Topic outline
- General
- The Opening of the Service
The Opening of the Service
The Divine Liturgy is the mystery of Christ's presence and at the same time a manifestation of the blessed Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
- The Litany of Peace
The Litany of Peace
Immediately after the glorification of the Kingdom of God our Mother the Church shows us the mode of public liturgical prayer: 'in peace let us pray to the Lord'. The faithful must firstly and most importantly be in peace so as to be worthy to participate in the Divine Liturgy and receive the Communion.
- The Antiphons and the Prayers of the Antiphons
The Antiphons and the Prayers of the Antiphons
'Having prayed for everything', notes Nicholas Cabasilas, 'the priest urges us to commend ourselves to God'. Through the priest, our Holy Mother, the Church, encourages us to entrust our life and the lives of our brothers and sisters to God. She encourages us, especially during the Divine Liturgy, to offer Him ourselves so that He abides in us.
- The Little Entrance
The Little Entrance
Shortly before the Little Entrance, the churchwarden opens the Royal Gates, reminding us of the person of Christ who has opened the Kingdom of God. Afterwards, the churchwarden heads the procession of the Little Entrance, holding a lighted candle—followed by the priest, who holds the book of Gospels—and being a type of St John the Baptist, Christ's Forerunner.
- The Dismissal Hymns (Apolytikia)
The Dismissal Hymns (Apolytikia)
Immediately after the Little Entrance the Dismissal Hymns or Apolytikia are chanted. These hymns refer to the events of the life of the Lord as well as to His Saints.
- The Prayer of the Thrice-Holy Hymn
The Prayer of the Thrice-Holy Hymn
While the Thrice-Holy hymn ('Holy God, Holy Mighty (...)') is being chanted, the priest reads the prayer of the Thrice-Holy hymn.
- Readings from the Scripture
Readings from the Scripture
The ceremonial of the Divine Liturgy is compared to a 'spiritual ascent', a route to perfection. In this process the enlightenment of God acts like a spiritual compass. God guides humans to perfection through the safety of His teachings, instructing them to accept His commandments in their lives. This is why, after the hymns, it is time for the Word to form the souls of the faithful.
- The Litany of Fervent Supplication and the Litany of the Catechumens
The Litany of Fervent Supplication and the Litany of the Catechumens
Once more the faithful are instructed to invoke God with an even greater series of supplications. This is called the Litany of Great Supplication, it is indeed much more fervent and stronger than the Litany of Peace, and reminds us of the prayer of Moses, which came from the depths of his heart.