2, WORSHIP. Doctrinal purity was tenaciously maintained, but true Christianity is far more than adherence to a set of correct beliefs alone. The life of the Church is centrally expressed IN HER WORSHIP and ADORATION OF GOD the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus Himself told the woman at the well, "the hour is coming, and now is, WHEN THE WORSHIPPERS WILL WORSHIP THE FATHER IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him" [John 4:23].
At the Mystical ("Last") Supper, Jesus INSTITUTED THE EUCHARIST, THE COMMUNION SERVICE, when He took bread and wine, gave a blessing, and said to His Disciples, "THIS IS MY BODY WHICH IS GIVEN FOR YOU; DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME" and "THIS CUP IS THE NEW COVENANT IN MY BLOOD, WHICH IS SHED FOR YOU" [Luke 22:19,21]. The Church PARTICIPATED IN COMMUNION AT LEAST EACH LORD’S DAY [Acts 20:7GAV,11]. From such first and second century sources as the Didache, the letters of Saint Ignatius of Antioch and the writings of Saint Justin Martyr, WE ARE ASSURED THE EUCHARIST IS THE VERY CENTER OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP FROM THE APOSTOLIC ERA ON.
Also, just as the Law, the Psalms, and the Prophets were read in the Temple worship and the synagogue in Israel, so the Church also immediately G1)AVE HIGH PRIORITY TO THE PUBLIC READING OF HOLY SCRIPTURE AND TO PREACHING IN HER WORSHIP, ALONG WITH THE EUCHARISTIC MEAL. Even before the middle of the first century, Christian WORSHIP WAS COMPOSED OF TWO ESSENTIAL PARTS: (1) THE LITURGY OF THE WORD, INCLUDING HYMNS, SCRIPTURE READING, AND PREACHING AND (2) THE LITURGY OF THE FAITHFUL, COMPOSED OF INTERCESSORY PRAYERS, THE KISS OF PEACE, AND THE EUCHARIST. From virtually the beginning CHRISTIAN WORSHIP HAS HAD A DEFINABLE SHAPE OR FORM WHICH CONTINUES TO THIS DAY.
A basic pattern or shape of Christian worship was observed from the start, and, as the Church grew and matured, LITURGY MATURED AS WELL. Hymns, Scripture readings, and prayers were intertwined in the basic foundation. A clear, purposeful procession through the year was forthcoming, which marked and joined in word, song, and praise THE BIRTH, MINISTRY, DEATH, RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND SANCTIFIED CRUCIAL ASPECTS OF CHRISTIAN LIFE AND EXPERIENCE. The Christian life was lived in reality in the worship of the Church. Far from being just a boring routine, THE RITUAL WORSHIP OF THE HISTORIC CHURCH PARTICIPATED IN THE UNFOLDING DRAMA OF THE RICHNESS AND MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL ITSELF!
Further, specific landmarks in our salvation and walk with Christ were celebrated and sanctified. Baptism and the anointing with oil, or chrismation, were there from the start. Marriage, healing, confession of sin, and ordination to the ministry of the Gospel are other early rites in the Church. On each of these occasions Christians understood that in a great mystery, grace and power from God were being given according to the individual need of each person. The Church saw these events as holy moments in her life and called them MYSTERIES OR SACRAMENTS.
(To be continued)
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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Divine, Glorious, and Redeeming Resurrection,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George
The Eastern Orthodox Christian Ethos 