DELVING INTO THE MYSTERY OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST IN THE ORTHODOX CHURCH Part II

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

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST1 HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

DELVING INTO THE MYSTERY OF THE HOLY
EUCHARIST IN THE ORTHODOX CHURCH. [Part II]

In the early Church, the Lord’s Supper was celebrated at the end of a fellowship meal, called AGAPE (love). After the persecutions (Acts 8:1), the Christians carried on the synagogue worship in some form, to which they added the Eucharist. The liturgical structure was simple: A bishop presided, surrounded by Presbyters. "Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs" (Ephesians 5:19 and Collosians 3:16) were chanted. Lessons from the Prophets were read, to which later on were added the Epistles of the Holy Apostles and the Holy Gospels. Preaching by the Presbyters and the Bishops followed. The Deacons carried in and placed on the Supper Table the Eucharistic Gifts (bread and wine), which has been brought by the people. The ANAPHORA Prayer of Thanksgiving was offered and the elements WERE CONSECRATED. A collection was made. The kiss of peace was exchanged. The divine service ended WITH THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE Holy Gifts to the faithful.

Early liturgical witness attest TO THE CONTINUITY OF THE HOLY EUCHARISTIC MEAL FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT Breaking of the Bread (Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26) until its full development. The prayer in the Didache (A.D. 90-110) may be the oldest Eucharistic prayer we have, outside the Pauline account (1 Corinthians 11:23-26), and not much older than that. Saint Clement’s Letter to the Corinthians (A.D. 95-98) contains what may have been a liturgical prayer. Saint Justin the Martyr (A.D. 165) described the first Eucharistic service, including the prayers, the readings, the sermon, the kiss of peace, and the Anaphora and Holy Communion, in many details. The Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus of Rome (A.D. 215) describes the Divine Liturgy in detail. Our Liturgy today IS ESSENTIALLY THE SAME EUCHARISTIC SERVICE OF THESE FIRST CHRISTIANS, WHICH THE CHURCH KEPT FAITHFULLY AND TRANSMITTED TO US IN ALL ITS INTEGRITY.

PURPOSE OF THE DIVINE LITURGY

The Divine Liturgy IS THE MYSTERY OF UNION OF HUMAN BEINGS WITH GOD AND THE UNION OF HUMAN BEINGS AMONG THEMSELVES. "It is called Communion because THROUGH IT WE COMMUNE THE DIVINITY OF JESUS CHRIST TOGETHER WITH THE GLORIFIED HUMANITY. The purpose of the Divine Liturgy IS TO CHANGE THE SACRAMENTAL ELEMENTS (bread and wine mixed with water) INTO THE SACRED BODY AND BLOOD OF THE LORD THROUGH THE ACTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT SO THAT THE PEOPLE OF GOD GATHERED IN HIS NAME MAY COMMUNE THEM AND THUS BE UNITED WITH CHRIST AND LIVE HIS LIFE. Saint Nicholas Cavasilas describes with clarity and precision:

"The essential act in the celebration of the Holy Mysteries IS THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE ELEMENTS INTO THE Body and Blood; ITS AIM IS THE SANCTIFICATION OF THE FAITHFUL, WHO THROUGH THESE MYSTERIES RECEIVE THE REMISSION OF THEIR SINS AND THE INHERITANCE OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. As a preparation for, and contribution to, this act and for this purpose, WE HAVE PRAYERS, PSALMS, AND READINGS FROM THE Holy Scripture: in short, ALL THE SACRED ACTS AND FORMS WHICH ARE SAID AND DONE BEFORE AND AFTER THE CONSECRATION OF THE ELEMENTS."

This "DIVINE AND MOST SACRED OF SERVICES" CONSTITUTE THE HIGHEST EXPRESSION OF PRAISE, GLORIFICATION, LOVE AND GRATITUDE TO GOD FOR HIS INEXPRESSIBLE LOVE TOWARD US. The PEOPLE OF GOD gather together in obedience to Christ’s COMMAND ("DO THIS") TO OFFER THEIR "SACRIFICE OF PRAISE" IN THANKSGIVING, TO ACTUALIZE CHRIST’S SAVING ACTS, TO COMMUNE HIS SACRED MYSTERIES, AND TO REJOICE IN PARTAKING OF HIS LIFE NOW, IN ANTICIPATION OF THAT "DAY" WHEN THEY WILL PARTAKE OF HIM "MORE PERFECTLY" IN THE "UNSETTING DAY" OF HIS KINGDOM.

As it has been pointed out correctly, "THE PURPOSE OF THE EUCHARIST LIES NOT IN THE CHANGE OF THE BREAD AND WINE, BUT IN OUR PARTAKING OF CHRIST, WHO HAS BECOME OUR FOOD, OUR LIFE, THE MANIFESTATION OF THE CHURCH AS THE Body of Christ. Ultimately, the purpose of the Divine Eucharist IS TO LEAD THE FAITHFUL TO A TRANSFORMATION OF THEIR LIVES AFTER THE LIKENESS OF GOD–TO SALVATION—WHICH, IN THE ORTHODOX UNDERSTANDING, IS UNION WITH GOD, WHICH BEGINS FROM THIS LIFE AND IS FULFILLED IN THE LIFE TO COME. [Resources: The Heavenly Banquet]

(To be continued)

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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

With sincere agape in His Divine Ascent,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George