Orthodox Edification

October 2013 Archives

Posts on Orthodox subjects such as spirituality, practices, saints, services, and history

Sanctified Bread

Bread occupies a special place in our lives. It symbolizes all food as well as the labor necessary to obtain it. As God once told Adam, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread” (Genesis 3:19).

In bread there is religious symbolism. The Lord Jesus Christ called Himself the “bread of life” (John 6:51), and said “if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever…” (John 6:51). Finally, He allowed bread, which [in being of organic composition] is related to human flesh, (more…)

Prayer Before Consuming Prosphora and Holy Water

O Lord my God, may Thy holy gift and Thy holy water be unto the enlightenment of my mind, unto the strengthening of my spiritual and physical powers, unto the health of my soul and body, unto the taming of my passions and weaknesses, according to Thy limitless mercy, through the prayers of Thy Most-pure Mother and of all Thy Saints. Amen.

Candles in Divine Services

The Candle

What does a person first do upon crossing the threshold of a church? In nine out of ten cases, he goes to the candle stand. Our practice of Christianity, our involvement in its ritual, begins with a little beeswax candle. It is impossible to imagine an Orthodox church in which candles are not lit.

Blessed Simeon of Thessalonica (15th century), commentator on the Liturgy, states that pure wax symbolizes the purity and chastity (more…)

An Overview of the Divine Liturgy

This article on the Divine Liturgy by the late Protopresbyter Michael Pomazansky (+ 1988) is quite edifying and instructional. Though it is a bit long, it is well worth your time.

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“The Holies for the Holy”

An Overview of the Divine Liturgy

by Protopresbyter Michael Pomazansky

THE DIVINE LITURGY takes the central place in the prayer-service of the day. Indeed it is not only a prayer service, but it is the greatest of the Mysteries (sacraments) of the Church, the mystery of the offering of the bloodless Sacrifice and the communing of the faithful in the Body and Blood of Christ.

After the prayerful struggles of the whole day, after these prayerful labours, there is laid before the believers the sacred mystical Table (more…)

On Receiving the Mystery of Holy Communion

At the request of Fr. Job, please see below for instructions on how to receive the Mystery of Holy Communion. This is an excerpt from the book A Practical Handbook for Divine Services by the Igumen Gregory Woolfenden (+ 2008). Where necessary, additions to the text (“-ed.”) have been made in order to more closely reflect the practice of our parish.

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Communion of the Laity

When it is time for the communion of the laity, the server takes the candle from in front of the holy doors. The priest, approaching the holy table, picks up the chalice and turns to face the west. The deacon, meanwhile, draws the curtain aside (more…)

Published on Tuesday, October 1st, 2013

On Receiving the Mystery of Holy Communion

At the request of Fr. Job, please see below for instructions on how to receive the Mystery of Holy Communion. This is an excerpt from the book A Practical Handbook for Divine Services by the Igumen Gregory Woolfenden (+ 2008). Where necessary, additions to the text (“-ed.”) have been made in order to more closely reflect the practice of our parish.

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Communion of the Laity

When it is time for the communion of the laity, the server takes the candle from in front of the holy doors. The priest, approaching the holy table, picks up the chalice and turns to face the west. The deacon, meanwhile, draws the curtain aside (more…)