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The Liturgy of the Word

The Liturgy of the Word is the second part of the Liturgy of the Catechumens. Here, the Gospel is proclaimed and the Holy Scriptures are read out.

The Liturgy of the Word begins with the Little Entrance. The Clergy proceed from within the Altar out to the Bema (the centre of the Sanctuary) - through the north Deacon Door. The Faithful (especially the children) come to venerate the Gospel.

Led by the Deacon, the Priest makes the Prayer of Entrance: "...Lord God our Master...who established in the heavens ranks and armies of Angels and Archangels, for the service of your glory, grant that as we make our entrance, the holy angels may enter too, serving with us and joining in the praise of your goodness..."

The Deacon lifts high the Gospel and proclaims: "Wisdom, Arise!"

The Faithful sing: "Come let us worship and fall down before Christ, Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to you: 'Alleluia' !"

With this, the clergy enter into the Altar - after making a solemn reverence.

The Faithful then sing the Tropars and Kondaks (special hymns appointed for that particular Sunday or Feastday - dealing with the specific theme of the celebration). Meanwhile, the Priest prays in soto voce from within the Altar the prayer of the Thrice-holy Hymn: " O Holy God, you dwell in the midst of your holy people, ...from nothingness you brought all things into being, ...you give wisdom and understanding to all who ask. You do not turn away the sinner, but offer repentance as a way for Salvation. Accept from the lips of us sinners, the Thrice-holy Hymn, and visit us Your kindness, O Master. Sanctify our souls and bodies, and grant that we, in holiness, may serve You all the days of our lives..."

In a moving crescendo and with power, the Faithful sing out thrice the Thrice-holy Hymn: "Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us."

The Readings from Holy Scripture:

The Bible Readings are preceded by the singing of Psalms appointed for that Sunday or Feastday (the Psalm is usually abridged these days).

This Psalm is called the Prokimen.

It is sung responsorially between the Cantor (called the "Diak" in Ukrainian) and the Faithful.

The reading from the New Testament (taken either from the Acts of the Apostles or from one of the Epistles) is called the Apostle Reading.

The Priest blesses the People: "Peace be to All."

The Faithful respond: "And with your spirit."
The Deacon then announces the Apostle Reading with: " Wisdom! "

The Reader enters the Altar (by the north Deacon Door) and goes to the High Place to receive a Blessing from the Priest for this Ministry.

Returning to the Bimah by the south Deacon Door, the Reader announces the Apostle Reading, e.g.: "A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles" or "A Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Church in Rome", etc.

The Deacon exhorts the Faithful: "Let us be attentive."

The Reader then chants the Apostle Reading appointed for that day.

Then the Faithful sing the Alleluia Psalm that precedes the Gospel Reading. The Cantor chants the verses, while the Faithful sing the response: "Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia."
During the Psalm, the Deacon incenses the Church and the Faithful, while the Priest prays: "Make the pure light of Your Divine knowledge shine in our hears, O loving Maser. Open the eyes of our minds that we may understand the message of Your Gospel..."

Again the Priest blesses the People: "Peace be to All."

And the Faithful respond: "And with your spirit."

The Deacon processes out to the Bimah with the Gospel, also asking for a blessing for this Ministry.

The Priest prays over him: "May God grant you to proclaim the Good News with great power for the fulfilment of the Gospel of his beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Deacon, from the Bimah and facing East, proclaims the Gospel.

He is flanked by Candle bearers with candles (symbolizing Christ, the Light of the World) and Subdeacons with the Ripidia (the liturgical fans, symbolizing the presence of the Holy Spirit and the Seraphim).

Then the Gospel book to delivered to the Priest, who, after blessing the Faithful with it, returns it the Holy Table.

He places it in the upright position - making room on the Holy Table for the opening of the Antimins shortly to follow.

The Homily or Sermon is usually delivered for the instruction and edification of the Faithful after the Gospel reading. After the Homily, the Church offers up prayers and intercessions.

The Intercessory Prayers of the Faithful

The "Insistent Litany". The Deacon leads the Faithful in these prayers of Intercession for the entire Church of God - including any general, special intentions that are added in that Liturgy.

In Greek, this litany is called the "Ektenia", meaning "fervency, earnestness". Hence it's name in English, the "Insistent Litany" or the "Litany of Fervent Supplication". Originally, it began as the prayers during special penitential processions held during times of special need. Thus, e.g., during times of famine, plague or other disaster, the Faithful would gather and make special processions in and around the city. Hymns would be sung, and at certain points, the Procession would stop to proclaim the Scriptures and these special intercessory litanies would be prayed, beseeching God's mercy and intervention.

The Deacon begins, "Let us say with our whole soul and our whole mind, let us say..." The Faithful respond by singing the hauntingly beautiful, triple "Lord, have mercy."

Then Prayers for the Reposed may be taken, asking that God, to remember the faithful departed, to forgive them their sins both voluntary and involuntary, to place them among the just, where pain, sorrow, and mourning have fled, to grant them a place in the Kingdom.

The "Litany for the Catechumens" (those who are entering into the Christian life by preparing themselves for Holy Baptism and full membership in the Church). We pray that the Lord may teach them the word of truth, reveal to them the Gospel of Justice, make them worthy of the washing of rebirth and grant them a robe of incorruptibility.

During this Litany, at the Prayer that Gospel of Justice be opened to the Catechumens, the Priest opens the Antimins, the Sacred Cloth representing the Burial Shroud of Jesus - thus the Altar of holy Sacrifice wherein the Christ offered Himself for the life of the world. The Antimins has Holy Relics sewn into it and originally was a "portable altar", hence its name, meaning "alternate Table". The Antimins has the icon of the Burial of our Lord depicted upon it. it contains the sacred Sponge used for cleaning the sacred Vessels (...they filled a sponge with viegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth {John 19:29}). The Antimins is also the authoritization of the Eparch (Bishop) for Divine Liturgy to be served in this parish, thus it is printed detailing the particular Eparchy wherein Liturgy is authorized and the name of the Eparch, who signs it.

Then, if there are any Catechumens present, after receiving a blessing from the Priest, they are dismissed by the Deacon. With the Dismissal of the Catechumens, the Liturgy of the Word is concluded.

Ukrainian version
Українська версія

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