins the second part of the service with the singing of "The Only Begotten Son", then the priests bring out the gospel, after which the singing continues, the prokeimenon and the sermon begins.

Liturgy of the catechumens

The choir sings "Alleluia" and verses from the Psalter, after which the sermon is read again, which ends with a litany - a prayer petition. In this part, the service differs from the other two in that for each verse, “Amen” or “Lord, have mercy” is heard, after which the believers make the sign of the cross on themselves.

On a note! Previously, the catechumens left the temple, at present they remain in place, but only as observers, not participants.

Liturgy of the Faithful

The Cherubic Song sounds before the Great Procession, which opens the third part of the Divine Liturgy. Having opened the Royal Gates of the altar, the deacon, reading Psalm 50, makes a detour:

• throne;
• altar;
• iconostasis;
• priest;
• parishioners.

The holy gifts are transferred to the throne, after which the Royal Doors are closed and the "Creed" is read.

The Anaphora, read below, is the main part of the Liturgy. This is a Eucharistic prayer in which the Last Supper is remembered, the Holy Spirit is called and an intercessory petition is heard for the living and those who have gone to Heaven. During the Anaphora, the divine transformation of bread and wine into the Holy Gifts takes place - the Body of the Lord and His Blood.

Anaphora is a Eucharistic prayer recited by a priest

Communion begins after reading the Jesus Prayer "Our Father". Christians must fast for three days before receiving Communion. The Divine Liturgy is a symbol of the reproduction of the life of the Savior on earth, each action of the great service has its own meaning.

After the Eucharist, the deacon pronounces a short litany with thanksgiving to the Most High for Communion, after which the parishioners are released in peace to their homes.

Varieties of Liturgies according to the Byzantine Rite

Orthodox services include 5 great liturgies, only three of them are currently held. As the classic version described above, a divine service is held, founded by John Chrysostom.

Ten times during the year, the Liturgy of Basil the Great is celebrated, which is distinguished by longer prayers.

During Great Lent, the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, written by Gregory the Dialogist, is heard. There is no Proskomidia at this service, the Eucharist is celebrated with previously consecrated bread and wine.

A number of parishes of the Orthodox Church Abroad hold the Great Liturgy of James, a distinctive feature of which are some rearrangements in the anaphora.

The Apostle Mark composed the Liturgy, which received its veneration only in 2007 at the Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church; it is performed in some foreign Russian churches.

Explanation of the Divine Liturgy

Public worship or, as the people say, church services - this is the main thing for which our churches are intended. Every day, the Orthodox Church celebrates evening, morning and afternoon services in churches. Each of these divine services consists, in turn, of three types of divine services, collectively united in a daily circle of divine services:

evening - from the 9th hour, Vespers and Compline;

morning - from Midnight Office, Matins and the 1st hour;

daytime - from the 3rd hour, the 6th hour and the Divine Liturgy.

Thus, the entire daily circle consists of nine services.

In Orthodox worship, much is borrowed from the worship of the Old Testament times. For example, the beginning of a new day is considered not midnight, but six o'clock in the evening. That is why the first service of the daily cycle is Vespers.

At Vespers, the Church recalls the main events of the Holy History of the Old Testament: the creation of the world by God, the fall of the forefathers, the legislation of Moses and the ministry of the prophets. Christians give thanks to the Lord for the day they have lived.

After Vespers, according to the Church Rule, it is necessary to serve Compline. In a certain sense, these are public prayers for the future, at which the descent of Christ into hell and the liberation of the righteous from the power of the devil are remembered.

At midnight, it is supposed to perform the third service of the daily circle - the Midnight Office. This service was established to remind Christians of the Second Coming of the Savior and the Last Judgment.

Before sunrise, Matins is served - one of the longest services. It is dedicated to the events of the earthly life of the Savior and contains many prayers of repentance and thanksgiving.

About seven o'clock in the morning they make the 1st hour. This is the name of a short service at which the Orthodox Church remembers the presence of Jesus Christ at the trial of the high priest Caiaphas.

The 3rd hour (nine o'clock in the morning) is served in remembrance of the events that took place in the Sioni Upper Room, where the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles, and in Pilate's Praetorium, where the Savior was sentenced to death.

The 6th hour (noon) is the time of the crucifixion of the Lord, and the 9th hour (three o'clock in the afternoon) is the time of His death on the cross. These events are dedicated to the above services.

The main divine service of the Orthodox Church, a kind of center of the daily circle, is the Divine Liturgy. Unlike other services, the liturgy provides an opportunity not only to remember God, the entire earthly life of the Savior, but also to really unite with Him in the sacrament of Communion, established by the Lord Himself during the Last Supper. In terms of time, the liturgy should be performed between the 6th and 9th hours, before noon, in the pre-dinner time, which is why it is also called Mass.

Modern liturgical practice has brought its own changes to the prescriptions of the Charter. So in parish churches, Compline is celebrated only during Great Lent, and Midnight Office - once a year, on the eve of Easter. The 9th hour is also served extremely rarely. The remaining six services of the daily cycle are combined into two groups of three services.

In the evening, Vespers, Matins, and the 1st hour are performed one after another. On the eve of Sundays and holidays, these services are combined into one service, called the All-Night Vigil. In ancient times, Christians did often pray until dawn, that is, they stayed awake throughout the night. Modern all-night vigils last two to four hours in parishes and three to six hours in monasteries.

In the morning, the 3rd hour, the 6th hour and the Divine Liturgy are served in succession. In churches with a large parish on Sundays and holidays, there are two liturgies - early and late. Both are preceded by reading hours.

On those days when the liturgy is not supposed (for example, on Friday of Holy Week), a short sequence of pictorial ones is performed. This divine service consists of some chants of the liturgy and, as it were, “depicts” it. But the fine arts do not have the status of an independent service.

Divine services also include the performance of all the sacraments, rites, the reading of akathists in the church, community readings of morning and evening prayers, rules for Holy Communion.

Schedule of public worship in churches.

What time does the early morning and late morning church service begin and end?

Important: each church has its own schedule of public services! There is no general schedule for all temples!

Two liturgies, early and late, are served on major Christian holidays and Sundays in churches with large parishes.

Early service is performed at 6-7 o'clock in the morning, late - at 9-10 o'clock in the morning. In some churches, the time shifts to 7-8 in the morning for the early service and 10-11 in the morning for the late one.

The duration of public worship is 1.5-2 hours. In some cases, the duration of the morning liturgy can be 3 hours.

What time does the evening and night service in the church begin and end?

Evening public worship is served not earlier than 16:00 and not later than 18:00. Each temple has its own schedule.

The duration of the service is 2-4 hours and depends on the significance of the upcoming holiday. According to the Rule, Vespers can be daily, small and great.

The All-Daily is performed on weekdays, unless a feast with a polyeleos or a vigil falls on them.

Malaya is part of the All-Night Vigil. Great is served on major holidays and can be served separately or combined with Matins.

The world is changing, and these changes affect, among other things, the Church Charter. Night or all-night vigils rarely last three to six hours (for monasteries). In ordinary churches, the duration of the night service is 2-4 hours.

The beginning of the night service is at 17:00-18:00 depending on the parish Charter.

What time does the church service start and end today: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday?

The daily circle of church services consists of nine different services. This includes:

• Vespers - from 18:00 - the beginning of the circle,
• Compline
• Midnight Office - from 00:00,
• matins,
• 1st hour - from 7:00,
• 3rd hour - from 9:00,
• 6th hour - from 12:00,
• 9th hour - from 15:00,
• Divine Liturgy - from 6:00-9:00 to 12:00 - is not included in the daily circle of services.

Ideally, in every functioning church, these services should be performed daily, however, in practice, the daily circle is performed only in large churches, cathedrals or monasteries. In small parishes, it is impossible to ensure a constant worship in such a rhythm. Therefore, each parish determines its own pace, coordinating it with its real possibilities.

It follows from this that the exact schedule of services must be found out in the temple that you are going to visit.

Approximate times for morning and evening services are given at the beginning of the article.

What time does the Sabbath service begin and end at the church?

Having carefully read the previous part of the article, you most likely drew attention to the fact that the beginning of the liturgical day does not correspond to 00:00 (as is customary in worldly life), but 18:00 (of the previous calendar day).

What does it mean?

This means that the first Saturday service begins on Friday after 6:00 pm, and the last one ends on Saturday before 6:00 pm. The most important Saturday service is the full Divine Liturgy.

As a rule, Saturday services are dedicated to the reverend fathers and mothers, as well as to all the saints, who are addressed with appropriate prayers. On the same day, there is also a commemoration of all the dead.

What time does the church service start and end on Sunday?

The first Sunday service begins on Saturday after 18:00, and the last one ends on Sunday before 18:00. Sunday services are filled with the theme of the Resurrection of the Lord. That is why Sunday services, especially the Divine Liturgy, are the most significant in the weekly cycle of services.

Check the exact schedule of services in the temple you are going to visit.

What time does the festive service in the church begin and end: schedule

You can find the approximate time of morning and evening services at the beginning of the article.

Each temple draws up its own schedule of public services, including festive ones. There is no general schedule for all temples!

As a rule, the Charter prescribes the so-called "all-night vigil" to be served on holidays - a particularly solemn service, which in its modern interpretation has retained the division into Vespers and Matins.

In addition, on the days of the twelfth and other major holidays, the Liturgy is sure to take place, during which the faithful take communion.

At the same time, each festive divine service has accompanying texts and rituals peculiar to it alone, which cannot but affect the duration of the divine service.

What time does the Christmas service begin and end at the church?

• 1st hour service. Time - from 7:00. The verses are read about the fulfillment of the prophecy about the birth of the Messiah.
• 3rd hour service. Time - from 9:00. The verses about the Incarnation are read.
• 6th hour service. Time - from 12:00. The stichera are read with a call to meet Christ, the gospel is read.
• 9th hour service. Time - from 15:00. Poems are read. At the end are read pictorial.

• Depending on the day on which Christmas Eve falls, one of the evening Liturgies is performed: Basil the Great or John Chrysostom. Time: depending on the temple from 17:00.
• Celebration of the Great Vespers of the Nativity of Christ.
• Celebration of the All-Night Vigil of the Nativity of Christ. Time: depending on the temple - from 17:00 to 23:00.

There is no strict sequence in the conduct of the festive service. In large churches and monasteries, Christmas services (evening, the most solemn part) last 6-8 hours, in small ones - 1.5-2 hours.

Find out about the exact time of the Divine service in the temple you are going to visit.

You can read about the folk traditions of celebrating Christmas.

What time does the church service start and end on Epiphany Eve?

Services on Epiphany Christmas Eve are very similar to Christmas services.

On this day, the hours are read in the morning, and the Liturgy of Basil the Great is performed in the evening. After the Liturgy, as a rule, the first water blessing takes place.

Depending on the day that Baptism falls on, the order of services may differ.

On January 19, morning and evening services are served with the obligatory subsequent blessing of water.

The exact time of worship will be prompted to you directly in the temple.

What time does the festive service in the church for the Candlemas begin and end?

The Meeting completes the Christmas circle of Orthodox holidays. Date of celebration - 15 February.

After the solemn morning liturgy, a rite of consecration of water and candles is held.

Be sure to check the time of the liturgy in the temple.

What time does the festive service in the church on the Annunciation begin and end?

The Annunciation is celebrated on April 7th. However, believers should attend the evening service on April 6. All-night vigils are held in some churches from 6 to 7 April.

On April 7, an early and/or late liturgy is served with obligatory confession and communion of the laity.

What time does the festive service in the church on Palm Sunday begin and end?

The date of the celebration of Palm Sunday depends on the date of the celebration of Easter and is determined according to the lunisolar calendar.

Festive services begin with an evening service and subsequent all-night vigils on Lazarus Saturday. Lazarus Saturday is the day before Palm Sunday. During the evening service, willow branches are necessarily consecrated.

On Palm Sunday, an early and/or late liturgy is celebrated, followed by the consecration of the willow.

The time of worship depends on the internal charter of the temple.

What time does the festive service in the church on Easter begin and end?

Everything depends on the internal charter of the temple. Be sure to check the time of worship!

As a rule, festive services begin on Saturday with the evening service (16:00-18:00). In some churches, after the evening service, the blessing of Easter cakes is carried out.

Then all-night vigils begin with an obligatory religious procession at 24:00.

After vigils and matins, the Divine Liturgy is served, followed by the blessing of Easter cakes. As a rule, the blessing occurs at the first rays of the sun.

In the evening on the Bright Resurrection of Christ, the evening service is also corrected. However, Easter cakes are no longer blessed.

Beautiful Easter greetings can be found.

What time does the festive service in the church on Radonitsa begin and end?

Radonitsa is a special holiday that links the past and the future. On this day, it is customary to commemorate the deceased relatives and friends.

Radonitsa is celebrated on the ninth day after Holy Sunday.

The other day, an evening service is performed, and in the morning an early and / or late liturgy. A full memorial service is served either after the evening service, or after the morning services - it all depends on the internal charter of the temple.

In addition, the statutes of many churches prescribe Easter services for the dead in city cemeteries.

More information about Radonitsa.

What time does the festive service in the church for the Trinity begin and end?

The date of the celebration of the Trinity or Pentecost depends on the date of the Bright Resurrection.

Important: on the eve of the feast of the Trinity, the Trinity Parent Saturday is necessarily arranged, a feature of which is a special funeral service. This is a special Requiem Liturgy, after which you can and should visit the cemetery and commemorate the dead.

Parental Saturday evening is marked by a festive All-Night Vigil.

On Sunday, early and/or late festive liturgies are celebrated. In many churches, bouquets of twigs and medicinal herbs are consecrated.

Be sure to check the time of worship directly in the temple you want to visit!

Tips on how to talk to children about the Trinity.

Goda will help you not to miss the iconic services.

Video: How to behave in the Temple?

It is noteworthy that many of those who attend divine services may not at all understand the meaning and deep meaning of the Divine Liturgy. The words spoken in the chant also remain misunderstood. A gap in knowledge of this kind deprives prayer of meaningfulness, therefore, when talking with God - our Heavenly Father - we must consciously approach this issue. Christians must understand the meaning of the words they hear and speak.

For many, going to church becomes almost a feat in the spiritual sense, because you have to wait a long time for your turn to confess, and then listen to the incomprehensible speeches of the churchman. In fact, when we come to the Church, we, in fact, find ourselves in the Upper Room of Zion, where we are waiting for our hour of spiritual cleansing.

You need to be ready for Orthodox worship, so that together with everyone, with one heart and mouth, we can sing the glory of the Lord. This article will reveal the meaning and give an explanation of this church service, tell about its origin, about what varieties there are, how they are performed, what is the order.

Divine Liturgy with explanations - download, listen online

There is also a wonderful lecture by Protodeacon Andrey Kuraev on the Divine Liturgy, in which a detailed explanation of the Orthodox rite is given in intelligible language and easy style (understandable even for dummies in this matter).

Lectures by Protodeacon Andrei Kuraev, replete with explanations, can be found in video and audio format, watched and listened to online, and also downloaded. Such materials are recommended for familiarization both to people starting their Orthodox path and to churchgoers.

The divine liturgy should not be confused with the funeral service, which is called requiem. This service differs in that it commemorates the dead, is served on the day of the death of the deceased, also on the 3rd, 9th, 40th day, and on every anniversary after death, on birthdays, name days.

A memorial service can be served both in church by a priest and at home by a layman. During this service, trusting in the mercy of God, the Lord asks for forgiveness of sins for the deceased and eternal life.

What is the liturgy in the church

This is the main Christian service, it is also called mass - the basis and center of the entire church world.

The purpose of this sacred tradition is to prepare for the sacrament of the Eucharist or Communion, which takes place at the close of the service.

The first Eucharist was celebrated by Jesus Christ on Maundy Thursday.

It is interesting: Maundy Thursday (otherwise Maundy Thursday, Holy Thursday) is the fourth day of Great Week. On this day, followers of the Christian faith remember the Last Supper. It was then that Jesus Christ performed the washing of the feet of the apostles and established the sacrament of Communion. Surrounded by his disciples, Christ blessed the bread, which is His Body, and the wine, which is His Blood, and said: “Take, eat: this is My Body” (Matthew 26:26; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19 ).

It is during this main church service that the dead are commemorated according to the notes “For the Repose” and about health according to the notes “On Health”, which are served by Christians. It is recommended to submit notes before the start of the service, and preferably in the evening - at the evening service.

Origin of the Orthodox Liturgy

As mentioned earlier, the Eucharist forms the basis of liturgical worship. In ancient Greece, there was such a thing as the Eucharist.

Translated from Greek into Russian, this word means "common cause." As history testifies, after the ascension of the Savior to heaven, the apostles, in remembrance of Him, broke bread.

In the future, the tradition was passed on to all followers of this religion. Christians, having accepted the teaching of the apostles, also began to perform this sacrament, and do so to this day.

The service itself has changed over time. If at first the liturgy was performed in the order that was established in the time of the Apostles (when communion was combined with meals, prayers and fellowship), then in modern realities the liturgy was separated from the meal and turned into an independent ritual. Sacred rites began to be held in churches and temples.

What are the liturgies

Liturgical rites vary depending on the venue. For example, in Israel, the rite of the Liturgy of the Apostle James was formed.

The essence and meaning of the various variants of the sacred rite are absolutely the same, and the difference lies in the prayer texts pronounced by the priests and priests.

I would like to note that in various churches two services are served at once - early and late. The first, as a rule, begins at about 7 o'clock in the morning, and the second - at 10 o'clock. Services are held in different aisles, different priests serve, confession takes place both at early and at late Mass.

This was done for the parishioners themselves - those who work can attend early services, as well as mothers and fathers of families can attend such services without children, and bring their household members to a late service. Thus, every believing Christian can enjoy prayerful communion with God.

Liturgy of the Apostle James

This rank refers to the Jerusalem type, compiled by the Apostle James. In the 1930s, the rank was also introduced in the Russian Orthodox Church, however, not in Russia, but abroad. After 40 years, this type of church service became widespread in the Moscow Patriarchate.

Today, divine services are performed in the Orthodox churches of our country several times a year.

The difference between this rite and others like it is the way the service is conducted for the laity. Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ takes place separately: first they partake of bread from the hands of a priest, and then from another minister they receive the Chalice of Christ's Blood.

Such a service is performed on the day of remembrance of St. James - October 23, and is also served in the East and in some Russian churches.

Liturgy of the Apostle Mark

This rank belongs to the classical Alexandrian type. The features of worship in this case include conciseness, expressiveness, clarity.

Thanks to these qualities, the ceremony began to enjoy great popularity in several countries at once - at first it was performed in Alexandria, then in Egypt, and then in Italy, Armenia and Syria.

The conduct of the liturgy consists in the fact that first a procession of clergy is carried out (small entrance), then there are exclamatory prayers.

Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom

This is one of three services celebrated in the Russian Orthodox Church, which include the liturgy of St. Basil the Great, on the basis of which the rite of John Chrysostom was compiled, and the liturgy of St. Gregory Dvoeslav.

Divine services are held almost all year round, with the exception of some special days.

Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great

Divine services are held 10 times a year, including Christmas and Epiphany.

The order of the service and the content of the service, with some exceptions, coincide with the previous rank.

Liturgy of Saint Gregory the Dialogist

This service is also called the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. This is explained by the fact that the Body and Blood are consecrated during this service, and then the parishioners and clergy take communion with them.

The Orthodox rite is performed on Wednesday and Friday of Great Lent.

The order of celebration of the full liturgy and its explanation

Before performing the main church service, the clergy must prepare themselves. Still not putting on any vestments, standing in the temple in front of the royal urates, the priests pray, reading the so-called "Entrance Prayers".

Then the ministers bow and kiss the icons of the Savior and the Mother of God and recite the troparia.

After that, the priests secretly pray in front of the gates so that the Lord would strengthen them for the upcoming service. Then they bow to each other, to the holy icons and to the people, and enter the altar.

The service lasts about two hours and takes place mainly in the morning. The duration, however, can be completely different, and in addition, services can be held even at night or in the evening.

As a rule, the ceremony is held on Sundays, as well as on holidays, on the days of the memory of the Saints and the celebration of icons. The whole ceremony of worship is a sequential series of actions, divided into several stages, having their own names and performed in accordance with certain rules.

The church service consists of three parts:

• proskomedia;
• the liturgy of the catechumens;
• liturgy of the faithful.

The Liturgy of St. Gregory the Dialogist does not belong to the full rites. The procedure and scheme for performing a full church service is as follows.

First, the clergy prepare the substance for the celebration of the sacrament of the Eucharist from bread and wine. Secondly, there is preparation for the Sacrament. And, thirdly, the Eucharist is celebrated, during which the Holy Gifts are consecrated, and Holy Communion of the participants in the service takes place.

Proskomedia

This is the first stage. The process consists in preparing and bringing the necessary attributes of worship - bread and wine. Proskomidia is performed on the altar during the reading of the hours (prayer blessings that sanctify a certain time of the day).

At the very beginning of the proskomedia, the ministers of the church put on a sacred robe and read the entrance prayers. Further, on the first prosphora, an image of a cross is made three times, a prayer is said. The middle is cut out of the prosphora in the form of a cube - the Lamb. It is placed on one of the liturgical vessels - paten.

Next, the priest pours wine into the chalice. Particles of five prosphora are placed on three sides. At the end, the clergyman covers the vessels with the Gifts with covers and "air" and asks God to bless the Gifts.

Liturgy of the catechumens

In ancient times, participation in church rites required serious long-term preparation. People had to study religious dogmas, attend church, but they had the right to read prayers during the church service only before bringing the Gifts from the altar to the throne.

First, prayer petitions are pronounced, psalms and troparia are sung. Further, the catechumens must leave the place of the Orthodox rite, since the main stage of the Divine Liturgy begins.

Liturgy of the Faithful

As soon as the call to the catechumens to leave the temple sounds, the third part of the service begins. Prayers are spoken, chants are sung. At the same time, the transfer of the Gifts to the throne takes place. This process was called the great move, which symbolizes the procession of the Savior to suffering and death.

Before the consecration of the Holy Gifts, a petitionary litany is pronounced. A litany is also pronounced, which prepares those present for communion, then the prayer "Our Father" is sung. Then comes the communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ to all those who prepared for this and received the blessing of the clergyman.

It's important to know: in order to become a participant in the great sacrament of Communion, believers must go through a liturgical fast and clear their conscience - do not eat or drink after 00 hours the day before and come to confession.

After the Chalice is brought to the altar, a short litany is said. At the end of the church service, the priest calls for a blessing on the worshipers, the parishioners kiss the cross, and prayers of thanksgiving are read.

Conclusion

Such is the essence and order of the Divine service. Everyone who considers himself a member of the Christian faith must know everything about the liturgy and understand the meaning of all actions in order to conduct a dialogue with God and make his faith truly meaningful.