Let Us Attend: a Journey through the Orthodox Divine Liturgy by Fr Lawrence Farley, Conciliar Press, 2007. The Orthodox Divine Liturgy is the heart of Orthodox spiritual practice. While many books have been written on the Liturgy, this book is unique. In 98 pages, Fr Farley analyses the structure, content and historical context of the Orthodox Liturgy, all the while developing the spiritual mystery of the Liturgy. Each chapter deals step by step with a section of the Divine Liturgy, beginning with “Blessed is the Kingdom” and ending with the Final Rites. The role of the priest, worshipers and chanters [...]

Divine Liturgy Hymn of Praise of the Anaphora This Hymn is chanted during the Anaphora[1] at the climax of the Holy Liturgy, in anticipation, during and in response to the consecration of the Holy Gifts into the Divine Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. In most Parishes as the Hymn is chanted, the Priest says the prayers of the Epiclesis (calling down from above), an earnest plea to God the Father to send down the Holy Spirit to change the gifts we offer into the Divine Gifts of Christ’s own Body and Blood. According to St Germanos, this is a [...]

Cherubic Hymn - Holy Liturgy of Holy Saturday morning This ancient, alternate Cherubic Hymn is believed to have originated from the Church of Jerusalem. It is also chanted during the Liturgy of St James (Αγ. Ιακώβου). It bears some similarities to the usual Cherubic Hymn in its exhortation to abandon any earthly thought as Christ is presented to us as "divine food" ("now lay aside all earthly care" the Cherubic Hymn) and the mention of the angelic hierarchies. Silence is a necessary prerequisite to contemplate what is about to take place not only in the Liturgy but also in preparation [...]

Alleluia - Ἀλληλούϊα.   The use of the exclamation, "Alleluia"  was inherited by the first Christians from Hebrew worship. It means, "God be praised" or "Praise God". In the Orthodox Church it is in itself an exclamation as well as an exhortation to praise God. It is used throughout all the prayers and services of the Orthodox Church. However, it's deeper significance is derived from its use in the Holy Liturgy which is the pre-eminent service of worship in the Orthodox Church and the source for all the other Church Services. In the Holy Liturgy, it is sung as a [...]

Living the Liturgy by Stanley S. Harakas Published by Light & Life, 1974. Full of meaning and undoubtedly relevant to today’s Christian community, the book “Living the Liturgy” contains the answers to one of the most common dilemmas faced in the Orthodox Faith. This book aims to help many Orthodox Christians who struggle to find the meaning of going to Church and participating in the Divine Liturgy. In the introduction we find out about three keys which open the door to understanding the liturgy. In the first chapter, we find out about the first key which is understanding what the [...]