How is the Orthodox liturgy for Christmas?
How is the Orthodox liturgy for Christmas?
The Feast of the Nativity in the Christian Orthodox Church is one of the most revered. This holy day is marked by a special solemn divine service, taking place in all Orthodox churches.
Service for the Nativity of Christ beginslate in the evening on the 6th of January. Usually at 11 o'clock after midnight in all Orthodox churches a special festive divine service takes place, which lasts until about 3-4am.
On the Feast of the Nativity of Christ on the night of the eventthe all-night vigil, the clock and the divine liturgy of John Chrysostom are served. All-night vigil begins not with the usual evening, but with the after-worship. Most of the liturgical texts of this service are deducted. However, at the Christmas party there is the main solemn festive chant. It includes the chanting of verses from the prophetic book of Isaiah that now God himself is present with people, who is great and strong. The Lord is referred to in this hymn as the Father of the future age. This song starts with the words "God with us, understand the languages and punish, as God is with us". The most festive song is called briefly according to the first words of the prophecy of Isaiah - "God is with us".
A festive Christmas evening joins the great evening. It begins with lithium. Lithium is a part of the divine service, on which bread, oil (oil), wheat and wine are consecrated.
At the end of Vespers in Orthodox churchesa divine service of festive matins is performed, at which the choir performs many solemn chants. For example, polyel, great thanksgiving. At Matins is read a passage from the Gospel, narrating about the event of the Nativity of Christ.
By matins the first hour is joined (shorta service consisting of reading three psalms and some prayers). So ends the festive all-night vigil. Then follows the third and sixth hour and the Divine Liturgy.
Liturgy for the Nativity is servedapproximately one and a half to two hours. This service reads an excerpt from the Gospel of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, after which the priest proclaims the congratulatory word of the Patriarch of Moscow in honor of the celebration of the feast. Another message (the ruling bishop of the diocese) is announced to the believers after the festive divine service.
Some Orthodox Christians have a custom of communion at the festive liturgy. This tradition is ancient, it is considered very pious.
