Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever! This simple guide is for those
unfamiliar with the worship of the Eastern Church, and who plan on visiting
an Eastern Church in the future.
To say that we make the sign of the Cross frequently would be an
understatement. We sign ourselves whenever the Trinity is invoked, whenever
we venerate the Cross or an Icon, and on many other occasions in the course
of the Liturgy. But people aren"t expected to do everything the same way.
Some people Cross themselves three times in a row, and some finish by
sweeping their right hand to the floor. On first entering a Church people
may come up to an Icon, make a "metania""crossing themselves and bowing with
right hand to the floor"twice, then kiss the Icon, then make one more
metania. This becomes familiar with time, but at first it can seem like
secret-handshake stuff that you are sure to get wrong. Don"t worry, you
don"t have to follow suit.
We cross with our right hands from right to left (push, not pull), the
opposite of Roman Catholics and high-Church Protestants. We hold our hands
in a prescribed way: thumb and first two fingertips pressed together, last
two fingers pressed down to the palm (Three fingers together for the
Trinity; two fingers brought down to the palm for the two natures of Christ,
and his coming down to earth.) This, too, takes practice. .
About seventy-five percent of the service is congregational singing. The cantor (or small choir) leads the people in a cappella harmony, with the level of congregational response varying from parish to parish. It has been fairly said that the Liturgy is one continuous song. What keeps this from being exhausting is that it"s pretty much the *same* song every week. Relatively little changes from Sunday to Sunday; the same prayers and hymns appear in the same places, and before long you know it by heart.
A constant feature of our worship is the veneration of the Virgin Mary. We
often address her as "Theotokos," which means "birth-giver of God." In
providing the physical means for God to become man, she made possible our
salvation.
But though we honor her, as Scripture foretold ("All generations will call
me blessed," Luke 1:48), this doesn"t mean that we think she or any of the
other saints have magical powers or are demi-gods. When we sing "Holy
Theotokos, save us," we don"t mean that she grants us eternal salvation, but
that we seek her prayers for our protection and growth in faith. Just as we
ask for each other"s prayers, we ask for the prayers of Mary and other
saints as well. They"re not dead, after all, just departed to the other
side. Icons surround us to remind us of all the saints who are joining us
invisibly in worship.
Most Eastern Churches will have an Iconostasis before its altar.
"Iconostasis" means "Icon-stand", and it can be as simple as a large image
of Christ on the right and a corresponding image of the Virgin and Child on
the left. In a more established Church, the Iconostasis may be a literal
wall, adorned with Icons. Some versions shield the altar from view, except
when the central doors stand open.
The basic set-up of two large Icons creates, if you use your imagination,
three doors. The central one, in front of the altar itself, is called the
"Holy Doors" or "Royal Doors," because there the King of Glory comes out to
the congregation in the Eucharist. Only the priest and deacons, who bear the
Eucharist, use the Holy Doors. The openings on the other sides of the
Icons, if there is a complete Iconostasis, have doors with Icons of angels;
they are termed the "Deacon"s Doors."
To see our Iconostasis up close please visit this page.
All Catholics (Eastern and Western) in good standing, who are properly
prepared (prayer and fasting) are invited to receive communion.
In the
Byzantine Tradition, the Mystery of the Holy Eucharist involves the use of
leavened bread, out of which is cut one major particle, a square "Lamb of
God" that bears the imprint IC XC NIKA (Jesus Christ Conquers) on it. Out of
this Lamb is cut the many particles that will be consecrated and placed into
the holy paterion (chalice or cup) containing the consecrated wine. When the
faithful approach the Holy Mysteries, they traditionally make the sign of
the Cross at a safe distance from the chalice, not while standing directly
in front of the priest (or deacon). As you approach, fold your arms in the
Cross of Saint Andrew (X) across your chest. Please move in as close as
possible to the iliton-commnion cloth that is being held by the altar
server. The priest/deacon will then recite, "The servant/handmaid of God,
(name), receives the most precious and holy Body and Blood of our Lord, God,
and Savior Jesus Christ for the remission of all his/her sins and for life
everlasting. Amen." Tilt your head back slightly and open your mouth
widely. Do not extend your tongue. Do not say, "Amen." The priest/deacon
will gently place the Eucharist into your mouth using a spoon. Wait for the
priest/deacon to bring his hand away from your face, then close your mouth.
Copyright 2019.St. George UGCC. All Rights Reserved.
