How We Worship93 entries
The Divine Liturgy, the sacraments, the daily services, the church year, and the Twelve Great Feasts — how the Church prays.
Church Architecture & Layout
9The Divine Liturgy & Its Parts
19The Divine LiturgyOverview of the Eucharistic service, its meaning, structure, and centralityProskomedia (Prothesis)The preparation of bread and wine before Liturgy, with commemorationsLiturgy of the Catechumens (Liturgy of the Word)First public half of Liturgy: litanies, antiphons, readings, homilyLiturgy of the FaithfulSecond half of Liturgy: Great Entrance through Communion and dismissalAnaphoraThe great Eucharistic prayer offering the gifts; heart of the LiturgyEpiclesisInvocation of the Holy Spirit upon the gifts to consecrate themAntiphonsThe three opening psalm-hymns sung alternately at Liturgy's startLittle EntranceProcession with the Gospel book symbolizing Christ coming to teachGreat EntranceProcession bearing the prepared gifts from prothesis to altarLitanyPattern of chanted petitions with “Lord, have mercy” responses; the typesGreat Litany (Litany of Peace)Opening litany praying “in peace” for church, world, and all peopleTrisagion Hymn“Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal” — its text, history, and useEpistle Reading (Apostolos)The apostolic reading at Liturgy and who reads itGospel Reading at LiturgyThe proclamation of the Gospel, its ceremonial, and lectionary orderHomilyThe sermon's place and purpose in Orthodox worshipThe Creed in the LiturgyWhy the Symbol of Faith is recited before the AnaphoraThe Lord's Prayer in the LiturgyWhy the Our Father precedes CommunionReceiving Holy CommunionHow Orthodox receive: spoon, preparation, who may communeLiturgy of St. John ChrysostomThe most-used Liturgy: origin, character, when served The Holy Mysteries (Sacraments)
9The Daily Cycle of Services
4The Liturgical Year
8The Church YearThe annual cycle: fixed and movable feasts, its September beginningPaschaThe Feast of Feasts: Resurrection services, the paschal date, Bright WeekThe Twelve Great FeastsThe concept and list of the twelve major feasts of the yearGreat LentThe forty-day fast: structure, services, Sundays, and spiritHoly WeekDay-by-day services from Lazarus Saturday through Great SaturdayThe Pre-Lenten SundaysPublican and Pharisee, Prodigal Son, Last Judgment, Forgiveness SundayThe Epitaphios Services of Great FridayThe burial of Christ: vespers, lamentations, and processionThe Paschal Greeting (Christ is Risen!)The greeting, its responses across languages, and paschal customs Languages, Gestures & Postures
10The Sign of the CrossHow Orthodox cross themselves (right to left, three fingers) and whyStanding in WorshipWhy Orthodox stand; pews, kneeling norms, the Sunday no-kneeling canonProstrations and BowsMetanias and full prostrations: when prescribed and when omittedVenerating IconsHow and why the faithful kiss icons, in church and at homeReceiving a Blessing from a PriestCupped hands, kissing the hand, and greeting clergyPreparation for Holy CommunionFasting from midnight, prayers, confession expectationsLiturgical Languages of OrthodoxyGreek, Church Slavonic, Arabic, English — usage and translation questionsLiturgical Greek Phrases to KnowKyrie eleison, Axios, Sophia — common exclamations heard at servicesHead Coverings and Church DressCustoms of dress and veiling, and jurisdictional varietyNon-Orthodox at Orthodox ServicesClosed communion explained; what visitors may participate in The Twelve Great Feasts
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