The Divine Liturgy

The principal service of the Church, the Eucharist.

Before You Begin

The Divine Liturgy is the central service of the Church, the Eucharist, in which we offer thanksgiving and receive Holy Communion. It unfolds in two movements: the Liturgy of the Word, gathered around the Scriptures, and the Liturgy of the Faithful, gathered around the holy table. What follows walks through its main moments. The hymns and readings noted as changing with the day vary with the calendar; the rest stays the same at every Liturgy.

The Opening Blessing

The priest blesses the Kingdom of the Holy Trinity, and the people answer "Amen." The service begins not with our needs but with God's reign: "Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

The Great Litany

The deacon leads a long series of petitions, "In peace let us pray to the Lord", and to each the people answer "Lord, have mercy," gathering the whole world, the Church, the suffering, and the traveler into one prayer.

The Antiphons

Three antiphons - psalm verses with sung refrains, are offered. On the great feasts these give way to verses of the feast. After the second, all sing the hymn "Only-begotten Son and immortal Word of God," confessing Christ.

The Little Entrance

The Gospel book is carried in procession, an image of Christ coming forth to teach. The people sing: "Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ."

Troparia and Kontakia

Short hymns of the day are sung: of the Resurrection, of the feast, of the church's patron, and of the saint commemorated.

The Trisagion

The hymn of the angels is sung three times: "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us." On certain feasts it is replaced by "As many as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ."

The Epistle

A reader chants the appointed reading from the apostolic letters. The book and chapter change each day.

The Holy Gospel

The Gospel of the day is proclaimed. The people greet and thank Christ in it: "Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You."

The Homily

The priest preaches, opening the meaning of the day's Scripture for the gathered Church.

The Litany of Fervent Supplication

The Church prays earnestly for her shepherds, the living, the sick, and the departed; to these petitions the people answer "Lord, have mercy" three times.

The Cherubic Hymn

Here the Liturgy of the Faithful begins. The gifts of bread and wine are carried to the altar in the Great Entrance while all sing the Cherubic Hymn, laying aside every earthly care to receive the King of all.

The Creed

After the kiss of peace, "Let us love one another, that with one mind we may confess", the whole assembly confesses the one faith together: "I believe in one God, the Father Almighty..."

The Anaphora

The heart of the Liturgy: the great prayer of thanksgiving in which the gifts are offered and the Holy Spirit is called down to make them the Body and Blood of Christ. The people sing "Holy, holy, holy," receive the words of the Lord, "Take, eat... Drink of it, all of you", and respond, "We praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, O Lord."

Hymn to the Theotokos

The Church honors the Mother of God: "It is truly meet to bless you, O Theotokos." On the great feasts a hymn of the feast is sung instead.

The Lord’s Prayer

Made bold to call God "Father," the whole assembly prays the prayer the Lord Himself taught: "Our Father, who art in heaven..."

Holy Communion

"The Holy Things are for the holy." The faithful who have prepared draw near "with the fear of God and with faith" to receive the Body and Blood of Christ, the deacon and choir leading the communion hymn.

Thanksgiving

Having communed, the Church gives thanks: "We have seen the true light, we have received the heavenly Spirit, we have found the true faith." A short litany of thanksgiving follows.

The Dismissal

The priest blesses the people and gives thanks, and all are sent into the world in peace: "Glory to You, O Christ our God and our hope, glory to You." Through the prayers of the Theotokos and of St John Chrysostom, may Christ our God have mercy on us and save us.