What parts does the divine liturgy consist of?
What parts does the divine liturgy consist of?
The Divine Liturgy is the mainthe liturgy of the Christian Church. It crowns itself with the whole diurnal circle of worship. Liturgy is followed by a great sacrament - bread and wine miraculously become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
Proskomidia
The first part of the liturgy is the proskomedia. It is performed by a clergyman in the altar about half an hour before the solemn part of the liturgy. At this time, certain concise liturgical texts are read in the temple from the time of the third and sixth hours. The priest in the altar behind the proskomedia prepares the substance for the sacrament of the Eucharist (participle). He prepares bread and wine. This is accompanied by certain prayers with the remembrance of the ranks of the saints of the Christian Church. Also, the priest takes out the particles from the prosphor (the breads used in the liturgy) for the health and the peace of the people.
Liturgy of the Catechumens
The Liturgy begins with a priest's cry"Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit now and ever and forever and ever." After that, the litany is spoken with certain petitions and the antiphons are depicted in fine (102, 145 psalms, the commandments of bliss on Sundays and holidays), festive (three short antiphones dedicated to the twelve), or all-day antiphons (performed on weekdays). At the liturgy of the catechumens, excerpts from the Apostle and the Gospel are read, memos of health and repose are commemorated. On this part of the liturgy there may be catechumens (that is, those who are not enlightened by the light of the Christian faith). In the ancient Church after the end of the liturgy of the catechumens, the unbaptized left the temple. Currently, this practice is not observed. Liturgy of the catechumens ends with the words of the Litany that the catechumens should leave the temple, then the faithful (baptized people) are mentioned.
Liturgy of the faithful
The main part of the liturgy. It carries the transfer of holy gifts (still bread and wine) from the altar to the throne when the choir sings the Cherubic song. The main parts of this part of the liturgy are the Symbol of Faith and the Eucharistic Canon, on which the sacrament of the Eucharist is celebrated. The canon is usually called the "Grace of the World". The first preparatory words to the eucharistic canon are: "Peacefulness, a sacrifice of praise." This is the announcement that a bloodless sacrifice is being offered in the temple. The eucharistic canon is the most important part of the whole liturgy. At the Liturgy of the Faithful, the hymn to the Theotokos "Worthy Is" and "Our Father" is sung also. At the end of the Liturgy the believers take communion with the saints of Christ.
