Holy Liturgy of Orthodox Church

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Holy Liturgy ofOrthodox Church

• www.orthodoxtv.in

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The word orthodox means right belief or
right praise
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Orthodox churches still use forms of worship that
were practiced in the first centuries. Our
worship is based to a great extent on passages
from Holy Scripture. We sing most of the
service, joining our voices in simple harmony to
ancient melodies.
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Worship in the Orthodox perceptive does not
simply mean prayer alone. It is beyond prayer. 
Prayer means communion with God in a personal
way.  Worship means doing prayer collective.
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For the Orthodox worship and liturgy include some
or all the five sensesthe sight, hearing,
smelling, touching tasting. By sight Sees the
worship going onHears the prayers, jingling of
bells, melodious music Smells the incense sense
of smell is used to enlighten the minds and
hearts of the worshipers, bringing them into
closer communion with God. Touches each other at
the kiss of peace Tastes the eternal food at
receiving the Holy Eucharist.
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Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall
agree on earth as touching any thing that they
shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father
which is in heaven. For where two or three are
gathered together in my name, there am I in the
midst of them (Matthew 181920).
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Eucharistic service is based on experiencing the
salvific actions of Jesus ("do this in my
remembrance of me") using bread and wine, and
saying His own words (known as words of the
institution). 
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Eucharist (e??a??st?a GK)

• is  holy mystery (Mysterion GK) or ROZO (Syr)
  that is celebrated during the Divine
  Liturgy within the Orthodox Church, where the
  bread and wine gets consecrated through the
  power of the Holy Spirit to become Precious Blood
  and Body of Jesus Christ that is consumed by
  prepared Orthodox Christians.
• Other names for the Eucharist include  Holy
  Gifts, Communion, and the Body and Blood of our
  Lord Jesus Christ 
• Orthodox Christians believe that the Real and
  full Presence of Jesus Christ (not merely a sign)
  is with the body and the Blood after
  consecration . 

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Eucharist Thanksgiving It is instituted by
Jesus Christ before His passion. The Holy
Apostles and Evangelists Matthew, Mark, and Luke,
thus in detail describe the institution of the
Holy Eucharist during the Lord's Supper on His
Passover Mat 26 26-29 Mark 14 22-24 Luke
2219-23 1 Cor 11 23-26
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Christ took the bread in His Holy hands and
looking up to heaven, gave glory and thanks to
the Father, broke it into parts and gave it to
the disciples saying "Take, eat, this is my body
which is given for you". The disciples took the
bread from His hands, and divided it among
themselves. After, He took the cup of wine mixed
with water, gave thanks to God the Father, and
said to the disciples "Drink ye all of it, for
this is my blood of the New Testament which is
shed for you and many for the remission of sins".
And they all drank of it. After, He commanded
them "This do in remembrance of me". The Holy
Apostles strictly fulfilled this command of
Christ and celebrated the Sacrament of Communion.
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Eucharist is the center of life in the Orthodox
Church

•  Because the Church is primarily a Eucharistic
  community.
• Eucharist is the completion and culmination of
  all mysteries of the Church. It is the souls and
  goal of all her doctrines and institutions.

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leavened bread

• The Orthodox Church uses leavened bread
• According to the Gospel of Saint John Last Supper
  and Passion
• took place during the evening, night and day time
  of Passover Day, therefore leavened bread was
  eaten in Last Supper. 

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Jesus as the celebrant

• At the Eucharist the sacrifice offered is Christ
  himself.
• Christ himself performs the act of offering
  Eucharist in the Church.
• He is both Priest and Lamp being offered.

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Jesus Christ as the Eucharist

• In Orthodox Theology
• He is God
• He is Sacrificial Animal
• He is the Priest who offers
• He is the one who receive the offering
• He is the fulfiller /effect of Sacrifice

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We offer to Thee

• Eucharist is offered to God the Holy Trinity.
• It is not just to the Father, but also to
  the Holy Spirit and to Christ Himself.
• Each Prayer ends with a doxology to the Holy
  Trinity
• Now, what is the sacrifice of the Eucharist? Who
  offers it ? and to whom is it offered?
• The answer is always Jesus Christ.

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We offer for all, for the whole Universe

• According to Orthodox Theology, Eucharist is
  a propitiatory sacrifice offered on behalf of
  both the living and the departed and for the
  whole Universe.

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When an Orthodox Christian is preparing to
partake in the Holy Communion, he must first of
all cleanse his soul through repentance and
confession. Without these the Orthodox Church
doesn't allow the faithful to Communicate.
Confession is a whole- hearted acknowledgement
of all our sins, errors, and faults, together
with a determination to be good and to live
according to the commandments of Christ. At
confession absolution is received, which is the
Church's assurance of God's forgiveness.
Repentance is joined with fasting and on the day
that we receive the communion we must abstain
from food for at least 6 hours until we receive
communion.
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Prayer is the essence of the Orthodox Christian
way of life. It is the means by which one
achieves communion with God. Moreover, it is the
means by which one experiences the presence of
God in his/her life.
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Pray in the morning, in the afternoon, in the
evening, before sleep, before meals, simply,
throughout the day. The Orthodox Church
therefore encourages both private prayer (taking
place personally and privately between God and
us) and corporate prayer (taking place in the
Divine Liturgy, the Holy Mysteries, and other
services of the Church) as a means to this end.
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Whether corporate or private, prayer is
understood in the Orthodox Church as the lifting
of the mind and heart to God. We turn our minds
and our hearts toward Him and His will. This is
accomplished by either speaking to Him with words
or by being in silence, trusting in God and being
open to His will for us.
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The Daily Cycle of Prayer The Evening Service
In the Orthodox Church the liturgical day from
evening to evening, i.e. with the setting of the
sun. This practice follows the biblical account
of creation" And there was evening and there was
morning, one day" (Genesis 15). It takes us
through creation, sin, and salvation in Christ.
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The Compline Service SootharaIt is a service
of psalms and prayers to read following the
evening meal before one retires to sleep. It
focuses on three things thanksgiving for the day
that has passed protection for the ensuing
night and forgiveness of wrongs committed during
the day. 
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The Midnight Prayer

• This service consists of psalms and prayers that
  are said in the middle of the night. This service
  focuses on the significant "middle" of the night
  events that are found in Scripture, the
  resurrection of our Lord and His Second Coming. 

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The Morning Service The Service is centered in
thanksgiving for the coming of the true light of
Christ and calls all to repentance by uniting the
elements of morning psalms and prayer with
mediation, the Gospel reading, and the particular
theme of the day in the given verses and hymns.
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The Mid Day Prayerconsists of 3 hr 6hr
9thhrThe central prayer of each hour is the
Lord's Prayer. In addition each hour has a set
of psalms, hymns, and a distinctive prayer for
that Hour. Each Hour has a particular theme
based upon some aspects of the Christ-event and
salvation history.
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Liturgy is a term that refers to acts of worship
that are performed by the members of a religious
group. A liturgy is also called a rite or a
ritual. Most religions have their own liturgy. 
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A liturgy may combine words, music,
and gestures. It also may include religious
objects, such as altars and special clothing, and
symbolic acts, such as pouring or sprinkling
water as part of the ceremony of baptism. Some
liturgical services are held at certain times of
the day, week, or year. They may take place on a
fast day, festival, or Sabbath.
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The principal liturgical service in Christianity
is called the Eucharist, Holy Communion, Holy
Qurbana.  The most important events of the
Christian liturgical year are the
Christmas and the Easter. 
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• Christianity has many forms of liturgy. 
• The most widespread ones are the Byzantine form
  and the Latin, or Roman form and the Syrian Form.
•  The Byzantine rite is used by the Greek and
  Russian Orthodox Church and several other
  Eastern churches.
• The Latin rite is used by the Roman Catholic
  Church
• Syrian Form is used by the Syriac Orthodox
  Churches, for instance The Malankara Orthodox
  Syrian Church

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Holy Communion

• In Christian churches, is the sacrament (holy
  ceremony) of the Lord's Supper.
•  The Gospels and I Corinthians report that at the
  Last Supper, Jesus told His disciples eat, for
  this is my body, and drink, for this is my blood.
•  Many Protestants call the sacrament the Lord's
  Supper.
•  Anglicans, Roman Catholics, and members of the
  Eastern Orthodox churches call the ceremony the
  Eucharist or Holy Communion.
•  Some Protestant churches observe the ritual
  monthly or weekly.
•  Others observe it four times a year.
•  Roman Catholics must receive Communion during
  the Easter season, and often they receive weekly
  or daily Communion.

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IIClergy  There are three major orders of
Orthodox clergy--Bishops, Priests,
and Deacons. There are also two chief minor
orders--sub deacons and readers. Deacons, sub
deacons, and readers assist the priest during
religious services. 
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Priests The priest's daily dress is a black
robe in India, due to the hot weather, priests
tend to wear a white robe. Bishops usually wear
a black or a red robe with a red belt.
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Vestments The clergy of the Orthodox Church have
unique vestments quite distinct from other
Christian denominations. The vestments worn by
the clergy vary with their hierarchical order in
the priesthood. The deacons, the priests, the
bishops, and the Catholicose have distinct
liturgical vestments.
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The liturgical vestments

• The liturgical vestments are worn by the priest
  during the Order of Aaron in the preparatory
  prayers that precede the celebration of the
  divine mysteries.
• The priest first puts away his outer garments,
  saying Remove from me, O Lord God, the unholy
  garments wherewith Satan has clothed me by the
  filth of my evil deeds, and clothe me with the
  choice garments that are fitting for the service
  of Thy glory and for the praise of Thy holy Name,
  O our Lord and our God, forever.

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Cap

• The priest then puts on the phiro (lit. 'fruit'),
  a small black cap which the priest must wear
  during all public prayers.
• It consists of seven sections which indicate the
  full priesthood of the celebrant.

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The priest also puts on shoemsone, ceremonial
shoes which are worn during the celebration of
the Holy Qurbono. Upon wearing the left shoe,
the priest recites, May my feet, O Lord God, be
shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace
so that I may tread underfoot serpents and
scorpions and all the power of the enemy, for
ever. Upon wearing the right shoe, he
recites, Cast down under my foot, Lord God, all
false pride that is exalted against Thy
knowledge, and grant that by Thy help I may bring
the lusts of the flesh into subjection, for ever.
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He then puts on the kutino 'alb', a white
surplice whose color is an indication of the
priest's purity. The priest signs the cross over
it three times saying, Clothe me, O Lord, with
the robe of incorruption through the strength of
Thy Holy Spirit, and make me worthy to keep the
true faith and walk in the paths of purity and
righteousness all the days of my life.
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Then he puts on the hamnikho 'necklace,' the
stole which symbolizes the priest being armed
with the fear of the Lord. He signs the cross
over it twice, reciting Psalm 1839, 40 Gird me
with strength unto the battle and subdue under me
them that rise up against me, defeat my enemies
and silence those who hate me.
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Then he puts on the zenoro 'girdle' which speaks
of the priest's control over all bodily desires.
He signs the cross over it once reciting Psalm
453 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O thou most
mighty with thy splendor and glory. Thy glory
triumphs.
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He then arms himself with the zende 'sleeves'
which symbolize the priest's readiness to keep
God's Law and do works of righteousness. He
signs the cross twice over the left sleeve and
recites Psalm 1834 while wearing it He trains
my hands to war and he strengthens my arms like
a bow of brass. He then signs the cross once
over the right sleeve and recites Psalm 1835
while wearing it Let Thy right hand help me up,
and let Thy loving discipline raise me.
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If the celebrant is a prelate, he puts on
the masnaphto'turban', a head-cover which
symbolizes the cloth with which the Lord's head
was bound for His burial. He makes the sign of
the cross twice on it and wears it reciting Psalm
46-7 Who can show me He who is good? May the
light of Thy countenance shine upon us, O Lord,
Thou hast given gladness to my heart.
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The priest then puts on the phayno, a cope
which symbolizes Aaron's robe of many colors and
the Savior's seamless robe. He signs the cross
over it thrice reciting Psalm 1329-10Let Thy
priests be clothed with righteousness and Thy
righteous with glory. For Thy servant David's
sake, turn not away the face of thine
anointed. Then he puts it on reciting Psalm
1329 Clothe Thy priests with salvation and Thy
saints with glory.
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If the celebrant is a prelate, he puts on
thebatrashil Pallium' which is similar to the
Hamnikho but extends both front and back. It
reminds the prelate of the Cross which the Savior
carried. He crosses it once reciting Psalm
275 In the day of trouble, he protects me in
the shadow of his tabernacle. He exalts me upon a
rock and now he shall lift up my head above mine
enemies.
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The Catholicose/Patriarch wears
the sakro shield' attached to the zenoro on the
right side. The shield of faith symbolizes his
authority and his position as the protector of
the faith (Ephesians 616 ".. above all taking
the shield of faith with which you will be able
to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one).
Prelates also wear a Cross and an icon, usually
of the Mother of God, around the neck. While
wearing the cross he recites Psalm 345 Turn
your eyes to him and hope in him and you shall
not be disappointed.
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Then the prelate takes the crosier (mooroneetho)
in his left hand, which symbolizes the bishop's
authority and reminds us of the shepherd's staff,
reciting Psalm 1102 The Lord will send forth
the sceptre of Thy power out of Zion thou shalt
rule in the midst of thine enemies. He also takes
a hand Cross in his right hand, from which a
cloth called mqablonitho 'veil' is hung reciting
Psalm 445 For Thy cause we shall combat our
enemies and for the cause of Thy name we shall
trample those who hate us. Upon completing this,
the celebrant washes his hands.
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Deacons Alter boys Mzamarono

• Deacons wear a white kutino and an uroro 'stole'
  in various shapes according to their
  rank.Singers (mzamrono) wear the kutino without
  the uroro.

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Readers (qoruyo) wear the uroro in the form of a
Cross.
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Subdeacons (apodyaqno) wear the uroro folded
around the neck.
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Deacons (shamosho) wear
the uroro over the left shoulder, on either side
like wings.
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Archdeacons (archedyaqno) wear the uroro round
the neck. They also wear a zenoro and zende simila
r to priests.
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IIIHow to WorshipAs we enter or leave the
temple, we should first face the altar and cross
ourselves. Before going to our place, we should
venerate the icon of our Lord, Saint Mary
(Theotokos) Patron Saint.
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Stand in Church silently, peacefully, quietly
One thing have I asked of the Lord, this will I
seek after That I may dwell in the house of the
Lord all the days of my life, that I may behold
the delight of the Lord, and that I may visit His
holy temple (Psalm 264).
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In going to church, think that thou art going to
the house of the King of Heaven, where with fear
and joy one ought to stand as in heaven before
the King of Heaven. While standing in church,
do not look around to the sides and do not look
at how someone is standing and prayingAsk for
mercy for thyself from God the Judge and Knower
of hearts. 
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It is best to avoid traffic in and out of the
church during services.Do not enter or leave
during a censing, the Scripture readings, or the
sermon coming and going is especially
distracting at these times. Being late for
services is a common failing among Orthodox of
all sorts, but it is not something we should be
proud of. Leaving services early without a very
good reason is just as bad.
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While in the temple we should try to maintain an
attitude of prayer and a spirit of humility, like
the tax collector of the Gospels (Luke 1810-14).
Our purpose for coming is to approach our Lord
and King in company with our brothers and
sisters we come together to constitute Gods
Church. These facts should govern our attitudes
and behavior.
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We should avoid conversation in the church even
if the service has not yet begun. We should
spend the time before services preparing for
worship.
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We will get more out of the services if we pray
rather than merely attend them. Allow the hymns
to enter your heart, and make their words your
own. Remember that the services are not a time
for private prayers but for sharing in the common
worship of the Church.
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Let us remember above all that the temple must be
filled with an attitude of mutual love and
respect. We have assembled to share in the
Church's worship, to unite with each other and
our Lord, to anticipate the joyful time when we
are gathered into His Kingdom. Our attitude
toward one another should reflect that of the
Lord, who loves us all and desires nothing more
than our spiritual growth and our salvation.
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Follow the service with your body as well as your
mind. We should cross ourselves at the proper
times (on hearing an invocation of the Trinity,
and at any prayer or petition which personally
affects you). During Great Lent there are times
when we kneel, follow the priest and altar
servers in this matter. Kneeling is not proper
on Sundays, since each Sunday is a feast of the
Resurrection.
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Those who desire to Commune, must begin
preparation from the previous day by at least
being continually conscious of the fact that they
are preparing to partake of the Most-precious
Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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 During the Lent , we do not partake of meat,
eggs, milk and fish. It is allowable to lessen
the Fast only in the case of severe illness, for
small children, the elderly, for those with child
or feeding an infant.
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Ask forgiveness and reconcile yourself with
everyone with whom you have had an argument,
misunderstanding or any deterioration in
relationship. By taking Communion without full
reconciliation with everyone we do ourselves
great harm.
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No one should take Holy Communion (or even come
to Church) with lipstick on.
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One must approach the Mysteries without having
eaten or drunk anything from midnight on.
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Following Holy Communion we piously return home,
retain a prayerful peaceful calm, do good works
and exert all our efforts not to return to the
sins from which we have been cleansed.
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IV How old is the Orthodox Faith?
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If you are a Lutheran,

• your religion was founded by Martin Luther, an
  ex -monk of the Roman Catholic Church, in the
  year 1517.

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If you belong to the Church of England

•  your religion was founded by King Henry VIII in
  the year 1534 because the Pope would not grant
  him a divorce with the right to remarry.

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If you are a Presbyterian

• your religion was founded by John Knox
  in Scotland in the year 1560.

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If you are a Congregationalist

• your religion was originated by Robert Brown in
  Holland in 1582

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If you are a Protestant Episcopalian

• your religion was an offshoot of the Church of
  England founded by Samuel Seabury, in the
  American colonies in the 17th century

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If you are a Baptist

• you owe the tenets of religion to
• John Smyth,
• who launched it in Amsterdam in 1606.

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If you are of the Dutch Reformed Church

• you recognize Michelis Jones as founder because
  he originated your religion in
• New York in 1628.

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If you are a Methodist

• your religion was founded by John and
  Charles Wesley in England in 1774.

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If you are a Mormon 

• (Latter Day Saints), Joseph Smith started
  your religion in Palmyra, New York in 1829.

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If you worship with the Salvation Army

• your sect began with William Booth in London in
  1865

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If you are a Christian Scientist

• you look to 1879 as the year in which your
  religion was founded by Mary Baker Eddy.

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If you belong to one of the religious sects known
as  Church of the Nazarene, Pentecostal Gospel,
Holiness Church, or Jehovahs Witnesses

• your religion is one of the hundreds of new sects
  founded by men within the past hundred years.

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If you are a Roman Catholic

•  your church shared the same rich apostolic and
  doctrinal heritage as the Orthodox Church for the
  first thousand years of its history since during
  the first millennium they were one and the same
  Church.
• Lamentably, in 1054, the Pope of Rome broke way
  from the other four Apostolic Sees
  (Patriarchates), by tampering with the
  original Creed of the Church, and considering
  himself to be the universal pastor over other
  Sees and infallible.

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If you are a Unite Roman Catholic of any Eastern
Rites

•  you had your roots in the Orthodox Church, but
  were forced into the Roman Catholic Church,
  either by financial hardship, or regional
  political/ ecclesiastical unrest (e.g.
  Malankara Syrian Catholics), or by
  western colonialization (e.g. Syro-Malabar
  Rite), or by military strength.

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If you are an Orthodox Christian

• you religion was founded in the year 33 by Jesus
  Christ, the Son of God. It has not changed since
  that time.
• Our Church is now almost 2000 years old. And it
  is for this reason, that Orthodoxy, the Church of
  the Apostles and the Fathers is considered
  the true One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic
  Church.
• This is the greatest legacy we can pass on to the
  young people of the new millennium!

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The Orthodox Church

• The Orthodox Church was founded by our Lord Jesus
  Christ and is the living manifestation of His
  presence in the history of the mankind. The most
  conspicuous characteristics of Orthodoxy are
  its rich liturgical life and its faithfulness to
  the apostolic tradition. 

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Thank You God Bless You www.orthodoxtv.in