The Divine Liturgy
† Dionysios, Metropolitan of Servia and Kozani Every day, a task is performed on earth. It’s the greatest, most important, most sacred task that humans can aspire to. It’s the Divine Liturgy, the continuation of the Last Supper at which Jesus sat with His disciples. People are capable of...
Let us love one another
Archimandrite Nikon Koutsidis During the Divine Liturgy, just before the recitation of the Creed, the priest urges the faithful: ‘Let us love one another, that with one mind we may confess’. Confess what? The people reply (through the singers): ‘Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Trinity consubstantial and undivided’. In...
Interview with Archimandrite Zacharias (part 2) – Prayer and the Divine Liturgy
Archimandrite Zacharias Zacharou Question: Saint Sophrony says that the Christian should have unceasing inspiration in his life. What does this inspiration consist of? Answer: ‘Those who are led by the Holy Spirit never cease going downwards, condemning themselves as unworthy of God,’ says Father Sophrony (cf. ‘On Prayer’, p....
The Bloodless Sacrifice and a Little Pentecost
Indeed, under the Law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For...
The Divine Liturgy of Saint James the Brother of Our Lord, the Day After
Hieromonk Eleftherios Balakos Yesterday was the feast-day of Saint James, the Brother of Our Lord. On that day, some bishops and priests make a point of celebrating the Divine Liturgy that bears his name. I shan’t get involved with the question of how authentic or pseudonymous it is, to...
‘The parish priest between the open heavens of the Holy Liturgy and the sea of digital life’
Watch Fr. Nicolae Dascalu’s speech at the 2nd International Conference on Digital Media and Orthodox Pastoral Care DMOPC18 which took place from 18th-21st June 2018 at the Orthodox Academy of Crete, organized under the High Auspices of His All Holliness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Source: pemptousia.com ABOUT THE ORTHODOX...
Holy Communion – 2
We don’t take Holy Communion just because we’re in church and something’s moved us to do so, or because others are, or because we’ve become used to doing so. We have to be prepared. First of all, we have to be aware what a special gift Holy Communion is for...
Holy Communion
At this point, the curtain of the Royal Doors is usually closed, and preparations are made for the Holy Communion of the priests and the faithful. While this is happening, the Communion Hymn is sung, which is often verses from certain psalms, but may also be other hymns or extracts...
Liturgy Unlocked: Orthodox Christian Bootcamp
Orthodox Christian Network Parish Partner Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Washington, DC hosted popular “Orthodoxy Boot Camp” lecture series! Over 100 participants. Sponsored by: Saint Sophia Ministry of Outreach and Evangelism & Young Adult League (YAL). Media Sponsor: Orthodox Christian Network. Orthodox Christian Bootcamp Lecture Series Have you ever...
Preparation for Holy Communion
This preparation incorporates a series of supplications and a prayer by the priest which concludes with the words: ‘And count us worthy, Master, with boldness and without condemnation, to dare to call upon you, the God of heaven, as Father, and say’: ‘Our Father Who are in heaven…’ In this...
