IN THIS LESSON

#1 The Divine Liturgy

Scripture Reading (RSV):

  • "And when the hour came, he sat at table, and the apostles with him... And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me'" (Luke 22:14, 19)

  • "For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me'" (1 Corinthians 11:23-24)

Key Themes:

The Divine Liturgy is the central act of Orthodox worship, the celebration of the Eucharist instituted by Christ at the Last Supper. During the Liturgy, the Church mystically enters into the Kingdom of God and participates in heavenly worship. The Liturgy is "not a mere prayer offered to God; it is a real communion with God".

Structure of the Divine Liturgy:

  1. Liturgy of Preparation (Proskomedia) - Priest prepares the bread and wine offerings

  2. Liturgy of the Word - Scripture readings, Gospel, homily

  3. Liturgy of the Faithful - Eucharistic prayer, consecration, communion

Key Moments:

  • Small Entrance - Gospel book carried into sanctuary

  • Great Entrance - Bread and wine carried to altar

  • Anaphora - Eucharistic prayer of thanksgiving

  • Epiclesis - Invocation of Holy Spirit to consecrate gifts

  • Communion - Faithful partake of the Body and Blood of Christ

Church Fathers' Wisdom:

St. John Chrysostom: "When you see the Lord sacrificed and lying before you, and the priest standing over the sacrifice and praying, and all the people empurpled by that precious blood, can you think that you are still among men and on earth? Are you not lifted up to heaven?"

Practical Application:

Preparation for Divine Liturgy includes prayer, fasting, and confession. Orthodox Christians typically fast from midnight before receiving communion.

#2 The Eucharist—Body and Blood of Christ

Scripture Reading (RSV):

  • "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed" (John 6:53-55)

  • "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?" (1 Corinthians 10:16)

Key Themes:

The Eucharist is "the Sacrament of Sacraments," the heart of Orthodox life. Through the invocation of the Holy Spirit (epiclesis), the bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of Christ—not symbolically, but mystically and really. Receiving Holy Communion unites the faithful with Christ and with one another as members of His Body.

Church Fathers' Wisdom:

St. Ignatius of Antioch: "I desire the Bread of God, which is the Flesh of Jesus Christ... and for drink I desire His Blood, which is love incorruptible".

St. John Chrysostom: "It is not man who makes the offerings become the Body and Blood of Christ, but Christ Himself who was crucified for us. The priest stands there carrying out the action, but the power and grace is of God. 'This is My Body,' he says. This word changes the offerings".

St. Cyril of Jerusalem: "Since Christ Himself has declared the Bread to be His Body, who can have any further doubt? And since He Himself has said quite categorically, 'This is My Blood,' who would dare dispute it and say it is not His Blood?".

Preparation and Reception:

Orthodox Christians prepare through:

  • Regular confession of sins

  • Fasting (often from midnight)

  • Prayer rule before communion

  • Attending Divine Liturgy from the beginning

  • Reconciliation with others

#3 Prayer and Spiritual Life

Scripture Reading (RSV):

  • "Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil" (Matthew 6:9-13)

  • "And he told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1)

Key Themes:

Prayer is "the soul's attempt at union with her Creator". Orthodox spirituality emphasizes both liturgical (corporate) and personal prayer as essential for spiritual growth. Prayer is not merely asking God for things, but entering into relationship and communion with the Holy Trinity.

Forms of Orthodox Prayer:

  1. Liturgical Prayer - Divine Liturgy, Vespers, Matins, Hours

  2. The Prayer Rule - Daily morning and evening prayers

  3. The Jesus Prayer - "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner"

  4. Spontaneous Prayer - Personal conversation with God

  5. Silent Prayer - Stillness before God's presence

Church Fathers' Wisdom:

St. John Chrysostom: "Prayer is the light of the soul, true knowledge of God, a mediator between God and man. The soul, by means of prayer, ascends to heaven and embraces the Lord with ineffable embraces".

St. Basil the Great: "When you sit down to eat, pray. When you eat bread, do so thanking Him for being so generous to you. If you drink wine, be mindful of Him who has given it to you for your pleasure and as a relief in sickness".

St. Macarius the Great: "There is no need at all to make long discourses; it is enough to stretch out one's hands and say, 'Lord, as you will, and as you know, have mercy.' And if the conflict grows fiercer say, 'Lord, help!' He knows very well what we need and He shows us His mercy".

Practical Application:

Begin with a simple prayer rule: morning prayers, prayers before meals, and evening prayers. Use an Orthodox prayer book or the prayers from church websites. Consistency matters more than length.