A MORE PROFOUND UNDERSTANDING OF THE ORTHODOX DIVINE LITURGY

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

A MORE PROFOUND UNDERSTANDING OF THE
ORTHODOX DIVINE LITURGY.

If someone would ask us, “Do you understand what is going on in the Divine Liturgy?” like the eunuch in the Book of Acts we would in all honesty reply, “How can I, unless some one guides me?” [Acts 8:31]. It is not uncommon to hear people say in frustration, “I don’t get anything out of the Liturgy” If this is how you feel, this commentary is meant to help you reach a better understanding of the Divine Liturgy.

The word “Liturgy” (Λειτουργία, leitourgia) comes from the Greek words λειτώ (leito, public), and έργον (ergon, work). In its original setting of ancient Athens, Greece, it meant “any duty imposed on a private citizen by public authority, from building war ships [sic for “war ships”] to providing a chorus for a play.” Therefore somewhat loosely and not precisely, we call Liturgy a work for the public — a public work! In Christian usage it means the celebration of Divine Eucharist by the people of God.

Of course we realize that the Divine Liturgy is not primarily a learning experience, as it is perceived in certain Christian quarters (although the first part is supposed to be instructional). However, in order to experience the richness of the Divine Liturgy, WE MUST HAVE A BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IS HAPPENING. OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE SUCH BASIC UNDERSTANDING FOR THE INQUISITIVE WORSHIPPER, while keeping in mind that the Divine Eucharist is a Mystery (Sacrament).

The Areopagitic text (A.D, 500) calls the Divine Liturgy the “Mystery of Mysteries.” Mystery (Gk. Μυστήριον, Mysterion) is a liturgical act or sacred service of the Church by which we receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, known by the collective name of grace. “Everything in the Church IS A HOLY MYSTERY,” however the Divine Euchrarist is the par excellence Mystery, called “ta Hagia Mysteria” the Holy Mysteries. The Sacred Mysteries of the Church are performed so that we may be TRANSFORMED AND RENDERED HOLY BY THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Of course we should be aware that although the sanctifying grace bestowed by the Divine Mysteries is given to us freely IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE DO NOT CONTRIBUTE TO THEM. The Lord demands from us TO BECOME SUSCEPTIBLE TO RECEIVE THEM AND TO KEEP THEM. WE SHOULD OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD AS THE “GOOD SOIL” OF THE Parable, or else THEIR RECEPTION WOULD BE IN VAIN.

It would be insufficient to approach the Divine Liturgy as a text, as a historical document, or even as a depository of revealed truths. It would be equally insufficient to approach it as inspirational literature and as a text of Orthodox spirituality. Even as we try in this modest endeavor to facilitate the worshipper to reach a fuller understanding of what is taking place in the Divine Liturgy, at the same time we should realize that we must move the level of “understanding” to that of experiencing the Divine Mysteries unfolding in its course. Ultimately, “not even the most thorough knowledge about this Sacrament can change its supra rational, hidden character.” Therefore, the aim of our liturgical experience IS TO BECOME RECIPIENTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, TO EXPERIENCE GOD AND BE DEIFIED (THEOSIS) BY HIS UNCREATED GRACE, TO “BECOME OF THE SAME BODY AND BLOOD WITH CHRIST, TO UNITE WITH THE THEANTHROPIC, the God-man Christ–and THUS BE SAVED!

Going to church is not about fulfilling a “requirement” or a religious “obligation,” as it is understood by certain Christians; IT IS ABOUT FULFILLING A NECESSITY OF A SOUL THAT THIRSTS FOR GOD AND WANTS TO CONSUME HIM, OR RATHER TO BE CONSUMED BY Him. In the Divine Liturgy we particularly commemorate the Mystical (Last) Supper, that is, WE LIVE THROUGH IT AND PARTAKE OF ITS REALITY MYSTICALLY, YET REALLY, IN THE PRESENT. The Lord told His disciples that those who KEEP EATING (trogon) His Flesh and keep drinking (pinon) His Blood as with Him, and He with them [cf. John 6L56).  “For as often as you eat this Bread and drink this Cup, you proclaim the Lord’s Death until He comes,” says Saint Paul [1 Corinthians 11:26).  The Church is oriented towards the Coming of the Lord.  Her main worshipping act has a distinct eschatological orientation.

(To be continued)

______
“Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!”
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

With sincere agape In His Divine Descent upon His Holy Disciples and Apostles,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George